Chettikulangara Temple, Kerala

The Chettikulangara Temple in Kerala is a traditional Hindu temple renowned for its religious and spiritual significance. Located in Mavelikkara, Alapuzha district, the temple is dedicated to the goddess Bhagavathy – an incarnation of Durga. The temple has a rich cultural history spanning centuries and an intriguing legend behind it. Admirers of the temple flock from all over India to participate in the darshan rituals at this famous shrine.

About Kerala Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple

Chettikulangara Devi Temple is one of the most known Hindu temples in Kerala and is mostly frequented by devotees of Sree Bhadarakali, the principal deity. The Goddess is worshipped in three forms: Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi, Maha Kali, or Durga. It is considered a cultural and religious icon. According to popular belief, the temple is 1200 years old. Existence is supported by scant evidence and speculation.

Those who visit the temple enjoy mental tranquility. It has exceptional quality. The Goddess appears in the morning as Maha Saraswati, at midday as Maha Lakshmi, and in the evening as either Sree Durga or Maha Kaali. To have their desires granted, devotees visit the shrine.

They can do numerous rituals like Thottam Pattu, Sarpam Pattu, Payasam, Kadumpayasam, Thriimadura Nivedya, Kumkum Abhisheka, and Pushparchana. Every year, a variety of festivities are held in the temple. On Tuesdays and Fridays, special poojas are held. On the first day of each month, as an offering to Maha Bhadrakali, a lamp with 1001 lighting points is lit.

Temple Legend

Numerous popular beliefs surround the origin of the Chettikulangara temple. The most popular are listed below. Several local chieftains attended the annual celebrations at the Koypallikarazhma Bhagavathi temple, located a few kilometers from Chettikulangara, many centuries ago.

Visitors were humiliated and made fun of by the Koypallikarazhma temple administrators and local village chieftains. They decided to construct a Bhagavathi temple in Chettikulangara in retaliation for their humiliation.

People of Chettikulangara joined for this purpose, and the Karanavars (Family Heads) of the region’s four to five main families at the time-resolved to seek Kodungallur Bhagavathi’s blessings for this mission. They started on a trip, visited many temples along the way, arrived in Kodungallur, and conducted Bhajanam for twelve days to appease the Goddess.

According to legend, the Devi appeared in their dreams and informed them that she would soon visit Chettikulangara. The following day, they returned to Chettikulangara with a sacred sword handed to them by Velichappadu of the Kodungallur temple and began civil construction on the temple.

A few days later, while the kadathukaran (local boatman) of the neighboring Karippuzha rivulet was closing up his work on a late evening, he heard an older woman requesting assistance to transport her to the opposite bank. He felt obligated to assist the woman and resolved to join her in Chettikulangara, where she was rumored to be traveling. The Kadathukaran brought them food from a nearby mansion when they rested beneath a roadside tree (now the site of the Puthusseriambalam shrine) while traveling.

The lady had departed when he awoke before dawn, having fallen asleep shortly after that. (According to legend, this boatman was a Christian, and for assisting Devi to cross the Karippuzha thodu, his successors were bestowed with the position of Vedi (ritual fireworks at the temple). People of Chettikulangara believed that the Devi had reached Chettikulangara based on his description of this unexplained occurrence.

The following day, annual maintenance on the thatched roof was taking place at the illam (the traditional dwelling where a community of Brahmins resides in central Kerala) adjacent to the current temple. While the Antharjanam of the house was serving the workers lunch of Kanji (rice porridge), muthirapuzhukku (a local specialty made with baked Horse Gram cereal and kneaded coconut), and Asthram (another side dish made from a paste of various locally sourced vegetables), a strange older woman joined them.

Immediately after eating, the older woman strolled to the western side of the house and vanished with a brilliant radiance. Antharjanam witnessed this and became unconscious as a result. She expounded on her experience to the individuals later on.

On the same day, Devi made her presence known to the local leaders. Renowned astrologers confirmed that the Bhagavathi had reached Chettikulangara when they contacted them.

Temple History of Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi Temple

According to one account, Padmapadacharyar (a leading follower of Adi Shankara) consecrated this temple on the Uthrittathi (Uttara Bhadrapada) day of the Makara month in 823 A.D. There is strong evidence that the Goddess was once a family deity before becoming the village and regional divinity.

ocal historians dispute the claim that the temple is not as ancient as the neighboring Kandiyoor Mahadeva temple or Mavelikara Krishna Swamy temple because it was not listed in the 14th-century Unnuneeli Sandesam. According to the late Kandiyoor Mahadeva Shasthri, Samudra Bandhan—a prominent courtier of the ancient King of Venad, Ravi Varman—visited this temple and composed poetry about Bhagavathi.

Aadithya Kulasekharan, the King of Venad from 1374 to 1389 A.D., allegedly also visited the Chettkulangara temple. In addition, one explanation suggests that this Devi temple was formerly an ancient kavu when Kadmattath Achan Nambuthiri, on his route to adjacent panayanarkavu at parumala from Thevalakara, attempted to subdue a Yakshi (devil) but could not provide her with a place to remain. He arrived, prayed to God, and was able to subdue her. (she is still within the temple complex) However, the existing Sreekovil of the temple is just 450–480 years old, and the Chuttambalam is little more than two centuries old.

According to local historians, numerous local chieftains periodically upgraded the temple’s infrastructure and environs. The current Sreekoil was renovated in 1540. In the Malayalam year 1002, the Chuttambalam was slightly modified due to a little fire at this temple.

It is also claimed that the chief deity, Chettikulangara Amma, is the daughter of Kodungallur Amma, who was brought there for the welfare of the Onattukara residents (Mavelikara). In addition, it states that certain Chettyar families from Tamil Nadu were related to the surname Chettikulangara.

Temple Architecture

The temple is constructed in the architectural style of Kerala. In addition to the main temple, other minor shrines are devoted to various gods and goddesses.

Next to the temple are statues of Updevatas or Sub-deities.

• Yakshini, Ganapathi
• Nagarajav, Balakan
• Muhurthi, Naga Yakshi
• Thevara Moorthy
• Kannamballi bhagavathi
• Rekshas
• Vallyachan

Chettikulangara Devi Temple Festivals

This temple has major celebrations such as Kumbha Bharani, Ethirelpu Ulsavam, Kettukazhcha, Kuthiyottam, Aswathi Ulsavam, and others.

The most important celebration here is the Kumbha Bharani, which is held on the day the Bharani star appears in the Malayalam month Kumbha, which occurs in March/April. The Kuthiyottam and Kettukazhcha highlight this festival.

The Kuthiyottam procession begins early in the morning, while the Kettukazhcha is performed in the evening. The “Bharani Chanda” will take place as part of this celebration.
The annual temple celebration is known as “Ethirelpu Ulsavam.” This begins ten days after the Kumbha Bharani and continues for thirteen days.

The Aswathy Ulsavam festival, held during the Malayalam month of Meenam, also draws a large crowd.

Darsan Timing

Special Rituals

Kuthiyottam and Kettu Kazhcha are the festival’s most important ceremonies. In Kuthiyottam, young boys who have undergone severe ritual penance circumambulate the temple.

Kettukazhcha With musicians playing the chenda (traditional percussion) and Ila Thaalam, 100-foot-tall bull effigies are constructed and hauled to the shrine (cymbals). The bull effigies encircle the temple and occupy positions on one side of the structure.

Darshan Dresscode

Devotees must dress accordingly.

Local Culture

Alappuzha is one of the locations referred to as the “Venice of the East.” This city has gorgeous canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons. The Alappuzha Backwaters are the most popular tourist destination in Kerala.

How to Reach

Chettikulangara Temple By Air

Trivandrum Airport is the one that is closest to Chettikulangara Temple. The airport in Thiruvanthapuram is 110 km from this temple. Cochin Airport is the other nearby airport. Every major city in India has regular flights to Thiruvanthapuram Airport. Also, people visiting the temple can rent or book transportation outside the airport.

Chettikulangara Temple By Train

Mavelikara railway station is the closest one to Chettikulangara Temple. Five kilometers separate the Ramagundam Railway Station and the Thirumandhamkunnu Temple.

Chettikulangara Temple By Road

People can also get to the Kaleshwaram Temple by road and by car. Many government and private buses run every day from cities like Cochin, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Perinthalmanna, and Angadippuram.

Chettikulangara Temple Location Map

Quick FAQ – Chettikulangara Devi Temple