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Chottanikkara
temple, located near Ernakulam enshrines
Bhagawati - the mother Goddess, one of the most popular deities in Kerala.
Enroute is the Poornatrayesa temple at Tripunittura. The Devi is
worshipped along with Lord Vishnu. Together, they are known as
Lakshminarayana.
People who have mental illness seek refuge in the divine mother, who
graciously cures all her devotees. Goddess Rajarajeswari is the presiding
deity.
This deity is worshipped in three different forms - as Saraswati in the
morning - draped in white, as Bhadrakali at noon draped in crimson, and as
Durga in the evening decked in blue.
The image in the shrine is not fixed to the ground and is mounted on
loose sand. Water offered during ablution ceremonies percolates
underground.
Legend
It is locally believed that the deity appeared in front of Vilvamangalam
Swamigal, a saint associated with this shrine and with
Guruvayoor.
Vilvamangalam Swamy is said to have discovered Bhadrakali enshrined in
Keezhkaavu.
The annual festival here is celebrated in the month of Kumbha (February -
March). 'Maasi Magam', coinciding with the full moon, during this festival
attracts vast crowds.
Timings
The temple is kept open from 5:30 in the morning and stays so till 12:00
in the noon.The temple usually remains closed during the noon hours, and
reopens in the evening at 4:00 p.m.
The temple closes in the night after the last pujas are performed by 8:00