Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple

The main festival celebrated here is Chottanikkara Makam Thozhal in the month of Kumbh (February/March). On that particular day it is believed that the goddess in her special appearance , wearing gold ornaments, precious jewelry and innumerable garlands give darsan to her devotees and which will result in the fulfillment of all prayers and cherished desires.The mandap in the east is the main entrance to the temple with a tall Deepasthambham – Light Post. The Prasad counter is at the northwest side in the prakara with Kakkacheri Smarga Sannidhi nearby. The devotee can have the darshan of Kodimaram-flag post and the Kalasa above the sanctum sanctorum from this point. There are many lamps fixed around the temple lighted on the festival days. Devotees can also light the lamps paying a fee. The exit entrance after darshan of Mother Bhagavathi is on the southern side. Next is a mandap where Theertha and sandal Prasad are given to the devotees. The spacious Navarathri Mandap comes next.

There is a big garden on the south side of the prakara. There is a Maha Mandap nearby from where the devotee can easily have the darshan of Amman and the flag post. Those beginning the education of children perform pujas in the Saraswathi mandap. The sthala Vruksha-sacred tree and shrines of Yakshi, Jeshta Bhagavathi and Nagar are in the centre of the prakara. In the shrine next to these, Lord Shiva graces devotees facing east. Keel Kavu Bhagavathi Amman is praised as the Sister of Chottanikarai Bagavathi Amman. There are shrines for Lord Dharma Sastha, Lord Ganapathi and Sri Anjaneya on the right of this mandap. There is also a vast Pandaltent for the convenience of the devotees to relax. The office of the temple administration and stall selling puja materials are on the north of this mandap. There is also a safety room. There are paintings showing the upper look of the temple. Performing Pushpanjali with 12,000 flowers and offering Red Silk vastra is one of the prayer commitments followed in the temple.
Getting there
Nearest railway station: Ernakulam Railway Station, about 17 km
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 37 km
Google map coordinates: W9MR+6F Ernakulam, Kerala