Chettikulangara Temple, Kerala

Introduction to the Chettikulangara Temple

Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple or Chettikulangara Temple is a famous temple at Mavelikkara taluk, Alappuzha district, Kerala. The main reason for the Temple's popularity among many pilgrims is the Kettukazhcha festival. Thousands of visitors throng here to watch the festivities. The Travancore Devaswom Board administers and maintains the Chettikulangara Temple. It is next to Sabarimala in terms of patronage.

Legend of the Chettikulangara Temple

One of the legends says that the Chettikulangara Temple is one of the five temples made by Parasurama.

According to another legend, some village leaders from Chettikulangara came to attend the annual festivities at Koipallikarazhma Devi Temple. The temple authorities humiliated and ridiculed them for not having a Bhagavathy temple in their village.

The disgraced leaders vowed and decided to build a temple at Chettikulangara. The Karanavars (family heads) and some main families in the region decided to seek the blessings of Kodungallur Bhagavathy Amman in their mission. They embarked on a pilgrimage to various temples, reached Kodungallur, and performed 12 days of Bhajans to please Kodungallur Bhagavathy.

It is said that Bhagavathy appeared in their dream and told them that she would soon come to Chettikulangara. The Velichappadu of Kodungallur temple gave them a sacred sword. The next day, they returned to Chettikulangara with the sword and began constructing the Devi temple.

The Architecture of the Chettikulangara Temple

This is a 1200-year-old temple. The Chuttambalam of the Chettikulangara Temple is 200 years old. It is in Kerala architectural style.

The presiding deity of the Chettikulangara Temple is worshipped in three forms as three major incarnations of Bhagavathy. She graces as Maha Saraswati in the morning, blesses as Maha Lakshmi by noon, and Sri Durga in the evening.

Kuthuvilakku, made of granite, is the main attraction of the Chettikulangara Temple. It can accommodate over 1000 wicks and is considered the largest in the country. There are separate shrines for Yakshini, Ganapati, Nagaraja, Balakan, Muhurthi, Naga Yakshi, Thevara Moorthy, Kannamballi Bhagavathi, Rekshas and Vallyachan.

Chettikulangara Temple is the second-highest revenue-providing temple for the Travancore Devaswom Board after Sabarimala.

Festivals in the Chettikulangara Temple

Chettikulangara Bharani or Kumbha Bharani is an important festival celebrated at Chettikulangara Temple. It is held during the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February-March). Processions of tall decorated structures on chariots, decorated effigies of bullocks and horses, and cultural performances make the Kettukazhcha offering a spectacular show.

Kuthiyottam is another important and unique ritual performed to propitiate Bhagavathy in Kumbham. Young boys perform a ritual folk dance for folk and other instrumental music.
Parayeduppu Ulsavam, Ethirelppu Ulsavam, and Aswathy Ulsavam are the other major festivals in the Chettikulangara Temple.

Ganapati Homam, Bhagavathy Seva, Raktha Pushpanjali, Guruthy, Kadumpayasam, Aravanapayasam, Vellanivedyam, Ashtotharachana, Sahasranamarchana, Bhagyasooktharchana, Palpayasam, Adima, Nelppara, Arippara, Kuthiyottam, Aaluvilakku, Chuttuvilakku, Choroonu, and Thulabaaram are the major offerings at the Chettikulangara Temple.