|
Description:
Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi Temple is one among the five temples
established by Lord Parashuram. The temple is located at Chettikulangara,
8 km from Kayamkulam, on the Kayamkulam–Mavelikara route. This temple
dates back to over 1200 years.
Chettikulangara temple is spread over 13 God chosen (Karas) territories.
It is at the center of the first four Karas – Erezha South, Erezha North,
Kaitha South and Kaitha North. The presiding deity is Jagadambika of
Chettikulangara, the Goddess of Oodanadu. Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi
temple is now under the control of the Travancore Devaswom Board and
is the second highest revenue earner, next to Sabarimala within this
board.
According
to the legend, once when some local chieftains went to witness
the annual festivities at the Koypallikarazhma Bhagavathi temple,
they were humiliated and ridiculed by the Koypallikarazhma temple
authorities. Thus they thought of constructing a temple at Chettikulangara.
The Karanavars (Family Heads), the four to five then leading families
of the region, decided to take it as their duty and performed 12
days long 'Bhajan' to please the Goddeess, Kodungallur Bhagavati.
It is believed that Devi gave them 'Swapna Darshanam.' Next day,
they returned to Chettikulangara with a sacred sword given by the
Velichappadu of Kodungallur temple, and started civil works of
the temple. Another story tells that this temple was consecrated
by Padmapadacharyar (a leading disciple of Adi Shankaracharya)
on the Uthrittathi day of Makara month in the year 823.
Historical
evidences reveal that the shrikovil of the temple is about 480
years old and the Chuttambalam dates back about two centuries.
There are various offerings, which include the Kumkumarchana, Raktha
Puzhpanjali, Panthirunazhi, Bhagavathi Seva and much more. The
Ezhunnallathu (deity taken out and goes round the temple thrice)
is performed on Bharani days from Vrichikam to Meenam. Devi will
be taken out on 'Kai Vattaka' by Melshanthi (the prime priest)
during the Ezhunnallathu of Vrichikam month. The 41 days of Kalamezhuthu
and Pattu is conducted annually on the first of Malayalam month
Vrichikam (December - January). On the last day, Puram Kurithi
is performed. It is told that the Prasadam of this ritual is capable
of providing immunity against Small Pox and similar contagious
diseases.
The
main distinctive feature of this temple is the huge oil lamp called
Kathuvilakku (made of granite) which accomodates more than a thousand
wicks and is the largest in India. The Upadevathas (deities) in
the temple premises are Yakshi, Muhurthi, Rakshas, Thevara Moorthy,
Kannamballi Bhagavati, Ganesh, Nagaraja, Naga Yakshi, Balakan and
Vallyachan. There is another small shrine for Moolasthanam. A Kavu
(a patch of small forest, which houses the serpent Gods), Karimbana
(black palm tree) and the nearby Chembakam tree in the premises
are also places of worship
|
