ഫെബ്രുവരിയിലോ മാർച്ചിലോ ചോറ്റാനിക്കര ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽ ഭക്തിയോടും അനുഷ്ഠാനങ്ങളോടും സാംസ്കാരിക പരിപാടികളോടും കൂടി ആഘോഷിക്കുന്ന ഏഴു ദിവസത്തെ വാർഷിക ഉത്സവമാണ് ചോറ്റാനിക്കര മകം തൊഴൽ മഹോത്സവം.
ചോറ്റാനിക്കര ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രം ചോറ്റാനിക്കര എറണാകുളം | Chottanikkara Makam Thozhal Mahotsavam 2026 | Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple Ernakulam
Chottanikkara was once a dense forest and it is believed that Lord Parasurama chose this area for spiritual pursuits. Legend says that there was a dacoit known as Kannappan, a tribe who lived with his daughter. He used to steal cows from the nearby village and sacrifice them to get blessings of the evil spirit. One day he stole a cow and calf and the cow was sacrificed.
The cute calf was given to his
daughter for rearing. Once when he could not steal any cow, he caught the calf for sacrifice despite
resistance from his daughter. The calf escaped from his clutches and disappeared in the forest. Though
Kannappan followed the calf, he could not find it. When he returned he found the calf with his daughter.
Few days later his daughter passed away and since then he reared the calf as his daughter loved it very
much. One day he had a dream in which Goddess Durga appeared and told him the calf was Herself and
to transform him as a good person as desired by his daughter. The Goddess also told him that there
would be two Sila idols near the cow shed. Next day he saw the idols as seen in the dream and many
members of the tribe assembled there to see it. At that time a sage arrived there and told that the idols
are Goddess Durga and Lord Narayana And Kannappan would reborn as a saint and visit the place
again. It is believed that the re-born saint was Vilwamangalam Swamiyar. Many great saints and sages
are associated with the legends of the temple. They include Srimad Sankaracharya, who prescribed the
pooja system of the temple; Villwamangalam Swamiyar who found an idol from the temple tank and
consecrated it as Keez kavil Amma; Kakkasseri Bhatathiri who defeated Udhanda Sastri in vedic
arguments.
Chottanikkara Makam Thozhal Mahotsavam 2026 | Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple Chottanikkara Ernakulam
Festival begins with Kodiyettu (Flag hoisting ceremony) on Rohini day, lasts for 7 days and ends on Uthram star. Daily
Para Ezhunnellippu over neighbouring areas (houses in the Thattakam) and then Aarattu is conducted on these days.
Makom Thozhal (Devi darsan) is considered to be most effective for Mangalyam (long married life) and for getting
best marriage for girls. The Pooram Ezhunnellippu takes place with 7 elephants in the morning and at night. The
utsavam ends with Uthram Aarattu and Valiya Guruthi (Atham Guruthy). The ritualistic bath of Devi takes place in
ceremonial pond in the morning at Onakkoor, far on the northern side of the Temple. After this Devi accompanied by
Lord Sastha on the back of the eleven caparisoned elephants march towards the Pooraparambu, the traditional
vantage point where they remain till 11 a.m. This spectacular show is witnessed by hundreds of devotees who
are enthralled by the enchanting Panchavadya and Nadaswara performances. After the mid-day the door of
Sanctum Sanctorum closes, to re-open at 2 p.m for the Makam Darsana. The whole temple premises are crowded by devotees especially the women folk to get a glimpse of the Devi who appears in her sacred full-fledged splendour and glory decked in ornaments and garlands.
EVENTS/PROGRAMS
• Kodiyettu
• Para Ezhunnellippu
• Makam Thozhal
• Pooram Ezhunnellippu
• Uthram Aarattu
• Valiya Guruthi
Temple Location
📍 Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, Chottanikkara - 682312 Kerala.
Accessibility
🏙️ Nearest Town/ Landmark/ Junction: Chottanikkara Junction - 180 m
🚌 Nearest Bus Station: Chottanikkara Temple Bus Stop - 170 m
🚂 Nearest Railway Station: Thrippunithura Railway Station - 6.4 km
✈️ Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport - 36.6 km
Contact
📞 +91 484 2711 032
+91 484 2713 300
📧 info@chottanikkarabhagavathy.org
