Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, Ernakulam
Chottanikkara, Kerala
The Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple is a Goddess temple in the Ernakulam district, near Kochi, and one of the most important shrines managed by the Cochin Devaswom Board. The Goddess is worshipped as Rajarajeswari (Adiparashakthi) in three forms through the day: Saraswathi in the morning, Lakshmi at noon, and Kali in the evening. An idol of Mahavishnu shares the same pedestal, and the deity is a self-manifested stone formation known as the Rudraksha Shila.
What to see and do
- Have darshan of the Goddess in her three forms, according to the time of day
- See the shrines of Mahavishnu, Shiva, Ganapathi and others around the main sanctum
- Join the evening worship, when she is worshipped as Kali
- Walk the temple grounds and the courtyard
Ideal for
- Devotees of the Goddess
- Visitors who arrive in Kochi and want a temple near the airport
- Families who want a quiet start to a Kerala pilgrimage
Good to know
- Timings are not confirmed, so check locally
- Kerala's old temples have strict dress codes, reported as a mundu or dhoti for men and a saree or set-mundu for women, with no Western wear, so check the rules at the gate
- Phone and camera rules are not confirmed, so ask at the gate
- Fridays and festival days are very crowded
- It is near Kochi, so it is easy to visit on the arrival day
Spiritual significance
Chottanikkara is one of the most important Devi temples of central Kerala, loved for the three forms of the Goddess through the day.
Why it matters
- The Goddess in three forms: Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Kali through the day
- A self-manifested deity: the Rudraksha Shila
- Close to Kochi: an easy first stop on the circuit