- Deity
- Bhagavathi (Rajarajeswari)
- Timings
- About 4 am–12 noon and 4–8.45 pm
- Main festival
- Makam Thozhal (February–March)
- Nearest airport
- Cochin International (about 36 km)
- Nearest railway station
- Ernakulam Junction (about 16 km)
The two shrines
In the upper temple, Melekkavu, the goddess Rajarajeswari is worshipped together with Vishnu on the same pedestal, so she is also called Lakshmi Narayana. She is honoured in three forms through the day: as Saraswati in white in the morning, Lakshmi in red at noon and Durga in blue after dusk. The image is set on laterite and not fixed to the ground in the usual way. Shiva, Ganapathi and Dharma Sastha have their own shrines as sub-deities.
The lower temple, Keezhekkavu, is dedicated to Bhadrakali. The fierce Guruthi Puja is performed here every evening, and devotees drive nails into an old tree nearby as a vow for relief from affliction.
Legends
One story tells of Kannappan, a forest dweller who sacrificed animals to Kali. After his daughter died and a calf she loved turned into two stones, he repented and began worshipping those stones as Vishnu and Lakshmi, and the shrine grew from there. Another links the temple with Adi Shankara and the Mookambika shrine at Kollur, and many believe the goddess of Kollur is present at Chottanikkara in the early morning.
Festivals
- Makam Thozhal: the biggest day, on the Makam star in the month of Kumbham (February–March)
- Navaratri, with Vidyarambham for children on Vijayadashami
- Thiruvonam, with a festive meal for pilgrims
- Vishu in Medam, with processions on elephants
- Mandala season festivities
Timings, dress code and access
The temple is open from about 4 am to noon, and in the evening from 4 pm till 8.45 pm. Traditional clothes are expected; men must remove shirts, and women usually wear a saree or salwar kameez.
Cochin International Airport is about 36 km away, and Ernakulam Junction railway station about 16 km. KSRTC and private buses run from Ernakulam, and we can arrange a car for a morning darshan.
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