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Chottanikkara Temple

Chottanikkara Temple

pilgrimage site · Kerala

State
Kerala
Type
Pilgrimage Site

Chottanikkara Bhagavathy, on Kochi's green edge, is one of Kerala's most powerful goddess temples — the Devi worshipped as Saraswati at dawn, Lakshmi at noon and Durga at dusk. The temple is famed across the South for healing afflictions of the mind; at the lower Kizhukkavu shrine, the guardian Bhadrakali's ancient paala tree bristles with nails driven in as spirits are exorcised at the wrenching Guruthi Pooja each night.

When to go

October to March; Makam Thozhal festival

Why visit

Kerala's healing goddess — three forms a day, and the extraordinary night Guruthi ritual.

How to reach

About 20 km southeast of Ernakulam (Kochi); buses and autos run from Tripunithura. Kochi's airport and rail stations make it an easy half-day.

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