Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple

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Sight Address : Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple is located at Chettikulangara in Mavelikkara taluk of Alappuzha district, about 4 km west of Mavelikkara, 7 km north of Kayamkulam on SH6 (Kayamkulam – Thiruvallha Highway). Edit

Detail InformationEdit

Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi Temple is the nerve centre of Chettikulangara, spread over 13 God chosen (Karas) territories and the temple itself is located at the middle of the first four Karas – Erezha South, Erezha North, Kaitha South and Kaitha North. Special Poojas are performed on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The important festival in this temple is the Kumbha Bharani festival conducted during February-March and the important festivities associated with this utsavam is ‘Kuthiyottam’ and ‘Kettu-Kazhcha’ which draws large crowds of devotees. The procession of tall decorated on chariots, brightly decorated effigies of horses and bullocks and cultural performances make this a spectacular pageant. The people of the 13 Karas actively participate and sponsor the festivities of the temple. The temple is now under the control of the Travancore Devaswom Board and is the second highest revenue earner, next to Sabarimala within this board. The temple provides 12 room rest houses on rent for devotees at reasonable cost, managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board and Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention.

Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, Alappuzha

HistoryEdit

Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple is dedicated to ‘Bhadrakali’ or ‘Bhagavathy’ or ‘Jagadambika’ (Goddess of ‘Oodanadu’), is believed to date back to over 1200 years. There are contradictions regarding its origin. While some believe that it is one among the five temples established by Lord Parashuram, others believe that this temple was consecrated by Padmapadacharyar, a leading disciple of Adi Shankara. The deity here is supposed to possess miraculous powers. Besides the main deity, many subsidiary Gods are there in the temple premises such as Yakshi (bewitchingly beautiful supernatural being who feed on human blood), Muhurthi, Rakshas (a fierce super natural creature who feed on humans), Thevara Moorthy, Kannamballi bhagavathi, Ganapathi, Nagarajav (King of serpents), Naga Yakshi, Balakan, Vallyachan ( Central Travancore parlance for family chieftains, and they are worshipped by his descendants after death) etc. Besides, there is a small temple 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 on the belief that they houses Gandharvas and Yakshis, the fairytale supernatural elements who accompany Bhagavathy, their master, during her trips termed as ‘Varutthu Pokku’ in local parlance.

Must SeeEdit

Attraction

Visiting TimeEdit

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Best Season to VisitEdit

September to March.

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning, Afternoon & Evening.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

Minimum 30 minutes.

Ticket Required : No Edit

Individual National Adult Rs. : N.A.

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : N.A.

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.

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Guide Required : No Edit

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Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit

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Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit

How to ReachEdit

Taxi : Local taxis are also available at cheap rates. There are many Car rental companies offering cars with drivers or self drive. Rates are around Rs 7 per km but there are all sorts of extras.

Bus : There are bus services operating from cities like Cochin (1:15 hours, Rs 33), Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Chennai, Bangalore (overnight luxury Rs 650), Mysore, Coimbatore (overnight Rs.220) to Alappuzha. Alappuzha has an excellent local bus service system and it is cheap.

Train : Alappuzha railway station is a major station, which link every important city in India. This railway station is easily accessible throughout India. There are direct trains to Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam and also to further North from this station. from railway station taxi or autorickshaws are easily available to reach the site.

Air : Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport. Expect to pay about Rs.450 for a taxi to get from Cochin airport to Cochin, then Bus or train to Alleppey. Alternatively come to airports at Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kozhikode (Calicut), Chennai, Bangalore and catch a train to Alappuzha. from airport buses, taxi or autorickshaws are easily available to reach the site.

Others : Autorickshaw : This is cheap way of transportation between attractions in Alappuzha.

Ferry services : Regular ferry services connect most locations on both banks of the backwaters.The Kerala State Water Transport Department operates ferries for passengers as well as tourists. It is the cheapest mode of transport through the backwaters.