India /Kerala /Ernakulam / Chottanikkara

Chottanikkara, a picturesque village located on the outskirts of Kochi, is renowned as an important religious destination in central Kerala. The centuries old Chottanikkara Bhagavathi temple is the prime attraction of this town. Chottanikkara is the peeth of Rajarajeswari Devi, a calm form of Goddess Durga. Hoards of pilgrims can be seen thronging Chottanikkara during the Makam Thozhal festival held during February – March & Navaratri festival during October – November. Pilgrims coming to Chottanikkara can take advantage of its proximity with Eranakulam & hence visit its many nearby attractions at ease. Pilgrimage to Chottanikkara is believed to bestow a lifetime blessings for those pilgrims visiting the temple for 12 days consecutively. Chottanikkara has a mixed climate, dry during summer days and humid during rainy seasons. Summers (March to May) have a dry weather with maximum temperature reaches to nearly 37°C, and is a good season for visiting temple. Monsoons (June to September) are accompanied with heavy rains, typically tourists avoid heavy rainy days in June and July. Winters (December- February) are pleasant with temperature between 22°C to 30°C. Best Season to visit Chottanikkara is from August to March.

Quick Facts-Edit

Category : Pilgrim

Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours

Pincode: 682312

STD Code: 484

Info Website: 

Best Time to Visit:  October–March

HistoryEdit

Once this place was a thick forest. In this place a tribe named Kannappan lived with his daughter. He used to offer a cow to Goddess Kali every Friday. One day he saw a beautiful cow in the forest and took it to offer for Goddess Kali. But his daughter requested him to keep this cow as her pet. After few days his daughter died so he was full of sorrow. Then one day in his dream goddess appeared and said that she only came to his house as cow. And he found two idols of Narayana and Lakshmi in the cow shed. In that place he built as a small temple where now the present “Temple of Kerala” Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple is seen. The place where he used to offer cow for Goddess is now changed as Kizhukkavu temple. And it was again reconstructed by the Vilwamangalam Swamiyar. And it is said that he only exposed the idol of Goddess Bhadrakaali in Kizhukkavu temple.

Places to VisitAdd 

How to ReachEdit

By Air : The nearest airport is Nedumbassery International airport which is about 45 km away from Chottanikkara. Taxi charge from Nedumbassery to Chottanikkara is about Rs 600. This airport is well connected to all airports in India and also to many cities in abroad, including gulf countries and Singapore.

By Train : The nearest railway station to Chottanikkara is Thrupoonithura, which is only 4 km away from the temple. Taxis and autorickshaws are available from railway station. Taxi charges the minimum charge of Rs 150.

By BUS : Chottanikkara is well connected by bus services. KSRTC connects to many major cities in Kerala. Deluxe Volvo buses are available in plenty at any time to Chennai, Bangalore, Trivandrum, Hyderabad and Mumbai from Kochi. Kochi to Chottanikkara, the KSRTC bus fare is about Rs 25.

By Taxi : Taxis and Auto rickshaws are easily available for moving about in the city.

By Other : N.A.

Top HotelsAdd

Budget  – Up to Rs. 800

• Indraprastha Tourist Home ; Near Chottanikkara Temple, Chottanikkara, Ernakulam Kerala. ; Ph – 0484-2711090 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Conference facilities, Laundry, Parking, Non-smoking rooms, 24-Hour Security,Catering Services, Concierge, Laundry/Valet Services, Wedding Services, Banquet facilities, Doctor on call.

Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Sreedevi Hotel ; West Nada, Chottanikara Kerala – 682312. ; Ph – 0484-2711273 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Conference facilities, Laundry, Parking, Disco, 24-Hour Security, Health Club, Lounge, Banquet facilities, Doctor on call.

Deluxe – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Devasthanam Lodge ; Chottanikara Devaswom, Chottanikara .Kerala – 682312. ; Ph – 0484-2712350 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk,24-hour room service, Laundry, Parking, Doctor on call.

Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above

• Woodlands Residency ; West Nada, Chottanikkara, Kerala – 682312. ; Ph – 9551095000 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Air conditioning, Laundry, Parking, 24-Hour Security, Doctor on call

Top RestaurantsAdd

Must Eat FoodAdd

Must Do ActivitiesAdd 

Must ShopAdd

Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add

SpaAdd

FestivalAdd

Chottanikkara Bhagavathy temple for Makam Thozhal festival ; Venue:  N.A. ; Period :  N.A. ; Details:  Makam Thozhal”at the Chottanikkara Bhagavathy temple in Kerala’s Kochi city is a unique festival in which only women devotees are allowed to enter through the main entrance of the temple to offer prayers. The rituals associated with this annual festival commenced on Sunday night (February 28) with the flag hoisting by temple priest Thantri Puliyanoor Murali Narayanan Namboothiripad. The 10-day festival is mainly meant for receiving the ‘para’ or, the holy reception given by the devotees for women. Chants of “Amme Narayana” reverberated as the main priest opened the sanctum sanctorum at 2 p.m. The temple remained open till 8.30 p.m.

Safety / WarningEdit

• Beware of pickpockets as Chottanikkara is a major tourist city in India.

HelplineEdit

• Ambulance : 102
• Fire Brigade : 101
• Police : 100

ItineraryEdit

N.A.

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