Chettikulangara Devi Temple

History

The shrine is a major Devi kshetram on the Alappuzha–Kollam belt, with Kerala Tourism highlighting the Bharani kettukazhcha processions.

Regional craft and folk performance traditions surround the annual Bharani season listed on the state tourism portal.

Stories

The old woman at the ferry

Tradition says that local chieftains, humiliated at a neighbouring temple's festival, resolved to build a Bhagavathy shrine of their own. After praying at Kodungallur, they returned with a sacred sword and began the work. Soon afterwards a boatman on the Karippuzha stream is said to have ferried an old woman who then vanished at daybreak.

That same day another old woman is said to have joined workers at a nearby household for a meal of rice porridge, then disappeared in a bright glow. The people took these as signs that the goddess had arrived at Chettikulangara, and astrologers are said to have confirmed it.

Kumbha Bharani: chariots in the paddy fields

The great festival is Kumbha Bharani, held in the Malayalam month of Kumbham on the Bharani star, usually in February or March. Morning belongs to Kuthiyottam, in which boys trained for days in a special dance are offered to the goddess. In the evening, each of the thirteen karas, or village units, hauls its towering Kettukazhcha to the temple.

After darshan the structures take positions in the paddy fields east of the shrine, and at night the goddess's image is carried out to see them. A large fair called Bharani Chanda accompanies the festival.

A porridge with a protected name

Two offerings of the temple, Kuthiramoottil kanji and Therummoottil kanji, are reported to have received Geographical Indication tags. The names Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani, Kettukazhcha and Kuthiyottam have also been registered by an organisation of the thirteen karas.

The temple is said to be very old, with popular estimates of about twelve hundred years, but the present sanctum is thought to be only about 450 to 480 years old, and the outer pavilion much younger.

Good to know

Chettikulangara Bharani — Kerala Tourism featured festival

Major Bhagavathy shrine on the backwaters belt

Near Mavelikkara and Kayamkulam road access

Getting there

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport (COK). Mavelikkara and Kayamkulam are the nearest railheads; Chettikulangara by road from Alappuzha.