Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi Temple

Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi Temple or Chettikulangara Devi Temple is a popular Hindu temple located in Chettikulangara, in the Alappuzha district of Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Sree Bhadrakali and is over 1200 years old. It is one of the most renowned temples in Kerala and is maintained by the Travancore Devaswom Board.

The Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi Temple has spread over 13 God-chosen (Karas) territories and is the second-largest temple, after Sabarimala, under the control of the Travancore Devaswom Board. It is estimated to have an annual income of several crores, with Nellu (raw rice) contributing the most. The revenue generated by the temple supports the day-to-day rituals and Poojas conducted at different temples overseen by the Travancore Devaswom Board.

During the months of February to March, the Chettikulangara Bharani festival is celebrated to honor Goddess Bhagavathy. This festival is a notable event and features the Kettukazhcha, where massive and ornate structures of temple cars called Kuthira, chariots called Theru, and icons of popular Indian epic characters such as Lord Hanuman, Bhima, and Panchali are paraded through the city streets to the temple. Another important and distinctive ritual performed to appease the deity is called Kuthiyottam, which involves a folk dance performed by young boys accompanied by folk and instrumental music.

The Chettikulangara Sree Bhagav Temple is easily reachable as it is conveniently located about 5 kilometers west of Mavelikara and 6.5 kilometers from Kayamkulam, on the Kayamkulam-Mavelikara route. The nearest railway station is at Kayamkulam and the closest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport which is located 110 kilometers away from Chettikulangara temple. The timings of Chettikulangara temple are 6:30 AM to 12 PM & 5 PM to 8:30 PM.

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