Kettukazhcha and Kuthiyottam
Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi
temple is one of the most renowned Hindu temples in Kerala. Main deity Sree
Bhadrakali, The temple is located at Chettikulangara in Mavelikkara taluk of
Alappuzha district in the south Indian state of Kerala. The temple is situated
about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of Mavelikkara, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north of
Kayamkulam on SH6 (Kayamkulam - Thiruvalla Highway). Bhadrakali, is an
incarnation of supreme mother Shakthi devi, born from the third eye of Lord
Shiva, to kill the demon king Daruka. 'Bhadra' means good and 'Kali' means
goddess of time. So Bhadrakali is worshipped for prosperity and salvation. Devi
is considered as the creator, protector, destructor, nature, power and
Kundalini shakthi.
Chettikulangara devi is the
supreme mother goddess, Shakthi devi in Hinduism.
The temple has 13
"Karas", or territories. The temple is at the centre of the oldest
four Karas (Erezha South, Erezha North, Kaitha South and Kaitha North) and the
rest of the Karas (Kannamangalam South, Kannamangalam North, Pela, Kadavoor,
Anjilipra, Mattam North, Mattam South, Menampally and Nadakkavu) surround the
temple, which is believed to be 1,200 years old.
The Thantric rights of the temple
belongs to Plackudy Illom, With its Tharavadu (Base) in Ambalapuzha. Plackudy
is one among the ancient Thantric families of Kerala.
Recently UNESCO collected details
about the temple and its customs (Kuthiyottam, Kumbhabharani) in order to
examine whether the temple is eligible for inclusion in the UNESCO World
Heritage List.
This is the second largest temple
in terms of income under the control of Travancore Devaswom Board, second only
next to Sabarimala. It is estimated that the temple has earnings worth many crores
per year. In 2009 it earned around 1.7 crore Rupees from a single type of
offering called "Chanthattam". A major part of the Nellu offered to
the Bhagavathi is also used to make Appam and Aravana prasadams at Sabarimala.
The income from the temple is also helpful to run the daily rituals and Poojas
at various temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board.
Kuthiramoottil kanji and
Therummoottil kanji, offerings at Chettikulangara Devi temple, have received
the Geographical Indication (GI) tags.Ten other names associated with the
temple have been registered under the trademark and patents regime. These
include Chettikulangara Amma, Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani, Chettikulangara
Kettukazhcha, Kuthiyottam, and Chooralmuriyal .The registration under the rules
of protection of intellectual property rights has been made in the name of Sree
Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention, Chettikulangara, an organisation of 13
karas or regional societies.The organisation has also applied for design patent
for kuthira and theru as well as jeevatha, the deity’s palanquin. There are
Similar Kettukazhcha at various temples in this onattukara Area, Kumabha
Bharani here is being attarcted by lakhs of people every year.
