CHETTIKULANGARA BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE

Many followers of the theory of Kerala’s genesis by Parasurama firmly believe that he had established 108 Durga temples, 108 Siva temples, numerous Sasthatemples, besides 108 Kalaris (place to learn traditional martial arts in front of the deity), Sakthi Kendras etc. Besides he had established five Ambalayas. Jagadambika of Chettikulangara, the Goddess of Oodanadu, is among the five Ambalayams. Though enough historical evidences and authentic study materials are not available to support, it is believed that this temple dates back to more than1200 years.

According to one version, this temple was consecrated by Padmapadacharyar (a leading disciple of Adi Shankara) on the Uthrittathi day of Makara month in A.D. 823. There is a firm argument that the goddess here was a family deity, and later emerged as the village and regional deity. Local historians oppose the argument that the temple is not as ancient as the nearby Kandiyoor Mahadeva temple or Mavelikara Krishna Swamy temple as it had not been mentioned in Unnuneeli Sandesam written in the 14th century. According to late Kandiyoor Mahadeva Shasthri, Samudra Bandhan – a leading courtier of Ravi Varman, an ancient King of Venad had visited this temple and wrote poems on Bhagavathi.Similarly Aadithya Kulasekharan, the King of Venad (1374 A.D. to 1389 A.D.) also had visited the Chettkulangara temple, argues them.

However, it is to be said that the present Sreekovil of the temple is only 450-480 years old, and the Chuttambalam is not more than two centuries old. Local historians say that the temple infrastructure and the surroundings were developed by various local chieftains from time to time. The present Sreekoil was revamped during A.D.1540. Because of a small fire at this temple, the Chuttambalam was slightly modified during the Malayalam year 1002.

There is also an argument that the present premises of the temple belonged to a big ‘Kavu’ (a traditional Central Travancore small sacred forest) and the Mahashilayuga Vigraha of Bhagavathi was relocated from ‘Moolasthanam’ to this place. (Some argue the place belonged to a marshy land). According to the directions of Padmapadacharya, temporary consecration was performed by Chengannur Thazhaman Thanthri and Kattuvallil Valakkod Illam Namboodiri.

A year later, Padmapadacharyar came here, and Prathishta Karma was performed after 21 days of rituals headed by 31 Brahmanas. Jagadambika’s chaithanyam (divine power) was absorbed into a Sri Chakra with Saptha Dalas (seven spokes representing Saptha Mathrukkal). The Prathishta here is said to be in Rurujith style, and has Thamoguna along with Sathva and Rajo Gunas. In order to reduce the intensity of the Prathishta’s mounting fierce powers, an imaginary Mahavishnu prathishta is believed to be in place near the Prathishta. On the Bharani day of every month, the Kshethram Thanthri performs Poojas to reduce the mounting powers of the prathishita.