Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple

The Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple is in Chottanikkara village, Ernakulam district. Its goddess, Rajarajeswari, is worshipped as Saraswati in the morning, Lakshmi at midday and Durga in the evening. The image is a self-manifested laterite form known as Rudraksha Sila. A second shrine, Keezhkkaavu, honours Bhadrakali in her fierce aspect, and the Guruthi Pooja to Mahakali is held late each evening; it was once limited to Fridays.

Many devotees come believing the goddess can relieve illness, especially mental illness. Tradition links the temple to Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, and the Kochi royal family was among those who later renovated and enlarged it.