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Have you heard of a festival where parents dress up their children in dazzling outfits and jewelry, and offer them to the goddess for 21 days? Sounds amazing, right? That's what happens at the 'Chikkara Kottikkal' festival, a beautiful celebration of devotion and prosperity at the Kanichukulangara Devi temple. The temple is located near Cherthala in the Alappuzha district of Kerala in India. This temple is a sacred place where people worship the Hindu mother goddess Bhagawathi, who is known for her power and grace. Let's take a closer look at this fascinating festival, and how it brings joy and well-being to the children and their families.
The Magic of Chikkara Kottikkal
What is Chikkara? Chikkara is a special ritual where parents show their love and gratitude to the goddess Bhagawathi by dressing up their little ones as her representatives. For 21 days, the parents and the children stay at the temple, and the children participate in various ceremonies and prayers. The parents believe that by doing this, they are pleasing the goddess and receiving her blessings for their children's prosperity and health.
The Journey of 21 Days
How It Begins - Kodiyettam: The 'Chikkara Kottikkal' festival is part of a bigger celebration that lasts for 21 days at the Kanichukulangara Devi temple. It starts with Kodiyettam, which means 'hoisting the flag'. On this day, a flag is raised at the temple, signaling the beginning of the festivities. The temple becomes a hub of activity, with people coming from far and wide to join the celebrations.
How It Ends - Arattu on Thiruvonam Day: The festival ends with a grand ceremony called arattu, which means 'holy bath'. On this day, the idol of the goddess is taken out of the temple and immersed in a nearby river. This is done to symbolize the cleansing and rejuvenation of the goddess and her devotees. The people celebrate with music, dance, and fireworks, and feel a sense of fulfillment and peace.
The Stories Behind the Festival
The Brahmin and the Maiden: The Kanichukulangara Devi temple has a romantic legend behind it. It is said that a long time ago, a Brahmin saw the goddess Bhagawathi arriving at the shore with a beautiful maiden. He fell in love with the maiden, and followed her to the temple. There, he realized that she was the goddess herself, and he worshiped her with all his heart. Their souls became one, and the temple was named 'Kanichukulangara', which means 'the place where the goddess played in the pond'.
More Than Just a Festival
A Stunning Temple: The Kanichukulangara Devi temple is not only famous for its festivals but also for its architecture. The temple is a masterpiece of art and culture, with intricate carvings, paintings, and sculptures. The temple reflects the glory and grace of the goddess and attracts many visitors and admirers.
Other Festivals: The 'Chikkara Kottikkal' festival is not the only one that happens at the temple. There are many other festivals and rituals that are performed throughout the year. Some of them are Pongala, which is a women's festival where they cook rice and offer it to the goddess; Thooka Chadu, which is a ritual where devotees hang from hooks as a sign of sacrifice; and FireWorks, which is a spectacular display of fireworks that light up the sky.
Bhagawathi: The Divine Mother
Who is Bhagawathi? Bhagawathi is a name that is given to many goddesses in Hinduism and Buddhism. It means 'the fortunate one' or 'the one who grants boons'. In Hinduism, Bhagawathi is often used to refer to goddesses Durga and Lakshmi, who are the female forms of the supreme power, Shakthi. Bhagawathi is worshiped for her abundance, fertility, purity, and prosperity, and her festivals are meant to remove negativity and restore harmony.
We hope you enjoyed learning about the 'Chikkara Kottikkal' festival and the Kanichukulangara Devi temple. If you have ever been to this festival, or if you are planning to go, we would love to hear from you. Share your stories and thoughts with us, and let us know how this festival and temple inspire you.
