AMME NARAYANA - On my mother's lap

"Sarvamangala Mangalye

Sive Sarvardha Sadhike

Saranye Trayambake Gauri

Narayani Namosthuthe"

It is one of those noons at Chottanikkara. Sky, bereft of clouds, spared Sun in full blaze. As soon as I stepped my right feet into the sanctified sand, droplets dribbling down my chest evaporated all of a sudden. I could hear a distant rendition in a brass saucer, the age-old Brahmani pattu, resonating even at the stone and the carvings. Listening to it is the Devi herself, seated on a raised platform which is literally lambent with many a lantern. Pleased by the praises from a thousand throats, Devi slowly smiles, blessing the believers around, thus soothing their turbulent hearts.

The temple of Chottanikkara RajaRajeswari can be considered as one of the most famous as well as powerful abodes of Parasakthi. Its historical appeal, spiritual legacy and traditional influence on generations is tremendous. Legends say that the presence of divinity here was worshipped by Maharshi Bhoga. The deity which is swayambhu in Rudraksha Sila was worshipped by sages and saints like Adisankaracharya, Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, Kakkasseri Bhattathiri and Chemmangattu Bhattathiri.

It is the cynosure of lakhs of devotees swarming from all over the world on all auspicious and festive occassions. The golden-hued idol of Raja Rajeswari bedecked with fragrant flowers, garlands, precious jewels and bathed in myriad of camphor flames will induce holiness into our minds and offer redemption from our sins.The picturesque temple premises bewitches anyone who comes in search of mental peace and tranquility. The mere sight of the idol dispel fear from the minds of devotees, there by instill deep spiritual solace in their hearts.

This is one of the most celebrated Devi shrines of Kerala. The sacred doors of the sanctum sanctorum at Melkavu (temple on top of the hill) open at 4 AM. Devi here is considered to be in satvik Bhava. Sree Mookambika Devi (as Saraswathi) is also believed to be present in the temple in the morning. Due to this Mookambika Temple at kollur opens only after the Goddess Saraswathi returns to there late in the morning. The unique character of this renowned temple is that the Goddess is worshipped as Saraswati (wearing white) in the morning, in Swayamvarabhava (Praktuthi-purusha bhava) from chiratta nivedyam to Uccha Pooja, as Bhadrakali (dressed up in red) at noon and as Durga (draped in blue) at evening. This temple having the reputation as a place of redemption from evil spirits, has a temple pond known as Rakthakulam(Place where devi beheaded 'Raktha Rakshassu' (aka Agni yakshi) - an evil vampiress who preyed on humans for their blood. Her head was thrown into the pond and as per the legends the entire water turned dark-red and from then on called as rakthakulam or 'pool of blood' by the devotees), a dip in which is believed to remove the evil-spirits from the body of possessed-individuals.

On the eastern side of the temple pond stands the Keezhkavu (temple at the foot of the hill) temple.The idol in Roudra Bhava facing westward is belived to be installed by Vilwamangalam Swamiyar.

After the Athazha pooja (main pooja in the night), the chief priest of the principal deity comes to Kizhkavu to perform the famous 'Valiya Guruthi' (Great Sacrifice). The Guruthi is prepared in 12 cauldrons (huge vessel) and is performed at about 8.45 PM every night.

Those who witness the guruthy performance, which itself is invigorating and finds it as an experience which is indescribable. Being present here for that ceremony on Fridays permanently cures women suffering from mental abnormalities like schizophrenia.

An ancient tree(Pala) standing on the keezhkavu is covered with long iron nails hammered on by haunted victims with their foreheads.

Many a number of myths laid entangled with the prowess of Devi and her utmost care for devotees. Many a deity are worshipped here in the temple complex and they are

"Seshasayi Siva Skanda

Vighna vidyarya samyuthou

Lakshmi Narayanou vande

Sastharam chapi Bhairavim"

1. Brahma, Vishnu(Vishnu idol in krishna sila is on the right side of devi's idol and both are having a common base and hence also called as Lakshmi-Narayana Moorthi), Siva, Subrahmanya, Ganapathy, Sastha etc. inside the Sreekovil.

2. Sastha with consorts(Prabha and satyaki) in the Nalambalam

3. Kapaleeswaran, Siva with ganapathy, Naga or Snake Gods outside the Nalambalam

4. Pavizhamally thara which is considered as the Sreemoolasthana on the east

Pilgrims who are desirous to participate in the Bhajana at Chotanikara temple should go to the temple a day in advance and attend the Athaza pooja.

Next day, early morning pilgrims must take bath in the temple pond and participate in the Nirmaliya darshan. As the main nada (i.e., the door of the main sanctum sanctorum) at melkavu closes for the pooja, pilgrims must pray at the Shastha temple. After the pooja when the main nada opens, pilgrims should stand in front of the nada so that they can be blessed with the thirtham (Holy water) which the main priest will sprinkle from the valampiri conch. The belief is that pilgrims receiving this thirtham on the body is very blessed and fortunate. It is requested that one must also give a chance to everybody to receive the same.

On conclusion of the Panthiradi Pooja (on Bharani) the main priest will offer the holy ghee and thirtham. This ghee and thirtham along with other prasadam called kuruthi from keezhkavu must be taken by the person participating at the bhajana. Only after taking this prasadam should one take any other food. The pilgrims attending the bhajana must not take any food from outside the temple.

Next, during the Guruthi pooja at kheezh kavu (the temple at the lower part of the hill) and dhara pooja at Shiva temple, pilgrims must stand and pray at the respective nada or sanctum sanctorum. At all the other times one must resort to pradakshinam(custom of circumventing the temple) or sit in the navarathri mandapam or sit in the rest room which should be within the temple premises and recite the great mantra - "AMME NARAYANA - DEVI NARAYANA - LAKSHMI NARAYANA - BHADRE NARAYANA".

Subsequent to the ucha pooja, pilgrims should eat the "nivedyam" or rice porridge issued from the temple and is allowed to rest in there own rooms. No pilgrim should sleep during the afternoon if participating at the bhajana.

In the evening, when the temple opens at 4.00 pm the pilgrims should once again take bath and do the darshan and continue the pradakshinam. Later, during the deeparadhana and athazapooja one must stand in front of the deity and pray though the nada at the main sanctum sanctorum. At the time of the sreebali(procession of the deity around the temple), the pilgrims must accompany the same, reciting the sacred mantra. After the athazapooja at melkavu pilgrims should take part in the Valiya Guruthi at the keezh kavu. Pilgrims should keep reciting the sacred mantra then take only the prasadam offered at the temple. After consuming this prasadam only one must eat any food in the night.

Any person accompanying the pilgrim at the bhajana should also keep thinking of Raja Rajeswari, the Goddess in full faith to get the desired boon. The pilgrims of the bhajana should not leave the temple premises at any point of time. Pilgrims must not disturb the other person or the temple functions or the regular routines. A person must always accompany the person participating at the bhajana. After the athaza pooja and sheeveli at keezh kavu no pilgrim should use the thekkae nada (the south exit).

On the last day of the bhajana, pilgrim may offer a kuttu paysam at the keezh kavu and consume it as Devi's mahaprasadam. Pilgrims can also carry this prasadam back home along with the Guruthi prasadam. Pilgrims are requested not to worship at the Moosatta in the temple. It is believed that by doing so there is a likelihood of being possessed by evil spirits.

The guruthi pooja is carried forth to the accompaniment of drumbeats and bells and as the rhythm resonates at every nuke and corner of the temple, some sort of charge flows through the body of the devotees and those who are possessed, starts swaying with a ferocious frenzy, deriving superhuman energy by banging their heads with profound sounds. Yonder is a tree full of longish nails. It is believed that each nail has a ghost hung by its hair after being exorcised from the person who was possessed.

The meaning of the mantra

Amme Narayana - The female and male form of universal enrgy which is the source of all energy, and all the happening in the universe.

Devi Narayana - The force and source of knowledge, wisdom, good thoughts & behavoiur, good reasoning, good understanding, confidence, mental balancing, universal love, success in life, achivement in all fields.

Lakshmi Narayana - The one and the only form of wealth in all forms - happiness, luck, success, elemination of obstacles, protection from planitery adversities, kingly life.

Bhadre Narayana - Protection against trechery, enimity, diseases, mental agony, losing life styles, mental depression, suicidial tendencies, unexpected happenings in life.

"Vandematharam ambikam bhagavathim

Vanim rama sevithaam

Kalyani kamaneeya kalpa lathikam

Kailasanatha priyam

Vedantha prathipadya maanavibhavam

Vidyunmanoranjinim

Sreechakrangitha ratna peetha nilayam

Sree Raja Rajeswarim

Sree Raja Rajeswarim"