Chettikulangara, the heartland of the erstwhile granary of Central Kerala, has an important place in the historical and cultural ethos of Kerala. Tucked amongst the lush green paddy fields, this serene hamlet, spanning an area of over many a mile in the Kannamangalam, Pathiyoor, Thekkekkara, Peringala etc. of the Mavelikara and Kayamkulam townships in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, is mainly dependent on its agrarian economy.
Many followers of the theory of Kerala’s genesis by Parasurama firmly believe that he had established 108 Durga temples, 108 Siva temples, numerous Sastha temples, besides 108 Kalaris (place to learn traditional martial arts in front of the deity), Sakthi Kendras etc. Besides he had established five Ambalayas. Devi of Chettikulangara, the Goddess of Oodanadu(Onattukara), 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 than 1200 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. It is also believed that Devi gave holy view to Chattambi Swamikal and Uddanda Sastrikal, while they were sleeping.
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.
There is also an argument that the present premises of the temple belonged to a big ‘Kavu’ and the Maha Shilayuga idol of devi was relocated from ‘Moolasthanam’ (primary abode) to this place. According to the directions of Padmapadacharyar, temporary consecration was performed by Chengannur Thazhaman Thanthri and Kattuvallil Valakkod Illam Namboodiri. A year later, Padmapadacharyar came here, and consecration was performed after 21 days of rituals headed by 31 Brahmins. Devi's 'chaithanyam' (divine power) was absorbed into a Sri Chakra with Saptha Dalas (seven petals representing Saptha Mathrukkal - Seven Mothers). The idol here is said to be in Rurujith style, and has Thamo guna along with Sathva and Rajo Gunas.
In order to reduce the intensity of the idol’s mounting fierce powers, an imaginary Mahavishnu idol is believed to be in place near the idol. On Bharani day of each month, the Temple Tantri performs Poojas to reduce the mounting powers of the prathishita.
A few centuries ago, a Salagrama donated by the Kayamkulam Maharaja was also installed inside the Garbhagriham of Sreekovil. The Ganapathi idol, adjacent to the Sreekoil is believed to be donated by the Aazhvancheri Thamprakkal during the time of consecration.
Sponsored by various Karas, 41 days of Kalamezhuthu and Pattu is conducted since first of Vrichikam every year. On the last day, Puram Kurithi ( homicide outside) is performed. Its Prasadam is capable of providing immunity against Small Pox and similar contagious diseases, believe the locals. Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi temple, now under the control of the Travancore Devaswom Board, is the second largest temple, next to Sabarimala, under the control of the Board. It is estimated that annually the temple has earnings worth many crores per year, of which rice constitutes the major contribution. A major part of the rice offered to the Bhagavathi is also used to make Appam and Aravana prasadams at Sabarimala, the single largest seasonal pilgrimage centre in the world next to Mecca. The income from the temple is also helpful to run the daily rituals and Poojas at various temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board.
Chettikulangara Kettukazhcha, conducted every year on the Bharani of Malayalam month Kumbham, is considered as the most amazing cultural visual spectacle in Kerala, similar to the Thrissur Pooram. The event is an offering of the people of Chettikulangara to their beloved deity known for her spontaneous blessings on true devotees as a mark of gratitude, devotion, unflinching faith, and for showering prosperity and protection to their lives. ‘Kettukazhcha’ displays deftly sculpted and decorated forms of six temple cars known as ‘Kuthiras’(horses), five Chariots ) and icons of Bhima and Hanuman. All the temple cars, chariots and the icons are all incredibly gigantic in size and are many times larger than any other similar ones built during the festivities at other temples in the Central Travancore region. On the move, these magnificent sky-scrapping flamboyant decorations are spine-chilling, and will together create an unforgetable picture of a inimitable temple procession, especially during the night in the back drop of multitude of illuminating lights. Chettikulangara Kettukazhcha heralds the architectural and aesthetic acumen of the ancient people of Chettikulangara, who could convert an improbable concept to an enormous artistic reality, achieved by collective hardships and will power.
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