Significance: This temple is famous for ‘Swayamvara Puspanjali’ (Floral Offering) which helps for removing obstacles for marriage of girls.
Address: Cherthala Road, Kodathikavala, Cherthala, Kerala
Google Tag: 9.686°N 76.3416°E
Temple Timings: 05:30am to 11:00am | 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Presiding deity: Karthyayani Devi
Sub Deities: ‘Dharma Sastha’ who is Ayyappan | Lord Shiva and Krishna is also worshipped here.
Offerings: Archana, Rakta Pushpanjali (flower offerings),Swayamvara Pushpanjali, Muzhukappu (adorning the deity with sandalwood paste),and so on for the Devi. For Lord Sastha ‘Neerajanam’ and a special offering known as ‘Aalthadi’ is performed. The ‘Vazhipadu'(Offering) ‘Aalthadi’ is offered by the devotees in the belief that their physical ailments will be removed. ‘Thalappoli’ is also an important offering here: a lighted oil lamp is placed on a flower decorated plate and women carry them accompanying Devi’s processions etc.
Festivals: Usually in other temples of Kerala, during the annual festival, ‘Aarattu’ is a ritual held once annually. At Chottanikara Devi Temple[2] Aarattu is held every day during festival. At Cherthala Karthyayani Temple ‘Aarattu’ is held twice every day during the annual festival. Karthika Star day in the Malayalam month of Vrichikam is also well celebrated.
