Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple is one of the most famous abodes of RAjarAjeshwari (Adi ParAsakthi) and one of the most famous shrines in Kerala. The deity here is swayambhu (self- manifesting) in Rudraksha Shila and is about 4 feet high. The chaithanyam here was believed to be worshipped by Saint Bhoga and many other Acharyas like ShankarAchArya, Vilvamangala Swamiyar, KAkkassri Bhattathiri etc.
The sacred sanctum sanctorum of the Melkkavu temple (top of the hill) open at 4:00am and Devi at this time is believed to be Sree Mookambika devi (Godesses Saraswathy wearing white). Because of this, the Mookambika temple at Kollur opens only after the Saraswathy Devi returns there. This four armed form of devi holds the chakra, conch and shows the mudras in the other two hands. She is in SwayamvarabhAva (Prakriti and purusha bhaava). She is worshipped as BhadrakAli at noon (draped in crimson) and as Durga at evening (Draped in blue).
The idol at the Keezhkkavu Temple ( foot of the hill) is in Roudra Bhava. The Guruthi puja is performed here in the night starting from 8:45PM every night. Many people who suffer from mental illnesses come and seek refuge in Devi at KeezhkkAvu.
Many other deities are worshipped here. Vishnu’s idol is on the right side of Devi’s idol on the same base and hence called Lakshmi- Narayana. Brahma, Shiva, Subrahmania, Ganapathi, SAstha are inside the Srikovil. Inside the NAlambalam are Sastha with Prabhadevi and SAthyaki devi. Kapaleeswaran , shiva with Ganapathi, NAgas are outside the NAlambalam.
Pavizhamalli (Tree) thara is considered as the MoolasthAna of devi which is on the eastern side of the temple.
Rakthakkulam (Pond) is where Devi beheaded the Raktha Rakshas.
An ancient PAla tree which stands on the northeastern side of the sanctum is covered with long iron nails, which haunted victims hammer on with their foreheads
Sarva Mangala MAngalyE
ShivE SarvArdha SAdhike
SharnyE ThrayambakE Gowri
NArAyani NamOsthuthE
