Major Rituals and Offerings

Sree Bhagavati is the most important icon/prathishta of the temple. Bhagavati is facing to the East. On normal days, the poojas and offerings are done by Namboothiris. But on special days, Thanthri’s are doing the pooja. Every Tuesdays and Fridays, special poojas are offered and on Bharani days, special offerings are given to the goddess. Devotees can do a lot of offerings in this temple. Thottam pattu, Sarpam pattu, Kuruthi, KalabhaAbhisheka, KumkumAbhisheka, Pushparchana, BhagavathiSeva, Payasam, Kadumpayasam, Thriimadura Nivedya, Nirmala & Vilakku, Archana, Udayada Charthika its are some of the many offerings at the temple. In the month of kanni, Thullam and Kumbham, Ayilya pooja is observed. This pooja is offered to the serpant gods of the temple. The serpant gods-Nagaraja and NagaYakshi are offered Nooru and Paalu. On the first day of every month, a special ritual called Velan Pravrithi/. Othal Karma is observed. Another important offering is the lighting of the people lamp in frond of the gods Bhagavathi. A lamp with 1001 lighting points is also lighted on the first day of the every month. These are some of the special offerings at the temple.

Kuruthi

Kuruthi is observed every month on the day Bharani. Kuruthi is done after “Athazha pooja” or supper offered to goddess. On day of kuruthi there will be Kalamezhuthu and Pattu. The image of Bhadrakaali is drawn in the kalamezhuthu. The goddess is brought out from the Sreekovil or inside of the temple. The idol of Bhagavathi is brought to the often for the kuruthi Ritual. Kuruthi is a special offering at the temple, and many of the people come to the part in this ritual. It is believed that every wish will be fulfilled by taking part in the “Kuruthi Ritual”.

After Vrishchika chirappu outside Kuruthi/ Purakkala Kuruthi is also observed at the temple. On this special day, four types of kuruthis are observed-on the Northern entrance (Vadakke Nada),in the East under the prepul tree(Kizhakke Aalin Chuvadu), in front of the Murthi temple and in front of the palm tree located at the North-West of the temple.

Kuthiramoottil Kanji

Kuthiramoottil Kanji is another offering at the temple, which is observed beginning from Sivarathri. Nercha Kanji (offering porridge) is served at houses in the locality. It is also served in places where people get ready for the ‘Kettu Kazhcha. Kanji / porridge is served in pots made of leaves and people use spoons also made of leaves to drink Kanji. Kanji is served along with Muthira Puzhuku and Asthram two very tasty side dishes served with poridge. Kanji is observed in memoriam of the food enjoyed by the goddess from Chettikulangara. Serving of Kuthiramoottil Kanji is believed to bring prosperity to families who offer this to Bhagavathi.
The Chettikullangara temple is open to all seets of the community. There is no caste or breed .barrier in this temple.
Nithya Annadanam / daily offering of free food is another speciality of the chettikulangara temple. Sri Devivilasam Hindu Matha Convention is in charge of this Annadanam. An Annadana Mandira –Building where free in served-is built to the south of the temple.Every day a number of the poor people are having food from here.

Rituals- a hundred years back

Maagha kanji

Kanji was served for 60 days in the month of Kumbham and Meenam.Maagha- Puranami.- Magha Purana -a sacred text was read during this time. This sessions started from Makara vaavu to Kumbha vaavu’.

Taking Oath

In this ritual a divotee begging pardon to the goddess. He / She takes oath to lead a better life. Betal leaf and tobacoo in offered to the goddess.

Muprakkoottu

Muparakkoottu is a kind of prasada given from the Chettikullangara temple. Medicinal leaves are used to make this prasada. This is also called Idichu Koottu Nivedyam

Chathusatham Vazhipadu

Rice, jaggery, ghee, coconut, banana, ginger, banana leaves one the ingrediants needed for Chanthusatham Vazhipadu.In the part, Chanthattam was observed only four times a year. Recods show that 15 measures of teak wood and 15 measures of coconut wood and a huge pot was used for chanthusatham in those old day. Rev. Sword,Anklet and Ornaments, It is believed that the sword and anklet is a gift from goddess of kodungalloor gives to the devotee who went from Chettikulangara. The black smith was given a certain amount to clean the revesed ornaments of the goddess. The gold smith was left with the duty of cleaning the idol of Bhagavathi.

Nandavanam

There was a beautiful garden to the East of the temple .Water form the pondway to the pond with a door and it was called the Attanari Kulam.

Ethirelpu Mandapam

Ethirelpu Mandapam is not to be seen today. It is destroyed during the course of time. A new mandapam was built at the place of Ethirelpu Mandapam. There was a small mandapam to the South West of the Ethirelpu Mandapam where religions classes were held in the part, After the pooja and ritual, the idol of the goddess was taken to this mandapa.Religions Convertion were held in the mandapa on special occasions like the day of Bharani. This is the story of the part. In the old times a silver lamp was lighted in the Sreekovil or the Bhagavathi is kept. Ritual like Kalampattu and Pallippana were held at the West of the temple.