Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple Kerala
Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple, located near Ernakulam in Kerala, is one of the most revered temples dedicated to the goddess Bhagavathi, an incarnation of Shakti. The temple is famous for its powerful deity and healing powers, especially believed to cure mental illnesses. History and Legend Origins : The temple's history dates back to ancient times, with various legends attributing its origins to divine interventions and miraculous events. The presiding deity is believed to have self-manifested. Legend of Vilwamangalam Swamiyar : According to one popular legend, Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, a famous saint, had a vision of the goddess in a nearby forest. He saw the goddess sitting on a hillock, which is where the temple stands today. The saint installed an idol of the goddess there, marking the beginning of the temple's history. Bhagavathi's Manifestations : The deity here is worshipped in three different forms: as Saraswati in the morning, Lakshmi at noon, and Durga in the ev...