Chottanikkara

State

Chottanikkara, a serene picturesque village located at the outskirts of famous town of Kochi, is renowned as an important religious destination in the central Kerala. It is an attractive hamlet in the district of Eranakulam in Kerala offering tranquility and solitude for the pilgrims. Centuries old Chottanikkara Bhagavathi temple is the prime attraction of the Chottanikkara town. Chottanikkara is the peeth of Rajarajeswari Devi, the pleasant form of Goddess Durga. Huge draws of pilgrims can be witnessed in Chottanikkara during many festival seasons including the Makam Thozhal during February – March and Navaratri festival during October – November.

Chottanikkara has all facilities for entertaining the visitors to this temple town. Close proximity of Chottanikkara with Eranakulam helps the tourists to visit many nearby attractions at ease. The village itself is nestled in lusting green vegetations and thick coconut trees lined on the roadsides. The village offers a grandeur tourist spot for all types of people including children and old aged people. Pilgrimage to Chottanikkara is believed to be a lifetime blessing for those believers visiting consecutively 12 days in the temple.

There are many other attractions nearby in the close proximity of Chottanikkara. Thrupunithura hill palace, the Travancore Fertilizers and Chemicals factory in Ambalamughal and Mattancheri harbour attract many travelers to the city. There are many famous temples in and around Chottanikkara. Famous temples of Vaikam Mahadeva temple and Eranakulathappan temple are some among them. Eranakulam and Chottanikkara have many high standard and budget accommodation facilities for all kinds of tourists. Chottanikkar is accessible through air, train and road transport.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport is Nedumbassery International airport which is about 45 km away from Chottanikkara. Taxi charge from Nedumbassery to Chottanikkara is about Rs 600. This airport is well connected to all airports in India and also to many cities in abroad, including gulf countries and Singapore.

Rail: The nearest railway station to Chottanikkara is Thrupoonithura, which is only 4 km away from the temple. Taxis and autorickshaws are available from railway station. Taxi charges the minimum charge of Rs 150. The major railway station nearby is the Ernakulam Junction, which is well connected to all cities in India. The station is about 30 km away from Chottanikkara. Taxis are available from Eranakualm Junction to Chotaanikkara. Taxis charge Rs 400 from railway station to Chottanikkara temple.

Road: Chottanikkara is well connected by bus services. KSRTC connects to many major cities in Kerala. Deluxe Volvo buses are available in plenty at any time to Chennai, Bangalore, Trivandrum, Hyderabad and Mumbai from Kochi. Kochi to Chottanikkara, the KSRTC bus fare is about Rs 25.

District
Ernakulam District
STD Code
0484
Termperature
Summer 22-40°C, Winter 15-25°C
Best time to visit
October to March