->Citation bot at 02:41, 9 August 2021

2021-08-09T02:41:17Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox temple
| name = Kottankulangara Devi Temple
| image = Kottankulangara Sri Bhagavathy Temple.JPG
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Kerala
| map_caption = Location in Kerala, India
| coordinates = {{coord|8.97958|N|76.53512|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}} <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kottankulangaratemple.org/how-to-reach/|title = How to reach – Kottankulangara Temple}}</ref>
| other_names =
| proper_name =

| country = India
| state = [[Kerala]]
| district = [[Kollam district]]
| location = [[Chavara]]
| elevation_m =
| deity =
Goddess Durga [[Bhagavathy]] or Aadi Shakthi

| Direction_posture =
| Pushakarani =
| Vimanam =
| Poets =
| Prathyaksham =
| festivals= [[Kottankulangara Festival|Chamayavilakku]]
| architecture =
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| creator =
| website =http://kottankulangaratemple.org
}}
[[File:KottankulangaraTemple.JPG|thumb|200px|View of the Temple facade]][[File:Kottankulangara Temple.JPG|thumb|200px|Devotees entering the Temple]]
The '''Kottankulangara Devi Temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]] to the [[Hindu deities|goddess]] Durga [[Bhagavathy]] or Aadi Shakthi, the supreme mother of power, located in the village of [[Chavara]], [[Kerala]], [[India]].

==Early history==
The plot of land where the temple is situated was once part of a forest, a tranquil area surrounded by a thick growth of trees, plants and creepers. On the northwest corner of the plot there existed a small deep pond known as Bhoothakulam. People living in the area believed it was a shelter for poisonous snakes. On the eastern side there was a huge extensive deep pond. During days of rain, a stream originated from there making the surrounding area fertile and cultivable. As this place was full of grass and pure water, the cow-herders from the neighbouring area would congregate there with their cattle.<ref name="Temple History">{{cite web|title=Temple History|url=http://kottankulangaratemple.org/history-of-temple/|publisher=Kottankulangara Temple|access-date=16 August 2013}}</ref>

===Legend===
According to the legend, a group of [[Herder|cow-herders]] got a coconut from this place. They found a stone on the southern part of Bhoothakulam. When they hit the coconut on the stone (intending to remove the husk), they found drops of blood dripping from the stone. They explained the phenomena to the elders. The [[astrologer]] suggested that the stone contained supernatural powers and [[Puja (Hinduism)|poojas]] should be started immediately after constructing a temple. The elders and cow-herders constructed a temporary temple using poles, leaves and tender leaves of coconut palm. It was a custom in ancient days that balikas used to prepare flower [[garland]]s, lit the [[Oil lamps#Hinduism|pooja lamps]] in ancient Kudumba temples. Accepting this tradition, the cow-herders wearing female attire, offered poojas in the temple. The milky liquid prepared from coconut kernel was boiled, the medicinal oil (Urukku Velichenna) extracted and solid substance taken (Kottan) was offered to the goddess as [[Naivedyam]].<ref name="Temple History"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.galva108.org/deities.html#5|title=Sri Bhagavati-Devi: Goddess of Crossdressing|access-date=16 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827022633/http://galva108.org/deities.html#5|archive-date=27 August 2013}}</ref>

==Festivals==

===Chamayavilakku===
The [[Kottankulangara Festival]] (or Kottankulangara Chamayavilakku) is held annually at the temple in which men from across the state and now even outside it dress in female attire. The cross-dressing is part of traditional ritual festivities and at night they hold traditional lamps and walk in procession to the temple to the accompaniment of a traditional orchestra. Devotees visit the temple to seek the blessings of the goddess.<ref>{{cite web|title=Temple Festival|url=http://kottankulangaratemple.org/festival/|publisher=Kottankulangara Temple|access-date=16 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/kerala-temple-where-the-lady-with-the-lamp-is-a-man-346568|title=Kerala temple: Where the lady with the lamp is a man|publisher=NDTV|access-date=16 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keralatourism.org/festivalwiki/?q=node/294|title=Kottankulangara Chamayavilakku|publisher=Kerala Festival Wiki|access-date=16 August 2013}}</ref>

===Kuruthola Pandal===
To commemorate the legend and origin of the temple, the model of the ancient temple is being constructed every year. The devotees stand long lines from Kunjalummoodu to Arattukadavu at the time of the Devi's journey from Kunjalummoodu.

===Jeevatha Ezhunnallathu===
Jeevatha Ezunnallathu is mostly performed in Devi temples. Wearing the traditional dress ("Thattudukkal") and with towels firmly tied at the waist and on the head, they carry the Jeevatha on their shoulders and perform the step-dance.

==See also==
* [[Temples of Kerala]]
* [[LGBT topics and Hinduism]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Kottankulangara Devi Temple}}
*[http://kottankulangaradevi.org/ Kottankulangara Devi Temple Official Website]
*[http://kottankulangaratemple.org/ Kottankulangara Temple Official Website]
*[https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kottan-Kulangara-Devi-Temple/541290259244454 Kottankulangara Temple Facebook Page]

{{Hindu temples in Kerala}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Kollam district]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Cross-dressing]]
[[Category:Devi temples in Kerala]]

Kottankulangara Devi Temple - Revision history

->Citation bot at 02:41, 9 August 2021