Chakkamkulangara, Ernakulam

Chakkamkulangara, is an ancient Shiva Temple in Thrippunithura, Ernakulam District.At Chakkamkulangara, Lord Siva is worshipped as “Swayamvara Murthy” though originally it was in the form of “Mrityunjaya”. The Lord here is facing West while Goddess Parvathi is facing East. It is said that this temple was established by the Cochin Royal Family. Now the temple is under Cochin Devaswom Board. Lord Vinayaka, Dharmasastha and Navagrahas are also worshipped in the temple compound. In the stotra of 108 shiva temples, Chakkamkulangara is referred as “Atampally”.

Since the Shiva temple and the Navagraha temple, are in the same compound, devotees throng on Saturday to obtain blessings of Lord Shiva. The temple has a holy pond, where the arattu of Shri Poornathrayeesa is performed.

Festival

The temple celebrates Shivaratri, as eight day long annual festival concluding with Aarattu. The image of the deity is taken out in a big procession on the Shivaratri evening, accompanied by three tuskers, musicians and devotees. This grand festival also features a host of cultural programs such as ottanthullal and chakyarkoothu.

Transportation

By Train: Shiva Temple is around 1 km north-east of Tripunithura Railway Station. The two railway stations in Kochi are Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town are about 12 km away.

By Air: Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport.The international airport is at Nedumbassery, near Aluva, about 22 kms away from Ernakulam, Kochi.

By Road: KSRTC Central Bus station is near the Ernakulam Junction railway station.