Kottankulangara Devi Temple; Celebrating Femininity

Kottankulangara Temple is one of the famous temples in Kerala dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy or Devi. It is located in the old seaport town Chavara in Kollam district. The temple is more famous with a not so common ritual during the temple festival when men and boys gather in large numbers in the disguise of damsels and the ritual is called “Chamaya Vilakku”.

The legend behind the origin of the temple goes like this. The area where the temple is located now was a forest in good old days with huge trees, creepers, and grass. There was a small pond called “Bhootha kulam” or the “Pond of Ghosts” was located on the northwest side of the plot and there was a large pond on the eastern side. Always filled with freshwater, this large pond kept the area fertile.

Cowherds used to visit this place with their cows. After letting the cows free, the boys used to get engaged in different games and jokes. During such funny moments, one boy climbed on a coconut tree in the vicinity and plucked down a coconut. In order to remove the husk, they hit the coconut on a stone that was there near the “Bhootha kulam”. To their utter shock, they saw blood oozes out from the stone.

Scared of this unnatural incident, the boys rushed to their village and narrated the entire incidents to the village elders. The elders accompanied the boys to the spot and saw the blood oozing out from the stone. They came to the conclusion that some divine power is there in the stone. Upon invitation by the elders, two astrologers came there and they confirmed the presence of the divine power of Goddess Devi in that stone.

As per the instruction of the astrologers, boys and the elders constructed a temporary temple immediately using poles, leaves, and tender leaves of coconut palm at the place where the stone was situated. Then the boys came in disguise of damsels wearing female costumes with a lamp as the tradition practiced on those days was the damsels to offer light and flower garlands in the family temples. Later a permanent temple has been constructed there and the tantric rituals are been awarded to Adimattam Mana. The most astonishing feature is that the Sanctum Sanctorum does not have a roof here.

The temple hit the headlines with its special rituals during the temple festival which falls in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March 15 to April 15).

Chamaya Vilakku

This is a unique ritual which will be held on 10^th and 11^th of Malayalam month every year. During this festival, male devotees throng to the temple wearing female attire. This is to commemorate the incident of cowherds offering light and flower garlands when they performed the rituals for the Devi idol for the first time. Usually, people will carry out this ritual as a thanksgiving for fulfilling any of their desires. It is believed that the Goddess Devi will fulfill all your desires if you offer to carry Chamaya Vilakku.

Chamaya Vilakku is a lamp fixed on a long wooden piece. These lamps will be available for rent in the nearby shops. At midnight, men and boys come in female attire carrying the lamp. During the festival, the temple authorities will arrange the facilities including make-up rooms. Professional make-up men also will be available. When boys and men carry the chamaya vilakku, their mothers and wives will accompany them till the temple. However, men and boys who are planning to dress up as a damsel should observe certain penance or vrutha for a period of one month.

Kuruthola Pandhal

This is another attraction during the temple festival.  In order to commemorate the origin of the temple, a model of the first built temple will be constructed every year with tender leaves of the coconut palm. This is called as “Kuruthola Pandhal”.  This is being built under a banyan tree called “Kunjalum moodu”. Hundreds of devotees line up from this point to the Arattu Kadavu, to see the procession of Devi. It is believed that Devi will be most happy at this moment as a sort of nostalgic feeling will be evoked in her after seeing the model of the first temple and whoever gathered there will be blessed by her.

Jeevatha Ezhunnellathu

Just like in many other temples, Jeevatha Ezhunnellathu has performed at Kottankulangara Temple also. Wearing traditional attires men will carry Jeevatha on their shoulders and dance to the rhythm of drums. Devotees offer materials such as paddy, rice, etc to the goddess at this time.