By the Casa Marari team Updated about 2 km (5 min drive) from Casa Marari
Just a few minutes inland from Mararikulam, the Kanichukulangara Devi Temple is one of the most important places of worship in the Cherthala area of Alappuzha district. It is a Bhagavathy (Devi) temple, dedicated to the Goddess, and the focal point of village life for thousands of local families. It is about 2 km from Casa Marari.
About the temple
According to local tradition, the deity was brought to Kanichukulangara by Namboothiri families who settled in the area, and the shrine has been rebuilt and renovated over the generations — most recently with the idol’s reinstallation in 1987. The temple follows the classic Kerala style: sloping tiled roofs, oil lamps, a wide courtyard and a calm, unhurried atmosphere outside festival time.
The Kumbham festival (Mahotsavam)
The temple’s annual Mahotsavam is one of the biggest festivals in the region. It runs for about 21 days in February–March, traditionally from the 22nd of the Malayalam month of Makaram to the 12th of Kumbham. Highlights include:
- Kodiyettam – the flag-hoisting that opens the festival
- Thalappoli – processions of women and girls carrying lit lamps on plates
- Pongala – devotees cook offerings of sweet rice in earthen pots in the temple grounds
- Aarattu – the ceremonial procession that closes the festival
Tens of thousands of devotees attend over the festival period, and the roads around Kanichukulangara get busy in the evenings. If you are staying at Casa Marari during the festival, ask us for the day’s highlights.
Visiting etiquette
- Dress modestly — shoulders and knees covered. Many Kerala temples ask men to remove shirts before entering the inner area.
- Remove footwear before entering the temple premises.
- Photography is usually not allowed inside the inner shrine; ask before you take pictures.
- Entry rules for non-Hindus vary between Kerala temples, so check locally before entering the inner shrine.
Getting there from Casa Marari
The temple is about 5 minutes by car or auto-rickshaw, or a pleasant bicycle ride through the village on our free bikes. Combine it with an evening at Marari Beach or a trip to the historic St. Andrew’s Basilica at Arthunkal.
