Chottanikkara Bhagavathy TempleMakam Thozhal

About this event

Makam Thozhal is one of the most important annual observances at the Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple in Ernakulam district, a major pilgrimage centre near Kochi dedicated to Goddess Rajarajeswari. The observance takes place on the Makam asterism in the Malayalam month of Kumbham, generally falling in February or March, as part of the temple’s seven-day annual festival. Kerala Tourism describes Makam Thozhal as one of the temple’s principal festivals and notes that the deity is worshipped in different forms during the day, including Saraswathy in the morning, Lakshmi at noon and Durga in the evening. The central attraction of Makam Thozhal is the special afternoon darshan, when devotees gather to see the richly adorned deity and offer prayers. In the traditional belief associated with the observance, the goddess appears in an especially auspicious form on the Makam day, giving the ritual its distinctive devotional significance. The festival is marked by a sequence of temple rituals and ceremonial activities rather than being a cultural entertainment event. Kerala Tourism’s festival documentation describes the wider seven-day celebration as including the ceremonial hoisting of the festival flag, Para Ezhunnellippu from different localities and Arattu, the ritual bathing of the deity. Processions and traditional percussion also form part of the festival programme. The scale of participation makes Makam Thozhal one of the busiest days in the Chottanikkara temple calendar, with extensive arrangements required for devotees and crowd management. In 2026, Makam Thozhal was observed on 2 March, with the special darshan beginning at 2 p.m. and continuing until 9.30 p.m.; the annual festival began on 24 February and concluded with Arattu on 5 March. The event has strong religious significance for devotees, who visit the temple to pray before the goddess and seek her blessings according to their faith and tradition. Chottanikkara itself is part of the cultural landscape of the Kochi region, and the temple is noted for its traditional Kerala architectural character and long-established ritual practices. Visitors attending Makam Thozhal should be prepared for very large crowds, follow temple instructions and observe the customs governing entry and worship. The observance is best understood as a major Hindu pilgrimage and temple ritual rooted in the religious traditions of Chottanikkara rather than as a general tourist festival.

🚆 Railway: Thrippunithura Railway Station is the nearest railway station, approximately 6.4 km from Chottanikkara Temple.

✈️ Airport: Cochin International Airport is approximately 37 km from Chottanikkara Temple.

🚌 Bus: Chottanikkara Temple Bus Stop is about 170 m from the temple, with regular bus services connecting Chottanikkara with Thrippunithura and the wider Kochi region.

🏨 Stay: Accommodation is available in Chottanikkara and nearby Thrippunithura. Kerala Tourism lists accredited properties in the area, including Feaston Homestay near Chottanikkara.

✅ Notes: Makam Thozhal is held annually on the Makam star in Kumbham, usually in February–March. The 2026 observance was held on 2 March, with Makam darshan from 2 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. The festival attracts very large crowds; visitors should follow temple and crowd-management instructions and check the current temple programme before travelling.