Chirakkara Devi Temple, situated approximately 3 km from the Kalluvathukkal junction in the Kollam district of Kerala, is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. Within the expansive temple complex, two distinct shrines, namely Meloottu and Keezhootu, stand prominently. Meloottu venerates Bhagavathy, while Keezhootu is dedicated to Yogeeswaran. Legend holds that a Chirakkal army commander, who came to aid the Travancore king, later became Yogeeswaran. Some believe that the site initially housed only Yogeeshwaralayam. The temple hosts Kalamezhuthum and Pattu ceremonies. An annual festival takes place during the Bharani and Karthika nakshatra in the Kumbham month, attracting the active participation of four karas from the region. The festivities, spanning ten days
more and featuring the Kettukazhcha, commence on the Uthram nakshatra day in the Kumbham month with kodiyettam. According to tradition, the Devi shrine was erected by the Travancore king, Udaya Marthanda Varma, and is constructed primarily of wood. The shrine boasts an ancient Kerala-style arayum nirayum, with the Sreekovil situated inside the ara. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, Goddess Bhadrakali is flanked by Shiva on the right and Durga Devi on the left, while Ganapathi is worshipped in the kannimoola. Veerabhadra and Sastha receive veneration outside the Chuttu Mathil, and Brahmarakshas is worshipped on the northeast side. Additionally, the shrine houses pratishtas of Madan, Marutha, and Pey, along with a kalithattu within the temple compound.
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