Kubera Temple is located in Chalavara, a serene village in Ottapalam Taluk, within Palakkad District, Kerala. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Kubera, the God of Wealth, Prosperity, and Treasurer of the Gods. He is worshipped here in a calm and benevolent form, believed to bless devotees with material abundance, success in business, and relief from debts. The temple also houses shrines for Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and other deities, signifying harmony between wealth and divine grace.
The temple adheres to traditional Kerala temple architecture, featuring a tiled sloping roof, wooden pillars, and a serene sanctum (Sreekovil). The structure is modest but elegant, maintaining the spiritual charm typical of rural Kerala temples. The chuttambalam (outer hall) is used for offerings and rituals. The temple environment is calm and filled with the fragrance of incense and jasmine.
This temple is believed to be one of the very few dedicated exclusively to Lord Kubera in Kerala. Local legends say that a group of merchants once prayed here for success before a long sea voyage. After achieving prosperity, they built this shrine in gratitude to Lord Kubera. Over time, the temple became a popular gathering place for traders, businessmen, and those struggling with financial difficulties.
In ancient times, Lord Kubera, the guardian of wealth and the king of the Yakshas, was once cursed and lost his powers, position, and the kingdom of Lanka to his stepbrother Ravana, the demon king. Deeply distressed and humiliated, Kubera wandered the world in search of a divine place to regain his lost wealth, power, and divine favor.
He eventually reached the peaceful and spiritual land of Chalavara, a village surrounded by dense groves and flowing rivers. It is believed that Lord Shiva himself guided Kubera to this sacred land and advised him to perform penance here. Obeying the divine instruction, Kubera sat in deep meditation under a sacred peepal tree in Chalavara.
Moved by his intense devotion and repentance, Lord Shiva and Goddess Lakshmi appeared before him. They blessed Kubera with the restoration of his divine duties as the God of Wealth and guardian of the North direction. It was in Chalavara that Kubera’s power was renewed, and his divine aura was reinstated.
As a mark of gratitude and humility, Kubera is said to have installed a self-manifested (swayambhu) idol of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi at this site. He continued to worship them even after regaining his powers. Over time, the site became sacred to traders, businessmen, and devotees seeking blessings for prosperity and relief from financial troubles.
This sacred episode is preserved in oral traditions that have been passed down through generations. It is believed that worshipping Lord Kubera at this temple brings success in business, financial stability, and freedom from debt, just as it did for Kubera himself.
The energy of wealth, generosity, and divine grace remains vibrant at the temple, attracting countless devotees each year.
The temple celebrates Dhanteras and Akshaya Tritiya with great devotion. Special Kubera Lakshmi Poojas are conducted during these festivals, drawing devotees from across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Vishu (Malayali New Year) is also celebrated here, with rituals to invoke prosperity for the coming year.
Every Thursday and full moon day (Pournami) is considered auspicious for offering Kubera Archana, Gold Coin Pooja, and Lakshmi Kubera Homam. Devotees light ghee lamps and tie coins to the sacred tree to fulfill wealth-related wishes.
