Kottarakkara is a town and municipality in Kollam District, in Kerala state, India. The town is close to Kollam Port, which has a rich history linked to the early medieval period as well as a reputation as an important commercial, industrial and trading center. Kottarakkara lies 27 kilometres (17 mi) to the east of Kollam city center and 18 kilometres (11 mi) to the west of Punalur city on National Highway 208/220. It lies 35 kilometres (22 mi) north-east of Paravur. The town contains many notable places of worship, including Sree Maha Ganapthy Temple (in the suburb of Kizhakkekara), dated to the 10th-11th century, shrine of Ganapathy, Mahadeva Temple (in the western suburb of Padinjattinkara), Kottarakkara Goshala and Kulasekharanellor Sree BhadraKali Temple, amongst many other temples. Kottarakkara Sree Manikanteswara Mahadeva Temple is located near the "Althara", on the northern side. Shiva in the form of a fierce hunter is deified here. Another shrine next to it is a Durga temple, where the deity installed is known as Pazenadu Bhagavathy. Devi The idol of was carved out from the root of the jack tree by Perumthachan. Edakkidom Thettikkunil Sree mahadevi temple near kottarakkara, Ambalapuram Shri Gauri Shankara Temple, Ambalapuram.