Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple

Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple is a Hindu temple located on the banks of Kulathupuzha river, a tributary of Kallada River.[1][2] It is located in Kulathupuzha in Punalur tehsil of Kollam district in the Indian state of Kerala. The presiding deity there is Lord Ayyappa in the form of Balasastha.[3] It is also one among the pancha sastha shrines and one of the 108 Sastha shrines in Kerala. The idol there is believed to be installed by Lord Parashurama, and is made up of eight pieces of stones.

Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple
Kulathupuzha Sastha temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictKollam
DeityBalasastha
FestivalsThiruulsavam in Medam, Vishu mahotsavam
Governing bodyTravancore Devaswom Board
Location
LocationKulathupuzha
StateKerala
CountryIndia
Location in Kerala
Geographic coordinates8.9082295°N 77.055501°E / 8.9082295; 77.055501
Architecture
TypeTraditional Kerala style

Deity

Lord Ayyappa is the principal deity. He is in the form of Balasastha (child form of Ayyappa) and commonly known as 'Kulathupuzha Balakan'.[4] There is a popular song titled 'Kulathupuzhayile Balakane' praising the deity of this temple, along with the deities of Achankovil, Aryankavu, Sasthamcotta, Chamravattom and Sabarimala temples.

Location of temple

The temple is located in the Kulathupuzha reserve forest range in the east of Kollam district.[5] Thiruvananthapuram - Shenkottai highway passes through Kulathupuzha. People from Tamil Nadu can approach the temple via Tenkasi - Shenkottai - Aryankavu - Thenmala route. The nearest railway station is at Thenmala, approximately 10 km (6.2 mi).[6]

Subordinate deities

The deity here is in a fierce mood (ugramoorthi) as well as in auspicious mood (mangalapradayakan). Shiva, Yakshi, Vishnu, Ganapathi, Boothathan, Nagar, and Karuppaswami are the other subordinate deities in the temple.[7][1]

Legend

Legend has it that the temple was founded by Pandalam raja, but the idol of Sastha was founded by a Brahmin from Kottarakkara. Earlier, the temple was under the possession of Kottarakkara raja. Later it was handed over to Travancore devaswom board. The tantric rights of the temple are held by Kokkalathu mutt.[8]

Thirumakkal of Ayyappa

The temple pond preserves a number of fishes, as they are considered to the favorite ones of Lord Ayyappa. Devotees offer Meenoottu vazhipadu for healing the warts in the skin.[9] Devotees are concerned about protecting the fishes in this pond. They are known as the Thirumakkal of Lord Ayyappa. Fishing is also strictly prohibited here.[7]

References
  1. "Kulathupuzha Ayyappa Temple - MyTemple | DailyHunt". DailyHunt. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  2. "Kulathupuzha - a village famous for Lord Ayyappa temple in Kollam | Kerala Tourism". www.keralatourism.org. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  3. "Kulathupuzha in Kollam Kerala Tourism - Book Your Kerala Tour Incredible Kerala Tour Packages Book Your Kerala Tour Incredible Kerala Tour Packages". incrediblekerala.org. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  4. Pereira, Ignatius. "The mountain trails of a divine legend". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  5. "Ayyappa temple at Kulathupuzha". www.hindu-blog.com.
  6. "Kulathupuzha temple". www.sabarimalaaccomodation.com.
  7. "Welcome to Sabarimalaayyappa.org". sabarimalaayyappa.org. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  8. "History of Kulathupuzha sastha temple in Kollam". keralamythology.blogspot.in.
  9. "KERALA TEMPLES - KULATHUPUZHA AYYAPPAN". www.thekeralatemples.com. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
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