Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple

Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple
Kulathupuzha Sastha temple
Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple Location in Kerala
Name
Proper name	കുളത്തൂപ്പുഴ ശാസ്താ ക്ഷേത്രം
Tamil	குளத்தூப்புழை சாஸ்தா கோவில்
Geography
Coordinates	8°54′30″N 77°03′20″E / 8.9082295°N 77.055501°E / 8.9082295; 77.055501Coordinates: 8°54′30″N 77°03′20″E / 8.9082295°N 77.055501°E / 8.9082295; 77.055501
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Kollam
Location	Kulathupuzha
Culture
Primary deity	Balasastha
Important festivals	Thiruulsavam in Medam, Vishu mahotsavam
Architecture
Architectural styles	Traditional Kerala style
History and governance
Governing body	Travancore Devaswom Board

Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple is located on the banks of Kulathupuzha, a tributary of Kallada River in Pathanapuram taluk of Kollam district. The presiding deity here is lord Ayyappa in the form of Balasastha. It is one among the 108 Sastha shrines in Kerala. The idol here is believed to be installed by lord Parashurama. 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. Legend says 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 Kottarakkara raja and later hand overed to Travancore devaswom board. The pond near to the temple is another attraction. Devotees offers Meenoottu vazhipadu for healing the warts in the skin. All the devotees are so concerned about protecting the fishes in this pond, considering them as lord Ayyappa's favorite ones. Fishing is also strictly prohibited here. The tantric rights of the temple are held by Kokkalathu madam.^[1]

Location of temple

The temple is located in the reserve forest range of eastern Kollam.^[2] Thiruvananthapuram - Shenkottai highway passes through Kulathupuzha. Devotees from Tamil Nadu can approach the tempke via Tenkasi - Shenkottai - Aryankavu - Thenmala route. The nearest railway station is at Thenmala, approximately 10 km (6.2 mi).^[3]

References