Country India Primary deity Ayyappan | District Kollam | |
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Proper name കുളത്തൂപ്പുഴ ശാസ്താ ക്ഷേത്രം Tamil குளத்தூப்புழை சாஸ்தா கோவில் Similar Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple, Sasthamcotta Sree Dharma, Malamakkavu Ayyappa Temple, Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharma, Kottukal cave temple | ||
Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple is a Hindu temple located on the banks of Kulathupuzha river, a tributary of Kallada River. It is located in Kulathupuzha in Pathanapuram tehsil of Kollam district in the Indian state of Kerala. The presiding deity there is Lord Ayyappa in the form of Balasastha. 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, which is made up of eight pieces of stones.
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Deity
Lord Ayyappa is the principal deity. He is in the form of Balasastha (child form of Ayyappa) and commonly known as 'Kulathupuzha Balakan'.
Location of temple
The temple is located in the Kulathupuzha reserve forest range in the east of Kollam district. 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).
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.
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 hand overed to Travancore devaswom board. The tantric rights of the temple is held by Kokkalathu mutt.
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. 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.