Kulathupuzha Sree Sastha Temple is one of the Five Sastha temples in Kerala. The other four Pancha Sastha temples are Sasthamcotta Sree Dharmasastha Temple, AchanKoil, Aryankavu Sree Sastha Temple and Sabarimala Temple.
Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple is located in Kulathupuzha in Kollam district in the state of Kerala. Here the presiding deity Lord Ayyappa. He is in the form of Bala Sastha. The peculiarity of the idol is that it is not made of a single stone, but is made of eight pieces or stones. The idol here is believed to be installed by Lord Parasurama.
Here the deity is in fierce mood (ugramoorthi) as well as in auspicious mood (mangalapradayakan).
The temple pond has a number of fishes, The fishes in the Kulathupuzha river are called Thirumakkal (Sacred children of the Lord) Meenoottu (feeding of the fishes) is a special Vazhipadu here.
Lord Shiva, Ganapathi, Karuppaswamy are found in the temple premises.
Vishu Mahotsavam is an important festival celebrated in the month of April.
Other Deities in Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple:
Shiva, Yakshi, Vishnu, Ganapathi, Boothathan, Nagar, and Karuppaswami are the other subordinate deities in the temple.
Kulathupuzha Sree Ayyappa Swamy Temple Timings:
Morning: 5.00 AM to 12.00 PM
Evening: 5.00 PM to 8.00 PM
Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple History:
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 over to the Travancore Devaswom board. The pond near the temple is another attraction. Devotees offer Meenoottu vazhipadu for healing 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.
Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple Address:
Thiruvananthapuram Thenmala Road,
Kulathupuzha,
Kerala 691310.