Shree Kulathupuzha Bala Saasthaa Temple
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 Bala Sastha and commonly known as 'Kulathupuzha Balakan'. The deity here is in a fierce mood (Ugramoorthi) as well as in auspicious mood (Mangalapradayakan).
Legend has it that an elderly Brahmin returning from his Rameswaram pilgrimage camped on the Kallada Riverbank. His servants started the preparation for the evening meal and they looked out for stones to create the makeshift oven.
They found a fixed stone nearby and brought two stones to create the oven. But the fixed stone was bigger than the two stones. The servants placed two stones on top of other to adjust the height. Suddenly, the first stone grew a bit taller. The poor servants raised the level of the two stones again but the fixed stone again grew a bit taller. This exercise of adjusting the height continued for awhile.
Finally frustrated with the fixed stone, one of the servants hit the fixed stone with another stone. Suddenly blood gushed out of the fixed stone and the scared servants ran and reported the matter to the Brahmin. The Brahmin sprinkled some tirtha (sacred water) brought from Rameshwaram on the bleeding fixed stone. Soon, Lord Ayyappa appeared in the form of child before the Brahmin and his servants.
Earlier, the temple was under Kottarakkara raja and later was handed over to Travancore Devaswom board. The pond near to the temple is another attraction. Devotees offer 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. They are known as the Thirumakkal (transl. Holy children) of Lord Ayyappa. Most of this fishes are belonging to species Tor khudree and Hypselobarbus thomassi that are having threat of extinction. Fishing is also strictly prohibited here. The tantric rights of the temple are held by Kokkalathu madom.
Location
Pathanapuram
Main Deity
Lord Ayyappan
Other Deities
Shiva, Yakshi, Vishnu, Ganapathi, Boothathan, Naga, Bhagawathy, and Karuppaswami
Festivals
Vishu Mahotsavam in the months of April and May is the important festival. The Tiruvutsavam is celebrated in the month of Medam from 5th to 14th.
Main Offerings
Aravana Payasam, Unniappam, Meenootu (Fish Feeding).
How To Reach
By Air: Trivandrum International Airport is situated at 64.2KM from the temple.
By Rail: Punalur Railway Station is 30.3KM from the Temple.
By Road: Punalur KSRTC Bus Station is 29.1KM from the Temple.