Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple - Lord Manikanda (Ayyappan)

Kulathupuzha Sastha temple is located on the banks of Kulathupuzha river, a tributary of Kallada river. As per legend, once a Brahmin and his servants were returning to their village after a pilgrimage to Rameswaram. They decided to break their journey along the banks of the Kulathupuzha river for the overnight stay. As the Brahmin was doing his daily rituals to nature, his servants began making dinner arrangements. One fetched firewood for the stove, the other washed the rice and the third gathered rocks to make a stove. As they collected the stones, they came across one rock, which was firmly fixed to the ground.

The chief servant decided that he would build the stove at this spot and brought the other rocks together to set it up. However, every time he arranged the stove, the rock that was firmly fixed in the ground would become taller. Finally in a rage, the servant banged the rock with another stone. When he did this, he was shocked to see the rock bleed. He ran and called his master. The Brahmin instantly recognized that this was a divine rock and he sprinkled holy water brought from Rameswaram on the injured. When he did this, the bleeding stopped and Dharma Sastha appeared before them. After blessing them, lord Ayyappa instructed the Brahmin to build a temple in that very spot.

He also instructed that this temple be built without disturbing any of the living creatures in the surrounding forest. With the patronage of the king of Kottarakkara, a new temple was built without disturbing the environment. In fact to this day, pilgrims show special respect to the living creatures around the temple. The deity in this temple is Balasastha, who is referred as Manikanda. Ladies are allowed to visit this temple. The temple is now under Travancore Devaswom Board.