Pulikode - Lord Sastha worshipped by Kollengode Rajas

Pulikode Ayyappankavu, the famous Dharmasastha temple situated in the heart of Kollengode, Palakkad District is one among the most famous and traditional Sastha temples of Kerala and is believed to be at least 500 years old.

Pulikode Ayyappankavu was under the rule and administration of the Vengunadu Kovilakam or otherwise called the Kollengode Rajas. The Vengunadu Kovilakam also had another 7 Temples to their administration. It is believed that the wealth and prosperity of the people in and around Kollengode are with the divine blessings of Lord Pulikode Sastha. 

 

In this shrine, Pulikode Sastha is accompanied with his consorts Poorna and Pushkala along with son Satyavrathan (Satyaka). Here the principal deity faces the East and the idol is Swayambhu(manifested by its own like the famous Sastha idol of Chamravattom temple). Sastha is worshipped as carrying Bow in one hand and Arrow in the other.

Apart from the main deity, the temple also has Lord Ganapathi and the Serpent-Gods as sub deities.

The daily poojas at the temple starts at 5.30 AM in the morning. The sanctum of the temple closes at 9 AM after the morning poojas. Again the temple reopens at 5.30 PM in the evening for the evening poojas and closes at 7.30 PM. Special poojas are performed for the Serpent-Gods on the Ayilyam star of every month.

With the beginning of Mandala/Makara season, Ayyappa devotees in and around Kollengode flock into this temple. Ayyappa devotees from the neighboring states of Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka also visit this temple on their way to Sabarimala Temple during Mandala/Makara season. The temple experiences great rush during this period every year. 

 

With the grace of Pulikode Ayyappa and with the unstinting support of devotees, recently many developmental works have been undertaken in this temple, giving the temple complex a new face lift.

During the course of time, due to land legislation etc, the temple lost its wealth, thereby making it difficult for the daily rituals and poojas. However with the help and able guidance of the present Vengunadu Kovilakam Karanavar and chief patron of the temple Sri. Ravi Varma Thampan and patron Sri. Jayarajan Thampan along with their family members and with the help of devotees of Kollengode and the adjoining Panchayaths, and also with the help of devotees settled throughout India and across the world, the temple is in its current position.