Popular temples in Kollam district with details
Popular temples in Kollam district with details are given here. Kollam district in Kerala is a place with lot of temples and other pilgrimage places. In the below article, I have listed some of the well – known temples in this district and its features. All the below mentioned temples are easily accessible by way of rail or road transport. The nearest airport is Thiruvanthapuram International Airport.
Pattazhy Devi Temple (Pattazhi Devi Temple)
Pattazhy Devi Temple, a well-known temple in Kollam district is situated in Pattazhy Village, Pathanapuram Taluk. It is a big and ancient temple with ambala kulam (pond) with lot of fishes in it. The Pattazhy Desham was gifted by the King Marthanda Varma on behalf of Pattazhy Devi. Every year during the month of Meenam, a festival takes place in this temple and this festival is known for Kambam (fireworks) as the main offering to please Devi and Aalpindi Vilakku Ezhunnallathu is another important offering on Meena Thiruvathira.
In this temple we get to see Devi's "ponnin thirumudi", made of gold and rare precious stones. Ponnin thirumudi ezhunnalathu will take place only during Meena Thiruvathira. Other festivals in this temple are Kumbha Thiruvathira and Pongala Utsavam (Makaram Month). Archana, Chuttuvilakku, Thulabharam, Kadum Payasam, Ganapathy Homam, Parayidal, Bhagavathy Seva. Annadhanam, Panthanazhi etc are the other offerings to please Devi. Sasthamkotta Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
Sasthamkotta Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is a very famous Sastha temple in Kerala and is situated in Kunathoor Taluk of Kollam district. It is an ancient temple with padipura. The main deity of this temple is Lord Ayappa popularly known as "Sasthav". The term "Sasthamcotta" means "the place where Sasthav lives". Sasthamcotta Manikandan, who passed away in 1999 was the first elephant of this temple.
Another attraction of this temple is the abundance of monkeys in and out of this temple. The monkeys within the temple compound is called "Ambala Kurangu" (Temple monkeys) and the ones seen outside are called "Chandha Kurang" (Market monkeys). The monkeys inside the temple does not hurt the devotees at all whereas the ones seen outside are very naughty. Earlier there where lot of monkeys in the temple, but now you get to see only very few of them. Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple
Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple is a very ancient temple near the Kuathupuzha forest. The deity in this temple is Lord Ayappa and is known by the name "Manikandan". The idol in this temple is of young Ayappa hence devotees call the Lord as "Kulathupuzha Balakan". The present temple is been constructed by the King of Kottarakara. The Kulathupuzha river near this temple is quite famous. Devotees feed the fishes in this river as it is considered as a major offering and will help our wish come true. Kottarakka Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple
Kottarakka Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple is actually Kizhakkekara Siva Temple and the main deity there is Lord Siva. In this temple, along with the main deity Lord Siva, there is minor deity of Lord Ganapathy and Goddess Parvathy. Even though it is a Siva temple, it is known by the name "Mahaganapathy temple". Lord Ganesh is the youngest son of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy.
The major festivals in this temple are celebrated on Vinayaka Chathurthy (birthday of Lord Vinayaka), Ayilyam-Makam (Pooja for Naga daivangal), Navarathri, Mandalachirappu, Prathishtadinam, Thyppoyam, Sivarathri, Medathiruvathira and so on. Unniyappam is the main offering to Lord Ganapathy hence Udayasthamaya pooja is the major vashipadu at this temple. This temple is situated in Kottarakkara Taluk of Kollam district. Kumaranchira Devi Temple
Kumaranchira Devi Temple, is another famous temple in Kollam district which is only 4Kms away from Sasthamcotta. This temple is situated in a place by the name Patharam of Kunathoor Taluk. Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Duryodhana Temple :
Lord Duryodhana is the main deity in Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Duryodhana Temple. According to the Hindu epic, Mahabharata, Duryodhanan is the eldest son of Dhirtharashtar, the king who was blind and Gandhari, the wife you made herself blind as her husband can't see the world. He is the eldest among Kauravas. Malanada means a temple on top of a hill and this temple is on top of a small hill, hence the name. The peculiarity of this temple is that there is no idol or sreekovil. Alchoholic beverage made from coconut tree is the main offering in this temple. Thalayinakkavu Shiva Parvathi Temple
Thalayinakkavu Shiva Parvathi Temple is situated near Karali Mukku(Junction), Sasthamcotta of Kunathoor Taluk. In this temple both Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy is worshipped with equal importance. This temple is administrated by the trust. Sivasakthi Thrisoola Pooja is one of the main pooja in this temple. After completion of 28 Thrisoola poojas, one will get a "Silver Thrisoolam", which he/she can keep at their Pooja room in their house. It is believed that on completion of the 28 poojas our wish will come true. Annadanam, Swayamvararchana, Pushppanjali, Maha Sivapurna Yajnam, Bhagavatha Sapthaha Yajnam, para etc are other poojas offered at this temple.Oachira Parabrahma Temple
Oachira Parabrahma Temple is a very ancient temple which lies in the border of Kollam district and Allapuzha district. It is believed that this temple is constructed for “Parabhrama" which means Lord Siva but there is no idol in this temple. We can see “Aalthara" in this temple and that is where the devotes pray. In the vast open area, there are Banyan trees and small idols are placed near it. This temple attracts a large number of pilgrims every year.
The main festival “Oachirakkali" takes place during June – July month of every year. The “Panthranduvilakku Mahotsavam" happening during November – December month is also quite famous. “Oachira kaala" are seen everywhere in the open are within the temple compound. The term “Kaala" means Bulls, Bull is the vehicle of Lord Siva. Decorated Ochira bulls symbolize Shiva's vehicle, Nandi.
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