MEDAMKULANGARA SASTHA TEMPLE
In the Pookkodu village of Alagappa Nagar Panchayat, Thrissur district, lies the Medamkulam Sastha Temple. Located 4 kilometers east of Amballoor Junction on the Thrissur-Ernakulam road, this temple is considered to be centered around Lord Sastha, though other deities such as Maha Vishnu, Shiva, and Narasimha Moorthy are also enshrined and worshipped with equal reverence. There are also Ganapati idols associated with the Vishnu and Narasimha temples. It is believed that this temple is over 1700 years old.
A sage-like great man once arrived in this forested area and, drawn by the spiritual energy of the place, had a divine vision of the Vanasastha (Forest God). In response to the great man’s prayers for the fulfillment of his desires, the Lord manifested himself. The sage wished for the presence of this divine energy to remain for future generations, and thus, Lord Sastha manifested as a Swayambhu (self-manifested deity). Alongside Sastha, Maha Vishnu, the presiding deity of Vaikuntha, was also enshrined, with both deities worshipped with equal devotion. The temple’s rituals and practices were established accordingly and continued to this day.
When the temple at Chendamkulangara (not to be confused with the Chendamkulangara Temple near Paliyekkara) fell into ruin, the presiding deities—Shiva, Narasimha, and Ganapati—were moved to the Medamkulangara Temple premises and enshrined there.
As part of the Aarattupuzha Pooram celebrations in the month of Meenam, the flag hoisting (Kodikayattam) takes place on the day of Makiram, and Lord Sastha is taken out in a grand procession. On Makayiram day in the evening, after the Tantric rituals and the hoisting of the temple flag, the Navakam and Sreebhootabali ceremonies are conducted. Following this, Lord Sastha is taken out in a procession that circumambulates the Vishnu Temple before re-entering the Sastha temple through the eastern gopuram. The procession goes until fourth Kandam (plots in paddy field) across the nearby fields, facing the temple, and returns with the accompaniment of Chembada, Pandi Melam and Panchari melam (inside the temple compound wall). After re-entering the temple, Sastha is taken back to the sanctum sanctorum
Every day, until the flag-lowering ceremony (Kodikuthu), the Navakam and Sreebhootabali tantric rituals are conducted. During these days, Lord Sastha is taken in a procession to various households (Illams), where offerings and rituals are conducted. Medamkulangara Sastha also participates in the Poorams at Peruvanam, Pidikaparambu, and Aarattupuzha.
At Peruvanam, after the Chathakkudam Sastha Pooram, the Aarattupuzha Sastha, Kalleli Sastha, and Medamkulangara Sastha ascend Peruvanam Nadavazhi together with Pancharimelam. (Previously, the Medamkulam had its own Pooram.) After the Pooram, the Sastha is taken to the Peruvanam Temple and is accompanied inside. At 2 AM, Sastha, along with other deities, participates in the grand Vilakku procession within the temple walls, before returning ahead of Cherpu Bhagavathi’s Irakkam (descend) at Peruvanam Nadavazhi.
Lord Sastha also takes part in the Pidikaparambu Pooram. On the day of the Aarattupuzha Pooram, the deity is taken to the Illams in the Pookkodu and Thoravu regions for rituals and offerings, before heading to the Aarattupuzha Temple for the Pooram. The next day, after paying respects to the other deities, Sastha returns in a grand procession.
On Kodikkal Pooram, after completing the pakal Pooram, by evening, the deity arrives at the Vishnu Temple, where Irakkiezhunellippu takes place.
From the Vishnu Temple, a grand procession with drums and instruments proceeds eastward toward the field and stands on Nilapaduthara (platform) in front of the Sastha Temple, where the Pandi Melam begins. After finishing the Pandi melam just outside the temple compound, the procession enters the temple grounds and completes a circumambulation with the Panchari Melam. Following this, nine rounds of circumambulation are performed. Finally, Lord Sastha is taken back into the sanctum, and the elephant is made to pull the flagpole, thus bringing the Pooram ceremonies to a close.
The Prathishta day (installation day) of this temple is celebrated on the Makham Nakshatra in the month of Mithunam. Every year, this day is observed with traditional Tantric rituals and ceremonies. Navaratri is also celebrated with great significance at this temple. On the day of Vidyarambham, a ritual called Ezhuthiniruthal (it is for children to start learn writing) is important event at the Sastha Temple.
The temple is governed by five prominent families from the Pookkodu region, who serve as the Ooralars (traditional trustees), a local committee now manages its administration.
With the deities Shiva, Vishnu, Narasimha Moorthy, Sastha, and Ganapathy consecrated here, the temple shines as a sanctuary of peace and blessings for devotees. The rituals and Tantric practices are diligently conducted on time, without interruption.
Devotees regularly perform the MakiramPurappadu offering to fulfill their wishes. Those who cannot perform the full ritual often make monetary offerings during the temple’s procession. Another unique offering at this temple is the practice of placing a dog’s idol as a votive offering for wish fulfillment. The offering of Appam as Nivedyam is particularly special here. Lord Prabha Sametha Sastha is revered as a compassionate deity, bestowing blessings for education, prosperity, and family well-being.