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Kanimangalam Sastha Temple In Thrissur

Kanimangalam Sastha temple is located at Kanimangalam in Kurukancheri village on the Thrissur – Irinjalakuda road in Thrissur district, Kerala. The Sastha worshipped in the temple is in the sankalpam of padmasana posture. The temple is one among the 108 Ayyappan kavukal in ancient Kerala. In Thottam Pattu, which counts the 108 Sastha temples, the shrine is known as Kannamkulangarakavu.

The current vigraham worshipped in the temple is the one after Punar Prathista.

Kanimangalam Sastha is the only male deity that participates in the Thrissur Pooram. Rest all are Bhagavathi temples (Goddess). It is believed that Kanimangalam Sastha is the guardian and protector of all the Bhagavathis who participate in the Thrissur Pooram.

On the Thrissur Pooram day, Kanimangalam Sastha arrives before sunrise at the Sree Moolasthanam of Vadakumnathan temple. It is believed that Sastha will catch fever if he happens to face dew or rain, therefore he arrives very early.

The temple first belonged to the Namboothiris of the region. But when the families of Namboothiris perished, the temple came under the control of Maliyekkal Karta who was one of the Arunattil Prabhus.