Enchanting Kerala

Seetha Devi Lava Kusha Temple – A Temple Dedicated to Lava and Kusha

The Seetha Devi Lava Kusha Temple in Wayanad’s Pulpally is the only one of its kind. The deities are Lava and Kusha, children of Lord Rama and Seetha. The narratives surrounding this temple center on the epic saga of the Ramayana. It is believed that the name Pulpally is derived from the bed of grass on which Lava played as a child.  After Rama abandoned Seetha, she went to Pulpally and was given shelter by the great Sage Valmiki.

A pond in the temple compound is one of the largest in Wayanad. Valmiki Ashramam, situated in Pulpally, is where Sita gave birth to Lava and Kusa. The temple was believed to have been constructed by the Lion of Kerala, Pazhassi Raja in the 18th century. According to the local legend, Tipu Sultan of Mysore planned to destroy this temple during the military assault but failed due to the darkness caused by Goddess Seetha's supreme power at noon. 

One remarkable feature of this temple is the lack of leeches in its vicinity, a rarity in the Wayanad region. It is believed that Goddess Seetha cursed the leeches that attacked Lava and Kusa, driving them away from Pulpally. The annual temple festival, occurring in the first week of January and regarded as a significant regional event, attracts multitudes from different social and religious backgrounds.

Contact:
District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC)
Wayanad
Phone:  +91 493 620 2134, +91 94460 72134 
Email: info@dtpcwayanad.com 

Getting there:
Nearest Airport: Calicut International Airport, about 111 km
Nearest Railway Station: Kozhikode Railway Station, about 102 km
Nearest Bus Station: Pulpally Bus Station, about 280 m