Pulpally in Wayanad district has many sites that are directly associated with the Indian Epic, Ramayana. The most important among these sites is Pulpally Seethadevi Temple, a temple dedicated to Sita Devi and her sons, Lava and Kusha. The temple is believed to have been built around the 18th century by Pazhassi Raja. There is a pond near the temple complex called “Seethatheertham”. According to the mythology, Lord Rama had abandoned his wife Sita upon faulty accusations. Conceived Sita Devi broke down completely and shed her tears of misery that created this pond.
Valmiki the sage has invited Sita Devi to his hermitage and she gave birth to her two sons, Lava and Kusha. Probably the name Pulpally itself came from the fact that the children played in the grass meadows. There is another temple located at a distance of 1km from this temple, Jadayattakavu. The legend behind this temple says that upon their childhood days in Pulpally, Lava and Kusha once stopped the horse Rama sent for Ashwamedha. When Rama came to free his horse he saw Sita and his sons. Rama invited Sita to the palace but she refused and disappeared into the torn earth.
Lord Rama tried to save her by catching her hair, but all he was left was a flock of her hair. This temple was built in the exact spot of Sita Devi’s miraculous disappearance into the lap of her mother, the Earth Goddess. Thus, Sita Devi, the presiding deity of the temple is known by the name, Chedattilamma. A visit to Pulpally temple is exactly like taking a walk through the mythology, tracing back our ancient heritage.
Contact Details
Seethadevi Lava Kusha Temple Pulpally
Pulpally, Kerala 673579
