Thondikulam is one among the 18 Agraharams in Palakkad Town. One among the 108 in Palakkad Dist. Thondikulam is a village where music, Vedic studies, education, trade, government service, politics, and social service flourish, across various other sectors. In terms of cultural richness, unity of faith, adherence to dharma, and ritual observances, 

Legend is that Thondikulam was originally known as Thondar-kulam. Thondar means service-minded people, and kulam - social group.Thondikulam stands at the forefront among other agraharams. Old traditions and modernity have merged, working in every sphere for the village’s progress and prosperity, coordinated and active, and it stands adjacent to the renowned Nurani Agraharam.

In the days of Tipu Sultan’s regime due to fear & famine families from Nagayanallur, Singanalloor, and Ayyanarkovil—then part of the Madras Presidency—came here. They settled in this village area, which they obtained as a free grant from Kurur Mannakkal Namboothiripad. They were provided with abundant paddy and

other produce, and they lived together in harmony, as testified by elders. They built temples for Alamelu Manga Sametha Venkitachapathy perumal & Sree Dharma Sastha with Parivara devathas.

A Pond was concecrated in front of Sastha Temple, which remains the main attraction in the village.

Venkitachalapathy Swami is depicted in a standing position atop two

peedams inside the sanctum sanctorum. In Thondikulam, the Swami is an exact replica of the Perumal in Bhooloka Vaikundam—Thirumala Thirupathi—with one difference: he stands with his

consorts, Alamelu and Magalambal. The deity faces east in a standing posture with four hands (Chathurbhahu). The upper-right hand holds the Chakram, and the upper-left hand holds the

Shanku. The lower-right hand is extended in Varada Hastham, the palm open and directed toward the lotus feet, symbolizing boons to those who surrender.

The lower-left hand rests in Katyavalambita Pose on the left thigh,

indicating that the ocean of life is only knee-deep and that He will guide devotees who surrender at the Lotus feet. The utsava murti is an exact replica of the moolavar in the sanctum, also

with the consorts. 

Dharma Sastha: It is believed that the Dharma Sastha temple was

established after the Venkitachalapathy Temple. The Thondikulam Dharmasastha idol is uniquely beautiful and striking, offering strength and protection to devotees from harm and negative forces. One cannot witness the azhagu (beauty) of Thondikulam Sastha anywhere else in the world. The Swami at Thondikulam is Ashwarooda Sastha, distinct from other Ashwarooda Sasthas. The vigraham is beyond words and can be witness completely during abhishekams to our Lord. He appears to be seated on a horse with the left leg folded. He is Chathurbahu, with weapons in both upper hands. The lower-right hand is in Abhaya bhavam and the lower-left hand in Varadha bhavam. The idol’s intricate workmanship—ornaments, weapons, a hip belt with manis, and thandai on both legs—is extraordinarily detailed. 

Sasthras Followed :

Venkitachalapathy perumal – Vaikhanasa Aagama Sasthra.

Thanthri – Vaikhanasa Vidhwan Brahmasree Kumarapuram Ramagovinda Bhattachariar & Narayanaswamy Bhattachariar

Temple Priest – Sreenath Sharma

Dharma Sastha Temple : Shaiva Agama Sasthram.

Thanthri : Sivagama Praveena Nurani Veluswamy Sivacharyar

Temple Priest : N S Neelakandan

1. Venkitachalapathy Temple: The main Ulsavam is the Brahmotsavam (Ratholsavam), held in the month of Chithirai (Medam). Dwajarohanam is observed on Atham Nakshathram, and Arattu and Dwaja avarohanam on Thiruvonam Nakshathram. The ninth day marks the Ratharohanam of Venkitachalapathy  Perumal. During the festival days, daily Veda Parayanam, Purusha Sooktha Japa Abhishekam, Deeparadhana, Vishnu Sahasranama Parayanam, and Archana are performed in the evening, followed by the ezhunallathu (procession) of Swami in different Vahanams alongwith Nadhaswaram & Chendai. After Gramapadakshinam Swami is offered with vishesha neividhyams & Deeparadhana is performed. During Ratholsavam, Laksharchana, Narayaneeya Parayanam, and Annadhanam are also performed. The main event on the Ratholsavam day before Ratharohanam is Venkitachalapathy Vilakku Vekkal.

2.  Dharma Sastha Temple : The main festival at Sastha temple is the Thulasi Amman Pooja & Sasthapreethi Festivals in the Month of Margazhi (Dhanu). Sasthapreethi is celebrated on the next Saturday after 44 day Mandalam. Subsequently the day before sasthapreethi – Friday is celebrated as Thulasiamman Pooja. Although Sasthapreethi is practiced in many Brahmana samoohams across the globe, the Sasthapreethi at Thondikulam Agraharam has its own unique practices, customs and rituals. In a sense, the Sasthapreethi festival begins on the first day of Vrischikam (Kaarthikai).During the Mandalam, Ushapuja, Mahanyasa Purassara Rudrabhishekam to lord Dharma Sastha, Purushasooktha Japa Abhishekam to lord Venkitachalapathy and Deeparadhana are held daily in both the temples. In the evening, Yajurveda krama parayanam (Vaara Japam) is held for 44 days with the participation of Vedic scholars from Tamil Nadu and Kerala at the Sastha temple.

3. Ours is one of the few temples where complete Yajurveda Kramaparayanam (Vaara Japam) is held during the month of Vrischika- Dhanu (Karthikai – Marghazhi). On first Wednesday/Saturday, of the month of Dhanu (Marghazi), villagers of all age group gather at Sastha temple & begins Sastha Paattu at night. This continues till Sasthapreethi.

4. Thondikulam Sasthapreethi is one event wherein you can witness zeal and enthusiasm, mental & physical involvement of persons of all age group irrespective of their status and positions in their personal life. Those who have attended at least once, testify that it is exciting and devotional to hear the Sastha paattu sung in the nadai by the villagers. The participation of mahilas of our village is worth mentioning. Their presence and participation in temple affairs till the end of Sasthapreethi is commendable. On all these days our distinguished, immensely talented and dedicated womenfolk including girls volunteer to draw different Kolams every afternoon.

5. Apart from sasthapreethi & Ratholsavam other festivals like Paalmangai(Vaikashi Pourami), Janmashtami, Vinayaka Chathurthi, Uriyadi, Aadi masam Bagavath seva, Niraputhiri, Navarathri, Purattasi Masam Vilakku vekkal, Vaikunda Ekadashi, Prathishtadinam, Thaipoosam, Vishu, Sreerama navami are celebrated in our village temples.