Arattupuzha Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
Dharma Sastha (Ayyappa), believed to embody the sage Vasishtha temple · Arattupuzha, Thrissur, Kerala, India
The Sree Dharma Sastha Temple at Arattupuzha, a village in Thrissur district of Kerala, is the home of the Arattupuzha Pooram. This annual festival is also called the Devamela, the 'assembly of the gods'. The presiding deity is Dharma Sastha (Ayyappa).
The temple belongs to the Cochin Devaswom Board, which lists it under the Arattupuzha Devaswom in its Thiruvanchikulam group. A local advisory committee, the Arattupuzha Kshethra Upadeshaka Samithi, supports the board in its work. Kerala Tourism and the temple both describe the shrine as about 3,000 years old, a figure that comes from tradition rather than any dated record.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Arattupuzha Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
According to the temple's website, the Sastha sits in a calm pose holding an amrutha kalasha (pot of nectar) in his right hand, resting on his right knee. Devotees believe the deity embodies the divine power of the sage Vasishtha, guru of Rama and his brothers. The temple says this is one of the rare temples with no other deities installed.
The temple is best known for the Arattupuzha Pooram. Kerala Tourism describes it as one of the oldest temple festivals in Kerala and calls it the 'Mother of all Poorams'. Its central belief is that the gods and goddesses of the surrounding villages gather at Arattupuzha. Kerala Tourism and Incredible India both say that 23 deities from temples around Thrissur are brought to the Sastha temple on elephants, and the temple's own list of participants also names 23 deities. The participants include Thriprayar Thevar (the Rama of Thriprayar), Urakam Ammathiruvadi, Cherpu Bhagavathy and several Sastha and Bhagavathy shrines nearby.
The festival is also linked to the older story of Thrissur Pooram. DTPC Thrissur and the Thiruvambady Devaswom both say Thrissur Pooram was organised by Sakthan Thampuran, ruler of Cochin. According to them, he acted after a group of Thrissur-area temples were refused a place at Arattupuzha. DTPC says the refusal came after rain delayed the temples' arrival.
Heritage
History of Arattupuzha Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
No dated foundation record for the temple appears in the sources consulted. The temple, Kerala Tourism and Wikipedia all give its age as about 3,000 years according to tradition. The temple calls the Devamela one of the world's oldest festivals, and Kerala Tourism and Incredible India describe it as one of the oldest temple festivals in Kerala.
According to the temple, the trusteeship was held in the past by five families. The temple gained a privileged position within the Cochin Devaswom when Elamanna Krishna Menon was Devaswom Commissioner. Today the Cochin Devaswom Board owns and runs the temple, and its current list places the temple under the Arattupuzha Devaswom in the Thiruvanchikulam group of temples.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Kerala Tourism asks visitors to dress modestly, remove footwear before entering and follow the guidance of temple staff and priests. Crowds are very large on the main Pooram days, and the festival dates change every year with the Malayalam calendar. Confirm current timings and festival dates with the Cochin Devaswom Board or the temple office before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Cochin Devaswom Board (Arattupuzha Devaswom, Thiruvanchikulam group) (official website) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Arattupuzha Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
Arattupuzha Pooram (Devamela)
A week-long festival of the Sastha, with neighbouring poorams at Peruvanam, Tharakkal and elsewhere. On the penultimate night the Sasthavinte Melam, a percussion ensemble of more than 200 artists, is staged. Before dawn the visiting deities gather in the paddy fields in front of the temple (Kootti Ezhunnallippu), and the festival ends with the Arattu, a holy bath at Mandaram Kadavu.
Prathishta Dinam (installation day)
Anniversary of the installation of the deity, marked by special tantric rites, Navakam, Panchagavyam, Sreebhoothabali and annadanam, according to the temple.
Illam Nira and Puthari
Harvest rites in which new paddy is brought to the temple; the temple lists Illam Nira and Puthari Nivedyam among its annual observances.
Navaratri and Deshavilakku
Navaratri with Vidya Saraswatharchana, and the Deshavilakku lamp festival, are listed by the temple among its yearly events.
Location
How to Reach Arattupuzha Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
The temple says Arattupuzha is about 15 km from Thrissur town. The road to the temple branches about 2 km east from the Thevar Road bus stop on the Thrissur–Kodungallur route. DTPC Thrissur gives Arattupuzha bus stop as about 3 km away, Irinjalakuda railway station as about 18 km and Cochin International Airport as about 42 km.
Kerala Tourism notes that the village can be reached from Thrissur by local transport and that most visitors stay in Thrissur during the festival.
Location: Arattupuzha, Thrissur, Kerala, India
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport (about 42 km, per DTPC Thrissur)
Nearest railway station: Irinjalakuda (about 18 km, per DTPC Thrissur)
More in Hindu temples in Kerala · Dharma Sastha (Ayyappa), believed to embody the sage Vasishtha temples · Temples in Oorakam (Ct) · Temples in Thrissur Taluk · Temples in Thrissur District
Questions
Arattupuzha Sree Dharma Sastha Temple: Frequently Asked Questions
Which deity is worshipped at Arattupuzha Temple?
The presiding deity is Dharma Sastha (Ayyappa). Devotees believe he embodies the sage Vasishtha, guru of Rama, and the temple has no other installed deities.
What is the Arattupuzha Pooram?
It is the temple's annual festival, also called the Devamela or assembly of the gods. Kerala Tourism says 23 deities from temples around Thrissur are brought to Arattupuzha on elephants.
When is the Arattupuzha Pooram held?
It falls in the Malayalam month of Meenam, usually in March or April, and lasts about a week. The exact dates change every year, and the next year's date is announced at the end of the festival.
What is the Kootti Ezhunnallippu?
It is the grand early-morning gathering in the paddy fields, where Thriprayar Thevar stands at the centre flanked by Urakam Ammathiruvadi and Cherpu Bhagavathy, with dozens of caparisoned elephants.
Who manages Arattupuzha Sastha Temple?
The Cochin Devaswom Board, which lists it under the Arattupuzha Devaswom in its Thiruvanchikulam group. A local advisory committee supports the temple.
How do I reach Arattupuzha Temple?
Arattupuzha is about 15 km from Thrissur. Take the Thrissur–Kodungallur road to the Thevar Road stop and go about 2 km east. The nearest railway station listed by DTPC Thrissur is Irinjalakuda, about 18 km away.
Sources and attribution
- Cochin Devaswom Board — Thiruvanchikulam Group Temples (list incl. Arattupuzha Devaswom)
- Arattupuzha Sree Sastha Temple (archived) — About Temple – Arattupuzha Sree Sastha Temple (Wayback Machine copy, 2016)
- Arattupuzha Sree Sastha Temple (archived) — Home – Pooram calendar and Pooram participants (Wayback Machine copy, 2016)
- Arattupuzha Sree Sastha Temple (archived) — Pooram – festival programme (Wayback Machine copy, 2016)
- Arattupuzha Sree Sastha Temple (archived) — Events (Wayback Machine copy, 2016)
- Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala — Arattupuzha – a village known for its annual Pooram festival in Thrissur
- Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala — Arattupuzha Pooram – one of the world's oldest temple festivals (Enchanting Kerala newsletter, issue 295, March 2018)
- Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala — Arattupuzha Pooram (event page)
- District Tourism Promotion Council, Thrissur — Arattupuzha Pooram
- Ministry of Tourism, Government of India — Arattupuzha Pooram
- Thiruvambady Devaswom — Thrissur Pooram – Origin and Growth
- Wikipedia — Arattupuzha Temple
Further reading: Arattupuzha Sree Dharma Sastha Temple on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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