Arattupuzha Sree Sastha Temple — Attraction in Kerala

Within the 5 mile radius around Arattupuzha, vehicular traffic was not allowed after 5pm. So I walked along with the sea of humanity amid food vendors piled up on the sides, handtoy sellers generating enough noise to attract the children, finally reaching the grand entrance to the Pooram grounds.The scale was larger than the Peruvanam Pooram no doubt, this after all is considered to be one of the biggest Pooram celebrated in Thrissur for the last 1000 yrs.Being the finale after a full week of temple rituals, tens of thousands of people were expected and the arrangements looked good to manage this. There was even a community kitchen in the works to offer food through the night.The Sree Sastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, is believed to be more than 3000 years old and this is the venue for the Pooram. It is believed that during the festival period, Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity at the Sree Sastha Temple is visited by gods and goddesses of the neighbouring villages. The only vehicles allowed were the trucks with the elephants coming from different villages. With elaborate care and practice each of these tuskers got down from their vehicles and proceeded to go inside the temple premises.Around 7pm, the temple was fully lit up and the anticipation of start got the people excited and they converged around the temple grounds.The rituals started with the Lord Sastha arriving in the temple courtyard to welcome the Gods and Goddesses arriving to attend the ‘devamela’ or the divine gathering of gods. We were witnessing a grand elephant pageantry featuring fiftteen caparisoned tuskers. Adding to the festive mood was the Pancharimelam, the traditional percussion ensemble, performed by about 250 artists. The Pooram was in its full element, men atop elephants holding Muthukudas (sequined, glittering umbrellas) and venchamarams (white whisks).The white whisks swayed and were held to the Melam (concert). Then there was the “Theevetti”, a flame bearing staff with multi parallel branches during the Melam.The festivities would continue through the night, the deities from about 24 temples atop the majestic tuskers would arrive in full glory and keep mesmerizing. I decided to return back at 1am with all the memories and experiences captured with me and hope to be part of this event called...

According to legends, the antiquity of this temple dates back to 3000 years. The temple has been the host of the most ancient and well-known yearly Devamela, a festival when all gods and goddesses assemble at Arattupuzha. It is believed that the deity of Arattupuzha temple is the embodiment of the divine potential of Guru Vasishta, the kulaguru (Family priest) of Raghu vamsha and Master of Srirama and his brothers. There are so many things that make Arattupuzha Temple special, and one among them is its famed Pooram festival. It is believed to be one of the oldest temple festivals in Kerala, and is also known as Arattupuzha, considered as the Mother of all Pooram festivals. Situated in Thrissur district in Kerala, Arattupuzha showcases an exceptional cultural ethos. The temple is believed to be 3000 years old and is built in the traditional architectural style of Kerala. It is dedicated to Sage Vasishta. Arattupuzha Pooram is an Indian temple festival held at the Arattupuzha Temple in Arattupuzha, Thrissur District  of Kerala. Visitors from nearby and far off places reach the village of Arattupuzha during the festival days. The pinnacle of the seven-day festival is the last two days. The evening prior to the last day of the festival would have an assembly of caparisoned elephants and staging of percussion ensembles as part of the ceremony called Sasthavinte Melam. The pancharimelam of Aarttupuzha Sasthavu is the largest assembly of percussion artists in any other night Poorams. More than 200 artists perform in sasthavinte melam. This can only be seen at Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, Thripunithura, other than in Arattupuzha Pooram The Pooram is known as Devamela as it is a conglomeration of gods, given its massive attendance of deities from neighbourhood shrines. A total of 23 deities of various temples from different parts of Thrissur District attend the Pooram and is considered as the oldest temple festival in the Indian subcontinent. Important deities that participate in the Arattupuzha Pooram are Oorakam Amma Thiruvadi Cherpu Bhagavathy Triprayar Thevar. Arattupuzha Temple is located at Arattupuzha, 8 Kilometres from Thrissur city, Thrissur -...

Arattupuzha Temple is a place that holds a special place in my heart. As a child, I used to visit this serene and beautiful Hindu temple located in the Thrissur district of Kerala every Saturday. The tranquility of this ancient temple was always mesmerizing. The atmosphere was always filled with positive energy, and it made me feel calm and peaceful.

The history of Arattupuzha Temple dates back 3000 years, and it has been hosting the famous Devamela festival for a long time now. During this festival, all gods and goddesses assemble at Arattupuzha, making it one of the most significant festivals in our village. The deity of this temple is believed to be the embodiment of the divine potential of Guru Vasishta, the kulaguru of Raghu vamsha, and Master of Srirama and his brothers.

One of the things that I love about Arattupuzha Temple is its architecture. The intricate designs and carvings on the walls and pillars are awe-inspiring. The temple's main shrine is a magnificent sight to behold, and the surrounding gardens add to its beauty.

If you plan to visit Arattupuzha Temple, make sure to attend the Arratupuzha Pooram festival. This festival is the highlight of the year for us, and it truly showcases our village's culture and traditions. The festival is a colorful spectacle, accompanied by the sound of traditional music and decorated elephants. It's an experience that will stay with you forever.

In conclusion, visiting Arattupuzha temple is more than just a religious experience. It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of our village while also experiencing the serenity of this...