Thiruvutsavam 2025 | Pullukulangara Dharma Sastha Temple Alappuzha

തിരുവുത്സവം 2025 | പുല്ലുകുളങ്ങര ധർമ്മ ശാസ്താ ക്ഷേത്രം ആലപ്പുഴ | Thiruvutsavam 2025 | Pullukulangara Dharma Sastha Temple Alappuzha

Pullukulangara Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is over ten centuries old. The legend associated with this temple is that Sree Ayyappa is the incarnation or Avathar of Sree Dharmasastha. The Raja of Kayamkulam constructed a beautiful temple in Pullukulangara, where Ayyappa addressed his countrymen and performed the consecration on thram star, which was the star of Ayyappa as well as the day on which the meeting was held with the countrymen. In the temple, he built the main Sanctum Sanctorum (Sreekovil) with the idol of Ayyappa or Sri Dharma Sastha, facing the east. In the South, facing North, Devi's shrine is seen and in the Kanni Moola (South West corner), Lord Ganapathi, who is also called Vighneswara, Lord Mahadeva and Salagrama Vishnu can be seen. These idols were obtained from the bank of the temple pond, which housed the remains of an ancient, ruined temple that once existed. These idols along with the Salagrama Vishnu, who was his Upasana Moorthy (deity), were worshipped in the temple for hundreds of years, till the reconsecration on July 5th, 1989. After this, Lord Mahadeva was given a separate shrine which is on the North East to the main temple, and another shrine with Brahma Rakshas, just North to Lord Mahadeva. Naga Raja and Naga Yakshi Amma are placed in the extreme North East (all the three facing the west) and Yakshi Amma in the North West, facing the East. Lord Ganapathy and Salagrama Vishnu are in their previous positions. As the idols were obtained from the bank (kara) of the pond (kulam) filled with grass (pullu), this place got its name Pullukulangara, the land enriched by the unfading footprints of Lord.

Thiruvutsavam 2025 | Pullukulangara Dharma Sastha Temple Alappuzha

Annual festival of this festival starts on Malayalam month Makaram (January-February). It is a 10 days spectacular event. There is a flag hoisting ceremony marking the beginning of the festival. Flag Hoisting festival ( Kodiyettu Utsavam ) is on the Uthram star of Makara month and the festival ends on the 10th day with lowering of the flag. The festival is enriched with Velakali (a ritual dance in which the participants don the role of the Nair soldiers of Medieval period in the dressing as well as the vigorous movements and sword play, along with an orchestra suiting to a war field), concerts and other art forms. Decorated elephants will be standing in front of the Anakkottil, waving the ears and listening the orchestra. The shrine is traditionally decorated with plantain, coconut leaves, flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. There will be special poojas and offerings during the festival period. Traditional performing arts are staged during the period. Caparisoned elephants, melam, fireworks and sheevali are part of the festival. On the 10th day, during Aarattu or Bathing Ceremony, the Deity goes to the Aarattu Kulam (the pond meant for the holy bath) on the temple elephant. Accompanied by Thalappoli (a customary way of propitiating Gods by young girls in rows, holding plates containing lamps, flowers, rice, etc) and temple orchestra, the deity returns to the temple, receiving the Para offerings from the inmates residing on both sides of the road. The ceremony will end with Aarattu Kalasam and lowering of the flag. This marks the end of the festival.

EVENTS/PROGRAMS

• Flag Hoisting
• Velakali
• Annadanam
• Cultural Programs
• Percussion Music
• Performing Arts
• Sopanasangeetham
• Kettukazhcha
• Arattu

Temple Location

📍 Pullukulangara Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Kandalloor P.O, Kayamkulam, Alappuzha - 690535 Kerala.

Accessibility

🏙️ Nearest Town/ Landmark/ Junction: Kayamkulam - 5.8 Km

🚌 Nearest Bus Station: Kayamkulam Bus Station - 3.5 Km

🚂 Nearest Railway Station: Kayamkulam Railway Station - 6 Km

✈️ Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport - 107 Km

CONTACT

📞 +91 479 2431 010

🌐 www.pullukulangaratemple.org