Arattupuzha Pooram

The Arattupuzha Pooram, one of the major festivals of central Kerala, will be held at the Arattupuzha Sree Sastha temple on Thursday. The Arattupuzha Pooram is described as the ‘greatest Devamela in the world.’ Pooram celebrations include processions carrying idols (‘thidambu’) of 23 deities, including Thripayar Thevar, Oorakathamma Thiruvadi, Cherppil Bhagavathy, Chathakudam Sastha, Anthikad Bhagavathy, Thottipal Bhagavathy, Pisharikkal Bhagavathy, Edakkunni Bhagavathy, Ayyunnil Bhagavathy, Thaikkattussery Bhagavathy, Kaduppassery Bhagavathy, Choorakkottu Bhagavathy, Poonilarkkavil Bhagavathy, Kattupisharikkal Bhagavathy, Chakkamkulangara Sastha, Kodannur Sastha, Nankulam Sastha, Sreemattil Sastha, Nettissery Sastha, Kalloli Sastha, Chittichathakkudam Sastha and Medamkulam Sastha. The idol of the deity of the Arattupuzha Sastha temple is taken to the Thottipal temple. It is brought back after the Thottipal Pooram to the Sastha temple around 4 p.m. Routine temple rites and ‘Sreebhoothabali’ are then performed.