The famous Poonjar Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is located in the Meenachil Taluk of Kottayam district and could be reached by Kottayam-Pala-Eerattupetta-Panachippara route after a drive of 45 Km. It is one of the ancient temples of Lord Sastha and is believed to be one of the most powerful abodes of Lord Sastha.
The presiding deity in this temple is Lord Sastha/Ayyappa. This temple is owned by the erstwhile kingdom of Poonjar. It is situated on the banks of Meenachil river. The deity is worshipped as Lord Ayyappa, the incarnation of Lord Sastha with a 'Vedha Grandha' (holy books of veda) on the right hand. The idol is made out of Krishna Shila, a typical stone, which is so beautiful. Lord Sastha idol holding Veda Grandha is rarely seen and hence devotees who worship the deity here will be blessed with abundant knowledge.
In this temple there is a circular shaped centre, which indicates the presence of Goddess Madhurai Meenakshi (the deity of Pandya King), and is hence a rarity as Madhurai Meenakshi as such is rarely worshipped in temples of Kerala. Other sub-deities are Sundaresa Perumal (Meenakshi-Sundareshwara is considered as the main deity of Pandya rulers) and Lord Ganapathi.
In this temple there is a circular shaped centre, which indicates the presence of Goddess Madhurai Meenakshi (the deity of Pandya King), and is hence a rarity as Madhurai Meenakshi as such is rarely worshipped in temples of Kerala. Other sub-deities are Sundaresa Perumal (Meenakshi-Sundareshwara is considered as the main deity of Pandya rulers) and Lord Ganapathi.
There is a story behind the formation of this temple, which is related to a Pandya King named 'Manavikrama'. Due to severe attacks from Chola empire, Manavikrama had to flee from Madhurai and formed a small empire at Gudalloor. Later he moved to Poonjar after buying some land from Thekumkoor King. On his way to Poonjar, he had to stay at Vandi Periyar and was attacked by a group of thieves. He was stranded and trapped in a forest but was guided to Poonjar by a boy who came on top of an elephant. King came to know that the boy was none other than Lord Ayyappa. So the king decided to build a temple for Lord Ayyappa in his place. After thinking about constructing the temple, he took bath in a pond nearby. After bath he couldn't take his umbrella from the place where he placed it which got fixed there. So the king decided to build the temple there. The elephant goad and the stick which Lord Ayyapa left there were also seen near the idol.
Figure shows the Poonjar Palace
The festival is in the Malayalam month 'Makaram' and is same time Makara Sankrama festival is being conducted in various Lord Sastha temples across the state. 'Kodiyettu' is on the star of 'Anizham'. Aarattu will be performed in the Meenachil river. 'Kalamezhuthum - pattum' in the season of 'Mandalavilakku' and 'Makaravilakku' related with Sri Sabarimala Temple are celebrated grandly in this temple every year.
