Arakkulam Sastha Temple, also known as Arakkulam Dharmasastha Temple, is located on the Thodupuzha-Muttom-Idukki route and is around 17 km from Thodupuzha. The shrine is dedicated to Sastha or Ayyappa and Shiva. The annual festival in the temple is held from the 11th to 18th day of Makaram month.
Arakkulam Dharmasastha Temple History
This is an important Hindu temple in Idukki District. As per local history, on the priests of famous Sabarimala Temple was from Karott madam. When the priest became old, he could not trek the hill to reach the Sabarimala temple and perform the poojas. So he ardently prayed for the blessings of Ayyappa. Sabarimala Ayyappa blessed him in his dream saying that His presence will always be there at the courtyard of his illam. Next day when the priest woke up, he saw an arrow secured firmly on the ground in upright position and vibrating in the courtyard. The priest thus felt the presence of Ayyappa and installed the murti at that point and started worshipping it. The present sreekovil of Arakkulam Sastha Temple is at the same place of the courtyard. As the illam had a very large granary (ara) and a pond (kulam) the place got the name Arakkulam.
It is believed that this is one among the 108 Ayyappa Temples in Kerala mentioned in the Tiyattu Thottam. This temple is believed to be Aranganthakavu mentioned in the Tiyattu Thottam.
The murti of Sastha worshipped in the temple is swayambhu.
The main deity faces east. Arakkulam Sastha temple has a twin sreekovil with adisthanam, sopanam, sub shrines and nadapandal. The sreekovil of Ayyappa has granite walls and tiled roof with two thazhikakudam with copper stoopeekas over it. The sopanam has four direct steps with banisters on sides.
On the southwestern corner of the pradakshina vazhi is the shrine of Karinaga Yakshi.
Shiva temple faces east. A Shila Nandi is installed separately at the front of Shiva temple besides a Shila deepasthambham having five layers of lamps.
The main subsidiary deities worshipped in the temple are Ganapati in the southwest, Naga Devata and Malikapurathamma in the northwest.
Arakkulam Sree Dharma Sastha Temple Timing
- The shrine is open in the morning from 5 AM to 10:30 AM
- Evening darshan timing is from 5 PM to 8 PM.