Thakazhy Sree Dharma Sastha temple is located at Thakazhy, around 6.5 km east of Ambalapuzha, in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The 8-day annual festival at Thakazhy Sree Dharma Sastha temple begins on Uthram nakshatra in Kumbham month.
Kalamezhuthu and Pattu are performed during the annual festival.
The name Thakazhy because the murti was found in clay and it was cleaned using hands (Thazhuki). As the shuddhi to the murti happened due to Thazhukal the place came to be known as Thakazhy.
It is believed that the murti worshipped in the temple was recovered by Vilwamangalam Swamiyar and he gave it to Udyarkamuni who consecrated the murti here. Another belief is that the murti was originally installed in Otharamala and during a flood the murti was displaced and it was later recovered by Vilwamangalam Swamiyar.
The temple was built after a few years by Chembakassery king.
The temple is mentioned in Thottam Pattu as Othalodiyan Kavu. Thus the shrine is one among the 108 Ayyappa temples in Kerala.
The main deity of Sri Dharma Sastha or Ayyappa faces east. There are no Upa Devatas in the temple.
The main offering in the temple is varutha podi (roasted rice powder).
Oil Cure In Thakazhi Temple
The Valiyaenna or oil from the temple has medicinal properties and is used to cure body pain and pain in limbs. When the oil is boiled, palpayasam naivedya for the deity is also prepared. When cream appears on top of the palpayasam it gives the signal that the oil is ready.
The murti of the first person (ashaan) who prepared the oil is found in the temple.
Kunchan Nambiar (famous for Ottamthullal) has mentioned the Thakazhy Sree Dharma Sastha temple.