NETTISSERY SASTHA TEMPLE

The Nettissery village is home to the Sastha Temple, which is under the authority of eight prominent families and is a collection of eight temples, hence the name Nettisseri is given for both the village and the temple. It is believed that in ancient times, this was originally a Shiva Temple, but with the rise in prominence of Sastha, the temple was transformed into a Sastha Temple. The Thiruvathira day in the month of Thulam is celebrated as the Shiva Prathishta Day. The temple complex includes the deities Shiva, Sastha, Ganapathy, Elanjiyil Bhagavathy, Cherukulangara Narasimha Moorthy, Pathikulangara Vishnu, Goshala Krishna, and Kulagarayappan, all of whom are enshrined within the complex.

All the deities receive three poojas a day, with offerings during one of the sessions. Elanjiyil Bhagavathy, who is now revered as Nana Bhadrakali, occupies the Althara (peepal tree platform) in front of Sastha. In earlier times, Oottu (a ritual of feast) was conducted in the temple, with the last one performed in the Malayalam year 1112. The main annual festival at this temple is the Mandala Pooja, which spans 41 days. The first 27 days are dedicated to Navakam rituals, followed by Panchagavyam for the next 12 days, culminating with the Kalabham on the 40th day, all of which are performed annually.

As part of the Aarattupuzha Pooram festival, the Kodiyettam (flag hoisting) takes place on the Makiram day in the month of Meenam. After the Punyaham purification ritual, Navakam is performed to mark the occasion. After the Navakam, the Athazha pooja (evening pooja) is performed. On the day of Thiruvathira, the Sree Bhootbali and Navakam are performed in the morning and in the evening, Irakkipooja is  performed at Vadakkedath Kaplingad mana. After the puja, Sastha returns to temple. On the day of Punartham, after the Vilakkacharam, the puja is held at the Palanthol temple. In the past, there was Irakkipooja. Now, three is only the Parayeduppu. On the day of Pooyam, Sasthavu goes to Peruvanam Pooram. Nettissery Sasthavu lead the Vilakkacharam at Peruvanam followed by Upacharam with Irattayappan   and returns to Nettissery. On the day of Ayilyam, Irakipooja is done at Pidikkaparambu temple and the next day, before the elephant race, pays homage to Chathakudam Shastha. Returns to temple. In the evening visits manas to receive Para and Irakkipooja. Participates in Arattupuzha Devamela on Pooram day. After Arattupuzha Sastha’s pooram, Netissery Sastha’s procession starts with 5 elephants and Pandi melam. Next day morning, after  Upacharam with Arattupuzha Sasthavu, Nettissery Sasthavu comes back to temple. The deity is kept outside the Nettissery temple and anointment with tender coconut, brought by devotees, takes place . Then the deity is taken inside the temple. In the evening Sastha  receives Para from Nettissery area. On the day of Atham, Sasthavu visits Mulayam Koottala farm land where ‘Chalidal’ ritual is performed. On return back from Koottala, when reaches temple gate, procession starts with 5 elephants and pandi melam. After Deeparadhana, Sastha goes for Irakkipooja at Cherukulangara Bhagavathy temple. When Sastha comes back, grand procession accompanied by Panchavadyam, percussion, Vilakkacharam and Idakkapradakshinam are followed. Then Kodikuth (the ritual of knocking down the flagpole) is performed marking the end of Pooram.