MAATTIL SASTHA TEMPLE

On the Amballur-Varandarappilly Road, one kilometer to the right from Pallikkunnu Junction, lies the revered Nana Shastha Temple. This temple is dedicated to Nana Shastha and features three daily pujas (rituals). The temple’s main festival is the Mandala Festival, which begins on the first day of the Vrishchikam month.

An active participant in the famous Arattupuzha Pooram, the temple’s Pooram procession begins on Makiram Nakshatra (star) in the month of Meenam. After the Thantri (chief priest) performs the puja, the procession commences with the traditional Paandi melam (drum beat). For several years, the Pooram celebrations at this temple had been discontinued, but with the Devaswom Board taking over temple management, the festivities have now been revived.

On Pooyam day, after conducting the Irakkiipooja at Kundil Mallissery Mana, the temple deity is taken to participate in the Peruvanam Pooram. Following the grand VilakkuEzhunnallippu (lamp-lit procession) held at night, the deity returns to the temple.

On Arattupuzha Pooram day, at 7:30 AM, the procession sets out for the Thottippal Pooram. Upon reaching Thottippal, the deity is placed at the Althara (sacred banyan altar) in the Kizhakke Nada (eastern side) before continuing the procession. After the Pooram, the deity returns to the temple by 2 PM, offering Upacharam to the Thottippal Bhagavathy.

Next, the procession proceeds to the Parappookkara Temple for Irakki Pooja, and then continues on the Pazhai route to Arattupuzha. Before the grand melam (traditional percussion) at Arattupuzha concludes, the deity enters the temple for the final Ezhunnallippu (ritual procession). When the Thriprayar Thevar departs for the Aaratt (holy dip) in the morning, a special Upacharam is offered, and the deity heads back to the temple.

The day’s events culminate with the UthramVilakku at night, followed by the ceremonial Kodikkuthu (flag lowering), marking the conclusion of the Pooram festivities.