Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharma Sastha Temple


Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharma Sastha temple is one of the most prominent temple in Tripunithura, Kochi in the state of Kerala. It is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa worshiped as Dharmasastha.

Origin

According to anecdotes Lord Dharma Sastha of Chamravattom followed one of his priests from Morakkala Mana who had shifted to Tripunithura. Lord Dharma Sastha assumed the form of a lizard and came with the priest comfortably by sitting on his traditional umbrella made up of palm leaves. Since then Lord Ayyappa is worshiped here bringing prosperity to the place.

History

The temple was initially owned by Morakkala Mana, but the prosperity of family was challenged and the day-to-day affairs were in question. The high priest finally approached the Maharajah of Cochin and handed the temple over to him in the 1930s. The King ordered the renovation of the temple and the Nithya Nidhanam was funded by Nadumittom Devasom. This state of affairs continued with minor changes until the Fall of the Kingdoms when India got Independence. Again the temple affairs was in disarray.
In 1953 the youth in and around the temple came together for the betterment of the temple, precincts and restart the temple festival. This movement strengthened up with time, involving in many activities. These people in 1963 formed the Thamaramkulangara Ayyapa Seva Samithy. TASS spearheaded a development campaign which drove a dramatic rise of the temple from obscurity to center stage of temple landscape in Ernakulam. In 1984 with others, the temple was transferred to Kerala Uranma Devaswom Board.

Upadevathas

Besides Dharmasastha devotees also worship Lord Ganesha and Bhadrakali along with Nagaraja and Brahmasrakshas. Separate rituals and pooja is performed as required to these Upadevathas also.

Thamaramkulangara Ayyappa Seva Samithy (TASS)

Though the temple is owned by Uranma Devaswom Board, virtually all the affairs are managed by Thamaramkulangara Ayyappa Seva Samithy, a voluntary organization led by local people. TASS is also deeply involved in nurturing and popularising the temple culture by organizing events stretching the full cultural spectrum from Bhajan Sandhya to Chakyar Koothu, music concerts to ensemble of percussion instruments, etc. TASS is involved in social activities and celebrations like blood donation camps, awarding bright students, etc.

Makaravilakku

, the annual festival of this temple, bears a unique status. It occurs in January. As per the Malayalam era, the first day of the Makaram Month is celebrated as the Makaravilakku in the temple. Thamaramkulangara Ayyappa Seva Samithy organises the events of Makaravilakku in a way to keep the holiness of the temple precincts. The six days of celebrations begins with the Holy Flag hoisting by chief priest five days before the Makaravilakku day.

Festivals

Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharmasastha temple celebrates many festivals apart from Makaravilakku. Some of them are:
Sasthaam Paattu is a traditional art form found in the central Kerala. It is also known as Ayyappan Paattu. It is a musical art form in which a team of people sing, songs praising Lord Ayyappa by playing a unique percussion instrument called 'Udukku'. The main attraction among the songs is the song that describes the birth of Lord Ayyappa.
In Thamaramkulangara, Sasthaam Paattu is performed on the first Saturday of Vrischikam as per the Malayalam era. In the noon of same day, Annadhaanam is performed by devotees and TASS volunteers to all the devotees, which has a unique menu and is popular.

Renovation

Renovation projects are going on in the temple. Several crucial checkpoints that have been successfully met:
RitualsTime
Nirmalya Darsanam05:00
Ethrutha Pooja07:15
Nivedyam09:15
Prasanna Pooja09:30
Temple Closes10:00
Temple Opens17:15
Deeparadhana18:45
Atthazha Pooja19:40
Harivarasanam19:55
Temple Closes20:00