Sree Dharma Sastha Temple at Melampara, located
near Bharananganam and Pala in the Kottayam district of Kerala, is an ancient
and tranquil place of worship. Also known as the Ambara Dharma Sastha Temple,
the shrine is dedicated to Sree Dharmasasthavu, revered as Lord Ayyappa or
Sastha, and is worshipped by devotees for his protective and benevolent
presence. Steeped in tradition and surrounded by natural beauty, the temple
offers a serene spiritual atmosphere for those seeking peace, blessings, and
divine grace. The temple observes its annual festival during the Malayalam
month of Kumbham, with Panguni Uthiram (Uthram Nakshatra in Meena Masam) being
one of the most important
more
occasions. The annual festival is renowned for its
grand procession (ezhunnallathu), during which the deity is ceremoniously taken
out, accompanied by caparisoned elephants bearing thidambu, venchamaram, and
muthukuda. Traditional temple art forms, vibrant melam, and elaborate
processions form an integral part of the celebrations. The festival concludes
with the sacred arattu ritual. Architecturally, the temple follows the classic
Kerala style, featuring a centrally positioned sanctum sanctorum surrounded by
a chuttambalam. All essential elements of traditional Kerala temple
architecture, including the kodimaram and balikkallu, are present. In addition,
the temple complex houses separate shrines dedicated to the upadevatas, further
enhancing its spiritual significance.
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