Located on the banks of the Meenachil River, the Sree Dharmasastha Temple was established by Pandya King Manavikrama Pandyan, the founder of the Poonjar Dynasty. During his quest to establish a new kingdom, King Manavikrama Pandyan sought a place abundant in water to sustain the hundreds of followers who accompanied him from Madurai. Enchanted by the beauty of Poonjar, he experienced a divine vision of the Meenachil River, leading to the founding of the Poonjar Dynasty. The Dharma Shasta Temple stands out as one of the few temples in Kerala where the chuttuvillakku (lamps surrounding the temple's outer wall) are more carved from stone, unlike the traditional wooden lamps. The artisans who travelled with King Manavikrama Pandyan were Tamilians skilled in stone carving, due to the abundance of stone and scarcity of wood in their homeland. Stone carvings and chuttuvillakku can be found in temples associated with the Poonjar Royal Family. Inside the temple, intricate wood carvings are depicting epic tales and legends. The temple’s bathing ghat is a remarkable structure, featuring stone steps that lead down into the clear waters of the river. Additionally, the temple has a large ootupura (dining hall) that is available for rent for marriages and functions. The temple's annual festival, or ulsavam, is celebrated each year in the month of Makaram, spanning eight days filled with rituals and various programs. A unique offering at this temple is the Aada Vazhivaadu: a sweet mixture of coconut and jaggery wrapped in banana leaves, steam-cooked in a traditional fire stove, and then offered to the deity.