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Arattupuzha Pooram: the gathering of the gods near Thrissur
Village gods from miles around meet in one field for a night of drums
Arattupuzha Pooram is the seven-day festival of the Sree Sastha temple at Arattupuzha, a village on the Karuvannur river about 12 km south of Thrissur. It is held to be the oldest temple festival in Kerala and is called Devamela, the gathering of the gods, because the deities of 23 nearby temples are brought here. Its high point is the last two days, on the Pooram star in the month of Meenam: the main day is next on 20 March 2027 (expected).
The temple astrologer computes the next date, and it is proclaimed at the current year's Pooram, about a year ahead.
The legend
Arattupuzha Pooram is held to be the oldest temple festival in Kerala and is called the Mother of all Poorams.
Believers hold that all the gods gather at the Sree Sastha temple in these days. Once 108 deities of nearby temples came; today 23 do.
The festival closes with the Arattu, the ritual bath of the deities at the Mandaram Kadavu river ghat.
Customs
Sastha's melam
On the eve of the last day over 200 musicians play the Sasthavinte Melam, the largest percussion ensemble of any night pooram.
Village fair
For these days the village of Arattupuzha turns into a fair of jasmine garlands, local snacks, trinkets and toys.
What happens at the pooram
The host is Sastha, a form of Ayyappa, in a temple believed to be some 3,000 years old. Believers hold that during the pooram all the gods and goddesses gather here. Once 108 deities from temples across Thrissur district came; today 23 do, among them Urakathamma Thiruvadi, Cherpu Bhagavathy and Triprayar Thevar, whose arrival Kerala Tourism counts among the most significant moments. The neighbouring Cherpu, Peruvanam and Tharakkal poorams are held just before it.
The festival builds over seven days, and the last two carry it. On the evening before the final day, caparisoned elephants line up and more than 200 percussionists play the Sasthavinte Melam, Sastha's melam: the largest gathering of percussion artists at any night pooram in Kerala. In the early-morning assembly of the deities more than 80 elephants stand in line, more than at any other pooram.
The pooram ends with the Arattu, the ritual bath of the deities at the Mandaram Kadavu ghat on the river. For these days the village around the temple also becomes a fair of jasmine garlands, snacks, trinkets and toys.
Arattupuzha and Thrissur Pooram
Before Thrissur Pooram existed, the largest temple festival in Kerala was the one at Arattupuzha, and the temples of Thrissur town took part in it. In 1796, after days of heavy rain, the Thrissur temples (Paramekkavu, Thiruvambadi and others) arrived late and were refused entry to the procession. They took the matter to Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of Cochin, who answered by starting a new pooram in the city itself, in honour of Vadakkunnathan. Thrissur Pooram is now far better known; Arattupuzha remains the older festival, held in a village field rather than a city.
Planning a visit
Arattupuzha is a village about 12 km south of Thrissur, the nearest city, so most visitors stay in Thrissur and go out for the last two days: the Sasthavinte Melam in the evening and the dawn assembly of the deities. The date is not fixed by the Gregorian calendar. The temple astrologer computes it, and the Devaswom (the temple board) proclaims the next year's date at the close of each pooram, about a year ahead. Kerala Tourism also notes that its listed dates are approximate and should be confirmed locally.
FAQ
When is Arattupuzha Pooram?
On the Pooram star in the Malayalam month of Meenam, usually between mid-March and mid-April. Next main day: 20 March 2027 (expected).
What is a pooram?
An annual temple festival of central Kerala, in the Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram districts, held after the summer harvest and usually with caparisoned elephants and percussion. Arattupuzha's falls on the day of the Pooram star.
In which district of Kerala is Arattupuzha located?
In Thrissur district, about 12 km south of Thrissur, on the Karuvannur river.
What is the story behind Arattupuzha Pooram?
Believers hold that all the gods gather at the Sree Sastha temple during the pooram, so it is called Devamela. In 1796 the Thrissur temples were turned away for arriving late, which led to the founding of Thrissur Pooram.
Why is it called the mother of all poorams?
It is held to be the oldest temple festival in Kerala, and it gathers the deities of many temples in one place, once 108 and now 23.
Sources (6)
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.