POONJAR DHARMASASTHAVU

Prathishta / Presiding Deity : Lord Ayyappa
Upadevatha / Sub Deities : xx
District: Kottayam
Thaluk: Meenachil
Panchayath: Poonjar
Thanthri: Thazhaman Illam
Trustee: xx


This temple is also known as 'Kattunel kavu'. The presiding deity in this temple is Lord Ayyappa. This temple is owned by the kingdom of 'Poonjar'. It situates near the river 'Meenachil'. In this temple the deity is in the form of 'Ayyan' ,the avathar of Sastha with a 'Vedha Grandha' on the right hand. The idol is made out of 'Krishna Sila' ,which is so beautiful.

In this temple there is a circle shape, which indicates the presence of Goddess 'Madhura Meenakshi'. Other sub deities are 'Sundaresan' and Lord Vinayaka. There is a story behind the formation of this temple, which is related to King 'Pandyan'.

The king 'Pandyan' was an intense devotee of Lord Ayyappa.At that time Lord Ayyappa helped him in a war and the king defeated his enemies with the help of Ayyappa. So the king decided to build a temple for Ayyappa in his place. After thinking that he took bath in a pond nearby. After bath he couldn't take his umbrella from the place where he put it. It had fixed there. So the king decided to build the temple there.