Erumeli Sree Dharmasastha Temple

Sree Dharmasastha Temple is a Hindu temple located in the heart of Erumeli town in Kottayam district in Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Ayyappa or Dharmasastha. It is also an important meeting place of Sabarimala pilgrims.

As the name Dharma Shastha means a man who has the power to make and implement dharmas or righteousness in the society.

Erumeli is situated on the way to Sabarimala and is an important halting place for the Sabarimala pilgrims. This place has strong roots in legends associated with Lord Ayyappa. The name Erumeli is derived from Erumakolli (‘killed the buffalo’). According to history, Lord Ayyappa killed ‘Eruma’ in this place on the way to collect a tiger’s milk. ‘Eruma’ means buffalo in Malayalam and hence the name extract ‘Erumakolli’.

One of the important temples at Erumeli is Sree Dharmashastha temple. Vavar masjid is also located very near to Sree Dharmashastha temple. Vavarambalam mosque is dedicated to Vavar, the companion of the deity Sree Ayyappa of the Sabarimala temple. The mosque is unique in that Hindu pilgrims customarily worship here before their trek to Sabarimala. The mosque is also known as Nainar Mosque.

Chandanakkudam is the most popular festival celebrated here in December/ January. At night there is an attractive procession with elephants and Panchavadyam.