Sree Ayyappaswamy Temple
Ellakkal, Pothupara, Munnar, Idukki
omsreeayyappaswamy@gmail.com

From the early days of settlement in the High Range, the people of Ellakkal-Pothupara established the Sarvodaya Bhajanamadam as a place for worship and gatherings. During Ekadashi, they conducted lamp offerings, chanting, and devotional singing. Later, based on divine consultations, a temple was constructed.
At Anachal, the presence of Lord Ayyappa’s powerful divine energy was strongly felt. Observing this, rituals and bhajans were conducted during the Mandala season. On the fortieth day, the ceremonial umbrella and staff were brought from the Anachal temple, and after performing the Hidumban Pooja, a grand Kavadi procession was held on the forty-first day. The Lord was taken in procession and received under the sacred Aal tree, where it joined the procession from the Anachal temple.
Upon reaching the base of the temple’s eighteen sacred steps, the temple Tantri performed the Aarti, leading the procession up the steps, culminating in an Abhishekam (ritual bathing of the deity). This was the only Kavadi procession that included an Abhishekam. The deity, enshrined in childlike form, is believed to be the benevolent protector of devotees, especially mothers and children, removing the effects of Saturn-related astrological afflictions and other planetary doshas in this age of Kali Yuga.
This is a rare temple where Lord Ayyappa resides in a childlike form. The temple is believed to remove Saturn and Navagraha-related doshas (astrological afflictions) of mothers and children. Situated in the lap of the Sahyadri Hills, near the international tourist destination of Munnar—known as the Kashmir of South India—this sacred place is located near the Ponmudi Tourist Center. To alleviate Saturn-related doshas, a special "Community Saturn Puja" is conducted on the first Saturday of every Malayalam month, officiated by the Acharyas and spiritual practitioners of AarshavidyaPeedom. Every Saturday, devotional songs and nama-sankirtana (chanting) are performed in front of the Lord. As part of the temple's renovation efforts, sacred rituals and restoration works commenced from December 21, 2024 (Saturday) to December 25, 2024 (Wednesday) with the divine guidance of the Ayyappa Dharma Sastra.