Arattupuzha Sree Sastha Temple
It is the main venue for the seven-day long festival in the month of April-May with various cheru (small) poorams accompanying it at various nearby temples. The last two days are when festivities reach a crescendo. The second-last day is when Sasthavinte Melam begins which brings together percussion ensembles and caparisoned elephants.
Along with the rhythmic 200-member orchestra named the panchari melam of Sastha, it is an incredible sight and remains the largest gathering of percussion artistes in a night pooram. Crowds pull all-nighters to imbibe the festive spirit made colourful by the muthukuda (glittering parasols), swaying venchamaram (fans used for royalty) and theevetti (large semi-circular flame-bearing lamps) as the grounds resound with the rhythm of chenda (percussion instrument), kombu (trumpet) and kuzhalu (pipe).
