We warmly welcome all devotees and well-wishers to the 82nd Ayyappan Festival (Sasthapreethi & Rathotsavam). This year, the annual festival begins on 14-12-2025, and the Sasthapreethi will be celebrated on 27-12-2025. We invite you to be a part of this grand celebration with your presence and patronage.
About Sasthapreethi & Rathotsavam
“Sasthapreethi” is a festival dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, also known as Dharma Sastha, that holds a significant place in the cultural and religious life of Kerala, particularly among the Tamil Brahmin communities. The term Sasthapreethi literally translates to “pleasing Sastha,” and the festival is a way of showing devotion to the deity, who is often revered as the protector of his devotees.
It is a multi-day festival, typically conducted during the month of December. The celebrations are a blend of Vedic rituals, devotional music, and community feasts. While the mornings of the festival period are filled with various religious activities and chanting of Vedas, the evenings are devoted to temple-related cultural programmes.
The festival often includes vibrant processions with caparisoned elephants, accompanied by traditional music ensembles like Panchavadyam. The deity’s idol is taken out in a ceremonial procession around the village in decorated rathams. Lord Ayyappan is often referred to as “Annadhana Prabhu” (the Lord of Food). A key ritual is the serving of a sumptuous vegetarian feast to all devotees and visitors (numbering over 5,000) on the day of Sasthapreethi. This act of community feeding is considered a way to please the Lord and is a hallmark of the festival.
The Sasthapreethi festival is open to all devotees, irrespective of caste or creed, and is a vibrant display of faith, community spirit, and cultural heritage in Kerala. Villagers and devotees from far and wide congregate at the village during the festivities, reconnecting with their roots.