The famous Ayyappa temple at Aarattupuzha is just 14 kms south of Thrissur town. The 'Arattupuzha Pooram' celebrated on the Malayalam month 'Meenam' (March) is famous and hundreds of elephants participate in this festival, bearing bright colored umbrellas and parasols, presenting a supreme spectacle. Arattupuzha Pooram is the oldest and the most spectacular of the pooram festivals of Kerala. It is believed that on this day a hundred and one gods and goddesses of the neighbouring villages visited Sree Ayyappan, the presiding deity of the Arattupuzha Temple. Panchavadyam, nadaswaram, pacharimelam and pandimelam add to the festive tempo. The arattu (holy bath of the idol of the diety) ritual is performed with great pomp and gaiety in the arattupuzha river on the following day. Arattupuzha temple is open 05:00 - 09:30 am & 05:00 - 07:00 pm.