Thiruvullakkavu Temple is an important place of worship in Thrissur (former Trichur) district of Kerala, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, also called Lord Dharmasastha. Situated in the midst of a forest in Peruvanam village, on the way to Irinjalakkuda, the temple is an ancient one.

The main deity, Lord Dharmasastha is normally invoked as the ‘Hunter and the Protector’. The idol is of the Lord holding a bow and an arrow that symbolises His expertise in hunting.

The moolaprathishta (main idol) is believed to be a Swayambhoo (self-originated). It is portrayed as the Lord with his consort Pushkala and son Poorna.

Vidyarambham ceremony However, what makes the temple unique is the concept that the principal deity has Goddess Saraswathy (Saraswathy is the Goddess of Wisdom, according to the Hindu mythology), unified in him.

The temple is a well-known center for Vidyarambham (the ritual of initiating children to the world of letters). This rite is held on the Vijayadasami day.

Vijayadasami is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Ashwayuja or Ashwina. The day marks the grand culmination of the 10-day annual festival of Navarathri.