ACHANKOVIL SASTHA TEMPLE - KOLLAM
1. Achankovil Sastha Temple is a temple and one of the 108 Sasthalayas, located in Pathanapuram tehsil of Kollam district in the Indian state of Kerala
2. It is one among the five important temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa
3. The temple is near the origin of the famous Achankovil river, in the dense forest regions of eastern Kollam.
4. As in Sabarimala temple, Achankovil temple also have eighteen steps
5. It is believed that Lord Parasurama (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) created this temple after he got ‘Darshan’ from Lord Ayyappa
6. The temple is located almost 950 meters above sea level
7. Dharmasastha is depicted as a family man or leads married life here
8. Lord Ayyappa is depicted along with his two wives – Purna and Pushkala
9. The idol is known as Rudraksha sila and is believed to be made using Rudraksha
10. The right palm of the idol always keeps Chandanam (Sandalwood) and Theertham (sacred water) which is thought to have medicinal properties
11. People from different regions reach this temple to get the sandal paste from the hand of the idol to treat different diseases
12. The Thiruvutsavam (annual festival) and Mandala pooja is hosted in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December to January) for 10 days and celebrated in grand style.
13. The Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) procession to the temple via Punalur, Aryankavu, Shenkottai and Tenkasi is another attraction
14. Pushpabhisheka is conducted on 8th of Makaram
15. Revathi festival is hosted during the months of January and February
16. The main offering of the deity is Karuppanootu to appease Karuppaswami, a great friend of Ayyappa
17. The Therottam (chariot festival), Karuppanthullal and Chapparam procession held on the 9th day of festival is very much similar to the rituals in Tamil Nadu
18. The temple holds a number of sub-deities like Malikappurathamma, Durga, Nagaraja, Nagayakshi, Ganapathi, Muruga, Karuppaswami, Karuppayi amma, Cheppanimundan, Chappanimaadan, Madanthevan, Kalamadan, Kochattinarayanan, Shingali bhootathan and Arukola
19. The back portion of the temple has a Kavu where the Naga (serpent) deity is worshipped for the welfare and sake
20. Achankovil Temple is on the Kerala border and its rituals and festivals have strong influence of Tamil Nadu
21. Unlike other Sastha temples in Kerala, females above the age of 10 are allowed to enter the temple and climb up the 18 holy steps
22. The journey here ensures one encounters the beautiful Manalar Waterfalls and the gorgeous Kumbuvurutty Waterfalls on their way.
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PICTURE CREDITS:
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2. By Sailesh - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,