Achankovil Dharmasastha Temple: Healing Traditions in Kerala’s Sacred Forests

Location Overview

Region: Achankovil village, Aryankavu Panchayat, Kollam District, Kerala
Setting: Nestled in the lush forests of the Western Ghats, near the Achankovil River
Elevation: ~950 meters above sea level

Main Deity

Presiding Deity: Lord Dharmasastha (Ayyappa), locally revered as Achankovil Arasan
Form: Depicted as a Gṛhastha (householder), flanked by his consorts Poorna and Pushkala
Unique Idol:

Made of Rudraksha Sila
Holds Chandanam (sandalwood paste) and Theertham (holy water) in the right palm
Believed to have medicinal properties, especially for treating snake bites

Subshrines and Deities

The temple houses a rich pantheon of sub-deities, reflecting both Kerala and Tamil folk traditions:

These deities are worshipped in various shrines and sacred groves around the temple complex.

Temple Significance

Healing Power: Renowned for curing poisonous snake bites. Devotees receive sandal paste and holy water as prasadam and may stay at the temple for 3–5 days for healing.
Astrological Relief: Believed to alleviate the effects of Sani Dosham (Saturn afflictions)
Spiritual Importance:

One of the Pancha Sastha Temples of Kerala (alongside Sabarimala, Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu, and Kanthamala)
Said to be consecrated by Lord Parashurama
Opens even at night for emergency healing rituals

Rituals and Practices

Rituals for Nagaraja and Nagayakshi are performed in the sacred grove behind the temple.
Special offerings include turmeric, milk, and flowers.

Folk-style rituals including Karuppanthullal (ritual dance) and Chapparam processions during festivals.

Major Festivals

Festival Name	Month (Malayalam)	Highlights
Mandala Puja	Dhanu (Dec–Jan)	10-day festival with Vedic and folk rituals
Revathi Puja	Makaram (Jan–Feb)	Celebrates star Revathi with special abhishekams
Thiruvutsavam	Dhanu	Annual temple festival with chariot processions
Therottam	Dhanu	Chariot pulling, Karuppaswami folk celebrations

Beliefs and Spiritual Significance

Healing Power: Lord Dharmasastha is revered as a Maha Vaidya (great physician). His sandal paste and holy water are believed to cure venomous bites.
Family Deity: Worshipped as a Gṛhastha (householder) with consorts Poorna and Pushkala, symbolizing protection and prosperity.
Astrological Relief: Devotees believe the temple helps mitigate Sani Dosham and other planetary afflictions.
Pilgrimage Link: Often visited by Sabarimala pilgrims as part of the Pancha Sastha circuit.

History and Legends

Consecration by Parashurama: The idol is believed to have been installed by Sage Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu.
Ancient Forest Shrine: The temple’s location in the dense Western Ghats suggests its origins as a tribal and forest-based worship site.
Tamil-Kerala Fusion: Rituals and festivals reflect a blend of Tamil folk deities (Karuppaswami, Chappanimaadan) and Kerala traditions.
Legend of Snakebite Cure: Local lore says the deity once cured a tribal devotee of a deadly snakebite, establishing the temple’s healing reputation.

Temple Hours

Morning Hours: 5.00 am to 12.00 noon
Evening Hours: 5:00 PM to 8.00 PM
Special Note: The temple opens even at night for emergency snakebite healing rituals—devotees can ring the temple bell for assistance.

Getting Here

By Road:

By Rail:

By Air:

The route winds through the Western Ghats—expect misty forests, waterfalls, and wildlife sightings.

Tips

Best Time to Visit: December–January (Mandala Puja & Thiruvutsavam)
Dress Code: Traditional attire preferred; men often wear mundu, women in saree or salwar
Stay Options: Limited lodges nearby; better to stay in Punalur or Tenkasi and travel early
Language: Malayalam and Tamil are commonly spoken; basic English is understood
Photography: Restricted inside sanctum; ask permission for outer areas
Accessibility: Women above age 10 can climb the 18 sacred steps—unlike Sabarimala
Emergency Rituals: For snakebite cases, temple priests offer healing rituals even outside regular hours