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:
- Bhagavati (Durga)
- Malikappurathamma
- Nagaraja & Nagayakshi
(worshipped in the Sarpa Kavu behind the temple)
- Ganapathi (Ganesha)
- Muruga (Kartikeya)
- Karuppaswami & Karuppayi Amma
- Cheppanimundan & Chappanimaadan
- Madanthevan, Kalamadan,
Kochattinarayanan
- Singali Bhootathan
- Arukola
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
- Daily Pujas:
- Usha Puja
(morning)
- Ucha Puja
(midday)
- Deeparadhana
(evening)
- Athazha Puja
(night)
- Snakebite Healing Ritual:
- The temple opens even at night for
emergencies.
- Devotees ring the temple bell for
help.
- Priests administer Chandanam
and Theertham from the deity’s right palm.
- The afflicted person stays for 3
to 5 days depending on severity.
- Sarpa Kavu Worship:
- Rituals for Nagaraja and Nagayakshi
are performed in the sacred grove behind the temple.
- Special offerings include turmeric,
milk, and flowers.
- Karuppaswami Worship:
- 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:
- From Kollam: ~80 km via
Punalur and Aryankavu
- From Punalur: ~56 km, scenic
forest route
- From Tenkasi (Tamil Nadu): ~40
km via Aryankavu Pass
By Rail:
- Nearest Station:
Punalur (well-connected to Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram)
By Air:
- Nearest Airport:
Trivandrum International Airport (~130 km)
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
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