Aryankavu Sastha Temple

Aryankavu Sastha Temple a Hindu temple and one among the 108 Sastha shrines in the Indian state of Kerala. The idol here is believed to be consecrated by sage Parashurama.[1] It is also one among Pancha Sastha temples in Kerala located in the Pathanapuram tehsil of Kollam district, in the eastern forest ranges.

Aryankavu Sree Dharmasastha Temple
ആര്യങ്കാവ് ശ്രീ ധർമ്മശാസ്താ ക്ഷേത്രം
Aryankavu temple (1990 photograph)
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictKollam
DeityAyyappa
FestivalsMandala pooja (Dhanu), Trikalyanam, Pandiyamudippu, Kumbhabhishekam
Governing bodyTravancore Devaswom Board
Location
LocationAryankavu
StateKerala
CountryIndia
Location in Kerala
Geographic coordinates8.9998295°N 77.165901°E / 8.9998295; 77.165901
Architecture
TypeTraditional Kerala style
Elevation254 m (833 ft)

Temple

The pratishta here is quite different from that of Achankovil, Kulthupuzha and Sabarimala temples. Ayyappa is depicted as a young boy sitting on an elephant with right leg hanging and left leg being in a folded position, along with his consort Prabha on the left side and Lord Shiva on the right.[2] As in Sabarimala, the temple too have 18 steps. The temple built in the traditional architectural styles of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu preserves several murals of Hindu deities. Another feature of the temple is that it is built 35 feet below the road level. The Poojas and rituals conducted in the temple is very much similar to the Shastha Temples .

Etymology

The name 'Aryankavu' is believed to be originated from the words "Aryan" which generally denotes the deity Sastha and 'Kavu' being the place where he is worshipped. The deity here is also known as Tiru Aryan.

Location

The temple is located in the eastern side of Kollam district of the state of Kerala.it is near to the border of neighbouring Tamil Nadu on the Kollam - Tenkasi national highway, about 73 km (45 mi) from Kollam city, 33 km (21 mi) from Punalur, 21 km (13 mi) from Tenkasi and 13 km (8.1 mi) from Shenkottai.[3] People from south can approach the temple via Thiruvananthapuram - Thenmala - Shenkottai highway. The nearest railhead is at Aryankavu and New Aryankavu on Kollam-Shecottai line.

Subordinate deities

The temple has separate shrines for Valiyakadutha, Karuppaswami and Karuppayiamma below the holy steps.

Festivals
Horse festival at Aryankavu

The temple has two main annual festivals mainly the Mandalapooja and Thirukalyanam (10th Dhanu).[4] The other noted festivals of the temple are Painguni Uthiram and Kumbhabhishekam.[5]

See also

References
  1. Sree, Ayyappan (19 November 2016). Sastha temples in Kerala. Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram: Siso books. p. 227. ISBN 817797033X.
  2. "Other Sastha Temples - Welcome to Sabarimalaayyappa.org". sabarimalaayyappa.org. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  3. "Aryankavu Sri Dharmasastha temple - Travancore Devaswom Board". www.sabarimalaaccomodation.com. Archived from the original on 20 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  4. "KERALA TEMPLES - ARYANKAVU DHARMASASTHA". Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  5. "Aryankavu Sri Dharmasastha Temple, Kollam". www.indiatourmate.com. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
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