Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple / Sree Dharma Sastha Temple- Kerala

Address

Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple / Sree Dharma Sastha Temple- Aryankavu, , Puliyarai R.F. Kollam District, Kerala, India, Pin Code – 691309.

Diety

Ayyappa

Introduction

Sri Dharma Sastha Temple otherwise called Ayyappa Temple is situated at Aryankavu in Kollam area of Kerala. Aryankavu is found 79 km from Kollam and 35 km east of Punalur on the of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The name of place got from the mix of words Aryan (Lord Sastha or Ayyappa) and Kavu (holy forest). The Kavu (sacrosanct timberland) in which Aryan (Lord Ayyappa) abides is known as Aryankavu. Parasurama set up five temples committed to Goddess Bhadrakali in the beach front area and five Sastha temples in the sloping tracts for the wellbeing and flourishing of Kerala. Dharmasastha temple at Achankovil is one among them. The other four Sastha temples are situated at Aryankavu, Kulathupuzha (both in Kollam area), Sabarimala and Kanthamala (also called Ponnambalamedu) (both in Pathanamthitta locale).

Puranic Significance

The pratishta here is quite different from that of Achankovil, Kulthupuzha and Sabarimala temples. Sastha 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. 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 deities. The unique feature of Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple is that the shrine is constructed about 35 ft below the road level. The temple enshrines a young Ayyappa sits in the middle with Parvathi and Shiva on either side. The daily poojas and rituals are followed as per Tamil tradition. Similar to Sabarimala Sree Dharma Shasta Temple, women between the ages of 10 and 50 are not allowed inside the temple. According to legends, Swamy Ayyappan married Shri Pushkaladevi of Sourashtra community in Aryankavu. The Thrikalyanam Festival is celebrated to commemorate the divine wedding.

Beliefs

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment for the matrimonial boons and for relief from Sani Dosham

Special Features

Aryankavu is famous for its Ayyappan temple. The Ayyappa Temple at Aryankavu in Kollam District is one among the five most important temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in Kerala. The shrine is also known as Aryankavu Shastha Temple. Lord Ayyappa is depicted here as a teenager (young boy). Ayyappa is known as Tiru Aryan and therefore the place got the name Aryankavu. 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. The idol here is believed to be consecrated by sage Parashurama. It is also one among Pancha Sastha temples in Kerala. The unique feature of Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple is that the shrine is constructed about 35 ft below the road level. The temple enshrines a young Ayyappa sits in the middle with Parvathi and Shiva on either side

Festivals

The most important festivals are Mandalapooja (during December-Januavary) and Thrikalyanam. It is believed that Lord Sastha married Pushkala, a girl belonged to Sourashtra Brahmin. Devotees from Sourashtra still visit the temple to participate in the Thrikalyanam (holy marriage) festival held every year. The rituals of the marriage festival are in accordance with the marriage rituals followed by the Sourashtra Brahmins. The other noted festivals of the temple are Painguni and Kumbhabhishekam.