Aryankavu Sree Dharma Sastha Temple

Getting there

• By train

  The Kollam to Sengottai line passes through Aryankavu, so the New Aryankavu and Aryankavu stations are the closest.

• By road

  The temple is on National Highway 744 near the Tamil Nadu border, about 73 km from Kollam, 33 km from Punalur and 21 km from Tenkasi. Tamil Nadu and Kerala state buses connect the village with Punalur, Kollam, Tenkasi and Thiruvananthapuram.

Rules to know

• Rituals inside the temple follow Kerala tradition, and those outside follow Tamil Nadu customs.

Why devotees come here

Aryankavu Sree Dharma Sastha Temple stands in Aryankavu, Punalur tehsil, Kollam district, Kerala, close to the Tamil Nadu border. The principal deity is Shasta in the form of a teenager. It is one of five major Shasta temples in Kerala.

Aryankavu Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is one of five major temples dedicated to Shasta in Kerala. Hindu mythology counts it among five Ayyappa temples said to have been consecrated by Parasurama in the Western Ghats. The main deity is Shasta in the form of a teenager, and the temple is believed to have had its idol consecrated by Parashurama.

The temple is built in traditional Kerala and Tamil Nadu styles and preserves several murals of Hindu deities. It is built 11 metres below road level. Like Sabarimala, it has 18 steps.

The temple is known for a ritual marriage of Shasta called Thiru Kalyanam, held each December during the Sabarimala pilgrimage. Pandiyan Mudippu (engagement) and Kumbhabhishekham are other important festivals here.

Festivals

• DecemberThiru Kalyanam

  A ritual wedding of Shasta held every year during the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

Tips for your visit

• The temple has 18 steps, as at Sabarimala.
• Plan around the December Thiru Kalyanam if you want to see the ritual wedding of Shasta.

Questions people ask