Achankoil Shastha Temple, or the Dharmasastha Temple, is one among the five important temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in Kerala. Lord Ayyappa leads the Grihastha Ashrama life here – he is depicted as a family man or leads married life here. He is depicted along with his two wives – Purna and Pushkala. It is believed that the idol here was installed by Lord Parashurama.
The Achankovil Sastha Temple is famous for curing poisonous snake bites. The left hand of the idol of Ayyappa at Achankoil Shastha Temple always holds ‘Chandan’ (sandalwood paste) and Thirtha (holy water). The Chandan and Thirtha are considered to have medicinal properties to cure snake bites.
The temple complex also contains other deities associated with the Ayyappa legend. The festivals and rituals held here have strong Tamil roots.
The most important festival here is celebrated from the first to tenth day of Malayalam month Dhanu (December – January).
There are bus services from Punalur and Chengottai to reach the temple. Also there are private services from Konni, Aryankavu etc.
Two other important nearby Ayyappa Temples are the Aryankavu Sastha Temple and Kulathupuzha Ayyappa Temple.
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Sri Chokkayi sameda Thiruvarasamurthi Ayyanar temple associated with Achankoil Shastha Temple.
In the puranic age Lord Sastha from Achankoil (Kerala) used to visit Kollidam River (branch of Cavery river known as uttara Cavery) with his consort Poornadevi. A devotee of Sasta known as Vaduganathar (reincarnation of Lord Bhairava) with his spiritual power made him to stay in the bank of Kollidam River.Lord Sastha was addressed as Lord Thiruvarasamurthy here. It is beleived he first arrived at Vadrangam (village near Sirkali), then stayed at the places known as Kumarakshi, Meyyathur and Arcadu. Finally the Lord stayed at Anandathandavapuram. This puranam is prior to the Mankancharar Charithiram. In the Manakancharar Charithiram, after giving the hairs of Punyavardhini, the mother of punyavardhini prayed to Lord Thiruvarasamurthy to grant the hair to her daughter. Lord Thiruvarasamurthy appeared before her and gave the hair once again to her daughter. As the Hair has been given back even after a shave, it is known as ‘Aramudi’. The Lord Thiruvarasamurthy has given the hair back, he is known as ‘Aramudiswarar’. There is a temple separately near the Panchavadeeswara temple for ‘Aramudiswarar’. The Lord Thiruvarasamurthy Ayyanar temple was in a small abode in the bank of a tank. In the early 1900. The present temple is called Sri Chokkayi sameda Thiruvarasamurthi Ayyanar temple (commonly known as chokkai amman temple or Ayyanar temple, This is a kuladeviam temple for many people in Tamilnadu) is one of the very important temple in the village(Anathandavapuram is near Mayiladuthurai- TamilNadau).
Thankyou for the note....anathandavapuram is also my kuladeivam...peace of mind visiting that temple..
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