imported>InternetArchiveBot at 14:13, 29 August 2021

2021-08-29T14:13:16Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{refimprove|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Achankovil River
| name_native =
| name_native_lang = ml
| name_other = Achankovil aar
| etymology =
| image = Achankovil river.jpg
| image_size = 320px
| image_caption = Achankovil river (അച്ചന്‍കോവിലാറ്)
| image_alt =
| map =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| map_alt =
| subdivision_type1 = [[Country]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[India]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Indian state|State]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Kollam]], [[Pathanamthitta]], [[Alappuzha]]
| subdivision_type4 = [[Cities]]
| subdivision_name4 = [[Konni, Pathanamthitta]], [[Pandalam]], [[Mavelikkara]],
| subdivision_type5 =
| subdivision_name5 =

| source1_location = [[Pasukidamettu River|Pasukidamettu]], [[Rishimala River|Rishimalai]] and Ramakkalteri rivers originating from Devarmalai of [[Western ghats]]
| source1_coordinates=
| source1_elevation = {{cvt|700|m|ft}}
| mouth_location = Joins [[Pamba River|Pamba]] at [[Veeyapuram]]
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|9|19|0|N|76|28|0|E|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation =
| altitude_difference=
| progression =
| river_system =
| basin_size = {{Convert|1484|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
| basin_landmarks = [[Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram]], Thrippara Shiva temple, Pandalam Valiyakoickal Sastha temple, Pandalam palace,(Mattom mahadeva temple), Pandalam Mahadeva temple, Kandiyoor Mahadeva temple, [[Chettikulangara Devi temple]], [[Venmani]] Sargakavu temple, Konni Muringa Mangalam Mahadeva temple
| basin_population =

| length = {{Convert|128|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location=
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg =
| discharge1_max =

| tributaries_left =
| tributaries_right =
| waterbodies =
| waterfalls =
| bridges = Kaippattor bridge, Pandalam bridge, Vettiyar bridge, Pulakadavu bridge, Chamakkavu pedestrian bridge, Kollakadu bridge, Valiyaperumpuzha bridge, Prayikkara bridge, Pottamelkkadavu bridge, Konni Bridge
| ports =
| custom_label =
| custom_data =
| extra =
}}
'''Achankovil''' is a river in [[Kerala]], [[India]], which originates in the Achankovil Reserve Forests in the Pathanamthitta district by the [[confluence]] of the [[Rishimala River|Rishimala]], [[Pasukidamettu River|Pasukidamettu]], and [[Ramakkalteri River|Ramakkalteri]] Rivers. The Anchankovil enriches the [[Alappuzha]] and [[Pathanamthitta]] district of Kerala state. It joins with the [[Pamba River]] at [[Veeyapuram]], in the [[Alappuzha]] district of [[Kerala]]. Achankovil is also the name of the forest area, which is the [[drainage basin|catchment area]] for this river, and of a small town situated in the Achenkovil forest area. The Achankovil village is not easily accessible; however, it can be reached through forest routes.

== Course==
The River Achankovil nurtures numerous townships on its fertile banks. Among them is the [[Pathanamthitta]] Town, which is the administrative capital of the Pathanamthitta district. It derives its name from its association with the river; ''Pathanamthitta'', from the [[Malayalam]] words ''Pathanam'' and ''thitta'', means "houses by the riverside".

The Achenkovil river has it's origin in the peak "''[[Devar Mala]]''" of the [[Western Ghats]] situated in the Achenkovil division of the Konni Reserve Forest. Rivers like [[Rishimala River|Rishimala]], [[Pasukidamettu River|Pashukidamettu]] and [[Ramakkalteri River|Ramakkaltheri]] form the major tributaries of the Achenkovil river.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Achencoil|url=http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/Database/Achencoil_1846.aspx|access-date=2021-05-19|website=www.kerenvis.nic.in}}</ref> It flows towards the eastern direction through a valley and enters the [[Konni, Kerala|Konni]] town. Later it flows through the hilly towns of [[Kalleli]], [[Kumbazha]], [[Mylapra]], [[Konnithazham]], [[Vettoor]], [[Pathanamthitta]], [[Pramadom|Pramadam]], [[Vallicode|Vallikode]] and enters into the [[Travancore|Travancore Plains]]. Then the river passes through the towns of [[Kaipattoor]], [[Nariyapuram]], [[Thumpamon|Thumbamon]], [[Venmony]], [[Kulanada]], [[Pandalam]], [[Padanilam]], [[Edappon]], [[Vettiyar]], [[Kollakadavu|Kollakkadavu]] and [[Cheriyanad]]. After reaching [[Mavelikkara]], the river takes a sharp turn towards the northern direction and flows through the following towns of [[Chennithala]], [[Pallippad]], [[Paippad]] and finally merges into the [[Pamba River|Pamba]] river at [[Veeyapuram]]. The [[Pamba River|Pamba]] River together with Achankovil and [[Manimala River|Manimala]] rivers, then splits into two distributaries, one which empties into the [[Arabian Sea]] at [[Thotapally|Thottapally]] and the other into the [[Vembanad]] Lake at [[Kainakary]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=ഭാസ്‌കര്‍|first=സാജു|title=എഴുന്നൂറ് സ്ത്രീകള്‍ ഒരു പുഴയുടെ ജീവന്‍ തിരിച്ചെടുത്ത കഥ|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/environment/clean-earth/kuttamperoor-river-rejuvenation-1.1925575|access-date=2021-05-19|website=Mathrubhumi|language=en}}</ref>

== Achankovil Sastha Temple ==
{{main|Achankovil Sree Dharmasastha Temple}}
[[File:അച്ചൻകോവിൽ ശാസ്താക്ഷേത്രം.jpg|thumb|Achankovil temple]]
Achankovil Shastha Temple, or the Dharmasastha Temple, is one among the five important temples dedicated to [[Lord Ayyappa]] in [[Kerala]]. Lord Ayyappa leads the [[Grihastha|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 [[Cult image|idol]] here was installed by [[Parashurama]].

The Achankovil Sastha Temple is famous for curing poisonous [[snake]] bites. The left hand of the idol of Ayyappa at Achankovil 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 people|Tamil]] roots.

During the [[Sabarimala]] pilgrimage, devotees also visit this temple to offer their prayers. It is believed that the idol of this temple was consecrated by Sage Parasurama. On both sides of the idol, Poorna and Pushkala, the consorts of Lord Sastha are also installed. The most important festival here is celebrated from the first to tenth day of Malayalam month Dhanu (December – January)

== Attractions ==
[[File:Achenkovil River Near Konni, December 2007.jpg|thumb|Achankovil river near Konni]]
The river is unique in that along its route is a large number of ancient temples, indicating that the richness of the river basin has been identified by humans since ancient times and they preferred to settle down there so that they could grow their crops on the fertile lands. [[Edappon]], a place famous for its flora and fauna, near [[Pandalam]] is on the banks of the Achankovil river.

<gallery>
File:Thazhoor View 1.jpg|[[Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram]] Temple on the banks of River Achankovil - View from Thazhoor bridge
File:ThripparaTempleEntranceView 1.jpg|Entrance to Thrippara Shiva Kshetram on the banks of River Achankovil
</gallery>
Chamakkavu Devi Temple near Venmoney is currently a Hindu Temple, but historically this temple was a Buddhist place of worship, which was transformed initially into a Vishnu temple (then known as Sharnga-kavu) and later into a Devi temple. The annual chariot festival and other traditions correspond to the old Buddhist practices of "kettu kazhcha", which was assimilated into Hinduism in Kerala.

== References ==
{{commons category|Achankovil}}
<references/>

=== External links ===
* [http://www.asishinside.com/2017/12/trip-to-achankovil-malayalam-travelouge.html A trip to achankovil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227124535/http://www.asishinside.com/2017/12/trip-to-achankovil-malayalam-travelouge.html |date=27 December 2017 }}
{{Waters of Kerala}}

[[Category:Rivers of Pathanamthitta district]]
[[Category:Pathanamthitta]]
[[Category:Pamba River]]
[[Category:Rivers of Alappuzha district]]

Achankovil - Revision history

imported>InternetArchiveBot at 14:13, 29 August 2021