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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Kerala, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Achankovil Sree Dharmasastha Temple
| image =അച്ചൻകോവിൽ ശാസ്താക്ഷേത്രം.jpg
| alt =
| caption = The Temple in 2011
| map_type = India Kerala #India
| map_caption = Location in Kerala
| coordinates = {{coord|9|05|30|N|77|07|17|E|display=inline,title}}
| country = India
| state = [[Kerala]]
| district = [[Kollam district|Kollam]]
| location =Achankovil
| elevation_m = 87
| deity = [[Shasta (deity)|Shasta]]
| festivals= {{Plainlist|
* {{Lang|ml|Mandala Puja}} (December)
* {{Lang|ml|Revathi Puja}} (January)
}}
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| governing_body = [[Travancore Devaswom Board]]
|facade_direction=East
}}

The '''Achankovil Sastha Temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]] located near the banks of the [[Achankovil|Achankovil River]] in the [[Kollam district]] in the Indian state of [[Kerala]]. It is one of the five important temples dedicated to [[Shasta (deity)|Shasta]] in Kerala, the others being [[Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple|Kulathupuzha]], [[Aryankavu Sastha Temple|Aryankavu]], [[Sabarimala Temple|Sabarimala]] and Kanthamala.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Infokerala Communications Pvt. Ltd. |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HL-tDwAAQBAJ&dq=achankovil+sastha&pg=PA84 |title=Pilgrimage to Temple Heritage 2019 |date=September 2019 |publisher=Info Kerala Communications Pvt Ltd |isbn=9788193456781 |edition=11th |page=84 |language=en |chapter=Kollam District Temples}}</ref> The idol in the temple is believed to have been consecrated by [[Parashurama]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Achankovil Shastha Temple {{!}} Sabarimala |url=https://sabarimala.kerala.gov.in/node/547 |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=sabarimala.kerala.gov.in |archive-date=8 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808172048/https://www.sabarimala.kerala.gov.in/node/547 |url-status=live }}</ref> The temple is known for curing poisonous [[snakebite]]s. The [[Travancore Devaswom Board]] administers the temple.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vidyanandan |first=MS |date=18 January 2016 |title=5 Temples Part of Sabarimala Pilgrimage Circuit |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2016/jan/18/5-temples-part-of-sabarimala-pilgrimage-circuit-870242.html |website=The New Indian Express |access-date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005115943/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2016/jan/18/5-Temples-Part-of-Sabarimala-Pilgrimage-Circuit-870242.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Location ==
The temple is located near the banks of the river [[Achankovil]].<ref name=":1" /> It is situated in the [[Panchayati raj|panchayat]] of [[Aryankavu]] in the [[Kollam district]] of [[Kerala]].<ref name=":0" /> The temple is situated about {{cvt|50|km|mi}} from [[Punalur]] and {{cvt|85|km|mi}} from [[Kollam]].

== Deities ==
[[File:Achankovil-Shree_Dharmasastha_Temple_Arch.jpg|thumb|The temple arch with the sculptures of Shasta and his consorts, Purna and Pushkala, at the centre]]
[[File:Achankovil dharmasatha.png|thumb|'''Achankovil dharmasatha''']]
The principal deity of the temple is [[Shasta (deity)|Shasta]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=R. Sanjeev |date=16 January 2019 |title=ശാസ്താവിന്റെ ആറ് വിശിഷ്ട ക്ഷേത്രങ്ങളും ദർശനഫലവും |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/astrology/astro-news/2019/01/16/famous-shastha-temples.html |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=ManoramaOnline |language=ml |archive-date=22 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122060845/https://www.manoramaonline.com/astrology/astro-news/2019/01/16/famous-shastha-temples.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He is locally known as "Achankovil Andavan" or "Achankovil Arasan".<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Pereira |first=Ignatius |date=18 December 2013 |title=The mountain trails of a divine legend |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/the-mountain-trails-of-a-divine-legend/article5473004.ece |access-date=9 October 2023 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=17 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517064225/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/the-mountain-trails-of-a-divine-legend/article5473004.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":6" /> Shasta is depicted as a [[Gṛhastha]] (householder), along with his two consorts, Purna and Pushkala, on either side.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Joseph |first=Sinu |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BDfBDwAAQBAJ |title=Women and Sabarimala: The Science behind Restrictions |date=2 December 2019 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=9781647336349 |location=India |language=en |chapter=Achankovil Sree Dharmasastha Temple–Swadisthana Chakra}}</ref>

[[Bhagavati]], [[Maalikapurathamma]], [[Durga]], [[Nagaraja]], Nagayakshi, [[Ganesha]], [[Kartikeya]], [[Karuppu Sami]], Karuppayi Amma, Cheppanimundan, Chappanimaadan, Madanthevan, Kalamadan, Kochattinarayanan, Singali Bhootathan and Arukola are the subordinate deities.<ref name=":5" /> The back portion of the temple has a [[Sarpa Kavu]], where [[Nāga|Naga]] is worshipped.<ref name=":5">{{cite book |last=Ramkumar |first=V. |title=Sri Ayyappan |date=September 2002 |publisher=Siso Books |isbn=9788177970333 |editor-last=Nair |editor-first=Paramasivan |location=India |page=225 |language=ml |script-chapter=ml: ശാസ്താക്ഷേത്രങ്ങൾ |trans-chapter=Shasta Temples}}</ref>

== Snakebite treatment ==
Achankovil temple is known for curing poisonous [[snakebite]]s,<ref name=":4" /> and the deity is considered a ''[[Vaidyar|Maha Vaidya]]'' (great physician).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sirdesai |first=Narayan |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2VWfDwAAQBAJ&dq=achankovil+sastha&pg=PT214 |title=The Secret of Sabarimala Temple and Kundalini |date=26 June 2019 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=9781684668229 |language=en |chapter=Shakti Cults – Esoteric Hinduism}}</ref> The right palm of the Shasta idol holds {{Lang|ml|Chandanam}} ([[sandalwood]] paste) and [[Theertham]] (holy water), which according to the devotees have medicinal properties.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sarma |first=S.A.S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9KSsBwAAQBAJ |title=Asian Religions, Technology and Science |date=27 March 2015 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781317674481 |editor-last=Keul |editor-first=István |pages=146 |language=en |chapter=Medical treatments described in the ritual texts of Kerala: interaction between religion and science}}</ref> This is one of the rare temples that opens at night if necessary after the {{Lang|ml|Athazha Puja}}. Those who get bitten by snakes can call for help at any time by ringing the temple bell, and the temple priests will help them.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> The person bitten by the snake is given sandalwood paste as [[Prasada|prasadam]] and medicine and needs to stay at the temple for three or five days, depending on the severity of the poison.<ref name=":5" />

== Festivals ==
The {{Lang|ml|Mandala Puja}} is one of the important festivals in the temple. It is held every year from the first to the tenth day of the [[Malayalam calendar|Malayalam month]] of [[Dhanu (month)|Dhanu]] (December{{En dash}}January).<ref name=":2" /> {{Lang|ml|Revathi Puja}} is another main festival hosted in the Malayalam month of {{Lang|ml|Makaram}} (January{{En dash}}February). The temple is also one of the important temples in Kerala to conduct the {{Lang|ml|Therottam}} (chariot festival).<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=P. Ananthan |first=Anukumar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zk96EAAAQBAJ |title=Manimandapavum Thankadwajavum |date=11 July 2022 |publisher=Blue Rose Publishers |page=22 |language=ml |script-chapter=ml: ശ്രീധർമ്മശാസ്താവ് |trans-chapter=Sree Dharmasastha}}</ref> {{Lang|ml|Karuppanoottu}} and {{Lang|ml|Karuppanthullal}} are the major attractions during the festival time. The festivals and rituals have similarity to the [[Tamils|Tamil]] traditions.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Rajappan |first=T. K. |date=15 November 2018 |title=കാട്ടിൽ മറഞ്ഞ കാന്തമല; അദ്ഭുതങ്ങളുടെ ആ അഞ്ച് ക്ഷേത്രം |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/indepth/sabarimala-2018/specials/2018/11/15/sabarimala-kulathupuzha-aryankavu-achankovil-kaanthamala-temple-journey.html |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=ManoramaOnline |language=ml |archive-date=22 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122133359/https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/indepth/sabarimala-2018/specials/2018/11/15/sabarimala-kulathupuzha-aryankavu-achankovil-kaanthamala-temple-journey.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of Hindu temples in Kerala]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Kollam district]]
[[Category:Ayyappan temples]]

Achankovil Sastha Temple - Revision history

GildaNolan0093 at 22:26, 27 May 2024