CarlotaMacadam7 at 04:06, 9 November 2024

2024-11-09T04:06:24Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Aryankavu Sree Dharmasastha Temple
| image = File:കൊല്ലത്തെ ആര്യങ്കാവ് ക്ഷേത്രം (1900).jpg
| caption = The temple in the 1900s
| map_type = India Kerala #India
| map_caption = Location in Kerala
| coordinates = {{coord|8|58|35|N|77|09|05|E|display=inline,title}}
| country = India
| state = [[Kerala]]
| district = [[Kollam district|Kollam]]
| location = [[Aryankavu]]
| elevation_m = 237
| deity = [[Shasta (deity)|Shasta]]
| festivals = * {{Lang|ml|Thiru Kalyanam}} in the [[Malayalam calendar|Malayalam month]] of {{Lang|ml|dhaṉu}} (December)
* Pandiyan Mudippu
* [[Kumbhabhishekham]]
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| governing_body = [[Travancore Devaswom Board]]
|facade_direction=East}}
[[File:Aryankavu sasthavu.png|thumb|aryankavu sastha temple]]
[[File:Aryankavu shastavu with pushkala.png|thumb|Aryankavu shastavu with pushkala]]
The '''Aryankavu Sastha Temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]] located in [[Aryankavu]] in the [[Kollam district]] of the Indian state of [[Kerala]]. It is one of the five major temples dedicated to [[Shasta (deity)|Shasta]] in Kerala, the others being [[Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple|Kulathupuzha]], [[Achankovil Sastha Temple|Achankovil]], [[Sabarimala Temple|Sabarimala]] and Kanthamala. The temple's idol is believed to have been consecrated by [[Parashurama]].<ref name=":3">{{cite book |last=Sree |first=Ayyappan |date=2016-11-19 |title=Sastha temples in Kerala |url=http://www.sisobooks.net/ |location=Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram |publisher=Siso books |page=227 |isbn=978-8177970333 |access-date=19 November 2016 |archive-date=10 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510125457/http://www.sisobooks.net/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The temple is governed by the [[Travancore Devaswom Board]].

== Etymology ==
The name "Aryankavu" is believed to be derived from the words "Aryan" which indicates [[Shasta (deity)|Shasta]] and "Kavu" which means [[Kavu|sacred grove]].

== The temple ==
It is located in [[Aryankavu]] in the [[tehsil]] of [[Punalur]] in [[Kollam district]]. The temple lies near the border of [[Tamil Nadu]] on [[National Highway 744 (India)|National Highway 744]], about {{Convert|73|km|abbr=on}} from [[Kollam]], {{Convert|33|km|abbr=on}} from Punalur and {{Convert|21|km|abbr=on}} from [[Tenkasi]]. The temple is built in the traditional [[Dravidian architecture|architectural styles]] of both Kerala and [[Tamil Nadu]] and preserves several murals of [[Hindu deities]]. As in Sabarimala, the temple also have 18 steps. Another feature of the temple is that it is built {{Convert|11|m}} below the road level.<ref name=":2" /> The [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] and rituals conducted in the temple follow a [[Tamils|Tamil tradition]].<ref name=":4" />

== Deities ==
The principal deity of the temple is [[Shasta (deity)|Shasta]], in the form of a teenager.<ref name=":0">{{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=5 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> The deity is locally known as Aryankavu Ayyan and Tiruaryan.<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=5 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> He is depicted in a seated posture on an elephant, with the right leg hanging and the left leg in a folded position, along with his consort Pushkala on the left side and [[Shiva]] on the right.<ref name=":3" /> The original idol of the deity was made with a special type of stone known as ''Anjanapashanam.''<ref name=":0" /> It was later replaced with an idol made of [[panchaloha]]. The subordinate deities of the temple are Valiyakadutha, [[Karuppu Sami]] and Karuppai Amma.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vijayanath |first=K. S. |date=19 December 2020 |title=ആര്യങ്കാവിലെ അയ്യന്‍ |url=https://janmabhumi.in/2020/12/19/2978483/samskriti/aryankav-temple/ |access-date=5 October 2023 |website=Janmabhumi |language=ml}}</ref>

== Rituals and festivals ==
The temple is known for hosting a ritualistic marriage ceremony known as "Thiru Kalyanam" or "Thrikalyanam" (divine wedding) annually in December during the Sabarimala pilgrimage.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> According to the legends, Shasta married Shri Pushkaladevi of the [[Saurashtra people|Saurashtra community]] in [[Aryankavu]].<ref name=":2" /> The marriage rituals are performed according to the traditions of the Saurashtra community in a dedicated [[Mandapa]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Thiru Kalyanam festival - Aryankavu Sree Dharma Sastha Temple |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/1000festivals//assets/uploads/pdf/1507741293-0.pdf#page=3 |access-date=5 October 2023 |website=www.keralatourism.org |page=3 |language=en |archive-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913180326/https://www.keralatourism.org/1000festivals//assets/uploads/pdf/1507741293-0.pdf#page=3 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kerala rituals are followed inside the temple, while Tamil rituals are observed outside during the time of festival.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{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 |location=India |pages=21 |language=ml |script-chapter=ml:ശ്രീധർമ്മശാസ്താവ് |trans-chapter=Sree Dharmasastha}}</ref> On the occasion of Thiru Kalyanam, many unmarried girls visit the temple.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 2020 |title=കൊടുങ്കാടിനുള്ളിൽ എവിടെയോ മറഞ്ഞ കിടക്കുന്ന അയ്യപ്പ ക്ഷേത്രം കാന്തമല; അസാധാരണ സവിശേഷതകളുമായി അഞ്ച് അയ്യപ്പ ക്ഷേത്രങ്ങൾ |url=https://janamtv.com/80314825/ |access-date=5 October 2023 |website=Janam TV |language=ml |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009172509/https://janamtv.com/80314825/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Pandiyan Mudippu ([[engagement]]) and [[Kumbhabhishekham]] are other important festivals.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Aryankavu Shastha Temple {{!}} Sabarimala |url=https://sabarimala.kerala.gov.in/node/546 |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=sabarimala.kerala.gov.in |language=en |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009172513/https://sabarimala.kerala.gov.in/node/546 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ലേഖകൻ |first=മനോരമ |date=25 December 2020 |title=ആര്യങ്കാവ് പാണ്ഡ്യൻമുടിപ്പ് (വിവാഹ നിശ്ചയം); വധുവിന്റെ കൂട്ടരായി സൗരാഷ്ട്ര ബ്രാഹ്മണരും വരന്റെ ആൾക്കാരായി നാട്ടുകാരും, ചടങ്ങിങ്ങനെ |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/district-news/kollam/2020/12/25/kollam-thenmala-temple-festival.html |access-date=5 October 2023 |website=ManoramaOnline |language=ml |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009181016/https://www.manoramaonline.com/district-news/kollam/2020/12/25/kollam-thenmala-temple-festival.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

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

== References ==
{{reflist}}

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

Aryankavu Sastha Temple - Revision history

CarlotaMacadam7 at 04:06, 9 November 2024