The Ayyappa Temple or Sree Darma Sastha Temple at Aryankavu in Kollam District is one among the five most important temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in Kerala. The shrine at Aryankav is known as Aryankavu SasthaTemple and Lord Ayyappa is depicted as a teenager (young boy) here. Ayyappa is known as Tiru aryan here and therefore the place got the name Aryankavu. Surrounded by forests, the temple is located on the Kollam –Tenkasi National Highway. Just like in Sabarimala, women from the age 10 to 50 are not allowed inside the Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple. The rituals and pujas followed at Aryankavu Sastha Temple is that of Tamil tradition. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple has idols of Devi, Shiva and Sastha. A young Ayyappa sits in the middle with Devi on the left side and Shiva on the right side. The festival at the temple is celebrated during the the Sabarimala Mandala Kalam. The most important festivals observed here include Pandiyanmudippu, Trikalyanam and Kumbhabhishekam.
Situated about 73 km east of Kollam and 33 km from Punalur and 21 km away from Thenkasi and 13 km away from shencottah. Sree Darma Sastha Temple is one of the important pilgrim centers of the district. The main attraction of Aryankavu is the Ayyappa Temple alias Aryankavu Sastha Temple dedicated to Lord Sastha, one among the five ancient Ayyappa temples. The unique feature of the temple is that it is built about 35 ft below the road level and has some fine structure and mural paintings. The legend behind the the Ayyappa of Aryankavu is similar to that of Sree Dharma Sastha of Sabarimala .The only difference between the two are that Sastha was brought up by the Pandi Raja of Madhura and not the Raja of Pandalam.
Situated about 73 km east of Kollam and 33 km from Punalur and 21 km away from Thenkasi and 13 km away from shencottah. Sree Darma Sastha Temple is one of the important pilgrim centers of the district. The main attraction of Aryankavu is the Ayyappa Temple alias Aryankavu Sastha Temple dedicated to Lord Sastha, one among the five ancient Ayyappa temples. The unique feature of the temple is that it is built about 35 ft below the road level and has some fine structure and mural paintings. The legend behind the the Ayyappa of Aryankavu is similar to that of Sree Dharma Sastha of Sabarimala .The only difference between the two are that Sastha was brought up by the Pandi Raja of Madhura and not the Raja of Pandalam.
Festivals of Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple in Kerala :
The two main festivals of this temple, Mandala pooja and Thrikalyanam festival, celebrated in December draws thousands of pilgrims. It is believed that Swami Ayyappan married Shri Pushkaladevi of Sourashtra community in Aryankavu. The marriage festival is held every year in Aryankavu and the marriage rituals are according to the Sourashtra community .Even now Sourashtrans reach here in groups during the time of ‘Mandalapooja’. All trains towards Shencottah have a stop at Aryankavu. The Palaruvi waterfall is only 4kms away from here.
The Story of Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple in Kerala :
Swamy Ayyappan always has a predominant place in the Hindu religion. The main reason behind this is Swamy Ayyappan is the last Human Incarnation of god in kaliyug. Bhagawan Ayyappan is in married posture with Shri Pushkaladevi of Sourashtra community in Aryankavu. The marriage festival is held in Aryankavu every year and the marriage rituals are the same as in the Sourashtra community.Every year under the invitation of Trivancore king and Devasvam Board, the people of sourashtra under a sangam called ‘Aryankavu Devasthan Sourashtra Mahajana Sangam’, go as the sambanthi for the Lord Ayyappan. For the marriage they carry all the essential things as we carry for any marriage to Aryankuva from Madurai.
An Incident at Aryankavu :
In earlier days the Sourashtrians sold silk dresses to the Trivancore king. One suchbusiness man went to sell silk dresses to Trivancore with his virgin daughter. On his way he reached Aryankavu by night, so he had to stay there.The next morning after freshing up he was ready to start, when his daughter requested him that she wanted to stay back there and keep praying to the Lord Ayyappan. She was impressed by the Lord and devoted to him. The people of the place also suggested not to take his daughter with, as it was a dense forest journey and they promised to take care of the girl. The businessman impressed by his daughter’s bhakthi towards Lord Ayyappan, left her in charge of an archakar in that temple.
Lord Ayyapan’s Dharshan :
After completing his business in Trivancore he returned towards Aryankavu. As he was nearing Aryankavu, a big one horned elephant came threatening towards him. The businessman was terribly afraid of this sudden appearance of the elephant and started praying loudly ‘Ayyappa help and save me’. At that time a well-built hunter appeared suddenly and shouted towards the elephant to go. On hearing that the elephant went away like a magic The businessman was impressed and told to the hunter,” you have saved my life and my family like a god”. In a token of appreciation, the businessman gave a rich silk cloth to the hunter. The hunter wearing the cloth around his neck asked the businessman ‘How do I look?’. The business man replied ‘You look like a beautiful bridegroom’.On hearing this the hunter asked him, ” will you marry your daughter to me.?” For that the business man said “why not? you have saved my life and if you wish I will marry my daughter to you”.The hunter felt very happy and told that he will meet the businessman at the Aryankavu temple and he disappeared. The businessman was surprised that how could a stranger would know that I had a daughter for marriage and with confusion, he reached Aryankavu temple.
