ACHANKOVIL TOURISM
Achankovil Temple in Kollam Kerala
Achankovil Temple or Achankovil Dharmasastha Temple is one of the main Lord Ayyappa temples in Kerala. Achankovil Shastha Temple is one of the five important temples of Lord Ayyappan whose idols are consecrated by Lord Parasurama. The other four temples are Aryankavu Sastha Temple, Kulathupuzha Temple, Kanthamala Temple and Sabarimala Temple. Achankovil Temple is around 37 km from Aryankavu in Kollam District of Kerala.
Significance of Achankovil Temple
The idol installed in the temple is believed to be the oldest vigraha installed by Parasurama. The temple enshrines Lord Sree Dharma Sastha along with his two consorts Poorna and Pushkala in Grihasta Ashram (as a family man). The idol of Swamy Ayyappan in the temple is known as “Rudraksha Sila” and is known for its miraculous healing power for snake venom. The left hand of the idol of Ayyappa at Achankovil Temple holds sandalwood paste (Chandan) and holy water (Tirtha). The chandan and Thirtha are said to have medicinal properties for curing poisonous snake bites.
Picture of Achankovil Dharmasastha Temple Kollam
Other deities worshiped here are Bhagavathi, Ganapathi, Subramanyan, Karuppu Swamy and Naga Devathas.
Temple Festivals
During the 41 days Mandala Pooja, Achankovil Temple experiences a huge rush of devotees. The temple annual festival is celebrated from the 1st to 10th day of Malayalam Dhanu Masam (December – January). Revathi Festival held during January – February is another major festival during with Therotam (Chariot Festival) and Pushpabhishekam are held.
Tourist Attractions I Achenkovil
Achankovil Temple or Achankovil Dharmasastha Temple is one of the main Lord Ayyappa temples in Kerala. Achankovil Shastha Temple is one of the five important temples of Lord Ayyappan whose idols are consecrated by Lord Parasurama. The other four temples are Aryankavu Sastha Temple, Kulathupuzha Temple, Kanthamala Temple and Sabarimala Temple. Achankovil Temple is around 37 km from Aryankavu in Kollam District of Kerala.
Significance of Achankovil Temple
The idol installed in the temple is believed to be the oldest vigraha installed by Parasurama. The temple enshrines Lord Sree Dharma Sastha along with his two consorts Poorna and Pushkala in Grihasta Ashram (as a family man). The idol of Swamy Ayyappan in the temple is known as “Rudraksha Sila” and is known for its miraculous healing power for snake venom. The left hand of the idol of Ayyappa at Achankovil Temple holds sandalwood paste (Chandan) and holy water (Tirtha). The chandan and Thirtha are said to have medicinal properties for curing poisonous snake bites.
Picture of Achankovil Dharmasastha Temple Kollam
Other deities worshiped here are Bhagavathi, Ganapathi, Subramanyan, Karuppu Swamy and Naga Devathas.
Temple Festivals
During the 41 days Mandala Pooja, Achankovil Temple experiences a huge rush of devotees. The temple annual festival is celebrated from the 1st to 10th day of Malayalam Dhanu Masam (December – January). Revathi Festival held during January – February is another major festival during with Therotam (Chariot Festival) and Pushpabhishekam are held.
Tourist Attractions I Achenkovil
Kumbhavurutty Waterfalls
Kumbhavurutty Waterfalls is a beautiful place situated 7 Kms away from the Achencoil.It is on the Achencoil-Schencottah Road of Kollam district,Kerala.Achencovil is almost 95 kms away from Kollam.Kumbhavurutty Waterfalls is managed by Manalar-Kumbhavurutty Vana Samrakshana Samithy and,is close to the Kerala -Tamil Nadu border.Kerala Forest Department has started an “Eco-Contact Centre” at this place.Apart from waterfalls,visitors can go trekking to the sprawling grasslands at high elevation,for an unique experience through evergreen thickets,abundant in wild flora and fauna.Manalar is a natural falls,which is 2 Kms away from Kumbhavurutty waterfalls.Achencovil is a main Hindu pilgrim center in Kerala.Achencovil Sastha temple is one of the five Sastha temples in Kerala.Achencovil is also a Eco-Tourist place.The place is near from NH 208.Entry is allowed from 10 a.m.Trekking is an important attraction here.Kumbhavurutty waterfalls is one of the main attractions of Achankovil,a pilgrim center in Kollam District.This natural waterfall gives a breathtaking atmosphere with sounds of the rushing waters and the beauty of the nature.Achankovil is situated 80 kms north-east of Punalur.The waters of the Kumbhavarutty cascading down the hills at once attract your attention.Both sides of the narrow,hill road are dotted with thatched sit-outs.We can see a few beautiful treetop houses too.Kumbhavurutty Waterfalls offers breathtaking sight!.From the top,the water finds its way through big and small rocks to become a bubbling stream.We can see steps,cut into the rock,lead visitors to the top of the waterfalls.
How to Reach Achankovil Temple
Achankovil Temple is around 125 km from Thiruvananthapuram. Transport bus services and private vehicle services are available from Punalur (80 km), Chengottai, Tenkasi, Konni and Aryankavu.
From Tenkasi – around 30 km via Shenkottai
From Sabarimala – 109 km via Vadaserikara, Konni, Kalleli
From Kollam – 87 km via Kottarakkara, Pathanapuram, Punalur
Address:
Divisional Forest Officer
Divisional Forest Office
Achencoil P.O, Kollam (Dist:),Kerala.
Telephone:
Divisional Forest Office,Achencoil.
0475 - 2342315
Getting there:
Nearest Bus Station: Achencovil Bus Station.
Nearest Railway Station: Shenkottai Railway Station.
Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport.
DISTANCE FROM KUMBHAVURUTTY TO MAJOR TOWNS:
Thiruvananthapuram -123 Kms
Thenamal - 55 Kms
Kollam -104 Kms
Punalur – 83 Kms
Tirunelveli - 85 Kms
Courtallam (Kutrallam) - 28 Kms
Shenkottai - 17 Kms
TOURIST PLACES NEAR BY KUMBHAVURUTTY WATERFALLS:
Manalar Waterfalls,Kerala - 2 Kms
Achencovil - 5 Kms
Thenamal - 55 Kms
Courtallam (Kutrallam),Tamil Nadu - 25 Kms
Panpoli - 10 Kms (Panpoli is a small village situated near Sengottai in Tirunelveli District,Tamil Nadu Distict)
