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 in Kerala, the others being Kulathupuzha, Achankovil, Sabarimala and Kanthamala. The temple's idol is believed to have been consecrated by Parashurama.[1] The temple is governed by the Travancore Devaswom Board.
| Aryankavu Sree Dharmasastha Temple | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The temple in the 1900s | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Kollam |
| Deity | Shasta |
| Festivals |
|
| Governing body | Travancore Devaswom Board |
| Location | |
| Location | Aryankavu |
| State | Kerala |
| Country | India |
  Location in Kerala  Aryankavu Sastha Temple (India) | |
| Geographic coordinates | 8°58′35″N 77°09′05″E / 8.97639°N 77.15139°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Dravidian architecture |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | East |
| Elevation | 237 m (778 ft) |
Etymology
editThe name "Aryankavu" is believed to be derived from the words "Aryan" which indicates Shasta and "Kavu" which means sacred grove.
The temple
editIt 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, about 73 km (45 mi) from Kollam, 33 km (21 mi) from Punalur and 21 km (13 mi) from Tenkasi. The temple is built in the traditional 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 11 metres (36 ft) below the road level.[2] The puja and rituals conducted in the temple follow a Tamil tradition.[3]
Deities
editThe principal deity of the temple is Shasta, in the form of a teenager.[4] The deity is locally known as Aryankavu Ayyan and Tiruaryan.[5] 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.[1] The original idol of the deity was made with a special type of stone known as Anjanapashanam.[4] It was later replaced with an idol made of panchaloha. The subordinate deities of the temple are Valiyakadutha, Karuppu Sami and Karuppai Amma.[6]
Rituals and festivals
editThe temple is known for hosting a ritualistic marriage ceremony known as "Thiru Kalyanam" or "Thrikalyanam" (divine wedding) annually in December during the Sabarimala pilgrimage.[2][5] According to the legends, Shasta married Shri Pushkaladevi of the Saurashtra community in Aryankavu.[2] The marriage rituals are performed according to the traditions of the Saurashtra community in a dedicated Mandapa.[2] Kerala rituals are followed inside the temple, while Tamil rituals are observed outside during the time of festival.[5][7] On the occasion of Thiru Kalyanam, many unmarried girls visit the temple.[8] Pandiyan Mudippu (engagement) and Kumbhabhishekham are other important festivals.[3][9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Sree, Ayyappan (19 November 2016). Sastha temples in Kerala. Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram: Siso books. p. 227. ISBN 978-8177970333. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Thiru Kalyanam festival - Aryankavu Sree Dharma Sastha Temple" (PDF). www.keralatourism.org. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 September 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Aryankavu Shastha Temple | Sabarimala". sabarimala.kerala.gov.in. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ a b Rajappan, T. K. (15 November 2018). "കാട്ടിൽ മറഞ്ഞ കാന്തമല; അദ്ഭുതങ്ങളുടെ ആ അഞ്ച് ക്ഷേത്രം". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ a b c Pereira, Ignatius (18 December 2013). "The mountain trails of a divine legend". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ Vijayanath, K. S. (19 December 2020). "ആര്യങ്കാവിലെ അയ്യന്". Janmabhumi (in Malayalam). Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ P. Ananthan, Anukumar (11 July 2022). ശ്രീധർമ്മശാസ്താവ് [Sree Dharmasastha]. Manimandapavum Thankadwajavum (in Malayalam). India: Blue Rose Publishers. p. 21.
- ^ "കൊടുങ്കാടിനുള്ളിൽ എവിടെയോ മറഞ്ഞ കിടക്കുന്ന അയ്യപ്പ ക്ഷേത്രം കാന്തമല; അസാധാരണ സവിശേഷതകളുമായി അഞ്ച് അയ്യപ്പ ക്ഷേത്രങ്ങൾ". Janam TV (in Malayalam). 15 November 2020. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ ലേഖകൻ, മനോരമ (25 December 2020). "ആര്യങ്കാവ് പാണ്ഡ്യൻമുടിപ്പ് (വിവാഹ നിശ്ചയം); വധുവിന്റെ കൂട്ടരായി സൗരാഷ്ട്ര ബ്രാഹ്മണരും വരന്റെ ആൾക്കാരായി നാട്ടുകാരും, ചടങ്ങിങ്ങനെ". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.