Achankovil Sree Dharmasastha Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Sastha. It is located in Punalur tehsil of Kollam district in the Indian state of Kerala. The temple is also one of the five major Sastha shrines in Kerala, the other four being Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu, Sabarimala and Kanthamala temples. An important river named after the locality, Achankovil river, originates near the temple. As in Sabarimala temple, Achankovil temple also have eighteen steps.
Lord Ayyappa / Aiyanar presides there in the form of grihastha (householder) and the idol faces east. It is believed to installed by Lord Parasurama himself. The pratishta of Lord Ayyappa here is quite unique from that of other Sastha shrines in Kerala. The idol is known as Rudraksha sila. He is depicted as a grihasthashrami (one who leads a married life) along with his two consorts Poorna and Pushkala. The temple is famed for curing poisonous Snakebites and thus Ayyappa is often portraited as a Mahavaidya (great physician). The right palm of the idol always keeps Chandanam (sandalwood paste) and Theertham (sacred waters) which is thought to have medicinal properties.
The temple is located near the banks of Achankovil river in the dense forest regions of eastern Kollam, about 50 km (31 mi) from Punalur, 85 km (53 mi) from Kollam and 62 km (39 mi) from Kulathupuzha via Aryankavu, Thenmala and Shenkottai. There is a route through the forest from Alimukku near Pathanapuram to the temple. The panoramic Kumbuvurutty and Manalar falls are on the route to this shrine.
The Thiruvutsavam (annual festival) and Mandala pooja is hosted in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December to January) for 10 days and celebrated in grand style. The Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) procession to the temple via Punalur, Aryankavu, Shenkottai and Tenkasi is another attraction. Pushpabhisheka is conducted on 8th of Makaram. Revathi festival is hosted during the months of January and February. The main offering of the deity is Karuppanootu to appease Karuppaswami, a great friend of Ayyappa. The Therottam (chariot festival), Karuppanthullal and Chapparam procession held on the 9th day of festival is very much similar to the rituals in Tamil Nadu
Railway: The nearest railway stations are at Tenkasi Junction railway station, Sengottai , Thenmala, Kottarakkara and Punalur.
Airports: Thiruvananthapuram international airport is about 140 km and Cochin international airport about 180 km.
