Aryankavu Sastha Temple
Lord Ayyappa is depicted here as a teenager (young boy). The name of the place is derived from the mix of words Tiruaryan (another name for Lord Sastha or Ayyappa) and Kavu (holy forest). The Kavu (sacrosanct timberland) in which Aryan (Lord Ayyappa) abides is known as Aryankavu. The idol here is installed by Lord Parasurama.
The pratishta here is quite different from that of Achankovil, Kulthupuzha and Sabarimala temples. Sastha is depicted as a young boy sitting on an elephant with right leg hanging and left leg being in a folded position, along with his consort Prabha on the left side and Lord Shiva on the right. As in Sabarimala, the temple too have 18 steps. The temple built in the traditional architectural styles of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu preserves several murals of deities. The unique feature of Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple is that the shrine is constructed about 35ft below the road level. The temple enshrines a young Ayyappa sits in the middle with Parvathi and Shiva on either side. The daily poojas and rituals are followed as per Tamil tradition. According to legends, Swamy Ayyappan married Shri Pushkaladevi of Sourashtra community in Aryankavu. The Thrikalyanam Festival is celebrated to commemorate the divine wedding. Devotees from Sourashtra still visit the temple to participate in the Thrikalyanam (holy marriage) festival held every year. The rituals of the marriage festival are in accordance with the marriage rituals followed by the Sourashtra Brahmins. Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfilment for the matrimonial boons and for relief from Sani Dosham
Surrounded by forests, the temple is located on the Trivandrum – 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.
Location
Aryankavu
Main Deity
Lord Ayyappan
Other Deities
Valiyakadutha, Karuppaswami, Naga Devatha, Indaliappan and Karuppayiamma
Festivals
Sabarimala Mandala Kala Pooja, Pandiyan Mudippu Trikkalyanam (10th Dhanu), The other noted festivals of the temple are Painguni Uthiram and Kumbhabhishekam.
Main Offerings
Ganapathy Homa, Ghee Abhishekam, Coconut, Nerranjanam for Shani Dosham.
How To Reach
By Air: Trivandrum International Airport is situated at 88.8KM from the temple.
By Rail: Punalur Railway Station is 35.6KM from the Temple.
By Road: Punalur KSRTC Bus Station is 35KM from the Temple.