Achankovil Sree Dharmasastha Temple

Achankovil Sree Dharmasastha Temple is one of Keralam's important Sastha shrines, located in the forested Achankovil region of eastern Kollam district. Current district administration places the Achankovil-Aryankavu area within Punalur taluk. The temple stands beside the Achankovil River in a dense Western Ghats setting close to the Tamil Nadu border, and Tamil cultural influences are visible in some rituals and festivals.

Unlike many other Ayyappa representations, the deity here is portrayed with Pushkala and Purna. The shrine is also associated with a long-standing belief in the healing use of sacred water and sandalwood paste for snakebite, a tradition that forms part of local religious lore rather than a substitute for medical treatment. The annual festival runs for ten days in the Malayalam month of Dhanu.

Reaching Achankovil involves a scenic forest journey, and visitors should respect temple rules, wildlife conditions and any forest or road advisories.