Sasthamcotta Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is famous as one of the Five Sastha temples in Kerala. The other four Pancha Sastha temples are Sasthamcotta Sree Dharmasastha Temple, AchanKoil, Aryankavu Sastha Temple, Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple and Sabarimala Temple. It is under the Travancore Devaswom Board.
Sree Dharmasastha Temple is located at Sasthamcotta in Kollam District 11 kms west of Adoor, 10 kms from Karunagappally. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and the surroundings of the temple are covered by hills and forests. There are many monkeys inhabiting the premises, which are considered holy. It is believed that Lord Hanuman at the time flying to Lanka in search of Goddess Sita, halted at this place also, and since then this Temple is a home for Monkeys. The monkeys are devotee-friendly, and the thousands of devotees visiting the temple take pleasure in feeding these monkeys with nuts and fruits.
Kollam Sasthamcotta Dharmasastha Temple Timings:
Morning: 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Evening: 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Sasthamcotta Shri Dharma Sastha Temple Pooja Timings:
Palli Unarth – 4:30 AM
Nirmalyam – 5:00 AM
Usha Pooja – 6:45 AM
Ucha Pooja – 11:30 AM
Deeparadhana – 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM
Athazha Pooja – 7:30 PM to 7:45 PM
Sasthamcotta Dharma Sastha Temple Darsan Dresscode:
Kerala Traditional dress is preffered in Sasthamcotta Sree Dharma Sastha Temple,
Sasthamcotta Dharmasastha Temple History:
The Dharmasastha (deity) here is said to have the same powers as that of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala and the place derives the name from the diety, the former name being Kota. The temple was built by a prince of the Pandalam Royal family. Folklore has that the idol consecrated at Sasthamcotta temple is none other than the swayambhu idol worshipped by Lord Ram during his trip to Lanka (Sri Lanka) in search of his consort, Sita. What makes this lesser known temple, a must add to your itinerary is its location situated next to a vast freshwater lake flanked by hills on three sides, the setting is simply divine! The ancient Sastha (Ayyappa, son of Shiva and Mohini [Vishnu in female form], according to legends) temple, which lends its name to the town, is also dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
The temple, though at the edge of forests and has hills on its side is also next to a small town that has developed next to it. Feeding Monkeys at Sasthamkotta Temple One of the fascinating features of this temple is the abundance of monkeys that camp around. A few years ago, the monkeys began to face a shortage of food and they began to snatch food from visitors to the temple and children going to nearby schools and colleges. The Courts then ordered the Devaswom (Temple) Board to make arrangements to feed the monkeys of the temple adequately.
The Board, being short of funds, sought support from well-wishers of the temple but adequate funds were not forthcoming. Mr. Gopala B. Pillai, founder and president of Wild Republic, and a native of Sasthamkotta, heard about this dilemma and offered to set up a Trust Fund jointly with the Devaswom Board to ensure perpetual feeding of the monkeys. This was achieved in 1996 and since then the monkeys of the temple have never been in want of food. On local festival days, when people feast at home, the Trust arranges a similar feast for the monkeys of the temple also.
Kollam Sasthamcotta Sastha Temple Festivals:
Utsavam (Annual festival) – The utsavam lasts for ten days.
Thiruvonam
Navaratri
Mandala Mahotsav (41 days)
Makara Sankrama pooja
Sivaratri
Painkuni Utram
Pathamudayam
Karkidaka Vavu
Kollam Sasthamcotta Sastha Temple Pooja Offerings:
Ada, Idichupizhinja payasam, Aravana, Kadalipazham, Neeranjanam for Dharma Sastha. Payazam, Jaladhara for Siva. Ottayappam for Ganapathi, Vara nivedyam for Yakshiyamma, Palpayasam for Rekshas. Poovan pazham, ilaneeru for Risheeswaran and Naleekeram udaykkal for Madanswami.
How to Reach Kollam Achankovil Sastha Temple:
The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Sasthamcotta has a small railway station about 4 km from Sasthamcotta town. Sasthamcotta is well connected with the other parts of Kerala by road and rail.
Kollam Sasthamcotta Sastha Temple Pooja Address:
Sasthamcotta Sree Dharma Sastha Temple,
Sasthamcotta,
Kollam District,
Kerala – 690 521.