Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

3031 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
High medieval · Hindu · India

Achankovil Sastha Temple

Achankovil, Kollam district, Kerala · 9.0917°, 77.1214°

Shasta (Achankovil Arasan), with consorts Purna and PushkalaUndeterminedDravidian
Sacred since
1000 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
dating unrecorded
Undetermined

History & significance

A forest shrine on the Achankovil river where Shasta is worshipped in his householder form flanked by Purna and Pushkala, unlike the celibate Ayyappan of Sabarimala. It is best known as a healing shrine for snakebite: sandalwood paste and holy water from the idol's right palm are given as medicine, and the sanctum is opened at night for victims.

Sthala katha — the traditional account

What follows is the temple’s own traditional account, transmitted through liturgy and local memory. It is recorded here as tradition, not as attested history.

The image is said to have been consecrated by Parashurama.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-28 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Undetermined