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| Achankovil River Achankovil aar | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location of the mouth in Kerala Show map of Kerala Achankovil (India) Show map of India | |
| Native name | അച്ചന്കോവിലാറ് (Malayalam) |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala |
| Districts | Kollam,Pathanamthitta,Alappuzha |
| Cities | Konni, Pathanamthitta,Pandalam,Mavelikkara, |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Pasukidamettu,Rishimalai and Ramakkalteri rivers originating from Devarmalai ofWestern Ghats |
| • elevation | 700 m (2,300 ft) |
| Mouth | Pamba |
• location | Veeyapuram |
• coordinates | 9°19′0″N76°28′0″E / 9.31667°N 76.46667°E /9.31667; 76.46667 |
| Length | 128 km (80 mi) |
| Basin size | 1,484 km2 (573 sq mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Landmarks | Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram, Thrippara Shiva temple, Valamchuzhy Devi Kshetram, Pandalam Valiyakoickal Sastha temple, Pandalam palace,(Mattom mahadeva temple), Pandalam Mahadeva temple, Kandiyoor Mahadeva temple,Chettikulangara Devi temple,Venmani Sargakavu temple, Konni Muringa Mangalam Mahadeva temple |
| Bridges | Kaippattor bridge, Pandalam bridge, Vettiyar bridge, Parakkadavu Bridge, Pulakadavu bridge, Chamakkavu pedestrian bridge, Kollakadu bridge, Valiyaperumpuzha bridge, Prayikkara bridge, Pottamelkkadavu bridge, Konni Bridge |
Achankovil is a 128 km (80 mi) long west flowing river inKerala, India. It flows through thedistricts ofKollam,Pathanamthitta andAlappuzha. The river drains vast tract of fertile plains ofUpper Kuttanad in theAlappuzha andPathanamthitta districts. It also sustains numerousurban settlements along its course such asKonni,Pathanamthitta,Pandalam andMavelikkara.[1]
The river has its origin inDevar Mala peak of theWestern Ghats situated in the Konni Reserve Forest. Rivers likeRishimala,Pashukidamettu andRamakkaltheri form the major tributaries of the Achenkovil river.[2] It flowssouth west from its origin and entersKollam district near Achencovil village. Then the river switches its course towardsnorth west and flows almost 20 kms throughKollam district before re-enteringPathanamthitta district nearKalleli.
Later it flows through the hilly towns ofKonni,Kumbazha,Mylapra,Konnithazham,Vettoor,Pathanamthitta,Pramadam,Vallikode and enters into theUpper Kuttanad. Then the river passes through the towns ofKaipattoor,Nariyapuram,Thumbamon,Venmony,Kulanada,Pandalam,Edappon (Nooranad),Vettiyar,Kollakkadavu andCheriyanad. After reachingMavelikkara, the river takes a sharp turn towards the northern direction and flows through the following towns ofChennithala,Pallippad,Paippad and finally merges into thePamba river atVeeyapuram. ThePamba River together with Achankovil andManimala rivers, then splits into two distributaries, one which empties into theArabian Sea atThottapally and the other into theVembanad Lake atKainakary.[3]
ThePathanamthitta Town, which is the administrative capital of the Pathanamthitta district is situated along the river. The town derives its name from its association with the river;Pathanamthitta, from theMalayalam wordspathanam andthitta, means "houses by the riverside".
The forest area, which is thecatchment area for this river is also referred to as Achenkovil Reserve Forest. It forms part ofAgasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.[4]
A small village situated in its upper riparian area of the river is called as Achenkovil village. The Achenkovil village is an importantpilgrimage center which is associated with the legend ofSabarimala and it is also one of the important interstate border point betweenKollam district andTenkasi district.[5]
Achankovil Shastha Temple, or the Dharmasastha Temple, is one among the five important temples dedicated toLord Ayyappa inKerala. Lord Ayyappa leads theGrihastha Ashrama life here – he is depicted as a family man or leads married life here. He is depicted along with his two wives – Purna and Pushkala. It is believed that theidol here was installed byParashurama.[6]
The Achankovil Sastha Temple is famous for curing poisonoussnake bites. The left hand of the idol of Ayyappa at Achankovil Shastha Temple always holds ‘Chandan’ (sandalwood paste) and Thirtha (holy water).[7] The Chandan and Thirtha are considered to have medicinal properties to cure snake bites. The temple complex also contains other deities associated with the Ayyappa legend. The festivals and rituals held here have strongTamil roots.
During theSabarimala pilgrimage, devotees also visit this temple to offer their prayers. It is believed that the idol of this temple was consecrated by Sage Parasurama. On both sides of the idol, Poorna and Pushkala, the consorts of Lord Sastha are also installed. The most important festival here is celebrated from the first to tenth day of Malayalam month Dhanu (December – January).
Ingeology it is a major crustal discontinuity ofProterozoic age which separates KeralaKhondalite Belt (KKB) in the south (Trivandrum Block) from theCharnockite massif in the north (Madurai Block).[8] The Achankovil river drains this structural valley.[9] There are geologists who argue that this shear zone is a vital link that bears imprints of land connection betweenIndia andMadagascar when both this land masses were part ofGondwanaland.[10]
The river is unique in that along its route is a large number of ancient temples, indicating that the richness of the river basin has been identified by humans since ancient times and they preferred to settle down there so that they could grow their crops on the fertile lands.
