Monday, November 17, 2008

ACHANKOIL SASTHA TEMPLE

ACHAN KOIL SASTHA temple is another important temple situated in achankoi 25 km from shenkottai,Tamilnadu.
Achankoil Sastha (Arachan) temple is a sacred place of worship where pilgrims from Kerala and Tamilnadu come in groups through out the year. According to a legend the God gave 'Darshan' to a worshipper who had undertaken long term penance at Kandamala, where the the present temple stands. The main festival season here comes during the Mandalam puja. The nearest town and railway station is Shenkottah-Tamil Nadu.


Though it might sound strange, the countless testimonials of devotees vouch for the fact that Achankovil temple offers magical cure for all types of poisonous snake bites
The chief priest offers the water from the temple well to the snake bite victims apart from applying sandal wood paste on the bitten area.
Situated 40 kms from Nilambur, this temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is set amidst thick woods. Persons who are engaged in logging in the thick jungles nearby are often bitten by highly venomous snakes. No matter whether it is dawn, dusk or midnight, the devotees can ring the temple bell to alert the priest who will rush to the aid of the victims in no time. Records say that nobody has ever died of snake bites in these holy precincts.
It is interesting to note that Kerala not only has some fabled temples dedicated to Dhanwantharii -the Physician of Gods but also a handful of temples for the treatment of diseases as well.


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