Aryankavu

Last updated

Aryankavu
Village
Aryankavu hill view.jpg
Hills in Aryankavu
India Kerala location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Aryankavu
Location in Kerala, India
India location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Aryankavu
Aryankavu (India)
Coordinates: 8°58′0″N77°8′35″E / 8.96667°N 77.14306°E / 8.96667; 77.14306 Coordinates: 8°58′0″N77°8′35″E / 8.96667°N 77.14306°E / 8.96667; 77.14306
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
State Kerala
District Kollam District
Government
 • Type Panchayati Raj (India)
 • BodyAryankavu Grama Panchayat
Area
 • Total198.84 km2 (76.77 sq mi)
Population
[1]
 • Total11,133
 • Density56/km2 (150/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Malayalam, English [2]
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
691309, 691316
Vehicle registration KL-25
Nearest city Kollam 76 kilometres (47 mi)
Nearest town Punalur 33 kilometres (21 mi)
Climate Tropical monsoon (Köppen)

Aryankavu is a village located in the Kollam district of the Indian state of Kerala. It lies close to the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu near Thenmala. It is also one of the famous pilgrimage sites associated with the legend of Sabarimala. The village is located besides Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary.

Contents

Location and connectivity

It is in the eastern end of Kollam district on National Highway 744 at about 22 km (14 mi) away from Tenkasi and 36 km (22 mi) away from Punalur. [3] The village is well connected with Punalur, Kollam, Tenkasi and Thiruvananthapuram through both Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation and Kerala State Road Transport Corporation.

The village lies along a mountain pass in Western Ghats called Aryankavu Pass or Schencottah Gap. The Kollam–Sengottai railway line also passes through Aryankavu and there are two railway stations in Aryankavu namely New Aryankavu railway station and Aryankavu railway station.

The nearby airports are Trivandrum International Airport (98 km [61 mi]), Madurai Airport (148 km [92 mi]) and Tuticorin Airport (115 km [71 mi]).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Aryankavu had a population of 12125 with 5949 males and 6176 females. [3] The most spoken languages in Aryankavu are Malayalam and English. But due to its closest proximity to Tamil Nadu, Tamil is also widely spoken and understood . There is also Malai Pandaram tribal population in Aryankavu. [4]

Aryankavu Pass/ Schencottah Gap

It is a mountain pass connecting Kollam district and Tenkasi district and the village is located along this pass. This pass along with Palakkad Gap and Aralvaimozhi gap is a significant pass that connects Kerala side of Western Ghats with Coromandel Coastal plains of Tamil Nadu. The pass is a narrow low-lying area in Western Ghats with altitude lesser than 300 metres (980 ft). The Kollam–Sengottai railway line and National Highway 744 passes through this pass. [5] In the western end of the gap there is Kallada River valley. The pass plays an important role in the climate of nearby Punalur as it keeps the mercury levels in the town significantly higher than nearby areas. [6]

The gap along with Achankovil Shear Zone plays the role of an ecological divide. It separate the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve from Cardamom Hills and High Range of Kerala. [7]

The elevation map of Western Ghats showing Aryankavu Pass/ Sengottai Gap EeV6BF8UEAAJTvZ.png
The elevation map of Western Ghats showing Aryankavu Pass/ Sengottai Gap

Attractions

Palaruvi water falls

The Palaruvi Falls is located in the forest, five kilometres (3.1 mi) away from Aryankavu check post. The name `Paal' means milk & `Aruvi' means stream. There is a train named Palaruvi Express that passes through Aryankavu which is named after this falls.

Kadamanpara Sandal Forest

It is the second largest natural sandal forest after Marayur. It is situated in Aryankavu Grama panchayath. [8]

Rose Mala

Rose Mala is a place in Aryankavu which is 11.8 km away from Aryankavu Junction. [9] It is one of the ecotourism spots which provides view of Thenmala Dam reservoir. [10] [11] There is a view point called Rajathottam near Rosemala which offers view of Tenkasi.

Nedumpara

Nedumpara is a place which is 11 km (6.8 mi) away from Aryankavu. Harrisons Malayalam limited has a rubber estate in this place named as Isfield Estate. One of the highest peak of Kollam district named Nedumpara Peak is located in Nedumpara, which is locally known as Nedumpara Motta. It is the water divide between Kallada River and Achankovil river.

Bourdillon's Plot

It is the world's first stump planted plantation of teak which located near the Palaruvi Falls in Aryankavu. A British man named T. F. Bourdillon was its leader. He was then conservator of Travancore. [12]

Ambanad Hills

Ambanad Hills is the only tea estate of Kollam district. It is also one of the largest Clove plantation in Kerala. [13] [14] [15] The estate also has tangerine plantations. [16]

Religion

Hinduism is the major religion at the village. There is also a sizeable Christian and Muslim population.

Aryankavu Shastha Temple

Aryankavu temple (1890) kolltte aaryngkaav ksseetrN (1900).jpg
Aryankavu temple (1890)

Aryankavu's Ayyappan temple in Tenkasi District is a most important temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in Tamil Nadu. The shrine is also known as Aryankavu Shastha Temple. Lord Ayyappa is depicted here as a teenager (young boy). Ayyappa is known as Thiru Aryan and therefore the place got the name Aryankavu. [17]

Surrounded by forests, the temple is located on the National Highway 744. Just like in Sabarimala, women from the age 10 to 50 are not allowed inside the Aryankavu Ayyappa Temple. The rituals and pujas followed at Aryankavu Sastha Temple is that of Sourastrian [18] tradition. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple has idols of Pushkaladevi, [18] Shiva and Sastha. A young Ayyappa sits in the middle with Pushkaladevi [18] on the left side and Shiva on the right side.

The festival at the temple is celebrated during the concluding days of the Sabarimala Mandala Kalam. The most important festivals observed here include Pandiyan Mudippu, Tirukkalyanam and Kumbhabhishekam. There are plans to include the temple as part of Sabarimala circuit. [19]

Other religious places

There are two catholic churches: St. Mary's Catholic Church Archdiocese of Changanassery & St. George Malankara Catholic Church at Arankavu. The St. George Malankara Catholic Church was established 1950's. The founder of the Church was Mr.K.V Abraham Vaidyer (Kaleekal) also known as Kannadi Vaidyar. He was an Ayurvedic physician as well as a member of the Grama Panchayat in 1957.

There are also numerous Evangelicalist churches that are active in the area.

The major center of worship of Muslims is the Edappalayam Juma Masjid.

See also

Related Research Articles

Punalur Municipality in Kerala, India

Punalur is a Municipality in Kollam district of Kerala State in India. It is the headquarter of the Punalur Taluk and Punalur Revenue Division. It's situated in the eastern part of Kollam district of Kerala, on the banks of the Kallada River and foothills of the western ghats. It is about 45 kilometres (28 mi) north-east of Kollam and 68 kilometres (42 mi) north of Thiruvananthapuram.

Kollam district, is one of 14 districts of the state of Kerala, India. The district has a cross-section of Kerala's natural attributes; it is endowed with a long coastline, a major Laccadive Sea seaport and an inland lake. The district has many water bodies. Kallada River is one among them, and the east side land of river is East Kallada and the west side land is West Kallada.

Achankovil River in India

Achankovil is a 128 km long west flowing river in Kerala, India, which flows through Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha districts. The river drains vast tract of fertile plains of Upper Kuttanad in the Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts. It also sustains numerous urban settlements along its course such as Konni, Pathanamthitta, Pandalam, Mavelikkara etc.

Pathanamthitta Town in Kerala, India

Pathanamthitta, is a municipality situated in the Central Travancore region in the state of Kerala, India, spread over an area of 23.50 km2. It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The town has a population of 37,538. The Hindu pilgrim centre Sabarimala is situated in the Pathanamthitta district; as the main transport hub to Sabarimala, the town is known as the 'Pilgrim Capital of Kerala'. Pathanamthitta District, the thirteenth revenue district of the State of Kerala, was formed with effect from 1 November 1982, with headquarters at Pathanamthitta. Forest covers more than half of the total area of the District. Pathanamthitta District ranks the 7th in area in the State. The district has its borders with Allepey, Kottayam, Kollam and Idukki districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Thenmala Village in Kerala, India

Thenmala is a tourist destination in the eastern side of Kollam district in Kerala, India that is home to the first eco-tourism centre in India. The word 'Thenmala' means "'Honey hills" in Malayalam language. The town is 66 km away from Kollam city and is just 14 km away from Tamil Nadu state border. The interstate National Highway-744, connecting Kollam with Madurai in Tamil Nadu, and State Highway-2 of Kerala are passing through Thenmala.

Kulathupuzha Village in Kerala, India

Kulathupuzha is a small town in the eastern part of Kollam district of Kerala, India. It is one of the important pilgrim spots linked with the legend of Sabarimala. Kulathupuzha is also the birthplace of the Malayalam music legend Raveendran. Kulathupuzha is the source of the Kallada river, Thenmala Dam(KIP) is located on this river.

Main Eastern Highway

The Main Eastern Highway is the lifeline of the high range townships of the Travancore region of Kerala state, India. It is also known as Punalur-Muvattupuzha Highway. Main Eastern Highway is categorized as State Highway - 08 of Kerala. It is the second longest State Highway of Kerala covering a distance of 153.6 km. The districts it passes through are Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam.

National Highway 744 (India) National highway in India

National Highway 744 or NH 744 is a National Highway in Southern India that links Kollam (Quilon) in Kerala with Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Starting from NH 66 at Chinnakkada in Kollam, it joins Tirumangalam in Madurai at National Highway 44 (India).

Vilakkupara Village in Kerala, India

Vilakkupara is a village in Punalur Taluk, Kollam District, Kerala State, India. Vilakkupara lies 58 km (36 mi) to the east of Kollam, the District headquarters, and 12 km (7 mi) to the southeast of Punalur on Kollam-Thirumangalam National Highway (N.H-744). It is 72 km (45 mi) north of Thiruvananthapuram, the State Capital. It belongs to the Yeroor Gram panchayat, Punalur Assembly Constituency, and is a part of the Kollam Lok Sabha constituency.

Kollam–Sengottai Chord Line Railway line in southern India

The Kollam–Sengottai railway line is a railway line in South India which connects Kollam Junction in Kerala state and Sengottai in Tamil Nadu. The Quilon–Shencottah railway line was the first railway line in the erstwhile Travancore state and is more than a century old. The Kollam–Sengottai section is part of the Kollam–Chennai metre-gauge rail route commissioned by the British in 1904. The line has been completely converted to broad gauge and is now fully operational from Kollam Junction to Shengottai.

Punalur railway station is the second-largest Railway Station In Kollam District located at Nedumkayam, Punalur on the Kollam–Sengottai branch line. It is the Gateway of Sabarimala. For Sabarimala devotees from Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Telangana and Karnataka, SCT–PUU is the easy way. The temples related to Sabarimala like Achankovil, Aryankavu, and Kulathuppuzha are Located near Punalur. The Kollam–Shencottah railway line is the first railway line in erstwhile Travancore state and is more than a century old.
The Kollam–Sengottai section is part of the Kollam–Chennai metre-gauge rail route commissioned by the British during 1904. The line which was metre gauge has been completely converted into broad gauge and train services started.

Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple

Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple is a Hindu temple located on the banks of Kulathupuzha river, a tributary of Kallada River. It is located in Kulathupuzha in Punalur taluk of Kollam district in the Indian state of Kerala. The presiding deity there is Lord Ayyappa in the form of Balasastha. It is also one among the pancha sastha shrines and one of the 108 Sastha shrines in Kerala. The idol there is believed to be installed by Lord Parashurama, and is made up of eight pieces of stones. The temple is constructed as per Kerala style of Temple Architecture.

Ambanad Hills Hill Station in Kerala, India

Ambanad Hills or Ambanad is a hill station in Punalur Taluk in the eastern part of Kollam district in Kerala, India. This is one among the few tea and orange plantation areas in Kollam district. Ambanad Hills is in Aryankavu panchayath, about 12 km away from Kazhuthurutty.

Pandalam dynasty Early dynasty in Kerala

Pandalam dynasty a royal dynasty emerged from a branch of Pandya kingdom. which existed in Kerala during the Kollam era. They came to Kerala fearing the assault of a ruler. In Kerala they were given land and status by Kaipuzha Thampan of Nilambur Kovilakam a landlord who lived in Amanthur Palace at Kaipuzha from Kottayam Kerala. Today Pandalam is part of Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India.

Achankovil Sree Dharmasastha Temple Hindu temple in India

Achankovil Sastha Temple is a Hindu temple and one of the 108 Sasthalayas, located in Pathanapuram tehsil of Kollam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is also one among the famed Pancha Sastha temples in Kerala, the other four being Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu, Sabarimala and Kanthamala temples. An important river named after the locality, Achankovil river, originates near the temple.

Aryankavu Sastha Temple

Aryankavu Sastha Temple a Hindu temple and one among the 108 Sastha shrines in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, but also borders the neighboring state of Kerala. The idol here is believed to be consecrated by sage Parashurama. It is also one among Pancha Sastha temples in Kerala located in the Pathanapuram tehsil of Kollam district, in the eastern forest ranges.

Palaruvi Express

The Palaruvi Express is a daily Intercity express train which runs between Tirunelveli Junction in Tamil Nadu and Palakkad Junction in Kerala. The train first introduced as a service running between Punalur in Kollam to Palakkad. On 9 July 2018, it was extended up to Tirunelveli Junction.

This is a list of ancient Buddhist sites, relics, traditions and places from the Indian state of Kerala. Even though Kerala does not have any major presence of Buddhists in modern times, many historians recognize a Buddhist heritage that seem to have existed until the 10th century CE along with a widespread Sramana tradition of co-existence between Vedic Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and ancient Dravidian folk religion.

Devarmala is a huge peak in the Western Ghats of Kerala. It stands at an altitude of 1,923m. It is located in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala, right next to the border with Thirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu. It is the last of the peaks located just north of the biogeographically important seven kilometers wide "Schencottah Pass" or "Schencottah Gap" or 'Aryankavu Pass'.

New Aryankavu railway station Railway station in Kerala, India

New Aryankavu is a new railway station opened on Kollam–Sengottai railway line connecting Kollam district in Kerala with Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu, during the year 2018. The station is also known as Palaruvi railway station as the station lies very close to the famous Palaruvi Falls in Kollam district.

References

  1. ↑ "കൊല്ലം ജില്ലയിലെ ഗ്രാമ പഞ്ചായത്തുകളുടെ അടിസ്ഥാന വിവരങ്ങള്‍". dop.lsgkerala.gov.in.
  2. ↑ "The Kerala Official Language (Legislation) Act, 1969" (PDF).
  3. 1 2 "Census of India : Villages with population 5000 & above". Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 8 December 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
  4. ↑ "KIRTADS | MALA PANDARAM" . Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  5. ↑ Pereira, Ignatius (25 December 2013). "Shencottah train in the siding, yawning gap ahead". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  6. ↑ "Punalur burns; this is why it is always so during summer". OnManorama. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  7. ↑ LOCKWOOD, Text and Photographs IAN. "Heritage Hills". Frontline. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  8. ↑ "Kerala". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  9. ↑ V.n, Aswin (28 September 2017). "A ride away from the crowd". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  10. ↑ "Coracle ride, jungle safari, wildlife and more.. Rosemala charms visitors despite Covid restrictions". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  11. ↑ Mathew, Roy. "Kerala snapshot: Residents marooned in a wildlife sanctuary in a terrible summer". Scroll.in. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  12. ↑ "Kerala Forests: Bourdillion Plot". Archived from the original on 26 June 2017.
  13. ↑ Pereira, Ignatius (9 March 2013). "Clove harvest spices up Ambanad". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  14. ↑ Pereira, Ignatius (28 January 2015). "Scent of cloves fills the air in Ambanad". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  15. ↑ "On top of the Ambanad Hills". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  16. ↑ "Welcome to Ambanad Hills, nature lovers' `Mini Munnar'". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  17. ↑ Pereira, Ignatius (18 December 2013). "The mountain trails of a divine legend". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  18. 1 2 3 "Aryankavu Sri Dharmasastha temple - Travancore Devaswom Board". www.sabarimalaaccomodation.com. Archived from the original on 20 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  19. ↑ "5 Temples Part of Sabarimala Pilgrimage Circuit". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.