Sastha Temples 3
Aryankavu Sastha Temple a Hindu temple and one among the 108 Sastha shrines in the Indian state of Kerala, but also borders the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu. The idol here is believed to be consecrated by sage Parashurama. It is also one among Pancha Sastha temples in Kerala located in the Punalur tehsil of Kollam district, in the eastern forest ranges.
The pratishta here is quite different from that of Achankovil, Kulthupuzha and Sabarimala temples. Sastha is depicted as a young boy sitting on an elephant with right leg hanging and left leg being in a folded position, along with his consort Shri Pushkaladevi[2] on the left side and Lord Shiva on the right.
As in Sabarimala, the temple too have 18 steps. The temple built in the traditional architectural styles of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu preserves several murals of Hindu deities. Another feature of the temple is that it is built 35 feet below the road level. The Poojas and rituals conducted in the temple is very much similar to the Shastha Temples .