Malikapurathamma Temple

Malikapurathamma Temple
Malikappurathamma Devi temple alias Malikapuram Temple is situated on a small hill just 100 meters away from Sabarimala. According to legend, Malikapuram temple is the place where the demon Mahishi rests in eternal wait. The temple complex houses the shrines of the Devi and Kaduthaswamy and also the the shrines of the snake god, Nagaraja and goddess, Nagayakshi. Here coconuts are offered only after rolling them on the ground. On the way to the temple, there is a temple tank called as Bhasma Kulam where the devotees can take a holy bath in memory of the tapaswini Sabari, who had committed her mortal life by entering the fire. After this incident the hill was named Sabarimala.

Achankovil Dharmasastha Temple

Achankovil Dharmasastha Temple
Achencoil alias Achankovil is an important pilgrim centre in Pathanamthitta district located 40kms from Nilambur. Believed to be consecrated by Lord Parasurama, the Dharmasastha temple here, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa attracts pilgrims from Kerala and Tamilnadu through out the year specially during the Sabarimala season. This ancient temple is located amidst dense forests of Kandamala, where the God is said to have given 'Darshan' to a worshipper who entered into a long term penance. Here the idol of the main deity, Ayyappa is called Rudraksha Shila. The two important festivals of this temple are Mandala Pooja (December-January) and the festival held at 'Ravathi' (January-February).

The temple is also famous for snake bite treatment. The sandal paste in the hands of the idol of Dharma Sasta is believed to have miraculous cure for snake toxin. Apart from applying this paste on the bitten area, the victims are offered the water from the temple well by the chief priest. The famous Achankovil river flows by this temple