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Sasthamcotta www.sasthamcottatemple.com

Sasthamcotta - the land of Shri Dharma Sastha is a picturesque village enriched by the view of the largest fresh water lake of Kerala. The irregular boundaries of the lake are shaped by a number of green hillocks. The heart of Sasthamcotta town is centered around the Shri Dharma Sastha temple which is located on a piece of land surrounded by the lake on three sides. From times unknown, this area has been a haven to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Ayurvedic scholars doted on this place for rare species of florae used for Ayurvedic treatments as well as for the preparation of medicines. A rare species of fish, locally called ‘Etta’ (believed to be a divine retinue of Sree Dharma Sastha) found in the lake, as well as many other species of reptiles and birds add value to the natural environment. The Sasthamcotta market is another place that deserves special mention. Business flourished here even during the times of the colonial rule. Sasthamcotta is the land of splendid natural beauty as well as eternal values. The Second World Parliament of Religions (1971) was hosted at this place. Excavations and scientific studies support the belief that this is a land of divinity on account of the ‘thapas’of many ascetics, saints and yogis. Sasthamcotta is also known for the Devaswom Board College affiliated to the University of Kerala and managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board. It is situated close to the temple on the banks of the Sasthamcotta Lake.

Sasthamcotta Shri Dharma Sastha temple

Sasthamcotta temple is one of the five ancient Sastha temples in Kerala-- AchanKoil, Aryankavu, Kulathupuzha, Sasthamcotta and Sabarimala. The concept of Dharma Sastha represents the unison of Vaishnava and Saiva beliefs. The presiding deity of the temple is Shri Dharma Sastha, accompanied by his consort ‘Prabha’ and son ‘Sathyaka’. The legend of this temple stretches beyond the period of the Ramayana (Thretha Yug). It is believed that Shri Rama along with his wife Sita, brother Lakshmana and the whole vaanara sena, on their way back to Ayodhya after the victory over Ravana, stopped at Sasthamcotta to pay their reverence to Shri Dharma Sastha. Shri Rama offered ‘pithru tharpan’ on the banks of the Sasthamcotta Lake, the water of which is supposed to be identical to ‘Surya Raga Theertha’ of Manasa Sarovar. Lord Rama then deputed the chief architect of his vanara (monkey) team, ‘Neelan’ to serve his host. Neelan is believed to be the predecessor of the prevailing monkey clan in this temple. www.sasthamcottatemple.com