MEENACHIL SASTHAVU

Prathishta / Presiding Deity : Lord Ayyappa
Upadevatha / Sub Deities : xx
District: Kottayam
Thaluk: xx
Panchayath: xx
Thanthri: xx
Trustee: Thiruvithamkoor Devaswam Board


The presiding deity in this temple is Lord Ayyappa. This temple is situated near a pond named 'Kumbani'. The rulers of Meenachil were known as 'Meenachil Karthas'. Lord Ayyappa in this temple is the dearest deity of 'Meenachil karthas'. The deity is facing to east side.

There were two palaces of Meenachil Karthas in that place which are named as 'Kumbani Madom' and 'Kochu Madom'. Goddess 'Madhura Meenakshi' was the deity ,they worship from ancient times like the 'Poonjar' kingdom. The name 'Meenachil' is acquired from the word 'Meenakshi'.

There is a story about the formation of 'Meenachil' temple. Many years ago, one portion of 'Pandya' kingdom came to kerala and lived there . This 'Karthas' were the protectors of them. When the 'Pandyas' were attacked by some robbers , then one young sage helped them and saved them from the robbers. Its believed that the young sage was Lord Ayyappa. When the Pandya king reached 'Poonjar', he built an Ayyappa temple there and the 'Meenachil Karthas' built another temple at 'Meenachil'.

The temple is known as 'Anamodikkavu'. This name is closely related to 'Elephant'. Its because Lord Ayyappa saved the king by boarding onto an elephant.