Achenkovil

A small river in Kerala, India, which is towards the southern tip of the peninsula. Achenkovil is also the name of the forest area, which is the catchment area for this river. It is also the name of the town situated in the Achenkovil forest area.

How to reach there

Achenkovil town is not easily accessible from all major towns of Kerala. However It can be reached through some forest routes.

* from Thiruvananthapuram - Take MC road from Thiruvananthapuram to Ayoor. Then take right route to Anchal. Then take deviation to Punalur. Now follow Alimukku-karavoor-Mullumala- Achenkovil forest road. Total distance is 117 km.

* from Tenkasi- 30 km via chenkottah

* from Sabarimala - 109 km via Vadaserikara, Konni (India), Kalleli

* from kollam- 87 km via Kottarakkara, Pathanapuram/Punalur

Most of these forest routes are seasonal.

Near by places

* Punalur - 42 km
* Konni (India) - 36 km
* Pathanapuram - 45 km
* Tenkasi - 30 km

Places of Interest

Achenkovil Sastha temple is situated here. The temple is dedicated to Ayyappa swamy. It is one of the major temples in the primitive forest route to Sabarimala. Here yearly festival is famous.

This place is also popular as a natural picnic spot among the locals. The forest route to the town presents lot of biodiversity including wild animals and birds like elephants, forest fowls, boars, deers etc.

developments

It is one of the poorly developed areas of kerala. Recently there has been a plan to convert the seasonal forest routes to Konni and Tenkasi to PWD road. The proposed route connects Konni and Tenkasi with a total distance of about 66 kilometres. This route reduces the distance from Tenkasi to Pathanamthitta and Sabarimala by about 21 kilometres. Most of the parts of the town are yet to be electrified.