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History – Sasthamcotta

This small town, located on the banks of Sasthamkotta Freshwater Lake, is mainly famous for the Dharmasastha temple here. The name Sasthankotta is linked to this temple. The Sastha of Dharmasastha is prefixed to Kotta (Fort) and thus the name Sasthamkotta was born. This temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is corrugated metal sheet roofed. The monkeys camping around the temple are considered the guest of the deity. Instead of tile roofs found generally in Kerala temples, here the roof is made of corrugated metal sheet so that the roof does not get damaged when the primates batter as most of the time they are on temple roof. The devotees have a belief that they should step on the droppings of the monkeys. The belief is stemmed from the fact the monkeys were very dear to the Lord Ayyappa when he was a boy. The steps leading down from the temple is straight to the Freshwater Lake. This Lake is the source of drinking water for the entire district.

This region represents a way of life a visitor might not have seen anywhere else. Hire a small boat (vallam in local terminology) costing Rs 100-200 (depending upon the visitor’s bargain skill) and cruise past small houses on the banks of the backwaters. For the inhabitors these are their homes but to the visitors they are heaven. The day ends with a thought in the minds of the visitor – what a world around to experience.

The time spent in the boats is an exciting experience to the visitors, but for the people dwelling here the boats are everything – the means of livelihood, means of transport between home, work, school, market, shrines and on on. A small vallam (boat) is a four or six-seater and other passengers have to stand. A visitor cruising in a vallom discovers Kerala and her people. No guides or cooked up brochures are necessary for this.

Sasthamkotta Sastha Temple

Sasthamkotta Sastha Temple 11 kms west of Adoor, 10 kms from Karunagappally. On the side sasthamkotta lake. Mandala Pooja is very important. 10 days festival in Kumbhom (Uthram – Aaratu). Hundreds of monkeys are living in the premises of this temple and the Vellanivedyam of the temple distributed to them is considered devine.

Sasthamkotta temple – Lords by the lake

What makes this lesser known temple, a must add in your itinerary is its location – situated next to a vast fresh water lake flanked by hills on three sides, the setting is simply divine! The ancient Sastha (Ayyappa, son of Shiva and Mohini [Vishnu in female form], according to legends) temple, which lends its name to the town, is also dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The temple, though at the edge of forests and has hills on its side is also next to a small town that has developed next to it.

Another striking feature of the temple are the hundreds of monkeys that inhabit the surroundings, believed to be the faithful entourage of the ruling deity, the Dharmasastha. The monkeys are devotee-friendly, and the thousands of devotees visiting the temple take pleasure in feeding these monkeys with nuts and fruits.

Sasthamkotta Lake

Overview
The Sasthamkotta lake the largest freshwater lake in Kerala is surrounded by hills on all sides except south where a bund has been constructed separating the lake from the neighbouring rice fields. A large part of the lake has been reclaimed for agriculture. The source of water is from the underground sprouts. The lake has a capacity to hold 22390 million litres of water and serves as the source of drinking water for half a million people of Kollam district. The lake has been designated as a Ramsar Site in November 2002 Justification for Designation as Ramsar Site It is the largest fresh water lake in Kerala, the water in the lake is special in that it does not contain common salt or other minerals and metals. Supports 27 species of freshwater fish including pearl spot and cat fish and two genera of prawns. The lake abounds in 21 species of herring and sardines of the family Cupeidae. Social & Cultural Values The lake provides drinking water to the people in its environs. A large part has been reclaimed for agriculture. The lake is used for fishing. The surrounding areas are under cultivation and utilized for cattle grazing. Fisheries production, water supply to Kollam municipality and suburbs are other uses. The ancient Sastha temple, which lends its name to the town is an important pilgrim centre. Threats Filling up of parts of lake for cultivation Agricultural and domestic wastes from surrounding areas entering the lake Reclamation of the land for agriculture along the banks and adjacent areas causing soil erosion Domestic sewage disposal Conservation Measures Sasthamkotta Lake has been listed by the Government of India as a wetland of National Importance. While no plan of action for its conservation had been made earlier, a Management Action Plan has recently been proposed to the MoEF. The forest department has planted trees to prevent soil erosion at some places along the embankments. Efforts have been made to control cultivation along the banks of the lake. It is proposed to make a provision for supply of the free water and toilet facilities so that lake is not used by the residents for these purposes.

Justification for Designation as Ramsar Site
It is the largest fresh water lake in Kerala, the water in the lake is special in that it does not contain common salt or other minerals and metals.
Supports 27 species of freshwater fish including pearl spot and cat fish and two genera of prawns. The lake abounds in 21 species of herring and sardines of the family Cupeidae.

Biodiversity Values

Flora
The Insectivorous plant Drosera Sp. is found on the eastern shore of the lake. Vegetation is very scant, floating and rooted plants are negligible. Cashewnut, paddy, tapioca and plantain are grown on and along the banks of the lake. Phytoplankton is scarce and primary productivity is low.

Fauna
Wetland supports 27 species of freshwater fishes and two genera of prawns. The lake abounds in 21 species of herrings and sardines of the family Cupeidae alone. The most common fish in the lake is Callichrous bimaculatus and Wallago attu. The fish is so called because most of them are provided with whisker like barbels arranged round the mouth. Bonnet monkeys frequent the banks. Notable migratory birds are teals.

Social & Cultural Values
The lake provides drinking water to the people in its environs. A large part has been reclaimed for agriculture. The lake is used for fishing. The surrounding areas are under cultivation and utilized for cattle grazing. Fisheries production, water supply to Kollam municipality and suburbs are other uses. The ancient Sastha temple, which lends its name to the town is an important pilgrim centre.

Threats
Filling up of parts of lake for cultivation
Agricultural and domestic wastes from surrounding areas entering the lake
Reclamation of the land for agriculture along the banks and adjacent areas causing soil erosion
Domestic sewage disposal

Conservation Measures
Sasthamkotta Lake has been listed by the Government of India as a wetland of National Importance. While no plan of action for its conservation had been made earlier, a Management Action Plan has recently been proposed to the MoEF. The forest department has planted trees to prevent soil erosion at some places along the embankments. Efforts have been made to control cultivation along the banks of the lake. It is proposed to make a provision for supply of the free water and toilet facilities so that lake is not used by the residents for these purposes.

Location

Sasthamkotta is a serene village and is known for the fresh water lake located here. The lake surrounded by hills on three sides is the largest of its kind in the state. An ancient Sastha Temple in the village is a famous pilgrim centre.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Kollam, about 29 km. (Sasthamcotta rly stn 4KM)
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 71 kms from Kollam.

There are frequent bus services from Kollam.

Places to Stay
Accommodation is available at the PWD Rest House.

Sasthamkotta known as the ‘queen of lakes’ has the fresh Water Lake spreading over the area. It is situated 29 kms away from Kollam.

An ancient Sastha Temple on its shores, with resident tribes of monkeys, adds sanctity to the waters.

Covering an area of approximately 375 hectares, Shasthamcotta Lake does not get frozen in winter and fresh water is available 365 days a year. This large lake is totally devoid of any flora and there is no plant growth in the waters of the lake.

A larva called “Cavaborus” abounds in the lake. They eat up the viruses and bacteria in the water thus contributing substantially to the high degree of purity of the water.

Shasthamcotta Lake supplies drinking water to approximately 10 million people including the population of the Municipality of Kollam. This project was undertaken and completed by Indo-Norwegian consortium.

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