Sasthamkotta / Sasthamcottah

Kollam district in Kerala State has been known to the outside world, by the time-honored proverb, “Once you have seen Kollam you would no more need your illam (home)”. This proverb is truly because of the beauty of the place. The Lord Ayyappa/ Dharmasastha/Sastha is prefixed to Kotta (Fort) and thus the name Sasthamkotta was born. Sasthamkotta, the attractive village situated in Kollam district. It is a beauty spot, a health resort and a centre of pilgrimage. The extensive freshwater lake, DB College, Sasthamcottah, and the Sastha Temple are the major attraction of Sastamcottah.

Location

The Lake is located at a distance of around 30km from Kollam, which is on the left bank of Ashtamudi Lake . from Thiruvanantapuram International Airport, at 103 km, is the nearest airport to Kollam. Karunagappally a distance of 12 km, is the closest town to the lake. A ferry service across the lake transports people between WestKallada Sasthamkotta.

Places of Interest

1. Sasathamcottah Lake “Queen of lakes”- Largest fresh water lake in Kerala

2. Sastha Temple/ Sasathamcottah Temple

3. D.B College, Sasthamkotta

4. Manovikas,Help Mentally Handicapped childrens (Special Schools for Mentally Handicapped http://www.manovikas.com/)

Sasthamkotta Lake “Queen of lakes”- Largest fresh water lake in Kerala

Sasthamkotta lake, also categorized as a wetland, is the largest fresh water lake in Kerala. The lake is named after the ancient Sastha Temple/Ayyappa Temple (a pilgrimage centre) located on its bank. It meets the drinking water needs of half million people of the Kollam district and also provides fishing resources. The purity of the lake water for drinking use is attributed to the presence of large population of larva called cavaborus that consumes bacteria in the lake water. The lake is a designated wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention November 2002.

Water Quality

The Lake water is reported to be free of common salt or other minerals and metals. The quality for surface water, interstitial water and sedimets by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), India are briefly as noted below.

Quality for Surface Water (average values):

Surface water: PH 7.25; EC 63.00 Millimhos/cm; PO4 – P 4.93 Micro gm. / l ; Ca 7.01Micro gm. / l; Na 4.33 Micro gm. / l; Fe 41.57 Micro gm. / l and Mn 12.11 Micro gm. / l.

Interstitial water:PH 7.20; PO4 – P 1.11 Micro gm. / l; Fe 59.1Micro gm. / l and Mn49.00 Micro gm. / l

Sediments:Organic C 8.95 %; PO4 – P 1690.00 Micro gm. / l; Fe 17724.27 Micro gm. / l and Mn 86.36 Micro gm. /l

Water quality test results indicate that the lake water conforms to standards of drinking water prescribed by regulatory bodies.

Hydrology :- There are no visible tributaries feeding the lake but springs at the bottom of the lake are stated to be one of the source which supply water throughout the year; volume of water in the lake is estimated to be of the order of 22.4 million cum. A thick 10–20 m mantle of Kaolinite (derivative of literate) soil around the lake is stated to check flow into the lake and the theory is now that the Lake is also rain fed; the lake water level is recorded to be higher at the end of the monsoon season. The average annual rainfall in the area is 2398 mm and mean annual temperature varies between 26.7⁰ C and 29.16⁰ C. Ground Water table in the area is reported at depth of 3.89 m. After accounting for estimated evaporation loss of 5 Mm³ and water utilized for domestic use of 8 Mm³ (at a pumpage rate of 22 MLD), the two together account for about two-thirds of the inflow.

DB College, Sasthamkotta

Devaswom Board College, Sasthamcotta was established in the year1964 by the honourable Travancore Devaswam Board. This institution is stand for higher education in a rural area of the Kollam district in Kerala.

Contact Details :
D.B College,
Sasthamcotta, Kollam, Kerala
Phone 91476 2830323, 2831323, 2833323. Fax : 91476 2833323
e-mail: principal@dbsasthamcotta.ac.in
Site : http://www.dbsasthamcotta.ac.in/

Dharmasastha Temple

The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and the surroundings of the temple are covered by Sasthamkotta lake. The Dharmasastha here is said to have the same powers as that of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala the place derives the name from the God, the former name being Kota. The temple was built by Pandalam family. The highlight of this temple is the ten-day annual festival. During the festival, the colourful Kettukazhcha ritual procession, along with various folk arts such as Mayilattam, Kaala (Bull Motif), Kuthira (Horse Motif), Ammankudam are performed. The festival concludes with the Arattu ceremony, five caparisoned elephants take part in a procession held at midnight.

Manovikas---Help Mentally Handicapped childrens (Special Schools for Mentally Handicapped--- http://www.manovikas.com/)

Manovikas Special School, Sasthamcotta . Head quarters of Manovikas.
Started in the year 1994 with 15 children in a rented building. Today 132 children are give services in regular classes and another 38 home based individual services. Ten years in not small for a special school. Academics, other teaching activities and extra curricular activities have improved well, making Manovikas one of the best schools in Kerala. We give special attention to every child individually. All our services to the children are totally free. Noon meals are given to all children on all working days and many of our well wishers sponsor food for these children on their special occasions. We give admission to children between the age 3 & 18 and they are divided in to 6 groups, Care Group, Pre - primary, Primary, Secondary, Pre - Vocational & Vocational. Each class consist of 6 to 8 children and they are given services by a trained teacher having Diploma in Mental Retardation with the help of an Asst. teacher….

Today Manovikas is giving service to over 400 children through its 14 centres with the help of 52 trained staff members, without collecting any fees from them. Its CBR programme is one of the best CBR programme for the intelectually disabled, in the state of Kerala.

All donations to ManoVikas are exempted under 80G and 35AC of Income Tax Act 1961. Manovikas is Registered under FCRA Registration No:052930213, to receive Foreign Contibutions.

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Best honeymoon places in Kerala

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