70 km from Kollam, Ariyankavu is the gateway of the Tamilnadu. There are five tunnels dug through the mountains for the Southern Railway in this area. The Ariyankavu tunnel (2.5 km) constructed 1904 is the largest. The Sastha temple here is the most important among the Sastha temples.
The Hindu pilgrim centre is 70 km east of Kollam and known for the Sastha temple. The shrine attracts thousands of devotees during the Mandalpooja and Thrikkalyanam festivals held in the month of December. The town was on the important trade route for the merchants from either sides of Western Ghats. It gained importance after the beginning of Thirunelveli - Kollam Railway in 1904 along the traditional trade route.
Palaruvi waterfalls
Palaruvi which means stream of milk makes its way down the rocks, from a height of 300 feet. The Palaruvi woods is a beautiful picnic spot. Palaruvi waterfalls is 75 km away from Kollam on the Kollam-Shenkottai road near Aryankavu. There are frequent buses from Kollam to Aryankavu.
