Kerala Tourism - Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta district, located near the Western Ghats and surrounded by hills, has stretches of forests, rivers and rural landscapes. Pathanamthitta is famous for its natural beauty, fairs and festivals. A Tour to Pathanamthitta gives you the wonderful chance to view nature at its very best. The vast stretches of forests, the meandering rivers and the rural topography combine to create an irresistible charm. Pathanamthitta is a small city which is a thickly forested region dotted with mountains and rivers and temples.

Pathanamthitta is geographically a hilly terrain of pristine beauty amidst the various places of tourist interest in Kerala. Being a host to a number of famous fairs and festivals, it is popular as the headquarters of pilgrim worship in Kerala. It is noted for biodiversity, having several plantations and spice farms. The place is nourished by three west flowing rivers too, the Pamba, the Manimala and the Achankovil Rivers, and houses wild life and bird sanctuaries. Sabarimala, one of the most important pilgrimage centres in the world for Hindus, dedicated to Lord Ayyappan falls into this district.








¤ Tourist Attractions of Pathanamthitta

* Sabarimala Sree Dharmasastha Temple
One of the most famous pilgrim centres in India, Sabarimala is situated on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats, at an altitude of 914 m above sea level and is accessible only by foot, from Pamba (4kms). The hold shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India, from different castes, creed, especially from other parts of South India. Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku are the two main events of the pilgrim season, which is from Nov to mid Jan. The Temple remains closed during the rest of the year, except for the first five days of every Malayalam month and during 'Vishu' in April. Sabarimala is surrounded by hazardous hills like Karimala and Neelimala. Men of all ages are allowed inside the temple but women only below 10 years and above 50 years of age are permitted inside.

* Pandalam
Pandalam is perhaps second only to Sabarimala, in sanctity and significance. Lord Ayyappa, the presiding diety of Sabarimala had his human sojourn as the son of Raja of Pandalam. It is believed that the Raja constructed a temple close to his palace on the banks of river Achankoil modeled on the Sbarimala shrine which is the present Valiya Koickal temple. Pilgrims usually wiorship here before proceding to Sabarimala. Three days prior to Makaravilakku, the chest containing Thiruvabharanam (the sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa kept here) is taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala. The nearest railway station is Chengannur.

* Kozhencherry
The religious convention known as the Maramon convention is held annually in February/ March on the river bed at Maramon near Kozhencherry. This is the biggest religious gathering of the Christians in Asia.

* Niranam
The oldest Christian church believed to be built by the Apostle St. Thomas in 52A.D. is situated at Niranam.

* Parumala
Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, a Saint of Malankara Orthodox Church is burried here. This is also a famous Christian pilgrim centre . The orma perunnal (Remembrance Day) is celebrated during November every year. The nearest railway station is Thiruvalla.

* Manjinikkara
The mortal remains of Mar Ignatius Elias 111, the Patriarch of Antioch who died during a visit to India is buried here. the tomb of the patriarch has become a popular pilgrim centre for Christians. It is located 6kms away from Pathanamthitta.

* Malayalappuzha
The Bhagavathi temple here is believed to help people realize their dreams. People bring offering in different forms during the festival. There are also beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone works. It is situated 8kms away from Pathanamthitta.

* Koduman
The chief attraction of this place is Spider temple. It is believed that spider poison is cured by praying at this temple. It is also the birth place of Sree Sakthi Bhadra, author of well known Sanskrit play, Ascharya Chudamani.

* Thiruvalla Srevallabha Temple
This temple is one of the most important pilgrim centre for Vaishnavites all over India. A granite pillar carved out of a single piece with an image of Garuda on its top stands in front of the temple. The pillar which serves as a flag staff is 60ft. in height. Kathakali, the classical dance of Kerala, is performed almost all nights in this temple as offerings by devotees. The temple is situated 3kms away from the railway station.

* Paliakara Church
It is situated in Thiruvalla town, this famous Christian Church has a collection of beautiful mural paintings.

* Kaviyoor
The temple here dedicated to Sree Hanuman Stands on a small hill and has been built in the gable style of architecture peculiar to Kerala. There is another rock-cut temple 2kms away from the kaviyoor temple, which is great archeological importance. The temple has been assigned to the 8th century.A.D. , due to its close resemblances to the Pallava style. It is about 20 feet broad and thwe central shrine is a squire cell with a rock cut Sivalinga. The stone figures engraved in this temple are among the earliest specimens of stone culture. This temple is now preserved as a historical monument by the Archeology department. The nearest railway station is Thiruvalla.

* Pathanamthitta Mosque
the feast of this mosque is known as Chandanakudam is celebrated every year on the 2nd week of February. A colourful procession with comparisoned elephants lends colour and festivity to the occation.

* Mannadi
Veluthambi Dalawa, the gallant freedom fighter of Travancore spent his last days here. There is an ancient Bhagavathi temple here with some stone sculptures. The most important festival of this temple is Ushabali, which falls in February/ March. Kerala Institute of Folklore and Folkarts functions here.

* Kadammanitta
This sleepy little village is famous for the ritual folk art called Padayani which is performed annually in the latter part of April in the Devi temple at Kadammanitta. There is also a collection of sculptures based on poems by the well known poet Ramakrishnan. It is situated 8kms away from Pathanamthitta.

* River Pamba
This is the main halting point on the way to Sabarimala, the famous pilgrim centre. It is also known as 'Thriveni Sangamam', the meeting point of three rivers.

* Perunthenaruvi
The Perunthenaruvi water falls near Pampa attracts thousands of people from inside and outside the district. Here, the water flows down a rocky bed into a ravine 60 to 100 feet deep. This beautiful natural water falls is an ideal place of tourist destination, as people all over the world get fascinated by this water-falls which is only 10 kms from Erumely.

* Cherukolpuzha Convention
Ayiroor Cherukolpuzha religious convention is yet another important annual religious edition on the river - bed of the Pamba. Large number of people attends this well-known Hindu religious convention.

* Chandanakkudam Festival
Thousands of devotees solemnly attend this festival of the Jama - Al Mosque at Pathanamthitta. The event is held in February every year. The Kattur Mosque in Cherukos and the Kalamala Mosque near Adoor also have some corresponding celebrations alongwith this festival.

* Charalkunnu Hill station
The picturesque hill station offers a panoramic view of the nearby valleys. A camp house on the hill provides comfortable lodging.

* Uthrittathi Boat Race
The auspicious day, Uthrittathi, which comes after every Thiruvonam in August - September is the day on which the Uthrittathi Boat Race on the River Pamba near the Partha Sarathy Temple at Aranmula is organized. It has grown into a mega annual tourist event as well these years in addition to being a prominent cultural fiesta. The boat race is the commemoration of the crossing of River Pamba by the Lord Partha Sarathy. The reputed snake boats in Kerala take part in this colourful ritualistic event which really is a beauty to watch.

* Konni Elephant Cage
Konni is the gateway to the forest bordering the district. In the past , wild elephants caught from the forests were brought here and put in wooden cages known as Anakoodu to be tamed and trained for work. Plans are a foot to develop a safari park here. It is situated 11kma away from Pathanamthitta.

* Muloor Smarakam
The memorial to Muloor, a renowned reformer and poet, is located at Elavumthitta.

* Omallur
The Rakthakanta Swamy Temple and the annual cattle fair held in the Malayalam month of 'Meenam' are the main attractions of Omallur. People from all around Kerala and also many other states participate in the fair.

* Kakki Reservoir
Set in sylvan background, Kakki reservoir is a tourists delight. The splendid artificial lake offers exilarating boating experience. The surrounding forest abound with tigers , elephants, deers and monkeys.

* Aranmula
Aranmula is situated on the banks of the rinver Pamba, 10kms away from Chengannoor on the Thiruvananthapuram -Kottayam route. The Krishna temple here attracts a number of devotees and is an important pilgrim centre. The annual commemmoration of the the installation of the diety, Parthasarathy falls on the last day of the weak long celebrations to the Onam festival. A Snake Boat Race is held here as part of the festival during Augest/ September.

* Aranmula Boat Race
The stretch of river Pamba at aranmula is the venue of the famous snake boat race. It is more a pageantry than a race. The snake boat is of an exrtra ordinary shape with a length of about 100ft. The rear portion towering to a height of about 20ft. and the front portion tapering gradually. The boat resembles a snake with its hood raised. the race is held on the last day of the week long Onam festival to commemorate the crossing of the river by Lord Krishna. The participants cheerfully row up and down the river to the tune of songs known as Vanchippattu.

* Aranmula Mirror
Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirror. It is not made of glass but with bellmetal. This is a unique art which is not found any where else in the world. It is believed that a divine visitation inspired a widow of this village to discover a mysrterious blend of bronze which could be waxed bring into crystal clear mirror. The technique of production of this mirror is a closely guarded secret handed over from generation to, generation of craftsmen.

* Vijana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre
Vijnana Kalavedi at Aranmula imparts training in the traditional arts and crafts of Kerala. Kathakali, classical dances , classical music as well as Kalaripayattu (the martial arts of Kerala) are taught here. The centre is frequently visited by a number of foreign tourists who can stay here for varying periods and have a first hand knowledge about Kerala culture. Louba Schild, a French scholar under the Indo-French Cultural Exchange Programme, who started this centre with UNESCO support, founded this famous cultural centre.