Kerala Pilgrim Centres - Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta, the newly formed district was carved out of Idukki, Alappuzha and Kollam districts in 1982. Pathanamthitta district, is also known for its exuberant fairs and festivals. The district is considered to be industrially backward. Some traditional industries ofthe district have been thriving in the district since early times. Pathanamthitta district is rightly recognised as the `headquarters of pilgrimage tourism'.

¤ Pilgrim centres in Pathanamthitta

* Aranmula
The Parthasarathi Temple, dedicated to Sree Krishna, on the banks of the holy River Pamba, attractions large crowds of devotees. The famous Aranmula snake boat race is held on the last day of the weeklong Onam festival. The 'Vijinana Kalavedi" at Aranmula imparts training in the traditional arts like 'Kathakali', classical dances, classical music as well as 'Kalaripayattu'. Foreign tourists stay here for long periods to get a first hand knowledge of the culture of Kerala. The Parthasarathi Temple here also has fine murals from the 18th century. Aranmula is also very famous for its hand made mirrors of polished metal called ' Aranmula Kannadi', which is a unique craft and not found anywhere else in the world.

* Cherukolpuzha Convention Place
An important religious convention of the Hindus is held at Cherukole on the banks of River Pamba, usually in Feb every year.

* Kadamanitta Devi Temple
The Kadamanitta Devi Temple is famous for the ten long 'Padayani' performances held in connection with the annual festival in April - May.

* Kaviyoor Temple
5kms east of Thiruvalla, situated on the banks of the River Manimala, Kaviyoor is famous for its temples. The Kaviyoor Temple and the rock cut temple nearby are of great archaeological importance. The Hanuman Temple stands on a small hillock and is built in the gable style architecture. The stone figures here are considered to be the earliest specimen of stone sculpture in Kerala.

* Kodumao Chilanthiyambalam
The water of the 'Chilanthikinar' well in the premises of this temple is believed to cure skin diseases. This water is considered as Miraculous Water.

* Kozhencherry
Situated on the banks of the River Pamba, Kozhencherry is well known for the religious Maramon Convention held annually in Feb-March, which is the biggest gathering of Christians in Asia. People of all communities attend it, as religious thinkers and Christian scholars from across the world address the convention.

* Malayapuzha
8 km from Pathanamthitta, the goddess at the Bhagavathy temple here, is believed to grant boons to devotees and help them realise their dreams. The Temples has beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone carvings.

* Manjanikara Church
Mar Ignatius Elias III, the hold patriot of Anthiod, while on a visit to India, died at this place in 1932. His mortal remains are preserved at this church, as later this place developed into a pilgrim centre. The annual festival, Ormaperunnal is held in February.

* Nilackal (Place of Worship)
The old Shiva Temple on the Pamba Pathanamthitta road is an important place of worship. The estate of the Farming Corporation and Ecumenical Centre of the Christians are located here.

* Niranam
7 kms from Thiruvalla at Niranam is famous on account of St. Mary's Orthodox Old Christian Church, believed to have been founded by Apostle St. Thomas in 52 A.D., one of the seven and a half churches originally established by St. Thomas in Kerala. This church displays a marked influence of ancient temple architecture. Niranam is also famous as the birth place of a band of 14th century poets known as the Niranam Kavikal or Kannassa Panikkaranmar. They were renowned for their many translations from Sanskrit to Malayalam, the most illustrious being 'Kannassaramayanam', a translation of the epic Ramayana.

* Manjinikkara Church
Manjinikkara church derives its importance from the holy tomb of late Marlgnatius Elias III, the Holy Patriarch of Antioch. Members of the Jacobite Syrian Church believe that the Holy Father was a Saint. The Church has now become one of the foremost places of pilgrimage. A large number of pilgrims visit the church to receive spiritual and physical healing.

* Pandalam
14 kms from Chengannur railway station, Pandalam, as a holy town is perhaps second to Sabrimala. Sree Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala had his human sojourn here, as the son of Raja of Pandalam. The Valiyakoikal Temple near the palace, on the banks of River Achenkovil has been modeled on the Sabarimala Shrine. Pilgrims usually stop here to worship, before proceeding to Sabarimala. Three days prior to the Makaravilaku festival, the sacred ornaments of Sree Ayyappa are taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala.

* Parumala (festival)
10 kms from Thiruvalla, the Ormaperunal (commemoration day) of Mar Gregorious Metropolitan, the declared saint of Malankara Orthodox Church, is celebrated on the first and second of November.

* Sabarimala
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.

* Thiruvalla
This is the headquarters of the Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church. The Paliakara Church here has some exquisite mural paintings. The SreeVallabha Temple in Thiruvalla is perhaps the only one in Kerala, where Kathakali is performed as a ritual offering everyday.