PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT

PATHANAMTHITTA TOWN – Hub of pilgrim centres in Kerala.

E MALAYALAPUZHA (8km) – Bhagavathy Temple has beautiful wall paintings and artistic

   stone carvings. A very popular pilgrim centre.

  Konni (11km) – Known for its elephant training centre. Reservoir. Agricultural region rich

   in cash crops like rubber, pepper, coffee, ginger, etc. Proposed eco-tourism centre.

  Elavumthitta (12km) – Muloor Smarakam, memorial to Muloor, social reformer & poet.

   Kozhencherry (13 km) – Venue of largest Christian gathering in Asia, known as Maramon

    Convention. Held in February-March each year on the banks of river Pamba at Maramon

   since over 100 years. Addressed by Christian scholars from all over the world.

  Perunthenaruvi (36 km via Vachoochira) – 100 feet high waterfalls on the Pamba river.

R SABARIMALA (72 km) – Most popular pilgrim centre in Kerala. Attracts

15 million pilgrims annually. Famous for Ayyappa Temple situated in a hilly,

wooded region at 914 m ASL. Accessible only by foot from Pamba (4 km).

Mandalapooja & Makara vilakku (Nov – Jan) is the peak pilgrim season.

Nilackal (17 km from Sabarimala) – Has old Shiva temple.

Pandalam (14 km from Chengannur) – Ayyappa, deity of Sabarimala, had his human

sojourn here as son of the Raja of Pandalam. Valiyakoikal temple here was modeled on

the Sabarimala shrine. Pilgrims worship here enroute to Sabarimala. Before Makaravilakku,

ornaments of Ayyappa are taken from Pandalam to Sabarimala.

Aranmula (10 km from Chengannur) – Temple town amid undulating green hillocks.

Parthasarathi Temple on the banks of Pamba river is very popular.

Aranmula snake boat race (Aranmula Vallamkali) is held on the last day of Onam

festival (Aug-Sep). 30 feet snake boats each with 4 helmsmen, 100 rowers & 25 singers.

Vijnana Kalavedi Cultural Centre - Residential courses in Kathakali, Mohiniyattam,

Kalaripayattu, music, wood carving, etc. Foreigners camp to experience Kerala culture.

Aranmula kannadi - Hand made polished metal mirrors make unique souvenirs.

ACHANKOVIL (80 km from Punalur) – Has Dharmasastha temple, believed to have

been founded by Parasurama. The deity holds an ever-bright shield and sword in hand.

Thiruvalla - Sri Vallabha Temple – A large temple in Kerala style. Kathakali performance

is staged here every evening. The name Thiruvalla originates from God Sri Vallabhan.

Paliakara Church Has mural paintings.

Niranam (7 km from Thiruvalla) – Has one of the oldest Christian churches in India,

believed to have been built by the apostle St. Thomas## in 52 A.D. Also the birthplace of a

band of 14th century poets and social reformers popularly known as Niranam Kavikal or

Kannassa Panikkaranmar, who re-rendered many Sanskrit works in Malayalam.

Rock Cut Cave Temple (6 km from Thiruvalla) –Resembles Pallava style. Dated to 8th

century A.D. ‘Sivalinga’ cut out of a rock is enshrined in a square cave.

Mannadi Kavu (13 km from Adoor) – Ancient Bhagavathy temple here has exquisite

stone sculptures. Kerala Institute of Folklore and Folk Arts functions here. Memorial to

Veluthampi Dalawa, renowned freedom fighter of Travancore, who spent his last days

here before he killed himself with his sword.

Charalkunnu – Picturesque hill station, provides panoramic view of nearby valleys.

Manjanikara Church – Mar Ignatius Elias III, the holy patriot of Anthoid while on a visit to

India, died at this place in 1932. This place later developed into a pilgrim centre.