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THE
GREAT PILGRIMAGE
Situated near the Western Ghats and bordered by the hills, Pathanamthitta
district is a treat to eyes with its vast unending stretches of forests,
rivers and rural landscapes. Blessed by nature, the district is famous for
its scenic beauty, fairs and festivals.
Pathanamthiita is a true tropical diversity adorned with fertile
agricultural land, plantations and forest, Paddy, tapioca, varieties of
vegetables and spices like cardamom, pepper etc. are extensively
cultivated. The district also abounds in extensive rubber plantations.
FESTIVALS
Chandanakudam Festival: The Chandanakudam Festival of the
Patthanamthitta Muslim Jamaat Mosque held in February, every year attracts
thousands of devotees. The Chandanakudam festival of Kattoor Mosque in
Cherukole Panchayath and Kalamala Mosque near Adoor are also famous.
HILLSTATIONS
Charalkunnu: Charalkunnu is a picturesque hill station from where
one can have a panoramic view of the low-lying areas including that of the
sinuous river, Pumpa. There is a comfortable camp house, which has both
rooms and dormitories.
FORTS & PALACES
Krishna Puram
Palace: 47 kms, at Kanya Kulam, on the way to
Kollam, the double storeyed palace contains
one of the largest Mural panels in Kerala. more...
CITIES
Aranmula:
On the Pamba river, 10 kms from Chenganur on the
Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam
route, the Krishna Temple is
an important pilgrim centre. The annual commemoration of the installation
of the deity falls on the last day of the Onam festival. It is as part of
this celebration that the
Aranmula Boat Race
is held on this day. more...
Kadammanitta:
Kadammanitta, a village only 8 kms away from Pathanamthitta is famous
Padayani, which is an
important ritual art performed in the premises of the Kadammanitta Devi
Temple. This art from is an offering for the mother goddess. it is
celebrated every year from the first day of Medam according to the
Malayalam era to the 10th day (Pathmudayam). more...
CHURCHES
Kalloppara: St.Mary's Church at Kalloopra stands in close
proximity to the Bhagavathi temple, which is an admirable example of
communal harmony. There are two granite slabs inside the church with some
inscriptions in Pali language.
TEMPLES
Kaviyoor: The Kaviyoor Mahadeva temple, which was constructed in
the early years of the 10th century, is one of the oldest of the Mahadeva
temples in Kerala. References are there in the Kaviyoor Shasanas of 950
A.D. about the gifts that were offered to this temple. But it is believed
that the 'Darusilpas' seen around the temple belong to the 17th century.
Thekekudi
Cave Temple in Kaviyoor Panchayat is one of the rare cave temples of Kara.
It is assumed that this temple is constructed in the Pallava architectural
style and was built in the 8th century. Apart from Ganapathi, Maharshi and
Dwarapalaka idols in the Sreekovil, which are inside the cave, there is
also a Sivalinga, which is about three feet in height.
Omallur: The Rakhtakanta Swamy Temple and the annual cattle fair
held in the Malayalam month of 'meenam' are the main attractions of
Omallur. People from both within and outside participate in the fair.
OTHERS
Sabarimala: The
famous pilgrim centre is 191 kms away north of
Thiruvananthapuram and 210 kms
from Kochi. The Lord Ayappa Temple is 914
kms above the level amidst forests in the rugged terrain of the Western
Ghats. Perhaps the best-known pilgrimage destination in Kerala,
Sabarimala is high up in
the Sahyadri Mountains.
The holy shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa Dharma Sastha, is thronged by
thousands of pilgrims from all over, especially from other parts of South
India. The main pilgrimage season is from November to January.
The
shrine is located 914 m above sea level amidst dense forests. Vehicular
traffic cannot go beyond Pamba and the last five kms to the shrine can be
reached only by trekking. Note that tourists and foreigners, as well as
women between the approximate ages of puberty and menopause, are not
allowed entry. more...
Neendakara: 8 kms north of Kollam
on the Kollam-Alappuzha
route, it is a major fishing harbour and the headquarters of the
Indo-Norwegian Fisheries Project set up inn 1953 AD. This collaborative
venture pioneered modern fishing methods in Kerala.
Cherukolpuzha: An important religious convention of the Hindus is
held at Cherukole on the riverbed of Pampa usually in February every year.
Kakki: Kakki reservoir, set in sylvan background, is a 'tourists'
delight. The splendid artificial lake offers exhilarating boating
experience. The surrounding forest abounds in tigers, elephants, deers and
monkey.
TEMPLES
Kodumon Chilanthiyambalam: Chilanthiyambalam is situated in
Kodumon panchayat about 15 kms. from Pathanmathitta town. It is believed
that this temple was built during the reign of the last king of the
Sakthibhadra Kingdom.
The idol of Mahalakshmi in this temple is worshipped by all people,
irrespective of caste and creed. The water of the Chilaanthikinar in the
premises of the temple is regarded as panacea for skin diseases.
Thiruvalla Temple
Thiruvalla temple is one of the largest temples of Kerala and a fine
specimen of its traditional style of temple architecture. The temple has
many shrines though it is mainly dedicated to Lord Vishnu. more...
CITIES
Konni: Konni is an important junction in
Kottayam-Punalur route. It is about 11
kms. from the district headquarters. It is an important centre for cash
crops like rubber, pepper, coffee and ginger, which forms the backbone of
the agricultural economy of the state.
Till recently it had importance as a place of training elephants. But
elephant hatching by crude old method being forbidden by the central
government, no wild elephant are brought here for training. But the big
wooden cages used to put newly coughed wild elephant for training are
still an attraction for people from far and near. 
Malayalappuzha: The Bhagavathy temple here is believed to help
people realise their dreams. People bring offerings in different forms
during the festival. There are also beautiful wall paintings and artistic
stone works.
Thenmala: Nearly 66 kms east of Kollam,
it's a scenic spot at the intersection of the Kollam-Shencotta
and Thiruvananthapuram-Shencotta
roads. A number of rubber and tea plantations lend a touch of civilization
to the otherwise virgin landscape. Large consignments of timber are
exported from Thenmala. The dam site here is an added tourist attraction.
CHURCHES
Niranam: 7 kms from Thiruvalla. It is famous for the church,
believed to be among 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: The holly Patriarch of Anthioch, while on his visit
to India, died at this place in 1932. His mortal remains are kept in this
church. Later this place was developed into a place of pilgrimage, Even
today, pilgrims, Indians as well as foreigners, visit this place
frequently. The important festival is in February every year when devotees
flock in thousands.
MONUMENTS
Mannadi: Veluthampi
Dalawa, the great patriot, fought, against British imperialism and became
a martyr on March 29, 1809 at Mannadi. The monument of his martyrdom at
Mannadi in Adoor Taluk is of
great historical importance. more...
Air: The nearest airport is at Cochin, 152 km away.
Rail: Rail link at Tiruvalla, 30 kms. away.
Road: Pathanamthitta is linked by motorable roads to other towns
in Kerala.
Pathanamthitta is an important pilgrimage centre so its not difficult to find some resonable accommodations. There are some good mid-range hotels also available in this religious centre.
Anandapalli
Maramadi
Kadammanitta
Patayani
Maramom Festival
Sabarimala Festival
Chenganur (26 km)
Kottayam (61 km)
Alappuzha
(Alleppey) (74 km)
Thiruvananthapuram (104 km)
District Area: 2731sq.km.
District Population: 1,186,628.
Temperature:
Mean Max: 37.0 deg.C
Mean Min: 22.0 deg.C
Climate: Tropical Monsoons.
Clothing: Tropical Cottons.
Altitude: 500-1000 mt. above sea level.