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Kerala Must See

Pathanamthitta

A hilly terrain of pristine beauty is popular as the headquarters of piligrim worship in Kerala. More than fifty percent of the total area of this land of temples, rivers, mountain ranges and coconut groves is covered with forests. The district is frequented by visitors from India & abroad often for its water fiestas, religious shrines and the cultural training centre.

Pathanamthitta is bordered by the WesternGhats on the East, Kollam district on the South , Alappuzha district on the West and Kottayam and Idukki districts on the North.

Situated near the western ghats and bordered by the hills Pathanamthitta district is a treat to eyes with it's vast unending streches of forest,rivers and rural lanscapes.Blessed by nature the district is famous for it's senic beauty, fairs and festivals.Pathanamthitta is a true tropical diversity adorned with fertile agricultural land plantation and forest. Paddy, Tapioca varieties of vegetable and spice like Cardamon, Pepper etc are extensively cultivated. The district also abounds in extensive rubber plantations.It is presumed that the regions presently under the district were formely under the Pandalam reign which had connection with Pandya Kingdom.

Pathanamthitta now includes portions of the erstwhile Kollam, Alappuzha and Iddukki Districts. Pathananthitta, Adoor, Ranni, Konni and kozhencherry are some important places taken from Kollam District whereas Thiruvalla and mallapally are the major places taken from Alapuzha District. Pathanamthitta is a combination of the words Pathanam and thitta which mean an array of houses on the river side.This district was formed on 1st November 1982 in the interest of hastening process of development.The total area of the district is 2642 sq.kms of this 1390.73 sq.kms come under forest.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN AND AROUND PATHANAMTHITTA

» Pathanamthitta
The youngest district in the state of Kerala nestles its head on the slopes of western ghats and stretches to the low-lying rice fields bordering Alappuzha district.It is nourished by three west flowing rivers -Pamba, Manimala , and Achankovil. It abounds with natural splendours - undulating hills, dark mysterious forests, exotic wildlife and enchanting valleys.

» Sabarimala Sree Dharmasastha Temple
A well known pilgrim centre of Kerala, Sabarimala lies 191 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram and 210 kms away from cochin.The holy shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is situated 914 metres above sea level amidst dense forests in the rugged terrains of the western ghats. Lord Ayyappa is looked upon as the guardian of mountains and there are several shrines dedicated to Him all along the Western ghats. The festivals here are the Mandala Pooja ,Makara Vilakku(December/January) and Vishu Vilakku(April) .The temple is also open for pooja on the first 5 days of every Malayalam month.
The nearest railway station is at Thiruvalla (102 Km)

» 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 Raja constructed a temple close to his palace on the banks of river Achankovil modelled on the Sabarimala shrine which is the present Valiya Koickal temple.Piligrims usually worship here before proceeding to Sabarimala. Three days prior to Makravilakku , the chest containing Thiruvabharanam (The sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa kept here) are taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala.

» Kozhancherry
Kozhencherry is situated 13 Kms away from Pathanamthitta on the banks of the river Pampa.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 A.D.52, is situated at Niranam.

» Parumala
Mar Gregorious Metropolitan , a saint of Malankara Orthodox Church is burried here. This is also a famous christian pilgrim centre. the Orma Perunnal (Rememberance day) is celebrated during November every year.

» Thiruvalla Sreevallabha Temple
This temple is one of the most important pilgrim 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 60 ft. in height. Kathakali, the classical dance of Kerala, is performed all nights in this temple as offerings by devotees. The temple is situated 3 kms away from the railway station.

» Paliakara Church
Situated in Thiruvalla town, this famous christian church has a collection of beautiful Mural paintings.

» Kaviyoor
Kaviyoor is situated 13 Kms 5 kms. east of Thiruvalla on the banks of the river manimala. 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 2 kms. away from the Kaviyoor temple, which is of 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 the central shrine is a square cell with a rock cut Sivalinga. The stone figures engraved in this temple are among the earliest specimens of stone culture.

» Aranmula
Aranmula is situated on the banks of the river Pampa, 10 kms. away from Chengannoor on Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam route .The Krishna temple here attracts a number of devotees and is an important pilgrim centre. The annual commemoration of the installation of the diety-Parthasarathy falls on the last day of the week-long celebrations to the Onam festival. A snake boat race is held here as part of the festival during August/ Spetember.

The Stretch of riverpamba at Aranmula is the venue of the famous snake boat race. It si more a pageantry than a race. The snake boat is of an extra ordinary shape with a lenth of about 100ft. The rear portion towering to a height of about 20 ft. 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.

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