Kerala - Tourism - Pathanamthitta @ whatisindia.com

PATHANAMTHITTA
Pathanamthitta, situated near the western ghats, has a hilly terrain and can be called the head quarters of pilgrimage tourism in Kerala. It is enriched with 3 rivers and unending stretches of forest. Pathanamthitta is a combination of two words Pathanam and Thitta, which mean an array of houses on the riverside. It is famous for its scenic beauty, fairs and festivals. Timber is the most important forest produce. 'Sabarimala' the famous Hindu pilgrimage center here attracts pilgrims from India and abroad. The best time to visit this place is August to March.

Sabarimala Temple
Sabarimala (72 Km from Pathanamthitta) is a famous pilgrimage centre in Kerala. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples. The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in January. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India, but also from other parts of the country and abroad.

Omallur
Omallur is a small village 5km from Pathanamthitta town. There is a famous Rakthakanta temple also known as the Omallur Ambalam. This Rakthakanta Swamy Temple and the annual cattle fair held during March -April are the main attractions of Omallur. People from both within and outside the State participate in the fair.

Malayalapuzha
It is situated 8 km from Pathanamthitta. The main attraction here is the Malayalapuzha Bhagavathy (The goddess) Temple. It is believed that the Bhagavathi here grant boons to devotees. The temple has beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone carvings.

Kadamanitta
This village is 8 km from Pathanamthitta. The Kadamanitta Devi Temple is famous for the ten day long Padayani performances, which is an important ritual art held in connection with the annual festival in April/May. This art from is an offering for the mother goddess and is celebrated every year from the first day of Medam (Malayalam -era) to the 10th day (pathamudayam).

Aranmula
It is situated 10km from Chenganoor on the Thiruvanthapuram-Kottayam route. The Parthasarathi Temple which is dedicated to Sree Krishna, on the banks of the holy river Pamba attracts large crowds of devotees. A major attraction here is the snake boat races held as part of the festival in August- September. The Parthasarathi Temple here has fine murals from the 18th century. Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirrors, known as 'Aranmula Kannadi'. It is a unique craft which is not found anywhere else in the world.
Vijnana Kalavedi founded by Louba Schild, a French scholar at Aranmula imparts training in the traditional arts like Kathakali, classical dances, classical music, as well as Kalaripayattu.

Muloor Smarakam
Muloor S.Padmanabha Panicker (1869-1931) who was one of the veteran poets and an important social reformer of the century, was born at Elavumthitta 12 Kms. away from Pathanamthitta. His home at Elavumthitta is preserved as his monument by the Department of Culture of the State Government.

Kodumon Chilanthiyambalam
It is situated 16 km from Pathanamthitta Town. It is believed that this temple was built during the reign of the last king of the Sakthibhadra Kingdom. The water of the Chilanthi kinar (Spider well) in the premises of this temple is believed to cure skin diseases. The Mahalakshmi of this temple is worshipped by all people irrespective of caste and creed. Kodumon is also the birth place of Sree Shakthi Bhadra, author of 'Ascharya Chudamani'.

Mannadi
It is situated 13 km from Adoor. This is where Veluthampi Dalawa, the renowned freedom fighter of Travancore, spent his last days. The ancient Bhagavathy Temple here has some exquisite stone sculptures. The annual festival is held in February/March. The Kerala Institute of Folklore and Folk Arts functions here.

The Rock Cut Cave Temple
The rock cut Siva Temple, half a kilometre away, is of great archeological significance. Dating back to the 8th century AD, this temple bears close resemblance to the Pallava style of architecture. The stone engravings here are among the earliest specimens of stone sculpture in Kerala.

Thiruvalla
Thiruvalla is the headquarters of the Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church. The Palikara Church here contains exquisite mural paintings. Sree Vallabha temple here is one of the important pilgrim centers of Vaishnavites all over India A granite pillar carved out of single piece with an image of Garuda on its top stands in front of the temple. This is perhaps the only one place in Kerala where Kathakali is performed as a ritual offering everyday.

Pandalam
It is situated 14km from Chenganoor. Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala had his human birth as the son of the Raja of Pandalam. The Valiyakoikal Temple near the palace on the banks of river Achenkovil has been modelled 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.

Niranam
The oldest Church believed to be built by the Apostle St. Thomas is at Niranam. It is situated 9km from Thiruvalla. This is also the birthplace of poets and social reformers popularly known as 'Kannassa Kavikal'.

References:
http://india-tourism.com/

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