Sabarimala Sree Dharmasastha Temple
A well known pilgrim centre of Kerala, Sabarimala lies 191kms away from Thiruvananthapuram and 210kms away from Kochi (Cochin). The holy shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is situated 914metres above sea level amidst dense forests in the rugged rerrains 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 every Malayalam month. The vehicle go only up to Pamba and the temple which is situated five kms away from Pamba can be reached only by trekking. During the festival period there are frequent buses to this place from Kochi (Cochin), Thiruvanathapuram and Kottayam. The nearest railway station is Thiruvalla.
ARANMULA
The famous Parthasarathi temple on the banks of the holy river Pamba dedicated to Lord Krishna attracts large number of devotees. The annual commemoration of the installation of the deity falls on the last day of the Oman festival .It is as part of this celebration that the aranmula boat race is held on this day.
The river Pampa at Aranmulla.is the venue of this famous snake boat race .The snake boats of an extraordinary shape with a length of about 100 ft., the year 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 raise is held on the last day of the week long Oman Festival to commemorate Lord Krishna's crossing of the river. The participants cheerfully row up and down the river to the tune of songs known as vanchipattu.
The Vinjana Kalavedi at Aranmula imparts training in the traditional arts and crafts of Kerala.Kathakali, classical dance, classical music as well as kalaripayattu (the martial arts of Kara)are taught here. The centre is frequently visited by a number of foreign tourists who can stay here for varying periods and have a first hand knowledge about Kerala culture.
Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirrors made of bell metal.This is a unique art which is not found any where else in the world . It is believed that a divine visitation inspired a window of this village to discover a mysterious blend of bronze which could be waxed bright in to crystal clear mirror.The mistery of its production is a family heirloom handed down through generations.
Nearest Railway Station - Chengannur.
Chengannur to Aranmual - 10kms.
Patthanamthitta (Headquarters )to Aranmula - 16kms.
CHANDANAKULAM FESTIVAL
The chandanakudam festival of the Patthanamthitta Muslim Jama-at Mosque held in February (Makaram28th) every year, attracts thousands of devotees. The Chandanakudam festival of Kattoor Mosque in Cherukole panchayath and Kalamala Mosque near Adoor are also famous
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 Pump. There is a comfortable camp house which has both rooms and dormitories.This is located around 17 km from pathanamthitta.
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 Kadamanitta .Devi Temple. This art from is an offering for the mother goddess. it is celebrated every year from the first day of Medam (Malayalam -era)to the 10th day (pathmudayam).
Nearest Bus Station - Patthanamthitta
Patthanamthitta to Kadammanitta - 8kms.
KAKKI
KALLOPPARA
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 he 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, Dwarapalaka idols in the sreekovil which in inside the cave, there is also a Sivalinga which is about three feet in height .
KODUMON CHILANTHIYAMBALAM
KONNI
Nearest Bus station - Patthanamthitta
Patthanamthitta to Konni - 11kms.
MALAYALAPPUZHA
The Bhagavathy temple here is believed to help people realise their dreams . People bring offering in different forms during the festival there are also beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone works
Patthanamthitta to Malayalapuzha - 8kms
MANJINIKKARA
Mar Ignatitus Elias 111, 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.
MANNADY
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.Nearest Bus Station - Adoor
Adoor to Niranam - 7kms
MARAMON
A mammoth religious convention of Christians,but attended by people belonging to all communities, is held at Maramon, near Kozencherry, every year on the vast sandy beds of the river Pamba. The conventions takes place in February in an atmosphere of devotion and lasts for a period of seven days. Addressed by speakers of international repute and attended by devotees innumerable, this is the largest Christian convention in the world. The centenary celebration of the convention was held in February 1995.MULOOR SMARAKOM
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.
NILACKALA
It is five kms. away from Plappally on the Pamba-Pathanamthitta road. An old temple dedicated to Lord Siva is situated here. An Ecumenical centre of all denominations of Christians is also here.
NIRANAM
Situated about six kms. away from the headquarters of the Thiruvalla Revenue Division, Niranam is famous from very ancient times. Niranam derives its importance mainly from the Orthodox Syrian Church there, which is believed to be one of the seven churches founded by St.Thomas himself. It is only a few yards away from this place that the great Malayalam poets known as the Kannassa Panickers lived and wrote their main poetic works. A site has been identified to put up a memorial for them.
OMALLOR
Omallor is known to outsides for the famous 'Rakthakantha swamy Temple' and the annual cattle fair known as Vayalvanibham, which is held on the Malayalam month of Meenam. Peoples from very distant places and even from outside the state participate in this fair. Omallore is five kms south of the District headquarters.
Patthanamthitta to Omalloor - 5kms.
Railway Station - Thiruvalla
Patthanamthitta - Thiruvalla - 30kms.(by Road)
PANDALAM
Pandalam is perhaps second only to Sabarimala in sanctity and significient . Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala has his humon sojourn as the son of the Raja of Pandalam. It is believed that the raja constructed a temple close to his palace on the banks of the river Achenkoil,modelled on the Sabarimala shrine which is the present Valiyakoyikkal temple. Pilgrims usually offeres worship here before proceeding to Sabarimala .Three days prior to Makaravilakku , this sacret ornaments for loard Ayyappa are taken in the procession from Panthalam to Sabarimala
Nearest Railway Station - Chengannoor
Chengannur to Pandalam - 14 kms.
PALIAKARA CHURCH
Situated in thiruvalla town , this famous christian church has a collection of beautiful mural paintings.
PARUMALA
It is here that Mar Gregories Metropolitan the declared saint of Malankara Orthodox Church take his eternal rest . The ormapperunnal celebrated on the first and second of every November, is very famous at this time a large number of people flock to this place for worship .The Travancore Devasam board has setup here a collage known as pampa college
Nearest Bus Station - Thiruvalla
Thiruvalla to Parumala -10kms.
PERUNTHENARUVY
The water falls in the Pampa river at perunthenaruvi attracts thousands of people from inside and outside the District there is a beautiful natural water fall and ideal place of turist attraction it is only 10 kms from Erumely . this is a favorite picnic spot for both domestic and foreign tourists
