WELCOME TO PATHANAMTHITTA

Pathanamthitta is very famous for its long stretches of forests, rivers and the rural areas. There are different versions on how the name Pathanamthitta came about. One view is that the name is derived from two Tamil / Malayalam words Pathanam and thitta, which together mean "array of ten "family" houses by the riverside".Another opinion is that is pattanam (town) which became 'pathanam'. Thus, Pathanamthitta meant a town by the riverside.An important place in Pathanamthitta is Aranmula which is famous for its metal mirror and annual boat race. The Perumthenaruvi waterfalls are surrounded by forests and wild animals.Pathanamathitta also has got some historical significance and there are castles at Pandalam, a monument of Velu Thampi Dalawa etc. There is also a palace at Aranmula called as Aranmula kottaram.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT

 Perumthenaruvi Waterfall

Perumthenaruvi waterfall lies in Erumely near Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district. It has a height of around 100 ft and flows through hilly terrain. The word meaning of Perumthenaruvi is ‘Honey River’ and it flows through the Vechuchira-Naranammoozhi villages. It is believed that this river got its name due to the presence of numerous beehives near the origin of the river. 

Aranmula

Aranmula is a very important tourist destination and is very famous for the Aranmula metal mirror and the snake boat race. Arnamula metal mirror or the Aranmula kannadi is a special type of mirror made of alloys of metals. This is manufactured only from this place and the method of production is considered as an inherited gift and is kept as secret. These mirrors are very costly and are in great demand. Tourists who come here make it a point to own one such mirror. Aranmula is also famous for the boat race popularly called as the Aranmula vallomkali. It is held annually as part of Onam celebrations in Aranmula river. Thousands gather here to take a look and enjoy the boat race.

 Konni

Konni is a popular training centre for elephants in Kerala. Located in the district of Pathanamthitta, it is a major centre of tourist attraction in Kerala, and attracts visitors in large numbers throughout the year.Situated about 11 km from Pathanamthitta, the main attraction at the elephant-training centre at Konni is the huge cages built of wood to house elephants. This massive wooden cage is locally known as Aanakoodu and can accommodate three to four elephants at a time.

 Kumbhavurutty Waterfall 

Kumbhavurutty Waterfall is located inside the Konni forest near the Achankovil River. The waterfall is under the management of the Manalar-Kumbhavurutty Vana Samrakshana Samithy and can be reached by trekking. There is also an Eco-Contact Centre at this place, which is managed by the Kerala Forest Department.

 Moozhiyar

This is an enchanting dam site Pathanamthitta town: This is the district headquarters. The town is a land of religious and cultural harmony, where a number of churches, temples and mosques can be found close to each other. The annual Chandanakudam festival at the mosque in the heart of the town is a major event.

Charalkunnu

 
Charalkunnu is a popular hill station in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala, India. The Pampa River flows in the low lying areas. Pathanamthitta, the district headquarters, is situated 17 km to the south-east. Kozhencherry is located 5 km away.

Kakki Reservoir 

 
 Kakki reservoir is a tourist’s delight. There is an artificial lake here which is surrounded by forests. There are wild animals found in this forest. Boating is possible in this lake and it is a great experience for the tourists.

Pamba River

Pamba River which is popularly called as Dakshina Ganga is the third longest river in Kerala. It has a length of 176 kms. This river spreads in Pathanamthitta district and the Kuttanad in Allapuzha district. The Pamba River originates in Pulachimalai of the Western Ghats. The banks of River Pamba is the main halting point on the way to the pilgrim center, Sabarimala.

Temples in Pathanamthitta

Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

Sabarimala is a very famous temple of Ayyappa which is situated amidst 18 hills. This temple lies on top of a hill which is surrounded by dense forests and mountains. This temple is visited by millions of devotees a year and is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in India. In order to enter the temple, one has to climb 18 steps called as the Pathinettampadi. These 18 steps are now made of Panchaloham. The devotees to this temple have to observe a Vratham for 41 days.

 Malayalapuzha Devi Temple

The History behind this temple is very interesting.This temple was originally situated in a small village called Edathitta, in Pathanamthitta Dist.This was a full fledged village, ruled by Raja Shaktibhadran, the only Sanskrit south Indian writer.One day a tantrik from Malayalapuzha visited this place, as he heard a lot about this temple.Malayalpuzha was in drought for many years.So the TANTRIK with his power, migrated the shakti's of the devi to malayalapuzha.And the place progressed like anything.As the shakti's were taken away from edathitta, the place faced many destructions.And gradually there were no signs of the temple.Then according to the prashnakundali people found out as in when it was migrated and when will it come back,as the power cannot be transferred completely, it mentioned that it will take 3000 yrs for this shakti to come back.And in 1992,somebody from that village saw a dream that the vigraham,and the pooja utensils were beneath the ground,and people started digging that place, where they found everything mentioned by the person.And the villagers then contributed towards temple.And it is very famous now.

 Kadammanitta Devi Temple

Kadammanitta Devi Temple is a Devi temple in Kadammanitta in Pathanamthitta. The deity here is Goddess Devi in her calm form. Some other sub deities here include Shiva, Yakshi, Nagaraja etc. The annual festival is conducted during the Malayalam month Medam. The ritual Padayani is performed as part of this festival and it lasts for 10 days.

 Spider Temple

The Kodumon Chilanthi Kshethram,  also known as the Palliyara Kavu Devi Kshetram, is in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala and has a history that dates back to about 1,500 years, making it one of the oldest temples in South India. The word ‘Chilanthi’ means spider and curiously, legend goes that the deity of this temple has the power to heal the worst cases of spider poisoning.

Churches in Pathanamthitta

Paliakara Church

Paliakara church is located in Thiruvalla. This church is a sacred church and is considered as a holy church by all the people. It is famous for its antiquity. The church is beautifully decorated with architectural works. There are mural paintings as well. The main festivals celebrated here are Christmas and Easter. It is celebrated well and fireworks are conducted. 

 


 Maramon Convention

Marthoma Maramon Convention which is the largest religious gathering of Christians in the World is conducted from the banks of the River Pamba in Maramon near Kozhencherry. It is conducted annually in the month of February and was started since 1896. Thousands of people from all over the country gather at this place to attend the convention. This convention is a clear example of the unity between the people from various sections of the churches in Kerala

 Mosques in Pathanamthitta

Jama-Al mosque

The main festival of this mosque is the Chandanakkudam festival which is celebrated in February. It is one of the most colorful Muslim festivals of Kerala. A large number of people are attracted to this mosque during this festive season. People take the trouble to attend this festival and to observe the celebration. As part of this festival, bright lights, decorated elephants and music are the main attractions of this festival. 

Vavar Shrine at Sabarimala

Vavar was a Muslim friend of Lord Ayyappa and a shrine has been dedicated to Vavaraswami at Sabarimala. An Islamic Masjid at Ayyappa Pilgrimage is a clear example of the religious and communal harmony existing in this area. The legend says that Lord Ayyappa himself has suggested building a shrine for Vavar at Sabarimala. As per Islamic rules, there is no idol but a carved stone is kept which symbolizes Vavar. Muslim priests perform prayers and rituals daily.