PATHANAMTHITTA


(Headquarters of Pilgrimage Tourism)

Area 23.5 km²
Population 37,538 (2011)
Literacy 96.93%

Click here to view kerala Pathanamthitta district Map

Pathanamthitta is a fast growing town and a municipality situated in the Central Travancore region in the state of Kerala, India, spread over an area of 23.50 km2. It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The town has a population of 37,538. The Hindu pilgrim centre Sabarimala is situated in the Pathanamthitta district; as the main transport hub to Sabarimala, the town is known as the 'Pilgrim Capital of Kerala'.Pathanamthitta. District, the thirteenth revenue district of the State of Kerala. It was formed with effect from 1 November 1982 , with headquarters at Pathanamthitta. Forest covers more than half (1396.95 km2.) of the total area of the District.

Pathanamthitta District ranks the 7th in area (2652 sq. km.) in the State.




SABARIMALA

The Śabarimala Temple is a temple complex located at Sabarimala inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Perinad Village, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, India. It is one of the largest annual pilgrimage sites in the world with an estimate of over 40 to 50 million devotees visiting every year.

It is one of the largest annual pilgrimage sites in the world with an estimate of over 40 to 50 million devotees visiting every year.The temple is dedicated to a Hindu celibate deity Ayyappan also known as Dharma Shasta, who according to belief is the son of Shiva and Mohini, the feminine incarnation of Vishnu.The traditions of Sabarimala are a confluence of Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism, and other Śramaṇa traditions. The temple is situated on a hilltop amidst eighteen hills at an altitude of 1260 m (4,134 ft) above sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. The dense forest, part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, around the temple is known as Poongavanam. Temples exist in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While functional and intact temples exist at many places in the surrounding areas like Nilakkal, Kalaketty, and Karimala, remnants of old temples survive to this day on remaining hills.The Sannidhanam (main temple) is built on a plateau about 40 feet high. The temple was rebuilt after arson and vandalism in 1950.No charges were brought and the earlier stone image of the deity was replaced by a panchaloha(an alloy from five metals) idol, about 1 and half feet.The temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum with a gold-plated roof and four golden finials at the top, two mandapams, the balikalpura which houses the altar. In 1969, the flag staff (dhwajam) was installed. The shrine of Kannimoola ganapathi prathishta is south-west to The Sreekovil of the Sannidhanam. Devotees offer part of the broken coconut (Neythenga) to the fireplace (Azhi). Ganapathi homam is the main offering.The Pathinettu thripadikal or the 18 sacred steps is the main stairway to the temple. As per the custom followed, no pilgrim without "Irumudikkettu" can ascend the 18 sacred steps. In 1985, the 18 steps were covered by Panchaloha. The northern gate is open for those who do not carry an "Irumudikkettu", as observed in the Kerala High Court judgment of 1991. The temples of Lord Ayyappan's trusted lieutenants Karuppu Sami and Kadutha Sami are positioned as his guards (kaval) at the foot of the holy 18 sacred steps.


PERUNTHENARUVI WATER FALLS

Perunthenaruvi Waterfalls (Malayalam: പെരുന്തേനരുവി) are waterfalls 36 km (22 mi) from Pathanamthitta in Pathanamthitta District, Central Travancore region, Kerala State, India. It is a popular tourist destination situated in Vechoochira Panchayat of Ranni taluk. The one shore of this waterfall is Kudamurutty and Vechoochira is the other. The main route to this waterfall starts from Ranni - Athikkayam - Kudamurutty - Perunthenaruvi. It is a fine place to spend time with family in a very serene atmosphere.Perunthenaruvi allures tourists with its breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls and the dazzling stream that flows to merge with the sacred Pamba River. The locality is the home turf of beehives which have bestowed the place with the title Perunthenaruvi meaning the “River of Honey”. There is no better place to have a pleasant peaceful time than when you are romancing with nature and surround yourself with its purity to cleanse your soul. Perunthenaruvi offers you just that.You can either choose a 5-minute walk or a 20-minute trek through the tea plantations to reach the waterfalls here. The music of the cascades welcomes you even from afar. The hike leads you to a luxuriant waterfall with a luscious swimming hole that tempts one to leap into its deep waters. The stream gushes further beyond through the rocky bed to unite with the holy Pamba. The river Pamba is attributed with divine grace because of its connection with Kerala’s largest pilgrim center Sabarimala. Located on the lap of the majestic Western Ghats, Perunthenaruvi adorns herself with her ever gorgeous waterfalls and the mystic lush forest glides that wrap her in their serene arms. Kudamurutty and Vechoochira are the two shores of the waterfall. There are two waterfalls at Perunthenaruvi - the 300 feet Panamkudantha and the 200 feet Padivathil – both of these originate from the dense woods of Sabarimala. In every sense Perunthenaruvi is the ideal spot to recharge and rejuvenate your tired soul.


PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK

Periyar National Park, also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve, is in the mountainous Western Ghats of Kerala, southern India. This wildlife sanctuary is home to tigers and a significant elephant population, as well as rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards and Indian bison. In the park's north, Periyar Lake is popular for boat rides. Farther north, spice plantations surround the town of Kumily.Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary, locating in Thekkady is the perfect example of nature's bounty with great scenic beauty and rich biodiversity. In this astounding location of Kerala, the Periyar National Park is considered as the most protected area for the elephants and the tigers. One of the most renowned national parks in South India, the Periyar National Park is set high at the Western Ghat ranges. The protected area is widespread along the area of 925 sq km (357 sq mi). The rest of 350 sq km (140 sq mi) of the core zone was declared as the Periyar National Park in the year 1982. The park is being adorned with a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary which is an artificial 100 years old lake at Thekkady and is basically known for its wild elephants and thickly established Western Ghats forests. Many of the intense valleys of Periyar contain tropical evergreen forest with extremely thick tree cover with hardly any sun-rays to get penetrated. These trees are fully grown at the amazing heights of up to 130-140 feet. Some of the areas in the park contain marshy grasslands near the edges of the lake and other water bodies. Spread out across the park are also patches of semi-evergreen forest used as important cover by many of the animal species.


KUMBHAVURUTTY FALLS

Kumbhavurutty Waterfall is a famous waterfalls in South India situated near Aryankavu panchayath in Kollam district of Kerala near Tamil Nadu border. Located on the eastern area of Kollam District, Kumbhavurutty falls is one among the few crowd pulling waterfalls in Kerala. During peak times, the daily collection of this tourism spot will cross Rs. 1,50,000. It is about 6.5 km away from Achenkovil.This waterfall is a part of river Achankovil. Manalar Waterfall is another important waterfall near to this. The travelers can see wild animals also if lucky. Because the waterfall is very close to the thick Konni Forest area.Kumbhavurutty Waterfall is a famous waterfalls in South India situated near Aryankavu panchayath in Kollam district of Kerala near Tamil Nadu border. Located on the eastern area of Kollam District, Kumbhavurutty falls is one among the few crowd pulling waterfalls in Kerala.During peak times, the daily collection of this tourism spot will cross Rs. 1,50,000. It is about 6.5 km away from Achenkovil.This waterfall is a part of river Achankovil. Manalar Waterfall is another important waterfall near to this. The travelers can see wild animals also if lucky. Because the waterfall is very close to the thick Konni Forest area.Palaruvi Falls is another nearby attraction of this falls.


ARANMULA PARTHASARATHY TEMPLE

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is one of the "Divya Desams", the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars located near Aranmula, a village in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, South India. Constructed in the Kerala style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, who is worshipped as Parthasarathy (Partha's charioteer). The nearest railway station to the temple is located in Chengannur, while the nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport.The story goes that the Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple had its idol brought here in a raft made with aru (six) pieces of mula (bamboo). This is what gave the place Aranmulaits name as well. Dedicated to the Hindu Deity Lord Krishna, the temple is situated on the banks of the Pamba River. Valla Sadya is an important event held at the temple on the eve of Ashtami Rohini, in the Malayalam month of Chingam. It is the birthday of Lord Krishna and one of the famous festivals celebrated here. The sadya is massive and includes around 60 varieties of food donated by the devotees to Lord Krishna, the presiding deity of the temple. An interesting aspect of the feast is that guests theatrically demand more food by singing in the Vanchippattu style. The legend is that in a Valla Sadya all dishes asked for must be given to the people in order to please the lord. The procession carrying rice, provision, vegetables and other articles in a specially designed vessel, Thiruvonathoni, for the feast on the Thiruvonam day at the Sree Parthasarathy Temple is also a fabulous spectacle to behold. Today, it hosts some of the finest schools for Kathakali, classical dances, classical music and Kalaripayattu. People come here in large numbers to immerse themselves in the unique and refreshing culture of the place.


ELEPHANT TRAINING CENTER

Modest facility housing live adult elephants & calves, plus a wildlife museum & gift shop.

Konni is among the most prominent elephant training centres in Kerala. Located in Pathanamthitta district, it attracts visitors in large numbers throughout the year. One of the major attractions here are the giant wooden cages used to house the elephants. Locally known as Aanakoodu, they can house up to 3 to 4 elephants at a time. The primary focus of the trainers here is to deal with the development of baby elephants that have been separated from their herd or been found hurt somewhere. The trainers have traditional methods that have been passed down through generations to deal with these situations. The elephants are taught to obey specific commands and are taken for special exercise walks in the morning, are given baths and specific diets. At Konni, one gets to observe this training procedure in person. The baby elephants love playing with the guests and are especially friendly with children. Bigger elephants are used for rides around the place and are a favourite among all who visit the place.




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