Destination Kerala - Pathanamthitta
This district is situated with the Quilon district in the south and Kottayam and Idukki in the north. A great number of pilgrims to Sabarimala passes through Pathanamthitta.
Tourist Offices
The Govt. of Kerala Tourist office (Ph: 326409) and the DTPC Information Counter (Ph: 229952) are at the collectorate building.
Bus Timings (KSRTC Enq: 322366)
Coimbatore08.15
Chennai15.00 (via Madurai)
Pamba09.15,09.45,11.15,14.30,18.30,18.30(1½hrs)
Thenkasi07.50, 15.00, 15.30
Private Luxury coaches to Bombay, Coimbatore and Bangalore are operated by Anjali Tours & Travels (Ph: 322005) and Popular Medicals (Ph : 320881).
Sabarimala
A well known pilgrim centre of South India, Sabarimala lies 191 Km. north of Trivandrum and 210 Km. away from Cochin. The holy shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is situated 914 metre above sea level amidst dense forests in the rugged terrains of the Western Ghats. Lord Ayyappa is looked upon as the guardian of mountaineers. 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 vehicles go only upto Pampa and the temple which is situated 5 Km. away from Pampa can be reached only by trekking. During the festival period there are frequent buses to this place from Cochin, Trivandrum and Kottayam.
Aranmula :
This place is situated on the banks of the river Pampa 10 Km. from Chengannur on the Trivandrum-Kottayam route. The Krishna temple here attracts a large number of devotees and is an important pilgrim centre. The annual commemoration of the istallation of the deity 'Parthasarathy' falls on the last day of the week long celebrations of the Onam festival. A snake boat race is held here as part of this festival (August/ September).
Aranmula is famous for its mirror called Aranmula Kannadi, unique for its alloy and ancient method.The proportion of the alloy and the method of polishing is known to only a few families.
Vasthu Vidya Gurukulam in Aranmula is under the State Cultural Department. It imparts training in traditional Kerala architecture to those with an engineering degree in architecture. The only Mural Art Gallery of Kerala is also functioning here.
Vijnana Kala Vedi ( Ph: 0473 - 314483) This cultural center was founded by Ms.Louba Schild, an European artist living in Kerala since 1968. The objective of the center is to preserve traditional art formsof Kerala. Training is imparted in artforms like Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Bharathanatyam, Kathakali etc and also in percussion and vocal Karnatic Music. Accommodation is arranged in Keralan style houses.
Sree Vallabha Temple, Thiruvalla
Traditional, all night Kathakali is performed in this temple all most every night as an offering. Non Hindus are also allowed to watch the performance.
Kaviyoor
This place is situated 5 Km. east of Thiruvalla on the banks of the Manimala river. 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, 1½ Km. away from the Kaviyoor temple, which is of great archeological importance. The temple has been assigned to the 8th century 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. This temple is now preserved as a historical monument by the Archeological department. The nearest railway station is at Thiruvalla.
Mannadi
This place is situated 13 Km. away from Adoor and 45 Km. from Quilon. Veluthampi Dalawa, the gallant warrior of Travancore spent his last days here. There is an ancient Bhagavathi temple here which contains some stone sculptures. The most important festival of this temple is 'Ushabali' which falls in February/March. The Kerala Institute of Folklore and Folk Arts functioning here has a tape museum and library on the various folk artforms of Kerala.
Kozhencherry
Kozhencherry is 13 Km. away from Pathanamthitta, on the banks of the Pampa river. The religious convention known
as the 'Maramon Convention' is held annually in February/March on the river bed at Maramon near Kozhencherry. This is perhaps the biggest religious gathering of the Christians in Asia.
Niranam
The oldest Christian church believed to be built by Apostle St. Thomas in A.D. 52 is at Niranam. It is located 7 kms from Thiruvalla.
Perumthenaruvi
Perumthenaruvi is a famous water fall situated 36 kms away from Pathanamthitta. The water flows down a rocky bed into a ravine sixty to one hundred feet deep. It is accessable by trekking or by jeep.
Other Places of interest are the Malayalapuzha Bhagavathy temple with its artistic wall paintings and stone work and Paliakkara church at Thiruvalla with its collection of mural paintings.
|
