Pathanamthitta, the youngest and smallest district of Kerala is known to be the headquarters of the pilgrimage tourism in Kerala, for the large number of pilgrims that arrive here, an estimated 3 to 4 million during the festive season of Sabarimala. The district comprises of three natural geographic zones – the highlands that stretch through the Western Ghats, the smaller hills and midlands of Pathanamthitta and Ranni Taluk, and the lowlands along the borders of Alappuzha district. Blessed with forests, plantations, river and fertile lands that cover a large portion of its territory, the district has a rich tropical biodiversity in its flora and fauna; with almost 50% of the district covered with forests having abundant wildlife.
Sabarimala Temple, dedicated to Sree Ayyappa is among the most famous and prominent temples in Kerala. Situated on a hilltop (at 3000 ft. above sea level) named Sabarimala, this temple gets the largest number of pilgrims every year (an estimated 100 million) when compared to any pilgrimage center in the world. The temple is accessible only on foot from Pamba, a distance of 4 km to be covered.
The pilgrim season starts from November to mid-January. The two main events during this season are Mandala Pooja and Makaravilakku. Sabarimala pilgrims can be easily identified wearing black and blue dresses with a sandal paste on their forehead. The temple is unique in many aspects, one being that it is open to all – people from any religion or caste. However, women between the ages of 10 to 50 are not allowed into the temple.
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The St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Orthodox Church, Parumala was initially built as a seminary on the shores of river Pamba. A temporary church was later built by Mar Gregorious in 1895. Designed by the famous architect Charles Correa, the present church was completed and consecrated in the year 2000. Built-in a circular design with an inner diameter of 39 meters, the church can now accommodate more than 2000 worshipers at each service. The Parumula Church is also a famous pilgrimage center as it holds the tomb of Saint Geevarghese Mar Gregorious who is also popularly known as the Parumala Thirumeni. The church can be best visited during a Sunday mass service or during the commemoration day of Mar Gregorious (Orma Perunnal) celebrated on 1 & 2 November every year.
Aranmula, an old temple village situated on the banks of the river Pampa is also a global heritage site as enlisted by the United Nations. The village gets its name from the centuries-old Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple situated here. During the Onam festival in Kerala, this otherwise peaceful village comes to life with the famous Aranmula Boat Race or ‘Vallam Kali’. The village has also been famous for its metal mirrors – known as the Aranmula Kannadi. Other attractions of this village are – the Aranmula Kottaram (Aranmula Palace) which is an architectural marvel with a history of over 200 years. The Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre which was a pioneering institute to preserve and impart training on ancient Indian Culture has now been closed since 2009.
The Konni Elephant training center in the Pathanamthitta district is a major tourist attraction in Kerala. Tourists have been mainly attracted to this center to see baby elephants with their cute mischievous behavior and watch young elephants being trained by their mahouts. Elephants are usually brought to this center when they are found wounded, left out from its herd or wandering lonely within the forests. An attraction here is the large cages that house these elephants known as Anakoodu. Visitors can take a ride on these majestic mammals and visit the Elephant Museum that provides information relating to elephants.
Charalkunnu is an ideal tourist spot for those travelers who prefer to be in serene calm environments. It’s a panoramic hill station located in the Pathanamthitta district that offers great views of the low lying areas including the meandering Pamba River. The Charal Mount Camp House at the Christian Education Centre, Charalkunnu provides comfortable lodging for travelers. Other attractions that can be visited near Charalkunnu are:
is a natural waterfall that falls down a rocky path into a 100 feet deep gorge. Close to the waterfall is the Honey River that is named after the many beehives found in the surrounding region. The waterfall is an ideal picnic spot and is easily accessible by road from Erumely (approx. 10 km).
It’s a small waterfall worth visiting during the rainy season. The fall is located 11 km from Kozhencherry town and is a good picnic spot.
Gavi is an eco-tourist destination in Kerala situated at a height of 3,400 ft. above sea level and nestled in the core area of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Located in Pathanamthitta district, the destination shot to fame after the widely acclaimed tourism major ‘Alistair International’ listed it among the leading eco-tourism centers and one of the must-see places in India. It is considered to one of the world’s rarest evergreen forests that Harbour a variety of flora and fauna. Environmentalists claim that it is a core habitat of 62 different species like gaurs, Langurs, Sambar, Barking Deer, Mouse Deers, and elephants.
The Gavi Ecotourism program conducted by the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) in participation with the local population consists of multiple events in and around Gavi. The programs offered are:
Day Trip to Gavi: A day trip to Gavi is usually preferred by tourists who stay at Thekkady and are willing to spare an extra day to explore the wildlife in Periyar. The program includes:
Trekking through the forest of Gavi accompanied with a trained guide enjoying a boat ride on Gavi Lake Visits to Cardamom Plantations, Museum and Sabarimala Viewpoint.
Timings of this trip are 06:00 am – 04:00 pm. This trip also includes meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Evening Tea). To book this trip one has to visit the KFDC Information Centre at Kumily.
Green Mansion Jungle Lodge Stay: This trip comprises of an overnight stay at Gavi at Green Mansion, which is near to the Gavi Lake. The program includes.
Early morning (06:00 am) Jeep Safari into the forest for 2.5 h to catch a glimpse of the wildlife.
Swiss Cottage Tent Stay: In this trip, your overnight stay will be at a pitched cottage tent with the attached bathroom. Located close to the Gavi Dam these pitched tents offer you more privacy among the woods with facilities such as a cot, side table, and chair. These tents are protected by electric fencing. The program includes:
Overnight stay at a Swiss Cottage Tent Early morning (06:00 am) Jeep Safari into the forest for 2.5 h to catch a glimpse of the wildlife.
Jungle Camping: On this trip, your accommodation is at a KDFC Jungle Camping Site deep within the forest. A minimum of 4 people is required to conduct this trip. The program includes:
It is said that the oldest Christian church in India is situated at Niranam, at Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. This church is believed to have been established along with the other seven-and-half church set-up by St. Thomas in 52 AD. Niranam is also renowned to be the birthplace of 14th-century poets and social reformers who were popularly known as Kannassa Kavikal. They were known to be the translators of the famous epic – Ramanya from Sanskrit to Malayalam.
Kadammanitta is famous for its 10-day Padayani festival held at the Kadammanitta Devi Temple. This traditional folk dance and ritual art is a blend of music, dance, theatre, satire, facial masks, and paintings. This festival is celebrated every year from the first to the tenth day of madam month (during March-April) in Malayalam calendar.
Vasthuvidya Gurukulam is a school constituted by the Kerala Cultural Department to preserve and promote the study of Vasthuvidya and mural paintings. Vasthuvidya is a branch of Veda that deals with the traditional Indian way of environment-friendly construction while adopting the universal principles of creation. The school provides a one-year Post Graduate program in Vasthuvidya.
The Muloor Smarakam or Memorial was constructed in remembrance of the renowned social reformer and poet, Muloor S. Padmanabha Panicker (1869-1931). His home at Elavumthitta is preserved as a monument by the Kerala State Department of Culture.
Situated in Kodumon Village, the Kodumon Chilanthiyambalam is famous for the treatment offered for spider poisoning. The water from the temple well is believed to cure skin diseases.
Located at a distance of 9 km from Thiruvalla, the Thekkekudi Cave Temple has a 5 ft. tall Shiva Temple that dates back to the 8th century. Built-in Pallava style of architecture, the engravings in the temple are believed to the first sample of stone sculpture in Kerala.
Mannadi is situated close to Adoor in Pathanamthitta district. This is where Veluthambi Dalawa, the famous freedom fighter of Travancore had spent his last days. A historical museum, a statue of Veluthambi Dalawa and an open-air theatre are the main attractions here. The Kerala Institute of Folklore and Folk Arts operates from this place.
The Omalloor Rektha Kanda Swamy Temple and Vayal Vanibham – the annual cattle fair held in the month of Meenam (Malayalam month) are the main attractions of this place.
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