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>> Pathanamthitta City Guide Omallur (5 km from Pathanamthitta): The Rakthakanta Swamy Temple and the annual cattle fair held in the Malayalam month of Meenam are the main attractions of Omallur. People from both within and outside the State participate in the fair.
Malayalapuzha (8 km from Pathanamthitta): The goddess at the Bhagavathy Temple here is believed to grant boons to devotees and help them realise dreams. The temple has beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone carvings.
Kadamanitta(8 km from Pathanamthitta): The Kadamanitta Devi Temple is famous for the ten day long Padayani performances held in connection with the annual festival in April/May.
Konni (11 km from Pathanamthitta): An agricultural region, Konni is rich in cash crops like rubber, pepper, coffee, ginger etc. It used to be a centre for training elephants. Konni is also known for its elephant rides and the Anakoodu where elephants are tamed and trained for work.
Muloor Smarakam(12 km from Pathanamthitta): The memorial to Muloor, a renowned social reformer and poet, is located at Elavumthitta.
Kodumon Chilanthiyambalam (15 km from Pathanamthitta town): The water of the Chilanthikinar (well) in the premises of this temple is believed to cure skin diseases. Kodumon is also the birth place of Sree Shakthi Bhadra, author of Ascharya Chudamani.
Perunthenaruvi (36 km from Pathanamthitta via Vachoochira): The Perunthenaruvi waterfalls on the banks of the Pamba river is a favourite picnic spot for both domestic and foreign tourists.
Sabarimala (72 km from Pathanamthitta town, 191 km from Thiruvananthapuram and 210 km from Kochi): One of the most famous pilgrim centres in India, Sabarimala is situated on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats at an altitude of 914 m above sea level and is accessible only by foot from Pamba (4 km). The temple is dedicated to Sree Ayyappa. Pilgrim season: November to mid January. Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku are the two main events of the pilgrim season. The temple stays closed during the rest of the year except for the first five days of every Malayalam month and during Vishu (April). Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla (102 km)
People of all castes and creeds are permitted into the temple. However, entry is not allowed to women between 10 and 50 years of age.
Pamba: This is the main halting point on the way to Sabarimala. It is also known as Thriveni Sangamam - the meeting point of three rivers.
Aranmula(Nearest railway station: Chengannur - 10 km): The Parthasarathi Temple (dedicated to Sree Krishna) on the banks of the holy river Pamba attracts large crowds of devotees. The famed Aranmula boat race is held on the last day of the week long Onam festival. The Vijnana Kalavedi at Aranmula imparts training in the traditional arts like Kathakali, classical dances, classical music, as well as Kalaripayattu. Foreign tourists stay here for long periods to get a first hand knowledge of the culture of Kerala. The Parthasarathi Temple here has fine murals from the 18th century.
Aranmula Boat Race: This famous water fiesta is held during Onam (August - September). The snake boats assemble near theSri Parthasarathy Temple before the grand procession. Each boat is 100 ft. long and accommodates 4 helmsmen, 100 oarsmen and25 singers. The snake boats move in pairs to the rhythm of full-throated singing and shouting, watched by an excited crowd.
Aranmula kannadi: Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirrors, a unique craft which is not found anywhere else in the world.
Thiruvalla is the headquarters of the Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church. The Paliakara Church here has some exquisite mural paintings. The Sree Vallabha temple in Thiruvalla is perhaps the only one in Kerala where Kathakali is performed as a ritual offering everyday.
Nilackal (5 km from Plappally): The old Siva Temple on the Pamba - Pathanamthitta Rd. is an important place of worship. The estate of the Farming Corporation and the Ecumenical centre of the Christians are located here.
Pandalam: (Nearest railway station: Chengannur - 14 km) As a holy town, Pandalam is perhaps second only to Sabarimala. Sree Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala had his human sojourn here as the son of the Raja of Pandalam. The Valiyakoikal Temple near the palace on the banks of river Achenkovil has been modelled on the Sabarimala shrine. Pilgrims usually stop here to worship before proceeding to Sabarimala. Three days prior to the Makaravilaku festival, the sacred ornaments of Sree Ayyappa are taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala.