Pathanamthitta

 Pathanamthitta is a large municipality town situated in the centre of Travancore region of Kerala. The name of the place is derived from Pathanam and thitta , which together means “array of ten family houses by the riverside”, in Malayalam. It is also the administrative capital of the Pathanamthitta District. 

Sabarimala temple

Ayappan

Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District inKerala. Sabarimala is believed to be the place where the Hindu God Ayyappan meditated after killing the powerful demoness, Mahishi. Ayyappan‘s temple is situated here amidst 18 hills. The temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 468 m above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. Temples exist in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While functional and intact temples exist at many places in the surrounding areas like Nilackal, Kalaketi, and Karimala, remnants of old temples survive to this day on remaining hills.

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Aranmula Aranmula is a little temple town in Pathanamthitta District, surrounded by undulating green hillocks and girdled by the holy river Pampa. The temple here is dedicated to Lord Krishna.Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirrors made of bell meta which is known as ‘Aranmula Kannadi’.This is a unique art which is not found any where else in the world . It is believed that a divine visitation inspired a window of this village to discover a mysterious blend of bronze which could be waxed bright in to crystal clear mirror.    The town is also famous for the Aranmula Vallamkali (Boat Race), which is held on the annual commemoration of the week long Onam festival. The exciting event begins in the afternoon, each snake boat is thirty feet long containing four helmsman, hundred rowers and twenty five singers. __________________________________________________________________________ Konni Konni has a major elephant training center, located 11 km from Pathanamthitta. The prime attraction here are the huge cages of wood built to house elephants. These cages are locally known as Aanakoodu and can accommodate 3 to 4 elephants at a time. The trainers here train the baby elephants which get separated from their herd, or are found wounded or roaming in the forest. Experienced trainers using their systematic training methods, tame the baby elephants. Visitors can get a close look at these elephants and can observe and understand a lot about their behaviour, especially that of baby elephants, which are often endearingly mischievous.  _________________________________________________________________________ Kadamanitta Kadammanitta is a village in Pathanamthitta District and is famous for its Kadammanitta Devi Temple. Its located at a distance of 6 km from Pathanamthitta. The Annual temple Festival is held in the month of May/June. The Ten Day long Padayani Performances conducted as part of the Festival attract a lot of tourists. The ambiance during the festive season is unique in Kadammanitta. Padayani is conducted in the month of April during Vishu New Year. The most important day is the eight day when all the Kolams come to life. Kadammanitta is also famous for its rich heritage and tradition. Kadammanitta village is now being proposed as a Cultural Village Padayani Gramam by the state government.. __________________________________________________________________________ Niranam Niranam is a small village in the Travancore region,  the eastern part of Upper Kuttanad, near Mannar.  It was a port in ancient Kerala, on the meeting point of the Manimala and Achankovil River. Niranam is  almost 5 kilometres from Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala. It is a typical agricultural village, full of paddy fields and coconut trees.There is a mention about Niranam in the writings of Pliny and Cosmos Indicopleustes as a trade centre.  The ancient Roman coins were found from Niranam,thus it was confirmed that once Niranam had trade relations with Roman Empire. Niranam, which is six kms from Thirualla, is famous for the Orthodox Syrian Church, built by St.Thomas.  Saint Thomas the Apostle is believed to have landed here for his missionary works  and founded the Christian church.  It is one of the oldest Christian churches in India, which is believed to be one of the seven churches founded by St.Thomas.  The Christian community in Niranam is therefore is the oldest in India and among the oldest in the world. Niranam Cathedral has been the seat of the various Malankara metroplitians. As a result of the flood of 1341, the soil of nearby areas of Niranam is still sandy and resembles beaches, though presently these palces are not close to the sea. This place is also the birthplace of the great Malayalam poets, popularly known as the ‘Kannassa Panickers’. __________________________________________________________________________ Also visit places of  : Thiruvananthapuram    Kollam     Allappuzha    Pathanamthitta