|
|
Pathanamthitta Travel Guide
A hilly terrain of pristine beauty is popular as the headquarters
of piligrim worship in Kerala. More than fifty percent of the total area of this
land of temples, rivers, mountain ranges and coconut groves is covered with forests.
The district is frequented by visitors from India & abroad often for its water
fiestas, religious shrines and the cultural training centre. Pathanamthitta
is bordered by the WesternGhats on the East, Kollam district on the South , Alappuzha
district on the West and Kottayam and Idukki districts on the North.
Situated
near the western ghats and bordered by the hills Pathanamthitta district is a
treat to eyes with it's vast unending streches of forest,rivers and rural lanscapes.Blessed
by nature the district is famous for it's senic beauty, fairs and festivals.Pathanamthitta
is a true tropical diversity adorned with fertile agricultural land plantation
and forest. Paddy, Tapioca varieties of vegetable and spice like Cardamon, Pepper
etc are extensively cultivated. The district also abounds in extensive rubber
plantations.It is presumed that the regions presently under the district were
formely under the Pandalam reign which had connection with Pandya Kingdom.
Pathanamthitta now includes portions of the erstwhile Kollam, Alappuzha and
Iddukki Districts. Pathananthitta, Adoor, Ranni, Konni and kozhencherry are some
important places taken from Kollam District whereas Thiruvalla and mallapally
are the major places taken from Alapuzha District. Pathanamthitta is a combination
of the words Pathanam and thitta which mean an array of houses on the river side.This
district was formed on 1st November 1982 in the interest of hastening process
of development.The total area of the district is 2642 sq.kms of this 1390.73 sq.kms
come under forest. Places of Interest
» Pathanamthitta The youngest district in the state
of Kerala nestles its head on the slopes of western ghats and stretches to the
low-lying rice fields bordering Alappuzha district.It is nourished by three west
flowing rivers -Pamba, Manimala , and Achankovil. It abounds with natural splendours
- undulating hills, dark mysterious forests, exotic wildlife and enchanting valleys.
» Sabarimala Sree Dharmasastha Temple A well
known pilgrim centre of Kerala, Sabarimala lies 191 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram
and 210 kms away from cochin.The holy shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is situated
914 metres above sea level amidst dense forests in the rugged terrains of the
western ghats. Lord Ayyappa is looked upon as the guardian of mountains and 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 nearest railway station is at Thiruvalla (102 Km) » Pandalam
Pandalam is perhaps second only to Sabarimala, in sanctity and significance.Lord
Ayyappa, the presiding diety of Sabarimala had his human sojourn as the son of
Raja of Pandalam. It is believed that Raja constructed a temple close to his palace
on the banks of river Achankovil modelled on the Sabarimala shrine which is the
present Valiya Koickal temple.Piligrims usually worship here before proceeding
to Sabarimala. Three days prior to Makravilakku , the chest containing Thiruvabharanam
(The sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa kept here) are taken in a procession from
Pandalam to Sabarimala.
Pathanamthitta Travel Guide ,
Kerala Destinations Holidays Reservation Form
|