the land of pilgrimage

Pathanamthitta district is recognised as the `headquarters of pilgrimage tourism' in the State of Kerala .
This" Land of Temples" is particularly famous for the hill shrine of Sabarimala, dedicated to Lord Ayyappan. The churches and Mosques too occupy a prominent place among the respective religious cmmunites.
The must see pilgrim places
[ Temples - Churches - Mosques ] [ Map ]
SABARIMALA Sabarimala is one of the most famous pilgrim centers in India and is 72 kms from Pathanamthitta. Every year crores of devotees from all over India visit the shrine of lord Ayyappa for his blessings. The temple is situated in the interior of the mountain ranges of the western ghats and is accessible only by foot. The pilgrimage season starts in November and ends in mid January. On the particular day of 'Makaravilakku' lakhs of devotees throng around the temple for a glimpse of 'Makarajyothi' .The temple is closed during the rest of the year except for the first five days of every Malayalam month and during 'Vishu'.To Reach:Thiruvalla Railway Station to Patthanamthitta - 30kms.Patthanamthitta to Pamba -67kms.Pamba to Sabarimala - 5kms. Click + More
Parthasarathi temple The famous Parthasarathi temple on the banks of the holy river Pamba,and dedicated to Lord Krishna attracts large number of devotees. The annual commemoration of the installation of the deity falls on the last day of the Onan festival .It is as part of this celebration that the aranmula boat race is held on this day.
CHERUKOLPUZHAAn important religious convention of the Hindus is held at cherukolpuzha every year in the month of February on the Pampa river bed.
KADAMMANITTA Kadammanitta, a village only 8 kms away from Pathanamthitta is famous for the padayani which is an important ritual art form performed in the premises of the Kadamanitta Devi Temple. This art form is an offering to the mother goddess. it is celebrated every year from the first day of Medam (Malayalam -era)to the 10th day (pathmudayam).Nearest Bus Station - Patthanamthitta Patthanamthitta to Kadammanitta - 8kms.
KAVIYOORThe Kaviyoor Mahadeva temple which was constructed in the early years of the 10th century is one of the oldest of the Mahadeva temples in Kerala. References are visible in the Kaviyoor Shasanas of 950 A.D.regarding the gifts that were offered to this temple.But it is believed that he darusilpas seen around the temple belong to the 17th century.
Thekekudi Cave Temple, KaviyoorThekekudi Cave Temple in Kaviyoor panchayat is one among the rare breed of cave temples to be found around in Kerala. It is assumed that this temple is constructed in the Pallava architectural style and was built in the 8th century. Apart from Ganapathi, Maharshi, Dwarapalaka idols in the sreekovil which in inside the cave, there is also a Sivalinga which is about three feet in height .
The engravings here are among the earliest specimens of stone sculptures in Kerala. Enshrined in a square cave is the main deity of the shrine Lord Siva represented in the ' Sivalinga' which is about three feet high and carved out of rock. The shrine also has idols of Ganapathy, Maharshi and Dwarapalakas.
Another noted shrine in Kaviyoor is the Hanuman Temple which stands on a small hillock and is built in a peculiar architectural style not prevalent in much of Kerala.
Getting there:Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla, about 5 km from Kaviyoor.Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 119 km from Pathanamthitta.
KODUMON CHILANTHIYAMBALAMChilanthiyambalam is situated in Kodumon panchayat about 15 kms. from Pathanmathitta town. It is believed that this temple was built during the reign of the last king of the Sakthibhadra Kingdom The Mahalakshmi of this temple is worshipped by all peoples irrespective of caste and creed.
The water of the Chilaanthikinar in the premises of the temple is regarded as a panacea for skin diseases.
MALAYOLAPPUZHA The Bhagavathy temple here is believed to help people realise their dreams . People bring offerings in different forms during the period of the festival.The temple also houses a large number of beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone works .Patthanamthitta to Malayalapuzha - 8kms
NILACKALIt is five kms. away from Plappally on the Pamba-Pathanamthitta road. An old temple dedicated to Lord Siva is situated here.
OMALLOOR Omalloor is known to the outside world for the presence of the famous 'Rakthakantha swamy Temple' and the annual cattle fair known as Vayalvanibham, which is held in the Malayalam month of Meenam. A large number of People from very distant places and even from outside the state participate in this fair. Omalloor is five kms south of Pathanamthitta town.Patthanamthitta to Omalloor - 5kms.Railway Station - ThiruvallaPatthanamthitta - Thiruvalla - 30kms.(by Road)
PANDALAM Pandalam is perhaps second only to Sabarimala in sanctity and is closely associated with the birth and early child hood days of Lord Ayappa. Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala had his humon sojourn as the son of the Raja of Pandalam. It is believed that the raja constructed a temple close to his palace on the banks of the river Achenkoil modelled on the Sabarimala shrine which is the present Valiyakoyikkal temple. Pilgrims usually offer worship here before proceeding to Sabarimala. .Three days prior to Makaravilakku , the sacred ornaments of Lord Ayappa are taken in procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala Nearest Railway Station - ChengannoorChengannoor to Pandalam - 14 kms.
PambaPamba is the most important and holy spot on the way to Sannidhanam. It is here that Lord Ayyappa was found by King Rajasekara.The Pamba river is as holy as the river Ganges. The Pamba water purifies one from curse and evil. The devotees take their holy bath at the confluence of the three rivers(Triveni ). This is created by the Lord as parallel to the Ganges ( "Dakshina Ganga" ).
THIRUVALLA Sree Vallabha temple here is one of the most important pilgrim centers of the Vaishnavites spread through out India. A granite pillar carved out of a single piece of rock with an image of Garuda on its top stands in front of the temple. The pillar, which serves as a flag mast is 60ft high. kathakali, the folk art of kerala, is performed almost on all days in this temple as offerings by devotees.
Sree Vallabha Temple - 3kms. from Railway Station
obligationtopathanamthitta.com
Click to see [ Churches , Mosques