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This district may not possess sandy beaches, languid backwaters or misty mountains, but what it does have in plenty is unfettered nature nurtured by the three great rivers, Pamba, Achankovil and Manimala. These meander through an untamed land where wild elephants still roam free. Indeed, Pathanam-thitta has a fierce splendour, which must be seen to be believed. |
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The district has three natural divisions - the lowlands, the midlands and the highlands. The highlands stretch through the Western Ghats and ease into the midlands in the centre. On the western side, close to Alappuzha, are the lowlands covered in extensive coconut plantations. A landlocked area, more than half of Pathanamthitta - nearly 1,500 sq km -is covered in forests. Timber is the mainstay of the economy, and wood-based industries abound. |
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The elephant training centre in Konni, the mammoth crowds that throng the Sabarimala shrine, the annual Christian convention near Kozhencherry, and the boat race at Aranmula that is held every year are noteworthy. |
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| Essential Information |
Area
Population
Taluks
Villages
Blocks
Telephone Code
Pincode
Vehicle Regn. Code
When To Go |
: 2491 Sq.km
: 25,84,118
: Karunagappally, Kunnathur, Pathanapuram, Kottarakara, Kollam
: Kollam(west), Kollam(east), Thrukkadavoor, Thrukkaruva, Kilikolloor, Sakthikulangara, Mangadu, Vadakevila, Mundaykal, eravipuram, Mayyanadu, Parvoor, Poothakkulam, Meenadu, Kalluvathukkal, Athichanalloor, Paripplli, Kottappuram, Chirakkara, Plliman, Nedumpana, Thrukkovilvattam, Thazhuthala, Panayam, Kottamkara, Ilamballoor, Mullavana, Perinadu, Kizhakei kallada, Mntrothuruthu, Ezhukon, Neduvathoor, Pavithreswaram, Kulakada, Mylam, Kottarakara, Puthur, Kalayapuram, Melila, Vettikkavala, Ummannoor, Veliyam, Pooyappally, Kripra, Odanavttam, Chakkuvaraykal, Valakam, Velinalloor, Ilamadu, Kadaykal, Chithara, Chadayamangalam, Mangodu, Kumil, Kottukkal, Nilamel, Ittiva, Punaloor, Karavaloor, Idamulaykal, Araykal, Anjal, Valakkodu, Alayaman, Eroor, Kulathuppuzha, Thingalkariykam, Channapetta, Ayiranelloor, Pattazhi, Thalavoor, Vilakkudi, Pathanapuram, Pidavoor, Pattazhi Vadakku, Idaman, Piravanthoor, Aryangavu, Poonthala, Thenmala, Neendakara, Thekkum bhagam, Chavara, Panmala, Karunagapalli, Thevalakkara, Vadakumthala, Ayinivelikkulam, Kallelibhagam, Athinadu, Ochira, Alappattu, Thodiyoor, Kulasegarapuram, Thazhava, Clappana, Pavumba, Mynagappally, Padinjare kallada, Sasthamkotta, Poruvazhy, Kunnathur, Sooranadu north, Sooranadu south,
: Ochira, Karunagappally, Sasthamkotta, Vettikkavala, Pathanapuram, Anjal, Kottarakara, Chittumala, Chavara, Anjalumoodu, Mugathala, Ethikkara, Chadayamangalam,
: +91 0474
: 691 XXX
: KL-02, KL–23, KL-24, KL-25
: August to March-end
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Aranmula boat race
The annual boat race is more of a regatta and is held in August, after Onam. It is the highpoint of the sleepy village of Aranmula. During the race, the village diety is invited to the scene through the devotional vanchipaattu song, sung by the crowd of hundred thousand, including oarsmen and singers. Note: Aranmula is 9 km west of Chengannur on the Ernakulam-Ko/lam road.
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Ashtamudi Backwaters
The many cruises organised by DTPC is the finest way to explore these backwaters. The highlights of a one-day houseboat trip could include visits to Panmana Beach, a coir-making unit, and the houseboat-building yard at Alumkadavu. A day-night cruise entails a night stay on the Ashtamudi Lake.
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Kakki Reservoir
Of the three reservoirs in Pathanamthitta, the Kakki reservoir is the best known. Set in sylvan surroundings, this magnificent artificial lake offers facilities for boating.
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Kaviyoor
Kaviyoor is famous for the temples on the banks of River Manimala dedicated to the Lord Hanuman. In fact, its original name was 'Kapiyoor' or 'land of monkeys'. At Trikkakudi, 3 km east of Thiruvalla, an eighth century temple built of rock is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has beautiful Pallava style sculpture.
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Konni
Chiefly an agricultural region, Konni is rich in cash crops and famous for its elephant rides. The elephant training centre, built in 1941, is one of the oldest in India.
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Mannadi
Diwan Velu Thampi Dalawa, of the erstwhile State of Travancore, ended his life at Mannadi after leading a brief rebellion against the British. A memorial has been erected in his honour. An ancient Bhagavathi temple with exquisite stone sculpture, and the Kerala Institute of Folklore and Folk Arts are the other attractions here. Note: Mannadi is 13 km from Moor.
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Maramon
Located close to Kozhencherry, Maramon is the site of the annual Christian convention held in February. This convention is the offshoot of the spiritual awakening that took place in the Malankara Church towards the middle of the last century.
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Perumthenaruvi Falls
The river Pamba plunges down a rocky path into a ravine about 100 ft below. This splendid natural waterfall is popular as a picnic spot.
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Sabarimala
Situated high on the Western Ghats and accessible only by foot, the temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. An important pilgrim centre, multitudes throng the shrine for a glimpse of makarajyothi.
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Thiruvalla
There are numerous temples and churches with rich cultural heritage and architectural splendour in and around Thiruvalla. We visited and prayed at the Sree Vallabha Temple at Thiruvalla, one of the most prominent Vaishnavite centres in South India. We spent some time in the temple complex by watching its peculiar architecture and carvings on the roof. We were told about the peculiar Kathakali Vazhipadu conducted in the temple
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Vastu Vidya Gurukulam
Set up in 1993 in a naalukettu, a traditional Kerala house, on the banks of the Pamba, this institute is the result of an initiative to preserve the ancient traditional arts of building and construction. The art gallery throws more light on the subject.
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Vijnana Kala vedi Cultural Centre
This institute was established in 1977 by a French woman, Louba Schild, under the Indo-French cultural exchange programme. It is dedicated to preserving the arts and heritage of Kerala. People come from all over the world to study everything from singing, dancing, and cooking to community living and language.
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Places to Visit |
Thiruvananthapuram |
Aakulam Tourist Complex, Agasthayarkoodam, Anjengo Fort, Ammachiplavu, Ananthapuri, Beemapalli, Kanyakumari, Kerala State Science and Technology Museum, Kovalam Beach, Maruthwamala, Napier Museum, Neyyar, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Priyadarshini Planetarium, Puthen Malika, Shankhumugham Beach, Sree Chithra Art Gallery, Sree Chithra Enclave, Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Sucheendram temple, The Zoo and Museum Complex, Thriparappu waterfalls, Varkala, Vattakkotta, Veli, Vivekanandappara, Vyloppilly Sanskrithi Bhavan, |
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Pathanamthitta |
Aranmula boat race, Ashtamudi Backwaters, Kakki Reservoir, Kaviyoor, Konni, Mannadi, Maramon, Perumthenaruvi Falls, Sabarimala, Thiruvalla, Vastu Vidya Gurukulam, Vijnana Kala vedi Cultural Centre, |
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Alappuzha |
Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, Bhagavathi Temple, Chakkulathukavu Bhagavathi Temple, Chavara Bhavan, Karumadi Kuttan, Krishnapuram Palace Museum, Kuttanad, Mannarassala Snake Temple, Pathiramanal Island, R Block,, St George Orthodox Syrian Church, St Mary's Church, Champakulam, Subrahmanya Temple. |
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Idukki |
Blossom international Park, Cheriyapalli, CSl Church (St George's Church), Devikulam Lake, Eagle Rock or Parunthumpara, Idukki Arch Dam, Kalvary Mount, Kolukkumalai, Kundala, Kurisumala Ashram, Kurisumala, Malanadu Development Society (MDS), Mampara Grasslands, Mangaladevi Temple, Marayoor, Mattupetty, Mount Carmel Church, Munnar, Murugan Para, Nelliyampathy, Orange and Vegetable Farm,Panchalimedu, Peermede, Pine Forests, Pothundy, Rajamalai, Seetharkundu,Summer Palace, Tea Museum, Thekkady, Thommankuthu, Thrisangu Hills, Top Station, Vagamon, Viewpoints, Waterfalls of Munnar, |
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Kottayam |
Ayyampara hills, Cheriyapalli, Erumely, Ganapathiyar Kovil, Good Shepherd Church, Ilaveezhapoonchira, Kanjirapally, Kayyoor Temple, Krishnapuram Palace Museum, Malanadu Development Society (MDS), Pala, Poonjar Palace, Shrine of our Lady of immaculate Conception, St Dominic's Cathedral, St George Church, St Mary's Church, St Mary's Church Bharananganam, St Mary's Forane Church, St Thomas Benedictine Abbey, Thirunakkara Temple, Vagamon, Valiyapalli, Kumarakom, Driftwood Museum, Bird Sanctuary, Midlands. |
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Ernakulam |
Antique Shops in Jew Street, Bhoothathankettu, Bishop's House/indo-Portuguese Museum, Broadway, Cherai Beach, Chottanikkara Temple, Clock tower, Dutch Cemetery, Fort Kochi Beach, Hill Palace Museum, Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi, Kochi, Kumbalangi, M.G.Road, Marine Drive, Maritime Museum, Museum of Kerala History, Pardesi Synagogue, Santa Cruz Basilica, Shiva Temple, SNC Maritime Museum, Spice Market, St Francis Church, Thirumala Devaswom Temple, Willingdon Island, Chendamangalam. |
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Thrissur |
Athirappally and Vazhachal water falls, Ayyappa and Edathedathu Kavil Bhagavathy, Basilica of Our Lady of Dolores, Cheraman Perumal Juma Masjid, Cheruthuruthy, The land of Arts, Guruvayur, Irinjalakkuda, The land of Bharatha, Juma Masjid,Kodungallur, Koodalmanik, Yam Temple, Irinjalakuda, Kurumba Bhagavathi Temple, Lourdes Cathedral,Mar Thoma Pontifical Shrine, Martha Mariyam Chaldean Church, Palayur Church,Punnathoor Kotta, Sakthan Thampuran Palace, Shiva Temple,Sree Rama Temple, Thriprayar,The Cheraman Perumal who embraced Islam, The State Museum and Zoo,The Swaraj Roudn the heart of Thrissur,Vadakkumnathan Temple, |
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Malappuram |
Kadalundi Nagaram, Kondotty, Kottakkal(Centre of Ayurveda), Kottapadi, Malappuram, Manjeri, Nilambur(Forest area), Perinthalmanna, Perumpadappu, Ponnani, Tanur, Teak Museum,Tirur,Tirurangadi, |
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Kozhikode |
Beypore and its ‘Urus’, Beach Road, CSI Church, Kallai, Lokanarkavu of Vadakkanpattu, Mananchira Square, Mishkal Mosque, Mother of God Cathedral, Muchundipalli, Pazhassiraja Museum and Art Gallery, Planetarium and Science Centre, Tali Temple,Valayanadu Devi Kshetram, |
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Wayanad |
Mananthavady, Brahamagiri, Chembra Peak, Edakkal Caves,Jain Temple, Karalad Lake, Kerala Kalamandalam, Kuruva Dweep, Lakkidi's Chain Tree, Mahe, Meenmutty Falls,Muthanga,The jungle of secrets, Pakshipathalam,Pazhassi Museum,Pookot Lake,River Nila,Soochipara and Kanthampara Falls, The tree of Karimthandan,Thirunelly Temple,Thrissiteri Temple,Wayanad Heritage Museum, |
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Kannur |
Alluring Beaches, Cheruvathur Kota Palli, Delightful Backwaters, Ezhimalai, Fort St Angelo,Kanhirode weaving Co-operative, Kerala Folklore Academy, Kottiyoor Shiva Temple, Mahalingeshwara Temple, Nileswaram, Parassini Kadavu Temple, Payyambalam Beach,Rajarajeshwara Temple,Thalassery,The tree of Karimthandan,Ummichipoyil and Varikulam,Valiyaparamba Backwaters, |
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Kasargode |
Anandashram, Ananthapura Temple, Bekal Fort, Chandragiri Fort, Kanhangad Hosdurg Fort,Kanwatheertha Beach, Kappil Beach, Kodagu, Kottanchery, Malik Ibn Dinar Mosque, Possadi Gumpe, Ranipuram. |
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