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.
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