Pathanamthitta - The Land of Temples

Pathanamthitta, situated near the Western Ghats and bordered by hills, is a pristine district and a popular centre for pilgrim worship in Kerala. This land of temples is frequented by visitors from India and abroad often for its water fiestas, religious shrines and the cultural training centre. The district is adorned with fertile agricultural land, plantations and forest, paddy, tapioca, variety of vegetables and spices like cardamom, pepper etc. are extensively cultivated.

Pathanamthitta is a combination of two words Pathanam and Thitta which mean an array of houses on the river side. Nestled in the thick forests of the Sabari hills of the Western Ghats in Pathanamthitta district, at an altitude of 914 m above sea level, is the famous hill shrine of Sabarimala, dedicated to Lord Sree Ayyappan.

This temple draws over fifty million pilgrims a year. The shrine will be pouring with devotees especially during the main season from November to 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). This year, the opening and closing days for the 'Mandalapooja Maholsavam' are 5.30 pm on November 15 and 10 pm on December 26.

Certain customs are to be strictly observed if one has to undertake a pilgrimage to Sabarimala. A pilgrim attending the Mandalapooja should observe austerities for 41 days. During this period, the pilgrim should abstain himself from non- vegetarian habits and cardinal pleasures.

Pilgrims set out in groups under a leader, and each carry a cloth bundle called Irumudi kettu containing traditional offerings. Unlike certain Hindu temples, Sabarimala temple has no restrictions of caste or creed. The temple is open to males of all age groups and to women who have either passed their fertility age or those before reaching the puberty stage.

Getting to Sabarimala

Road transport is only available up to Pamba, which is about 65 kms from Pathanamthitta. From there one has to walk a distance of 4-5 kms.

Nearest railway station: Chengannur, about 28 kms from Pathanamthitta.

Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 117 kms from Chengannur.

The easiest route is via Chalakkayam, by which one can reach the banks of the river Pamba by vehicle. Pamba is the main halting point on the way to Sabarimala. From here one has to trek four to five kms to reach the temple.

Some of the other places to visit here include:

Aranmula - The Parthasarathi Temple (dedicated to Sree Krishna) on the banks of the holy river Pamba attracts large crowds of devotees. The Temple here has fine murals from the 18th century. The annual commemoration of the installation of the deity falls on the last day of the Oman festival. As part of this celebration the Aranmula boat race is held on this day. This place is also famous for its metal mirrors made of bell metal.

Pandalam - 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.

Maramon - Situated near Kozhencherry, Maramon is the venue of a mammoth religious convention of Christians from all over the world.

It is attended by people from all communities. The convention which is usually held in February is addressed by religious thinkers and Christian scholars from across the world.