Kozhencherry

It lies 13 km. from Pathanamthitta, on the left bank of river Pamba and is a trading centre and flourishing market for agricultural goods.

Kozhencherry is a small town in Pathanamthitta district of Central Travancore region (South Central Kerala) in Kerala state, South India.

Kozhencherry is one of the five Taluks in Pathanamthitta district. The other taluks are Tiruvalla, Mallapally, Ranni, and Adoor. The district is headquartered in Pathanamthitta.
Kozhencherry is a major trading and business centre in Central Travancore.

Maramon is a small town on the banks of Pampa River, opposite Kozhencherry town. The river-bed of the Pampa here witnesses the annual Maramon Convention, the largest Christian gathering in Asia.Maramon is a small town on the Pampa River, opposite to Kozhencherry town.
Indian National Congress, Kerala Congress (Mani) and CPI (M) are the three main political parties in Kozhencherry.

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.

Aranmula a suburb of Kozhencherry, is famous for its “Parthasathi Temple” and the “Aranmula Kannadi”, the magic mirror of many a legends. Aranmula is the venue of the annual Snake Boat race on the Pampa, a water theme festival bringing in snake boats from all over the state, to which thousands of tourists are attracted every year; the place is also famous for its metal mirrors called Aranmula Kannadi. Many foreigners have also embraced Aranmula, after coming down to learn Kathakai and Chakiyaarkoothu. It is one of the traditional strongholds of the Marthoma Church.

The Greater Kozhencherry region consists of Kozhencherry and near by areas like Ayroor, Mallappuzhasseri, Thottappuzhasseri, Koipram, Aranmula, Kidangannur, Mezhuveli, Kulanada, Naranganam, Elanthur, Cherukol, Thadiyur and Chekkulam.

Mezhuveli a beautiful village situated between the holy rivers Pamba and Achankovil. This is a typical Kerala village blended with greenish beauty of nature. It is located 16 km south-west of Pathanamthitta and 13km east of Chengannur.

Population
The population of Kozhencherry consists of Syrian Christians (Marthomites, Orthodox, CSI, Pentecostals, Catholics, etc), and Hindus (Nairs, Brahmins, Ezhavas, Konkanis, etc).
Muslims are a minuscle minority, concentrated in pockets like Kattoor and Naranganam.
Kozhencherry is a 100% literate town in Kerala. It is also an educational center.Nearby towns
Pandalam, Pathanamthitta,Thiruvalla,Ranni, Chengannur.

Languages of Kozhencherry
Malayalam, Konkani
English

Konni

A hill town, Konni is famous for timber trade and wild elephant training centre.This is a charming town with lush meadows and hills stands on the bank of river Achakovil. It is surrounded by clove and pepper plantations. Elephants trapped from the forest area are also tamed here.

How to reach:From Pathanamthitta town – 5 Kms (road)
Accommodation:

Forest IB, Konni, Private Lodges at Konni,Tourist guesthouse, Pathanamthitta.

Contact Address: The Divisional Forest Officer, Konny. Ph: 0468 242233.

Kadamanitta

The Kadamanitta Devi Temple is famous for the ten day long Padayani performances held in connection with the annual festival in April/May. The temple is situated about 8km away from Pathanamthitta town.

Getting there: Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla (about 30 Kms from Pathanamthitta).Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport (about 119 kms from Pathanamthitta).

Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan M. R. Ramakrishna Panikkar), popularly known as Kadammanitta, is an Indian writer who was born on March 22, 1935 in Kadammanitta province of the present Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. His childhood experiences, especially the Patayani songs, imparted strong influence in his literary work. With his powerful and mind provoking poems he became one of the gifted rebellious voices in modern Malayalam literature. More than anything, it was his style of reciting his own poems in a powerful and efficient manner made him darling of many progressives.
During his college days, he was involved with the student federation as well as communist party. In 1992 he became the vice president of Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham (Progressive Association for Art and Letters), and in 2002 its president. In 1996, he was elected to Kerala state legislative assembly from Aranmula constituency in Pathanamthitta district. He was awarded Kerala Sahithya Academy award in 1982.
His main works include:
Kadammanittayude Kavithakal
Kadinjool Pottan
Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu

Cherukolpuzha

Cherukolpuzha Hindu-Convention Meet

Ayiroor Cherukolpuzha religious convention of the Hindus is held at Cherukole on the banks of River Pamba, usually in Feb every year. This famous convention is attended by a large number of people and addressed by prominent religious scholars and cultural personalities.

The vice-chairman of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Swami Amruthaswaroopananda Puri, inaugurated the week-long convention at Cherukolpuzha.

Aranmula

Aranmula is a little temple town in Pathanamthitta District, surrounded by undulating green hillocks and girdled by the holy river Pampa. The temple here is dedicated to Lord Krishna.Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirrors made of bell meta which is known as ‘Aranmula Kannadi’.This is a unique art which is not found any where else in the world . It is believed that a divine visitation inspired a window of this village to discover a mysterious blend of bronze which could be waxed bright in to crystal clear mirror.

The town is also famous for the Aranmula Vallamkali (Boat Race), which is held on the annual commemoration of the week long Onam festival. The exciting event begins in the afternoon, each snake boat is thirty feet long containing four helmsman, hundred rowers and twenty five singers.
Vasthuvidya Gurukulam is a unique institution for ancient Indian architecture and mural paintings. It is a school constituted by the state Cultural Department is situated at Aranmula, 16 km away from Pathanamthitta town. The main objective of the gurukulam is the preservation and promotion of vasthuvidya and mural paintings.

Palliyotam

MORE PHOTOS

Palliyotam-Snake Boat Race durin Onam Festival in the river Pamba.

Thiruvonathoni- Neeraniyal

Flag staff

How to reach
Nearest Railway Station – Chengannur

Chengannur to Aranmual – 11kms.

Patthanamthitta (Headquarters )to Aranmula – 16kms.

Cochin & Trivandrum to Aranmula- 128 kms

Chengannur is easily accessible by road or rail. All major trains stop at Chengannur. If you wish to arrive directly in Kerala, then try for flights to Kochi (Cochin) or Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) airports.
Fast Facts Site: Aranmula

District: Pathanamthitta

State: Kerala Site

Location: Chengannur 12 km;Kozhencherry 4 KM

NH 47 link with Kochi (NW) airport, sea port, Konkan railway & highway; Thiruvananthapuram (SE) also via NH 47 [ Map ]

Major Attractions: Metal mirror Kannadi; mural paintings; Parthsarathi temple; Pampa Palliyodam boat race; Kathakali; Vastu Vidya Gurukulam

Sabarimala

Kerala is a land of temples; perhaps the best known pilgrimage destination in Kerala is Sabarimala, high up in the Sahyadri Mountains(western ghats). Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples. It is believed that “Parasurama Maharshi” who retrieved Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa.
The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in January. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India, but also from other parts of the country and abroad.
The shrine gets thronged with devotees especially during the main pilgrim season from November to January.
Mandalapooja(Nov.15th)and Makaravilakku(Jan.14th)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).
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 and those before reaching the stage of puberty.
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 4 to 5 kms to reach the temple.

Pathanamthitta Town

Pathanamthitta is the head quarters of Pathanamthitta district . The district was formed on Ist November 1982. It was carved out of Idukki, Alappuzha and Kollam districts.The district is close to the western Ghats and is endowed with scenic landscape comprising
of low undulating hills, extensive stretches of lush forests, rivers and charming countryside. It is also known for exuberant fairs and festivals. Pathanamthitta district is known as the ‘Headquarters of Pilgrimage Tourism’, of the State.

Pathanamthitta has an important place in erstwhile Travancore state the biggest taluk in the old Travancore state was Pathanamthitta and the revenue collection from this taluk played a prominent role in filling the coffers of the state.The district headquarters is noted for communal and cultural harmony. There are numerous churches, temples and mosques built in close proximity. The Chandanakudam festival at the mosque in the centre of the town is quite famous. Situated near the Western Ghats and bordered by the hills, Pathanamthitta district is a treat to eyes with its vast unending stretches of forests, rivers and rural landscapes. Blessed by nature, the district is famous for its scenic beauty, fairs and festivals.