Pathanamthitta

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  ?PATHANAMTHITTA
Kerala • India
Coordinates: 9°16′N 76°47′E / 9.27, 76.78
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
• Elevation
• 19 m (62 ft)
District(s) Pathanamthitta
Population 37,802 (2001)
Codes
• Pincode
• Telephone
• Vehicle
• 689647
• +91-468
• KL - 03
Website: http://www.pta.kerala.gov.in/intro.htm

Coordinates: 9°16′N 76°47′E / 9.27, 76.78

For the district with the same name, see Pathanamthitta district

Pathanamthitta is a town situated in the very heart of the Central Travancore region of Kerala State, India.It is the administrative capital of The Pathanamthitta District. The town has a population of 38,000. It is known as the 'Pilgrim Capital of Kerala'. Pathanamthitta is a fast-developing town and business center. It is the main transport hub to the famous Hindu pilgrim center of Sabarimala. The main trunk road to Sabarimala is from Pathanamthitta. The Main Eastern Highway (Punalur-Pathanamthitta-Muvattupuzha Road/SH-08) and T.K.Road(Thiruvalla-Pathanamthitta-Kumbazha Road/SH-07) pass through Pathanamthitta. Pathanamthitta is a cosmopolitan town, with people of different faiths like Hindus, Christians, and Muslims live in harmony. Pathanamthitta District has a communal break up of Hindus 55.58%, Christians 40.35%, Muslims 4.03%.

Contents

[edit] Etymology

The name Pathanamthitta is derived from two Malayalam words Pathanam and thitta, which together mean "houses by the riverside".

[edit] Geography

Pathanamthitta is located at 9.27° N 76.78° E[1]. It has an average elevation of 19 metres (62 feet) above sea level.

The pathanamthitta town is located on the banks of the River Achankovil.

Aerial view of the Pathanamthitta City
Aerial view of the Pathanamthitta City
Sunset at Pathanamthitta
Sunset at Pathanamthitta
Perunthenaruvi water falls near Pathanamthitta
Perunthenaruvi water falls near Pathanamthitta
View from top - perunthenaruvi water falls
View from top - perunthenaruvi water falls
Padayani - Thazhoor Bhagavati Temple at Vazhamuttom near Pathanamthitta
Padayani - Thazhoor Bhagavati Temple at Vazhamuttom near Pathanamthitta
Another Photograph of Thazhoor Padayani
Another Photograph of Thazhoor Padayani


[edit] Climate

The town enjoys a tropical climate, the monsoons start in June. The months of April-May can get pretty humid. The best weather is from October to February.

Pathanamthitta experiences three distinct seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. Typical summer months are from March to May. The warmest month in Pathanamthitta is April. Although summer doesn't end until May, the city often receives locally developed heavy thundershowers in May (although humidity remains high).

The monsoon lasts from June to August, with moderate rainfall. Most of the heavy rainfall in the city fall between June and July, and June is the wettest month of the year. Last weeks of June is also days of floods. The three major rivers viz Pampa, Achankovil and Manimala swell with rainwater.

Winter begins in December. December and February are the winter months. The lowest temperatures are experienced during January.


[edit] How to get here

[edit] Air

Thiruvanathapuram International Airport (113 km) and Cochin International Airport, at Nedumbassery, Kochi (142 km) are the nearest airports. The proposed Aranmula International Airport is just 14 km from Pathanamthitta.

[edit] Rail

Chengannur (26 km) and Thiruvalla(30 km) are the nearest railway stations. Direct Bus services to Pathanamthitta are operated right from the Chengannur Railway Station Exit gate.

[edit] Road

Pathanamthitta is the meeting point of two major State Highways T.K.Road (SH - 07) and Main Eastern Highway ( Punalur-Muvattupuzha Road / SH - 08 ). The town is well connected to major towns and cities inside and outside Kerala by the State run K.S.R.T.C and private buses as well as Luxury Services. Both KSRTC and Pvt Buses play equal role to satisfy the transportation needs of the town. The cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Thrissur etc are connected by KSRTC whereas Hi-range townships like Punalur, Kumali, Pala and the Malabar Area of Northern Kerala are connected by Pvt Buses. Plenty of A/C Luxury Bus Services are operated from Pathanamthitta to Bangalore, Chennai, Mangalore, Mumbai on a Daily basis.


[edit] The Drive Route

Cochin - Cherthala - Alappuzha - Changanasserry - Thiruvalla - Kozhencherry - Pathanamthitta 128 km

Thiruvananthapuram - Kilimanoor - Kottarakkara - Adoor - Pathanamthitta 99 km or Thiruvananthapuram - Kilimanoor - Chadayamangalam - Ayur - Kottarakkara - Adoor - Pandalam - Pathanamthitta - 115 km

Kumali/Thekkadi - Mundakkayam - Erumeli - Ranni - Pathanamthitta 102 km

Tirunelveli/Thenkasi - Shenkottai - Punalur - Pathanapuram - Konni - Pathanamthitta

Kottayam - Changanasserry - Thiruvalla - Kozhencherry - Pathanamthitta 56 km

[edit] Nearby places

[edit] Aranmula

Aranmula is known for the Vaasthu Vidya Gurukulam, the traditional way of constructing buildings. Aranmula is located on the banks of the river Pamba, which hosts another important annual event called the Maramon Convention.

The famous Aranmula Mirror localy known as Aranmula kannadi, kannadi meaning mirror, is made here. This mirror is made out of high tin bronze.

The Place is of historical importance, The Thiruaranmula Parthsaaradhi temple. It is believed that the main idol was originally the "Thevaara vigraha"(one which was used for daily personal worship) of Arjuna the third Paandava. It is also believed that the thevaars vigrahas of the four other Paandavas are placed in the nearest four villages namely Thrchittaat, Thrppuliyoor, Thiruvanmandoor near Chengannur, Thrkkodithaanam near Changanassery.

The Aranmula Vallamkali, the wold famous water carnival is the main important event related to this place. It started in relation with the thiruvonathoni which starts on Uthraadam (day before Onam) evening from Kaattoor Mahavishnu temple with provisions for the 'Nivedyam' and 'samoohasadya' (mass feast) on Thiruvonam at the temple. The provisions are offered by the Mangattu Bhattathiry, thekaranavar (the eldest member) of Mangattu Illom. (There is a legend also behind this.) Preveously the Mangattu Illom was situated near Kaattoor temple and now it is at Kumaranalloor near Kottayam. There will be a representative from the family on the thoni (canoe), as a part of tradition. It is a nice sight to see the thoni moving down the river Pampa without rowing. The thoni is symbolic of Garuda the vehicle of Lord vishnu

FOKANA, a consortium of Non-Residential Malayalis in the United States of America and Canada is promoting a company, Central Travancore Development Corporation (CTDC) for the overall development of Central Travancore region. CTDC is planning to build a domestic airport in Aranmula. Apart from the above specialities, Aranmula is famous for many other things like - Valla Sadhya, thanungu perukku. The Aranmula Tiruvaranmulayappan temple is vey famous and one of the biggest in Kerala. other small temples in Aranmula are: Ganapati Temple, Kadakal, Punnamthottam, Kuruvilakkavu, Kaippuzha, Pallimukkom etc.

[edit] Neervilakom

Neervilakom(also spelt Neervilakam, Neervilakem, Nirvilakam, Nirvilakom, Nirvilakem) is one of the beautiful villages situated between Aranmula and Chengannur. This place is blessed with natural beauty where God has shown his artistic ability. The place is located, 5km away from Chengannur and 7 km away from Aranmula. Neervilakom belongs to Aranmula panchayath situated in the extreme west part of Pathanamthitta district. It is the geographical border of Alappuzha and pathanamthitta districts. It shares its border with Malakkara, Arattupuzha, Puthancavu, Kurichumuttam and Piralasherry villages

How to reach


The main access to Neervilakom village is Chengannur- Pandalam parallel road. Other accesses are Arattupuzha - Neervilakom road, Malakkara- Neervilakom road, Chakkittappadi-Neervilakom road and Aranmula- Chengannur parallel road. Limited bus services are available. Auto rickshaws and taxis are available for convenient travel. Chengannur railway station is just 5 km away from this place and so is the main bus station.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census[2], Pathanamthitta had a population of 12.34 lakh. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Pathanamthitta has an average literacy rate of 93%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 96%, and female literacy is 92.5%. In Pathanamthitta, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

There are five engineering colleges and one medical college in Paqthanamthitta District.

The Pathanamthitta district is home for a number of famous South Asian religious spots.

Sabarimala, around 65 km away from the district headquarters is famous for the Lord Ayyappa temple where lakhs of worshippers gather every year during the season from November to January. The temple shrine is also open for five days from 15-20 every English month. Maramon on the banks of the Pampa river is famous for the yearly Christian convention attended by thousands during February, is just 12km away. Cherukolpuzha is also famous for another Hindu religious convention during February. It is also held on the banks of Holy River Pamba.

Manjinnikkara, which is just 7 km away near Omalloor, is famous for another Christian religious convention held yearly during second week of February in the memory of the Antioch Bishop who visited the church, but unfortunately died during the short visit and was buried there later. The other religious places are Pandalam Ayyappa Temple the early childhood place of God Ayyappa, Malayalappuzha Devi Temple, Kodumon spider temple, Chakkulathukavu Devi Temple, Thazhoor Sree Bhagawati Temple at Vazhamuttom, Neervilakom Sree Dharama Sastha Temple, Kadammanitta Devi Temple, Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Kodumthara Sree Subramanya Temple, Vallicode Sree Padmanabhswami Temple also known as Thrikkovil, Vallicode Thrippara Mahadevar Temple, Omallur Sree Rakthakandaswami Temple, Vettoor Sastha Temple, Achankovil Sastha Temple, Ranni Devi Temple, Valanchuzhy Devi Temple, Omallur Devi Temple, Pathanamthitta Sastha Temple, Thadiyoor Sastha Temple, Pathanamthitta Amman Kovil, Parumala Church, Niranom Church, Trinity Marthoma Church Mekozhhor, Thiruvalla Shri Vallabha temple and a host of other temples and churches. 6 km away from Pathanamthitta, there is a place called Kadammanitta that is famous for its Devi Temple, and is also the hometown of famous Malayalam poet Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan, another 1.5 km from Kadammanitta you can find the Marthoma Church, Kadammanitta. This church was established back in 1895.

In Ranni, Vadaserikara, there is the Peniel Revival Assembly Church which serves as an important place for religious conventions and fasting prayers, and it also helps Peniel Revival Ministries Inc with its mission to reach out to the community. Malankara Orthodox Christians are the majority in Pathanamthitta among the Christian Groups. Pathanamthitta is one of the few districts in Kerala with the largest number of Pentecostal churches and organizations. Many numerous organizations like Indian Pentecostal Church, Peniel Revival Ministries Inc, Peniel Revival Assembly of Youths (PRAY), Assemblies of God, United Brethren Church of God, Church of God and other organizations all have their main bases and headquarters located in Pathanamthitta. Pathanamthitta is also the home to the start of Peniel Revival Ministries Inc (PRM) and Peniel Revival Assemblies of Youth (PRAY) Organizations. St. Stephens Orthodox Cathedral, Pathanamthitta is the Biggest cathedral in the Heart of the town

Pathanamthitta claims to be first district in India to achieve 100 percent literacy rate and lowest population growth rate in the country.

Pathanamthitta still has quite few settlements of aborigines called 'adivasis' deep in the forest area including areas like Thanithoddu, Chittar. The people from the settlements prefer not to be disturbed by the crowd from outside civilizations or lifestyles, but are indeed harmless.

Pathanamthitta is bordered by Idukki district on the east, Kottayam on the north, Kollam and Aalapuzha on west and south again by Kollam. The villages of Pathanamthitta provides great opportunity to develop, eco, cultural, health care, adventure, monsoon tourism.

[edit] Life in Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta is an important District Capital in the highrange map of Kerala. It is a meeting place for the agri based economy of the nearby townships like Ranni, Malayalappuzha, Konni, Adoor, Chittar, Kozhencherry etc. It is the market for cash crops like rubber, Coffee beans, Cocco, pepper, Coconut, Ginger and other major products.

Pathanamthitta is the busiest "Idathaavalam" - Halt Point of Sabarimala Pilgrims. Thousands of devotees from various parts of India pass through this Town. During the pilgrimage season i.e. Dec-Jan, the town is fully active round the clock. Citizens of Pathanamthitta are known for their friendly attitude towards the pilgrims. In turn the economy of Pathanamthitta is getting boosted.

Pathanamthitta's Central Junction serves as the meeting place. It is the very heart of town as well as the District. The market place is also nearby. At night, a number of "ThattuKadas" - Street Food Merchants pop-up at the Central Jn. Most of the shopping centers, business ventures and a mini Civil Station that houses a large number of Govt. Offices are all located near to the Central Jn.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Pathanamthitta
  2. ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.