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Pathanamthitta is a district in the state of Kerala that is famous for its natural beauty, fairs and festivals. A Tour to Pathanamthitta gives you the wonderful chance to view nature at its very best. Pathanamthitta.The vast stretches of forests, the meandering rivers and the rural topography combine to create an irresistible charm. Pathanamthitta is a small city which is a thickly forested region dotted with mountains and rivers and temples.

Places of Tourist interest in Pathanamthitta

Aranmula

The Parthasarathi Temple, dedicated to Sree Krishna, on the banks of the holy River Pamba, attractions large crowds of devotees. The famous Aranmula snake boat race is held on the last day of the weeklong Onam festival. The ‘Vijinana 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 also has fine murals from the 18th century. Aranmula is also very famous for its hand made mirrors of polished metal called ‘ Aranmula Kannadi’, which is a unique craft and not found anywhere else in the world.

Sabarimala (Pilgrim Centre)
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 (4kms). The hold shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India, from different castes, creed, especially from other parts of South India. Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku are the two main events of the pilgrim season, which is from Nov to mid Jan. The Temple remains closed during the rest of the year, except for the first five days of every Malayalam month and during ‘Vishu’ in April. Sabarimala is surrounded by hazardous hills like Karimala and Neelimala. Men of all ages are allowed inside the temple but women only below 10 years and above 50 years of age are permitted inside.

Perumthenaruvi
Perumthenaruvi is a famous waterfall on the banks of the River Pamba. Here, the water flows down a rocky bed into a ravine 60 to 100 feet deep. The place is a favourite picnic spot for both domestic and foreign tourists.

River Pamba
This is the main halting point on the way to Sabarimala, the famous pilgrim centre. It is also known as ‘Thriveni Sangamam’, the meeting point of three rivers.

Ilaveezha Poonchira

Located atop one of the four hills, Kudayathoor Mala, at a distance of 20 km from Thodupuzzha, Ilaveezha Poonchira literally translates into ‘pond of flowers atop a hill where no leaves fall’. This is a hamlet from where views of the surrounding area is bewitching. Idukki Attractions.Legends have it that Bhima put his crown as a barrier to prevent people from viewing Draupadi while she was bathing. The crown later turned into rocks thereby isolating the area from the rest of the nearby places. You can undertake a trekking expedition to reach to the top of the Kudayathoor Mala.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is close to the Idukki Arch Dam and covers a part of the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district. The total area covered by the park is 77 sq km out of which 33 sq km is occupied by the lake formed due to the construction of three artificial dams – Cheruthoni, Kulamavu and Idukki. The animals that can be sighted here include Elephants, Deers, Bears, Wild Pigs, Tigers and Leopards. Also to be seen are snakes like Python, Cobra, Ciper, Rat Snake, Iguana and birds like Hornbills, Wood Peckers and King Fishers.

Waterfalls

Two waterfalls – Thomankuttu and Rainbow Waterfalls – are located at a distance of 20 and 25 km from Thodupuzha. The waterfalls are an ideal destinations for all those who love to picnic in a natural surroundings. The first mentioned waterfall is characterized by seven step and a number of surrounding caves. The second one is surrounded by lush green forests

Karikodu Bhagwathy

Located opposite the Annamalai Temple, this temple has goddess Bhagvathy as its presiding deity. The temple is 460 years old and is, unlike the Annamalai Temple, a rebuilt structure. Only Hindus are permitted to enter the temple between 5 to 11 am and then from 5 to 8 pm.

Tourist Attractions in Ernakulam

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The main tourist attractions in Ernakulam are Hill Palace Museum, Madhavan Nayar Foundation, Kaladi, Kodanad, Chendamangalam, Malayatoor, Bhoothathankettu and Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary.

Hill Palace Museum

The Hill Palace was the official residence of the royal family of Kochi and built in 1865. This palace is located on the Ernakulam-Chottanikkara route, about 10 km from Ernakulam. The palace complex consists of 49 buildings built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture and surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land with a deer park and facilities for horse riding. A full-fledged Ethno-archaeological Museum and the Kerala’s first ever Heritage Museum are the main attraction of the palace. The Hill Palace museum is the largest museum of archaeological remain in Kerala. Rare coins, manuscripts, sculptures of stone and Plaster of Paris, oil paintings, 19th century paintings, murals and inscriptions of the royal Kochi family can be seen in this museum.

Kodanad

Kodanad is situated in the high ranges on the southern bank of the Periyar, and one of the largest elephant training centres in south India. There is also a mini zoo for wild animals here.

Kaladi

Kaladi is the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya, the great Advaita philosopher of the 8th century. The temples dedicated to Sri Shankaracharya, Sharada Devi, Sri Krishna and Sri Ramkrishna are also located here. A place called Crocodile Ghat is also situated here where Sri Shankaracharya took his vows of renunciation. According to the legend, a crocodile caught hold of him and refused to release him until Shri Shankaracharya’s mother Aryamba permitted him to accept Sanyas (renunciation).

Bhoothathankettu

Bhoothathankettu is a picturesque place situated in a vast virgin forest. This mythologically popular picnic spot lies close to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkadu. Two of the main irrigation projects of Ernakulam district – the Periyar Valley Irrigation Project and the Idamalayar Irrigation Project are also located nearby. Trekking to the old Bhoothathankettu provides excitement to adventure lovers.