www.pathanamthitta.com
Pathanamthitta
district- Kerala-Rich in Pilgrimage Tourism & Rural Tourism
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Pathanamthitta district is recognised as the `headquarters of pilgrimage tourism' in the State of Kerala . This"
Land of Temples" is particularly famous for the hill shrine
of Sabarimala,
dedicated to Lord Ayyappan. The churches and Mosques too occupy
a prominent place among the respective religious cmmunites. The must see pilgrim places [ Temples - Churches - Mosques ] [ Map ]
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Sabarimala
is one of the most famous pilgrim centers in India and is
72 kms from Pathanamthitta. Every year crores of devotees
from all over India visit the shrine of lord Ayyappa for his
blessings. The temple is situated in the interior of the mountain
ranges of the western ghats and is accessible only by foot.
The pilgrimage season starts in November and ends in mid January.
On the particular day of 'Makaravilakku' lakhs of devotees
throng around the temple for a glimpse of 'Makarajyothi' .The
temple is closed during the rest of the year except for the
first five days of every Malayalam month and during 'Vishu'.
The famous Parthasarathi temple on the banks of the holy river
Pamba,and dedicated to Lord Krishna attracts large number of
devotees. The annual commemoration of the installation of the
deity falls on the last day of the Onan festival .It is as part
of this celebration that the aranmula boat race is held on this
day.
The
Kaviyoor Mahadeva temple which was constructed in the early
years of the 10th century is one of the oldest of the Mahadeva
temples in Kerala. References are visible in the Kaviyoor Shasanas
of 950 A.D.regarding the gifts that were offered to this temple.But
it is believed that he darusilpas seen around the temple belong
to the 17th century.
Thekekudi
Cave Temple in Kaviyoor panchayat is one among the rare breed
of cave temples to be found around in Kerala. It is assumed
that this temple is constructed in the Pallava architectural
style and was built in the 8th century. Apart from Ganapathi,
Maharshi, Dwarapalaka idols in the sreekovil which in inside
the cave, there is also a Sivalinga which is about three feet
in height . 
Pandalam
is perhaps second only to Sabarimala in sanctity and is closely
associated with the birth and early child hood days of Lord
Ayappa. Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala had
his humon sojourn as the son of the Raja of Pandalam. It is
believed that the raja constructed a temple close to his palace
on the banks of the river Achenkoil modelled on the Sabarimala
shrine which is the present Valiyakoyikkal temple. Pilgrims
usually offer worship here before proceeding to Sabarimala.
.Three days prior to Makaravilakku , the sacred ornaments of
Lord Ayappa are taken in procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala
Pamba
is the most important and holy spot on the way to Sannidhanam.
It is here that Lord Ayyappa was found by King Rajasekara.The
Pamba river is as holy as the river Ganges. The Pamba water
purifies one from curse and evil. 
Sree
Vallabha temple here is one of the most important pilgrim centers
of the Vaishnavites spread through out India. A granite pillar
carved out of a single piece of rock with an image of Garuda
on its top stands in front of the temple. The pillar, which
serves as a flag mast is 60ft high. kathakali, the folk art
of kerala, is performed almost on all days in this temple as
offerings by devotees.