Pandalam
Pandalam
is one among the fastest growing towns in Pathanamthitta, Kerala. It is believed that Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala spent his human life until adolescene in the palace of Pandalam as the son of the king of Pandalam. Therefore this town is considered as a holy place. The Valiyakoikal temple on the bank of river Achankovil has been modeled as a replica of Sabarimala Shrine. Pilgrims usually stop here for worship before proceeding to Sabarimala. Three days prior to the Makaravilaku festival, the sacred ornaments of Sree Ayyappa are taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala.
How to reach
* 105 km to the north of Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala
* 120 km to the south of Kochi, the state's commercial capital
* 51 km to the south of Kottayam
* 16 km from Chengannur railway station
Aranmula
Aranmula is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta District. It is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula.
Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple is one of the most ancient temples of Kerala. The presiding deity is Lord Krishna. The temple is situated on the banks of River Pamba in Aranmula. It is here that the famous Aranmula boat race is conducted during the time of the Onam festival. The temple has a historic collection of murals by 18th century artists.
Pulikkunnumala Mahadeva Temple is situated nearby Aranmula. Approximately 4 km from Aranmula to reach this temple.
Aranmula Boat Race
The Aranmula Boat Race, the oldest river boat fiesta in Kerala, the south western State of India is held during Onam (August-September). This interesting race is held at Pampa Lake in Aranmula. The snake boats move in pairs to the rhythm of full-throated singing and shouting watched by an exciting crowd. Palliyodams are Aranmula’s unique snake boats ("Chundan Vallam") which devotees hold in reverence, considering it as the divine vessel of the presiding deity in Sree Parthasarathy temple. These Palliyodams belong to different "karas" (rustic parts) on the banks of river Pampa.
Parumala
Parumala is a small town in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. Parumala is renowned for the presence of the Tomb of St. Gregorios (Parumala Thirumeni). The parumala church is dedicated in the names of the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul.
Nearest Bus Station and Railway Station
* Chengannur
* Tiruvalla
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. Mandala pooja 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).
By Rail:
The pilgrims can reach Chengannur by Railway (Broad gauage) from there by car/bus to Pampa.
Chengannur <---> Pampa - 90 Kms.
Standard Schedule of Rituals at Sabarimala Temple
| Nada Opening | 4:00 |
| Nirmalyam | 4:05 |
| Neyyabhishekam | 4:15 - 7:15 |
| Usha Pooja | 7:30 |
| Neyyabhishekam | 8:00 - 11:30 |
| UchaPooja | 12:30 |
| Nada Closing | 1:00 |
| Nada Opening (Evening) | 4:00 |
| Deeparadhana | 6:30 |
| Pushpabhishekam | 7:30 |
| Athazha Pooja | 10:30 |
| Harivarasanam | 10:53 |
| Nada Closing | 11:00 |
| Opening and closing of Sabarimala Sree Dharmasastha Temple for the year 2010 – 2011 | |||
| Month | Pooja | Opening Date | Closing Date |
| January 2010 | Makara Vilakku Mahotsvam |
30-12-2009 | 20-01-2010 |
Makara Vilakku |
14-01-2010 | ||
| February | Monthly Pooja (Kumbham) |
12-02-2010 | 17-02-2010 |
| March | Monthly Pooja (Meenam) |
14-03-2010 | 29-03-2010 |
Utsavam Kodiyettam |
20-03-2010 | ||
Utsavam Aarattu – Painkuni Uthram |
29-03-2010 | ||
| April | Vishu Mahotsavam |
10-04-2010 | 18-04-2010 |
Vishu Darsanam |
14-04-2010 | ||
| May | Monthly Pooja (Edavam) |
14-05-2010 | 9-05-2010 |
Prathistha Dinam |
23-05-2010 | 24-05-2010 | |
| June | Monthly Pooja (Midhunam) |
14-06-2010 | 19-06-2010 |
| July | Monthly Pooja (Karkitakam) |
16-07-2010 | 21-07-2010 |
| August | Monthly Pooja (Chingam) Thiruvonam 23 |
16-08-2010 | 25-08-2010 |
| September | Monthly Pooja (Kanni) |
16-09-2010 | 21-09-2010 |
| October | Monthly Pooja (Thulam) |
17-10-2010 | 22-10-2010 |
| November | Sree Chithira Thirunal Aatta Vishesham |
04-11-2010 | 05-11-2010 |
Mandala Pooja Mahotsavam |
16-11-2010 | 27-12-2010 | |
| December | Mandala Pooja |
27-12-2010 | |
Makara Vilakku Mahotsavam |
30-12-2010 | 20-01-2011 | |
| January 2011 | Makara Vilakku |
14-01-2011 | |
Chengannur
Chengannur
is a beautiful town in 'God's own country', Kerala.
Chengannur situates at the extreme east part of Alappuzha district. It lies between Thiruvalla and Pandalam in MC Road and between Thiruvalla and Mavelikkara in Railway line.
It is 117kms north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram on the Main Central Road (MC Road).
Chengannur Mahadeva Temple is only 1 km away from both Railway Station and KSRTC Bus Stand.
Temples in Chengannur
Chengannur Mahadevar Temple is one of the oldest and famous temple, situated in Allappuzha dist. It is a sprawling temple complex with a circular Sanctum. Lord Shiva and Parvathi Devi are the main investitures of this temple. Differing from other temples, there are two main Shrines in this temple. Lord Shiva facing East and Devi facing West. The main shrine is a conical copper plated one. Devi’s main Idol is made with an alloy of five metals (PANCHALOHAM).
Main Festival (Varshikotsavam)
The 28 Days long Annual festival is the specialty of this temple. The main ultsavam (Annual festival) begins on ‘Thiruvathira’ of ‘Dhanu’ (month in Malayalam Era) and ends on ‘Thiruvathira’ of ‘Makaram’. Special poojas will be there during these days. This festival attracts thousands of people from different locations in Kerala and also outside the state.
Thriputharattu
One of the interesting believes and festival of this Temple is TRIPUTHARATTU which is considered as a symbol of fertility. The festival is connected with a menstruation ceremony, which is observed periodically in the temple. That is why this temple is also considered as Shakthi Peedam.
Shivaratri
Shivrathri is another important festival of this temple. Shivrathri is an important day for all devotees of lord Shiva. A large crowd assembles here in this festival. Arayas of Alappattu in Karunagappalli, comes here on this day and performs poojas and vazhipads.