tHE pLACE oF oRDINARY pEOPLE PATHANAMTHITTA



PATHANAMTHITTA......,

Pathanamthitta is a town and a municipality situated in the Central Travancore region in the state of Kerala, south India, spread over an area of 23.50 km². It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The town has a population of 37,538. The Hindu pilgrim centre Sabarimala is situated in the Pathanamthitta district; as the main transport hub to Sabarimala, the town is known as the 'Pilgrim Capital of Kerala'.^[1] Pathanamthitta. District, the thirteenth revenue district of the State of Kerala. It was formed with effect from the 1st November, 1982 vide G.O. (M.S) No.1026/82/RD dated 29.10.1982, with headquarters at Pathanamthitta. Forest covers more than half (1396.95 km².) of the total area of the District. Pathanamthitta District ranks the 7th in area (2652 sq. km.) in the State

Gavi, Kerala

Gavi is a village in Pathanamthitta district Kerala, India. It is located 28 km southwest of Vandiperiyar, a town in Idukki on N.H 220, the highway connecting Kollam and Madurai

Gavi is 14 km south west of Vandiperiyar, 28 km from Kumily, near Thekkady. Gavi is inside the Ranni reserve forest. Gavi is a part of Seethathode Panchayath in Ranni Taluk. Gavi is part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, and the route can be covered by car from Vandiperiyar. The entrance fee is 25 rupees per person and 50 rupees per vehicle. Cameras are 25 rupees and video cameras are charged 100 rupees. Both day and night stays are available. Forest tent camping is available from November through March. It has been said that most enjoyable route to Gavi is the way from Pathanamthitta. The rough journey to Gavi may better be made on a sturdy vehicle like a jeep which are available on hire either from Vandiperiyar or from Kumily. Entry passes must be obtained from the Forest Check Post en route at Vallakkadavu. Advance booking with the Kerala Forest Development Corporation Ltd. is highly appreciable wherein such formalities will be taken care of by the company itself.

Sabarimala

Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage centre located at the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District, Perunad grama panchayat in Kerala. It is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world, with an estimated over 100 million devotees visiting every year.Ayyappan's temple is situated amidst 18 hills. The temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 468 m (1,535 ft) above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. The dense forest, (Periyar Tiger Reserve), around the temple is known as Poomkavanam. Temples exist in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While functional and intact temples exist at many places in the surrounding areas like Nilakkal Kalaketty, and Karimala remnants of old temples survive to this day on remaining hills.
The shrine at Sabarimala is an ancient temple of Ayyappan also known as sasta and Dharmasasta. In the 12th century, Manikandan, a prince of Pandalam dynasty, meditated at Sabarimala temple and became one with the divine. Manikandan was an avatar of Ayyappan.
Sabarimala is linked to pilgrimage predominantly undertaken by Hindus. Sabarimala pilgrims can be identified easily, as they wear black or blue dress. They do not shave until the completion of the pilgrimage, and smear Vibhuti or sandal paste on their forehead.
In 1991, the Kerala High Court banned entry of women between ages above the age of 10 and below the age of 50 from offering worship at Sabarimala Shrine during any period of the year. Presently, the Supreme Court of India has taken a petition to review the judgement of High Court and allow entry of women. The Supreme Court hearings are in progress and no decision has yet been made.

Aranmula

Aranmula is a temple village in the state of Kerala, India. At a distance of around 116 km from Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, it is situated on the banks of the holy river Pampa. A centre of pilgrimage from time immemorial and a trade post of eminence, when the river was the chief means of transport, it is near Kozhenchery in Pathanamthitta District. Famous for the famous tourist attraction 'Vallam Kali',(Snakeboat Regatta), Aranmula is a global heritage site enlisted by the United Nations. It is a sacred site for the Hindus and comprises the central temple of Lord Parthasarathi with a network of temples and sacred groves around. Boat race is part of the temple festival here. Fertile wetlands, locally called Puncha, rich biodiversity and a soothing climate make Aranmula an apex model of the ecofriendly culture of Kerala. The region, as remote sensing maps show, has a rich stock of ground water which feeds the river Pampa and the estuaries like Vembanad. The rice producing belts like Kuttanad downstream benefit from the water cycle. Nearby important towns are Chengannur (10 km), Pathanamthitta (15 km), Pandalam (14 km). The nearest railway station is at Chengannur and airports are in Kochi, India and Thiruvananthapuram. The annual snake boat race on the Pampa river attracts devotees and also national and international tourists. Fifty two Karas, from ancient chieftains, own the snake boats that take part in the boat races and these are considered as the vehicles of the Lord. Aranmula is also famous for its famed metal mirrors, known as Aranmula kannadi. The palace at Aranmula ( Aranmula Kottaram) built mostly in wood is an architectural marvel and has a history of around 200 years. It was here that the 'Thiru Abharanam', ornaments of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala, were originally kept and it still is a stop over of the annual procession from Pandalam.

Perunthenaruvi

Perunthenaruvi  is a famous waterfall in Kerala. It is located in Pathanamthitta District in the Pampa River. The one shore of this waterfall is Kudamurutty and Vechoochira is the other. The main route to this waterfall starts from Ranni. Ranni - Athikkayam - Kudamurutty - Perunthenaruvi. It is a fine place to spend time with family in a very serene atmosphere.

KAKKI

Kakki Reservoir, set in sylvan background, is a tourist delight. The splendid artificial lake offers a pleasure boating experience. The surrounding forests abuts in Tigers, Elephants, Deer and Monkeys.
Kakki Reservoir is a reservoir, located in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. The lake, which was created when Kakki and Anathode dams were built, is on one of the tributaries of Pamba, the Kakki tributary. The dams were built in 1966 as part of the Sabarigiri Hydroelectric project. Full reservoir level (FRL) is 981.45 meters above sea level according to the operators of the "twin" reservoirs, the Kerala State Electricity Board. The reservoir, which is also a tourist spot, is nestled in the Pathanamthitta reserve forest, very close to the Western Ghats.

Kaviyoor

Kaviyoor is a small village, appearing in history books as one of the ancient 64 Brahmin settlements of Kerala. It is located on the western bank of the river Manimala in the taluk of Tiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. It is a highly literate (97%) village. There are three major high schools established over 50 years ago. There are also a number of primary/junior schools and a couple of Teacher Training Institutes. Kaviyoor used to have a prosperous agrarian economy till agriculture more or less became unviable of late. It is serviced by two nationalized banks and two local co-operative banks.

Valpara

Valpara is a hill station which is a part of Western Ghats and beautiful with its tea gardens and forest range. This forest range lies in the state of Tamilnadu above 3500 feet from sea level. Western Ghats are the mountain range at the southwest of India. The road from Chalakkudy runs through the hill with thick forests on sides of the narrow roads and hair pin bends. Everyone will like the travel through forest. The mountainous road offers great ways for an adventurous driver. This travel can fill your mind with great travel pleasure.
The place is beautiful with its thick forest range and is best for nature photography. The nearest tourist spots are Athirapilly waterfalls, Peringalkuthu Dam Site, Sholayar Dam Site, Upper Sholayar dam, Valpara Tea Estate, Aliyar Dam, Neerar dam and Kadamparai Dam. The Papaya Farm is very beautiful and a main attraction and is one of the rarest in south India.
The local forest range office in the area provides guides and can help in finding the home stays. The bungalows in tea estates offer home stays. The tree houses on the top of trees to escape from the elephants are popular in Valpara. Tourists can stay in this hut with the permit from forest range office.
The group of wild elephants may pass through the road to Valpara. Sometimes if you are lucky you will get chances to view leopards. The place offers great opportunity for photographers to capture the wild life in its natural habitat.The Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is very near to this place and sanctuary is home to Indian Elephant, Wild Gaur (Bison), Leopards, Tailed Macaque and rare birds.

HILL STATIONS....
                                     LORD AYYAPAA.....
                                                                        
                                                                           GREENARY......
                                                                                                       ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,