A well known pilgrim centre of Kerala, Sabarimala lies 191kms away from Thiruvananthapuram and 210kms away from Kochi (Cochin). The holy shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is situated 914metres above sea level amidst dense forests in the rugged rerrains of the Western Ghats. Lord Ayyappa is looked upon as the guardian of mountains and there are several shrines dedicated to him  all along the Western Ghats. The festivals here are the Mandala Pooja, Makara Vilakku (December/January), and  Vishu Vilakku (april). The temple is also open for pooja on the every Malayalam month. The vehicle go only up to Pamba and the temple which is situated five kms away from Pamba can be reached only by trekking. During the festival period there are frequent buses to this place from Kochi (Cochin), Thiruvanathapuram and Kottayam. The nearest railway station is Thiruvalla.

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Pandalam is perhaps second only to Sabarimala, in sanctity and significance. Lord Ayyappa, the presiding diety of Sabarimala had his human sojourn as the son of Raja of Pandalam. It is believed that the Raja constructed a temple close to his palace on the banks of river Achankoil modeled on the Sbarimala shrine which is the present Valiya Koickal temple. Pilgrims usually wiorship here before proceding to Sabarimala. Three days prior to Makaravilakku, the chest containing Thiruvabharanam (the sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa kept here) is taken in a procession  from Pandalam to Sabarimala. The nearest railway station is Chengannur.

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The religious convention known as the Maramon convention   is held annually in February/ March on the river bed at Maramon near Kozhencherry. This is the biggest religious  gathering of the Christians in Asia.

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The oldest Christian church believed to be built by the Apostle St. Thomas in 52A.D. is situated at Niranam.

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Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, a Saint of Malankara Orthodox Church is burried here. This is also a famous Christian pilgrim centre . The orma perunnal (Remembrance Day) is celebrated during November every year. The nearest railway station is  Thiruvalla.

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The mortal remains of  Mar Ignatius Elias 111, the Patriarch of Antioch who died during a visit to India is buried here. the tomb of the patriarch has become a popular pilgrim centre for Christians. It is located 6kms away from Pathanamthitta.

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The Bhagavathi temple here is believed to help people realize their dreams. People bring offering in different forms during the festival. There are also beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone works. It is situated 8kms away from Pathanamthitta.

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The chief attraction of this place is Spider temple. It is believed that spider poison is cured by praying at this temple. It is also the birth place of Sree Sakthi Bhadra, author of well known Sanskrit play, Ascharya Chudamani.

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This temple is one of the most important pilgrim centre for Vaishnavites all over India. A granite pillar carved out of a single piece with an image of Garuda on its top stands in front of the temple. The pillar which serves as a flag staff is 60ft. in height. Kathakali, the classical dance of Kerala, is performed almost all nights in this temple as offerings by devotees. The temple is situated 3kms away from the railway station.

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Situated in Thiruvalla town, this famous Christian Church has a collection of beautiful mural paintings.

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The temple here dedicated to Sree Hanuman Stands on a small hill and has been built in the gable style  of architecture peculiar to Kerala. There is another rock-cut temple 2kms away from the kaviyoor temple, which is great archeological importance. The temple has been assigned to the 8th century.A.D. , due to its close resemblances to the Pallava style. It is about 20 feet broad and thwe central shrine is a squire cell with a rock cut Sivalinga. The stone figures engraved in this temple are among the earliest specimens of stone culture. This temple is now preserved as a historical monument by the Archeology department. The nearest railway station is  Thiruvalla.

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the feast of this mosque is known as Chandanakudam is celebrated every year on the 2nd week of  February. A colourful procession with comparisoned elephants lends colour and festivity to the occation.

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Veluthambi Dalawa, the gallant freedom fighter of Travancore spent his last days here. There is an ancient Bhagavathi temple  here with some stone sculptures. The most important festival of this temple is Ushabali, which falls in February/ March. Kerala Institute of Folklore and Folkarts functions here.

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This sleepy little village is famous for the ritual folk art called Padayani which is performed annually in the latter part of April in the Devi temple at Kadammanitta. There is also a collection of sculptures based on poems by the well known poet Ramakrishnan. It is situated 8kms away from Pathanamthitta.

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Perumthenaruvi ,  the famous water fall is situated 36kms away from Pathanamthitta.

The water flows down a rocky bed into a ravine sixty to one hundred feet deep. It is accessible by trekking or jeep.

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Charalkunnu is a famous retreat and convention centrelocated atop a picturesque hill

situated 5kms away from Kozhenchery.One can experience a panoramic view of the low lying areas including river Pamba from here. There is a camp house with dormitories here.

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Konni is the gateway to the forest bordering the district. In the past , wild elephants caught from the forests were brought here and put in wooden cages known as Anakoodu to be tamed and trained for work. Plans are a foot to develop a safari park here. It is situated 11kma away from Pathanamthitta.

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Set in sylvan background, Kakki reservoir is a tourists delight. The splendid artificial lake offers exilarating boating experience. The surrounding forest abound with tigers , elephants, deers and monkeys.

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Aranmula is situated on the banks of the rinver Pamba, 10kms away from Chengannoor on the Thiruvananthapuram -Kottayam route. The Krishna temple here attracts a number of devotees and is an important pilgrim centre. The annual commemmoration of the the installation of the diety, Parthasarathy falls on the last day of the weak long celebrations to the Onam festival. A Snake Boat Race is held here as part of the festival during Augest/ September.

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The stretch of river Pamba at aranmula is the venue of the famous snake boat race. It is more a pageantry than a race. The snake boat is of an exrtra ordinary shape with a length of  about 100ft. The rear portion towering to a height of about 20ft. and the front portion tapering gradually. The boat resembles a snake with its hood raised. the race is held on the last day of the week long Onam festival to commemorate  the crossing of the river by Lord Krishna. The participants cheerfully row up and down the river to the tune of songs known as Vanchippattu.

Vijnana Kalavedi at Aranmula imparts training in the traditional arts and crafts of Kerala.. Kathakali, classical dances , classical music as well as Kalaripayattu (the martial arts of Kerala) are taught here. The centre is frequently visited by a number of foreign tourists  who can stay here for varying periods and have a first hand knowledge about Kerala culture.

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Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirror. It is not  made of glass but with bellmetal. This is a unique art which is not found any where else in the world. It is believed that a divine visitation inspired a widow of this village to discover a mysrterious blend of bronze which could be waxed bring into crystal clear mirror. The technique of production of this mirror is a closely guarded secret handed over from generation to, generation of craftsmen.

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