Discover the Land of Pandalam Kerala

As a land rich in cultural diversity, Kerala offers a blend of religions, cultures, communities, and languages. It can be compared to a chain made of different colored beads strung together with the Malayalam language as the thread. As Kerala lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, its geographical features have contributed to its rich cultural diversity. The cultural heritage of Kerala dates back centuries. Besides native art forms, Kerala culture also includes language, literature, architecture, music, festivals, cuisine, archaeological monuments, and heritage centres. The town of Pandalam is located in Kerala, India. It is considered a holy town because of its connection to Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala.

As the adopted son of Pandalam’s Raja, Sree Ayyappa was raised in Pandalam kerala as the deity of the Sabarimala Temple. Sabarimala is perhaps the most holy town in the world, followed by Pandalam in the Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. The Valiyakoikal Pandalam Temple, the pandalam ayyappa temple which is modelled after Sabarimala, is the traditional place for pilgrims to pray on their way to Sabarimala. A procession of Sree Ayyappa's sacred ornaments is taken from Pandalam kottaram near to pandalam ayyappa temple to Sabarimala three days before the legendary Makaravilakku Festival.

As Sabarimala pilgrims gather in large numbers at Pandalam Palace or Pandalam kottaram during Sabarimala season to worship Valiyakoikkal Pandalam Temple, the pandalam ayyappa temple, thousands of devotees flock to the temple.The pandalam temple is located on the banks of the river Achankovil. From Pandalam to Sabarimala, the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) are taken three days before Makaravilakku festival. A Chola attack in Tamil Nadu led the Pandya kings of Tamil Nadu to flee to Pandalam and settle on land they bought from a landlord named Kaipuzha Thampan. Both sides of the Western Ghats were under the control of the Pandya dynasty. The King of Pandalam aided Marthanda Varma in conquering Kayamkulam. While Marthanda Varma expanded his kingdom, Pandalam was not attacked or conquered by him. Previously, Pandalam was a princely state that extended to Thodupuzha in the Idukki district. In 1820, Pandalam became part of Travancore. As part of Alappuzha district, Pandalam used to be part of Mavelikara taluk before Pathanamthitta district was formed.

Pandalam kottaram is built on the banks of the Achankovil river and was home to the Pandalam royal family. The Pandalam royal family plays an influential role in Kerala's history. Pandya kings of Madurai are believed to be their ancestors. Not just historically significant, Pandalam Palace also has a considerable religious significance. It is said that Lord Ayyappa was born to the King of Pandalam. The Pandalam temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is located on the banks of the Achankovil river. During the makaravilakku festival three days prior to Pandalam kottaram, the sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa are carried from Pandalam kottaram to Sabarimala in a grand procession. As a result of an outgrowth of the Pandya kingdom in Kerala during the Kollam era, the Pandalam dynasty emerged. Their fear of being assaulted by a ruler drove them to Kerala. It was Kaipuzha Thampan of Nilambur Kovilakam (Kunjunni Varma Thampan) who gave them land and status in Kerala, a landlord living at Amanthur Palace at Kaipuzha. As of today, Pandalam is part of the Kerala region of Pathanamthitta.

Pandalam is rightly known as the educational and cultural capital of Central Travancore, home to reputed schools, post-graduate programs, training centres, ayurvedic institutes, and engineering colleges. Pandalam is home to seven colleges and 23 schools, including N. S. S. College, Pandalam kerala.The schools in Pathanamthitta are marked for high excellence and provide state, cbse, icse and igcse syllabuses. There are only limited schools in Pathanamthitta following the igcse or cambridge syllabus in Kerala, and one among them is in Pandalam kerala. It provides students with a lifelong learning foundation through a unique learning approach that makes NSK International Residential School one of the best schools in Pathanamthitta. It is listed among the best schools in Pathanamthitta and located in the heart of Thumpamon, near Pandalam kerala.

It is proposed that the Pandalam municipality and Kulanada panchayat be included in the special Township. There is no doubt that the Kurunthottayam market, which has been in existence for centuries and is now known as the Pandalam market, is one of Travancore's largest agricultural markets.

Pandalam's Achankovil suspension bridge is the widest suspension bridge in Kerala. Its source is situated in the Konni Reserve Forest on the peak Devar Mala of the Western Ghats. Major tributaries of the Achankovil river are Rishimala, Pashukidamettu, and Ramakkaltheri. It flows from its origin south west into Kollam district near Achankovil village. After flowing almost 20 km through Kollam district, the river enters Pathanamthitta district near Kalleli before switching its course to the north west.