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More Villages in Pathanamthitta
Adoor:
Adoor is a developed village grown to the level of a medium type town. The stalwarts like Adoor Gopalakrishnan (film director and producer) and Adoor Bhasi (film actor) are the products of Adoor.
Kannamcode Cathedral
a big one, run by Malankara Orthodox Church is located here. More than 850 families find solace in the Cathedral. It runs two Chapels, three Youth Movements and four Sunday Schools. The Cathedral is privileged by the resting in peace by most revered Philipose Ramban who translated The Holy Bible to the vernacular language Malayalam.
Parumala Thirumeni had visited here and the bed he used during the visit is still kept here as a pious object.
The famous Sree Parathasarathy Temple dedicated to Lord Sree Krishna is located here. A 10-day festival with a Gajamela (procession of caparisoned tuskers) on final day is a great event.
Many educational institutions located here. They are:
Kendriya Vidyalaya College of Engineering, Manakkala IHRD College of Applied Sciences University Institute of Technology St Cyril’s College, Kilivayal Holy Angel’s Higher Secondary School St Mary’s MMGHS KVVS College of Science and Technology, Kaithaparambu All Saints’ Public School HIMS, MGU Off-Campus Centre
Location: Midway between Thiruvanthapuram and Ernakulam.
Mannadi :
13 km from Adoor, on the way to Kollam, at a village known as Mannadi the Diwan of the erstwhile Travancore Velu Thampi Dalwa met with his tragic fate. He himself caused the death after a rebellion against the British rulers rather than facing humiliation at their hands. A monument for Velu Thampi is there to greet the visitors to Mannadi.
There is a Bhagawathi temple where Velu Thampi used to pray daily. The festival in the temple is during Malayalam month Kumbam(February/March).
Ammkandakara :
This village is within Pallickal Panchayath, near Adoor.
Two temples – one devoted to Dharmasastha and the other devoted to goddess Devi – are considered guardians of the village.
Kaviyoor :
This village is located on the banks of Manimala River. Most of the residents are Hindus and Christians.
There is an ancient rock cut temple dedicated to Shiva. The temple, rooms and sculptures are carved on a gigantic rock. The temple is with a verandah, an uncommon feature in Kerala temples, and the wall on which a sculpture of Lord Ganapathy is beautifully carved. The temple was erected during Pallava dynasty rule from 608 to 850 AD.
There is another temple, dedicated to Mahadeva (Shiva), with unique architecture. This temple is believed to have been constructed in the beginning of 10th century. The Darusilpas (wood sculptures) around the temple are of 17th century origin. Annual festival is held here during December/January. During the festival, the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman, known as Hanuman Jayanthi is also celebrated as a co-event.
There is yet another rock cut temple in Kaviyoor known as Trikkukkudi Cave Temple. This temple is an asset to archaeological researchers and great attraction to tourists. Belonging to latter part of 18th century, the temple has close resemblance with Pallava style architecture. The sculptures resemble stone culture.
There are several Illoms (homes of Brahmins) in the vicinity of temples in Kaviyoor.
Kaviyoor is immensely prone to agriculture. The major produces of Kaviyoor are paddy, coconut, banana, areca-nut (betel nut), betel leaves, pepper, rubber, tapioca (cassava) and sugar cane.
The nearest train station is Thiruvalla and the nearest air station is Kochi (Nedumbassery) International Airport.
Chandanapally:
Chandanapally is a small village. The St George Orthodox Church in the village popularly known as Valiapally (big church) is very famous. Equally, if not more, famous is the annual festival and the Chempeduppu ceremony in the church.
There is an interesting legend behind Chembeduppu ceremony. The church built in 1810 was renovated in 1875 and consecrated by his holiness Mar Abdullah, the Patriarch of Antioch. Sandalwood and teak logs were arranged from Kodumon forest. At that time the mode of transportation from Kodumon to Chandanapally was only country boat through Achankovil River. Following a drought the river was dried up and the logs were held up. An off-season torrential rain lasting for days came all of a sudden which made the river full to brim paving the way to move the logs easily to the spot. This miraculous event sprang surprise to the natives of all castes and creeds.
During the reconstruction carried out by voluntary laborers, Hindu devotees brought rice and other food items even from far flung places. They cooked the dishes on the banks of the Achankovil River in a big vessel made of copper and served to volunteer-workers. Later this event was celebrated in the name of Chembeduppu (picking of copper vessel).
Ayroor
The village is situated near Western Ghats and bordered by hills. The soil of this scenic village is highly fertile. Pamba Nadhi flows through the village via southern side.
In ancient time Ayroor was ruled by Thekencore Kingdom. There was no Christian community in the village at that time. The kingdom believed that the presence of Christians will bring prosperity to the village and brought a Christian family known as Aiykkavil family from north part of Kerala. Ayroor still have the descendants of this family.
The Christian and Hindu inhabitants are more or less in equal proportion in the village. The presence of Muslims is very nominal.
The agri-based village produces coconut, rubber, tapioca, plantain, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg etc.
Ayroor used to sponsor a convention called Cherukolpuzha Hindu Parishad lasting a week during February every year. The venue of the convention is Pamba River bed. The convention attended by large number of people is addressed by religious scholars and cultural captains.
The village is rich in shrines of both Christians and Hindus.
Hundreds of natives migrated to foreign countries for employment helped boost the economy of Ayroor.
Ayroor boasts as the first village in India attracting two branches of a nationalized bank to pitch their tent.
Chekkulam:
Chekkulam is distanced 2.5 km from Kozhenchery.
The agri-based village’s major produce is rubber. The village is spread of rubber trees.
Many from here work abroad mainly in Middle East, Europe and USA. Yet the village lags behind in development.
The inhabitants consist of Hindus and Christians. Christians are more in number.
For education the village depends on other places.
Chunkapara
Chunkapara, developed as small town, is situated 26 km east of Thiruvalla town in a hilly region.
It is an agrarian village producing different crops.
Long ago the village had a forest path and check-post for collection of Chunkam (tax). The tax collectors had no built up shelter and they used to sit beneath a giant rock. The name Chunkapara is coined by chunkam (tax) and para (rock), the ancestors testified.
Hindus, Christians and Muslims inhabited here. On head count the Christians lead in number. Hindus corner second position and Muslims third.
The village has two educational institutions – St George High School and Christu Raja English Medium School – run by St George Church here.
The feast of St George Church lasting 7 days from 19th April is a big event with colourful celebrations and pyrotechnic displays. Feasts of St Theresa Church and St Martin de Pores Church here will be celebrated in November last week. Syrian Catholic sect has their own church named Little Flower Church. Hindus have their own shrines.
Kozhenchery:
Kozhenchery village has a small town in its own name.
A major trading center, especially for hill produces, Kozhenchery is also a commerce center. The town is 100 percent literate and is an educational center.
Maramon on the banks of Pamba Nadhi, opposite Kozhenchery town, is the venue of Maramon Convention, the largest Christian congregation in Asia.
Aranmula, a suburb of Kozhenchery, is famous on more than one count. The famous Parthasarathy Temple, famous Vallam Kali (snake boat race), metal mirror Aranmula Kannadi and Vijana Kalavedi founded by French artist Lueba Schield are all here.
Boat race, charged by dozens of snake boats, is mega event attended by hundreds of foreign tourists and thousands of Indian tourists and locals.
Aranmula Kannadi is a prized mirror loved by anyone to have in possession. Queen Elizabeth of Britain has one in possession.
Vijana Kalavedi imparts training in Kathakali and Chakyarkoothu, the folk arts conceived by Kerala.
Christians, Hindus and Muslims inhabit here. In head count Christians are more, while Hindus rank second. Muslims presence is very thin.
Ample educational, cultural and healthcare facilities exist.
Madamon
The village, situated in Western Ghats, is terrain nestled. The holy river Pamba snakes through the heart of Madamon. The agriculture rooted village produces rubber, coconut, tapioca, banana, vegetables etc.
Hindus and Christians are main inhabitants with Hindus more in number. Muslims have only minuscule presence.
Hrishikesha Temple is a land mark of the village. Pilgrims en-route Sabarimala shrine, 60 km away, halt here for bath in Pamba and refreshments and rest. Pathamudayam (10th sunrise occurring in mid-April when the sun is exactly over this latitude) festival of the temple is a crowd puller. The festival lasts 10 days. Sabarimala festive season from mid-November to mid-January is also a celebration period for the temple.
Mallapally:
Mallapally is an agrarian village, producing multi-crops including cash crops. The name Mallapally also holds good for Mallapally Taluk.
The inhabitants mainly are Christians and Hindus. Christians are in slight majority. Muslim population is few.
Manimala River flows through Mallapally.
Once, in past, Mallapally was considered as a land of graduates as most of the graduates, especially B A graduates, in erstwhile Travancore were from Mallapally.
Mullapally has many firsts of historical importance to its credit.
1 An ancient gathering of Malankara Christian community, consisting of Mar Thoma and CSI sects, popularly known as Mallapally Convention, was initiated in 1912.
2 The Vocational Bible School in Kerala was first introduced in Mallapally by the CSI Missionaries during 1953-56.
3 Mallapally owns up at Kaviyoor one of the oldest stone temples in India.
4 The second most largely gathered devotees in a Shiva temple in Kerala during Shiva Rathri Maholsavam is in Mallapally. Largely most devotees gathered are in Aluva Shiva Temple on the bank of Periyar.
5 Mallapally is the home land of great Volleyball player Olympian Varkey (Parayattukunnel Ooommen Varkey).
Well over a dozen educational institutions which include an Applied Science College and a Government Engineering College function here.
Christian shrines number a dozen and Hindus shrines number nine.
A Government Hospital and Rev George Mathen Mission Hospital look after healthcare.
Excellent facilities for cultural and entertainment are available here.
Ranni:
Ranni is a high range village located on the banks of Pamba Nadhi. Sabarimala is not far away.
Ranni is scenic and beautiful.
Ranni is agrarian and produces rubber, cardamom, pepper and paddy mainly.
Educational and cultural facilities are excellent.
Population consists mainly of Hindus and Christians. Christians outnumber Hindus.
Perunthenaruvi:
Perunthenaruvi on the mouth of Pamba Nadhi is known for gurgling waterfalls nose-diving to a ravine of about 100 feet deep.
Perunthenaruvi in Malayalam means large-honey river. Perunthen is a variety of honey derived from big type of bees, and aruvi is river (there are two types honey, one type produced by big bees and another type produced by small bees. The honey produced by small bees has more medicinal value). Clusters of beehives were found near the formation site of the river and probably this prompted the ancestors to name the river as Perunthenaruvi.
A favoured spot of picnickers, tourists and family getaways, the promontories of Perunthenaruvi and its banks are enviably beautiful.
Perunthenaruvi snakes through deep down Vechuchira and Naranammoozhi villages. Naveenaruvi surfaces here. Once, a dog of a foreign national fell into the river. Here water nose-drives to 400 ft Panamkadatharuvi. Green spread and tree-woven Karihulam forest in the vicinity is yet another anchor to nature lovers.
The nature lovers and hustle-free seekers visiting the mouth of Perunthenaruvi and the villages along the banks get amply rewarded by the nature.
