Pathnamthitta: The Headquarter of Pilgrimage Tourism

Pathnamthitta district is situated on the foothills of Western Ghats and is a treat to eyes because of its vast never ending stretches of rivers, green forests, and rural landscapes. The place is slowly becoming a tourist attraction because of its rich nature, fairs and festivals. The place is visited by millions of people every year for its religious shrines, cultural training centres and water fiestas.

Pathnamthitta also boasts of fertile agricultural land, rural culture of Kerala, variety of vegetation, plantations specially rubber plantations, paddy, tapioca and spices. The extensive forest cover is the home to large number of birds, animals and reptiles. Pathanamthitta is also nurtured by three rivers -Pamba, Achankovil and Manimala flowing west. The river banks have splendid natural beauty, undulating hills, mysterious forest cover and enchanting valleys.

How to Read Pathnamthitta?

Pathnamthitta is well connected by roads to places like Kochi, Kottayam, Thrivananthapuram and other places in Kerala. Everyday different buses ply under Kerala State Transport Corporation. The nearest railway station is Thiruvalla from where you can take taxi or bus services to the place.

Pathnamthitta has no air port. If you want to reach there by air, you have to fly down to Kochi airport. From there you can hire a taxi to cover the distance of 146 kilometres only.

Tourism

Pathanamthitta also called the `headquarters of pilgrimage tourism', still preserves the very rustic lifestyle of Kerala and that's why the Kerala State Government also aims to promote the Tourism of this place for its beauty and very natural rural life. There are several places which are worth visiting in Pathnamthitta.

Aranmula: This has been declared as the International Tourism spot by the Central Government of India because of its picturesque beauty and nature at its best. Local craftsmen and their art is something to watch out. They manufacture some wonderful items like Arunmula metal mirror. The mural paintings of Pathnamthitta too are famous throughout India.

Charalkunnu: This is a picturesque hill station in Pathnamthitta. You can have an astonishing view of low lying areas which include rivers like Pamba meandering through the hillocks.

Kakki Reservoir: The artificial lake is tourists delight because of invigorating boating experience in this place. There is a surrounding forest around Kakki with rich fauna like elephants, tigers, monkeys, deer and other animals. You can spot them while you boat around the lake in their most natural habitat.

Konni: This is an important junction of railway that connects Punalur and Kottayam. You can have amazing elephant rides in this place. Kerala is known for taming elephants and there is a place called Anakoodu where wild elephants are tamed and trained by the best masters. You can watch them being trained from a safe distance.

Perunthenaruvy Waterfalls: The water falls are located near the river Pampa. The most natural water falls of the place attract millions of tourists from all over the nation and also other countries. You can have a great picnic there and go for mountain climbing if you are in a group or family.