Sightseeing

Sabarimala: A well known pilgrim center, Sabarimala lies 191 km north of Thiruvananthapuram and 210 km from Cochin. The holy shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is situated 914 metres above sea level amidst dense forests in the rugged terrains of the Western Ghats. The festivals here are the Mandala Pooja, Makara Vilakku (December/January) and Vishu Vilakku (April). Vehicles go only upto Pamba. The temple, which is situated 5 km from Pamba, can be reached only by trekking. During the festival period there are frequent buses to this place from Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam.

Aranmula: Situated on the river Pamba 10 km from Chengannur on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam route. The Krishna temple here attracts many devotees and is an important pilgrim center. A snake boat race is held here as part of the Onam festival, in August/September.

Kaviyoor: 5 km east of Thiruvalla, on the banks of the Manimala river, the temple here is dedicated to Hanuman. 1.5 km from the Kaviyoor temple, there is another rock-cut temple which is of great archaeological importance.

Mannadi: 13 km from Adoor (45 km from Kollam), the gallant Dalawa of Travancore, Veluthampi Dalawa, spent his last days here. The most important festival of this temple is "Ushabali" which falls in February/March. The Kerala Institute of Folklore and Folk Arts functions here.

Kozhencherry: 13 km from Pathanamthitta, on the banks of the Pamba River. The religious 'Maramon Convention', which is the biggest religious gathering for Christians in Asia, is held annually in February/March on the riverbed at Maramon near Kozhencherry.

Niranam: the oldest Christian church is believed to have been built by the Apostle St. Thomas in AD 52, is situated in Pathanamthitta.

Perumthenaruvi: the famous waterfall is situated in Pathanamthitta District.