Pandalam

Pandalam is a place in Kerala, India. Pandalam is considered a holy town due to its connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala. Rightly recognised as the educational and cultural headquarters of Central Travancore, Pandalam hosts educational institutions ranging from reputed schools to post graduate, training, ayurveda,[1] and engineering colleges. There are seven colleges and 23 schools at Pandalam, including N. S. S. College, Pandalam. The Kerala state government plans to make the place a special Township,[2] by including the Pandalam municipality and Kulanada panchayat.[3].The Pandalam area conists of Pandalam municipality, Kulanada panchayath, Pandalam Thekkekara panchayath & Thumpamon panchayath.

This article is about the city in Pathanamthitta. For other uses, see Pandalam (disambiguation).

Pandalam

Panthalam
Municipality
Nickname(s): 
Kurunthottayam
Pandalam
Location in Kerala, India
Pandalam
Pandalam (India)
Coordinates: 9.225°N 76.679°E / 9.225; 76.679
Country India
StateKerala
DistrictPathanamthitta District
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • BodyPandalam Municipality
 • Municipal chairpersonSusheela Santhosh (BJP)
Area
 • Total28.72 km2 (11.09 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total49,099
 • Density1,700/km2 (4,400/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationKL 26

The centuries-old Kurunthottayam market (now known as the Pandalam market) is one among the largest agricultural markets in central Travancore. Kerala's widest suspension bridge was constructed in Pandalam over the Achankovil river.[4] The bridge is 70 metres long and 2.5 metres wide.[4]

There are several devotional places at Pandalam. The most famous are Valiyakoikkal Temple, Mahadeva Temple, Puthenkavil Bhagavathi Temple, Pattupurakkavu Bhagavathi Temple, Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple, Kadakkad Sree Bhadrakali Temple, Thattayil Orippurathu Bhagavathi Temple, Kadakkad Juma Masjid, India Pentecostal Church of God[IPC], Assemblies of God Church[AG], Thumpamon St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Cherickal Juma Masjid, Pandalam Arathil St. George Orthodox MahaEdavaka, St. Bursouma's Orthodox Church, St Thomas Orthodox Church and St Peter's malankara Catholic Church.

Legend

According to legend, Lord Ayyappan, the presiding deity of Sabarimala, had his human sojourn at Pandalam as the adopted son of the King of Pandalam.[5][6] During Sabarimala pilgrimage season, devotees come to Pandalam in large numbers to worship the deity of Valiyakoikkal Temple near the Pandalam Palace.[7][8] This temple is on the banks of river Achenkovil. Three days prior to the Makaravilakku festival, the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) are taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala.[9]

History

It is believed that the Pandya kings of Tamil Nadu fled to Pandalam in the face of an attack from Cholas[10] and settled there in the land they bought from Kaipuzha Thampan, a landlord. The Pandya dynasty had provinces on either sides of the Western Ghats. The King of Pandalam helped Marthanda Varma to conquer the Kayamkulam province. In return for this help, Marthanda Varma did not attempt to attack and conquer Pandalam during the expansion of his kingdom. The princely state of Pandalam had extended up to Thodupuzha in Idukki district once. Pandalam was added to Travancore in 1820. Before the formation of Pathanamthitta district, Pandalam was in Mavelikara taluk of Alappuzha district.

Literacy

Pandalam has higher literacy rate compared to Kerala. In 2011, literacy rate of Pandalam village was 96.74% compared to 94.00% of Kerala. In Pandalam, Male literacy stands at 97.84% while female literacy rate was 95.80%.

Colleges
  • NSS College Pandalam
  • Mannam Ayurveda Co-operative Medical College, Pandalam
  • NSS Polytechnic College, Pandalam
  • NSS Training College, Pandalam
  • NSS Nursing College, Pandalam
  • Government ITC, Cherickal

Schools
  • NSS Higher Secondary School
  • NSS High School for Girls
  • NSS LP & UP School
  • Govt Higher Secondary School, Thottakkonam
  • Eminence Public School
  • St. Thomas English Medium High School
  • Govt LP School, Poozhikkad
  • Amrita Vidyalayam, Kurampala
  • St.John's school Thumpamon
  • SVLPS School Cherickal

Hospitals
  • NSS Medical Mission Hospital
  • CM Hospital
  • Chitra Multi-Speciality Hospital
  • Mannam Ayurveda Hospital

Landmarks

Pandalam Bridge

Pandalam Bridge, popularly known as Kurunthottayam Bridge, is situated in Pandalam junction.[11][12]

Pandalam Suspension Bridge

Pandalam Suspension Bridge, is a pedestrian suspension bridge in Pandalam, that connects Pandalam with Kulanada.[13]

Pandalam Palace

Pandalam Palace, placed on the banks of Achankovil river, was home to the royal family of Pandalam.The royal family of this palace enjoys a significant position in the history of Kerala. It is believed that they have descended from the Pandya kings of Madurai. Pandalam Palace carries not just historical importance, but a considerable religious magnitude as well. According to legends, Lord Ayyappa was born to the King of Pandalam.There is a temple on the banks of Achankovil river which is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa are carried from Pandalam Palace to Sabarimala as a grand procession three days prior to the makaravilakku festival.

Notable people
Pandalam Kerala Varma

References
  1. "Ayurveda varsity taking shape at Pandalam — Defunct sugar mill's brush with health". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  2. "Pandalam to be made a special township: V.S. Sivakumar". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  3. "Government to set up township at Pandalam". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  4. "Suspension bridge at Pandalam gets ready". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  5. Roshen Dalal (2010). The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths. Penguin Books. p. 43. ISBN 9780143415176.
  6. Caroline Osella, Filippo Osella (2006). Men and Masculinities in South India. Anthem Press. p. 145. ISBN 1843312328.
  7. "Pandalam Palace decries government affidavit". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  8. http://sabarimala.kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=90&Itemid=92
  9. "Hundreds throng Pandalam to worship Thiruvabharanam". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  10. Yoginder Sikand (2003). Sacred Spaces: Exploring Traditions of Shared Faith in India. Navi Mumbai: Penguin Books. p. 27. ISBN 9780143029311.
  11. "Pandalam bridge set to be commissioned by November 30". The Hindu. Pathanamthitta. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  12. "Pandalam Suspension Bridge Ready to be used". Kerala News. Kerala. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  13. "Suspension bridge at Pandalam gets ready". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
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