If you are a travel enthusiast and always in search of hidden gems and peaceful retreats, you are at the right place. Here, you will discover a charming place tucked in the dense green forests, hills and rivers, Pathanamthitta. The city is believed to be under the rule of the Hindu God, Lord Ayyappa and hence is known as the “Land of Lord Ayyappa”. It is also popularly known as the ‘Pilgrim Capital of Kerala’ and houses the famous Hindu pilgrimage centre Sabarimala. The places to visit in Pathanamthitta will take you on a journey into a serene escape filled with an abundance of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
The city is also known for its fairs and festivals, attracting a large number of tourists and pilgrims. The name Pathanamthitta itself describes the beauty of the place and is made from the two Malayalam words, pathanam and thitta, which mean “array of houses on the river side”. More than half of the place is covered in forest and is a perfect place for a serene getaway.
Let’s dive into this beautiful place and learn about the best time to visit, ways to reach and explore the famous places to visit in Pathanamthitta.
Best Time to Visit Pathanamthitta
Being surrounded by hills and dense forests on the fringe of the Western Ghats, Pathanamthitta has a Tropical monsoon climate. The annual temperatures range between 20 degrees Celsius and 39 degrees Celsius. The city experiences three distinct seasons, which include summer monsoon and winter.
The weather during the summer season, from March to May, is hot and humid, which may hinder sightseeing and outdoor activities during the day. The region experiences two rainy seasons, namely, the South-West monsoon (July to September) and the North-East monsoon (October to November), out of which the former one is heavier. June is the wettest month in the region when most of the area gets flooded. Therefore, it is not an ideal time to explore the places to visit in Pathanamthitta.
Therefore, the winter months, October to February, are considered the best time to visit Pathanamthitta. The post-monsoon lush adds breathtaking scenic views and the pleasant winter weather makes it easy to explore the city during the day.
How to Reach Pathanamthitta:
Pathanamthitta shares its borders with Allepey, Kottayam, Kollam and Idukki districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, making it easily accessible from these major cities. You can reach the city by air, road and rail routes.
By Air:
At present, the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, at 114 kms and Cochin International Airport, at Nedumbassery, Kochi, 142 km are the nearest airports to Pathanamthitta. From there, you can either take a bus or a taxi to reach your destination. However, if you have a day or two to explore Thiruvananthapuram or Kochi, you can easily find budget-friendly hotels in Thiruvananthapuram and hotels in Kochi near famous tourist attractions.
The proposed Sabari International Airport, Cheruvally, at 28 km, would become the closest airport upon its completion.
Moreover, you can also reach the place through helicopter facilities. Most of the Sabarimala pilgrims use the service from Perunad Heliport (Sabarimala Helipad) in Kuttikayam estate, Mampara road.
By Rail
The nearest railway stations to Pathanamthitta are Chengannur Railway Station, at 24 kms, Tiruvalla Railway Station, at 30 kms, Mavelikara Railway Station, at 32.5 kms and Kollam Junction Railway Station, at 62 kms away. From any of these stations, you can easily reach Pathanamthitta by taking a bus or a taxi.
However, in the coming time, the proposed Chengannur – Pandalam – Kottarakkara – Thiruvananthapuram railway line will pass through the district, making travelling to the city more convenient.
By Road
Pathanamthitta has excellent road connectivity to the neighbouring cities and states. You can travel through state-owned/private/luxury buses. There are buses from Bangalore, Chennai, Mangalore and Mumbai daily.
Moreover, the city is located at the meeting point of two major State Highways, T.K. Road (SH – 07) and Main Eastern Highway (Punalur-Muvattupuzha Road / SH – 08), making travel more convenient.
Places to visit in Pathanamthitta
1. Thriveni Sangamam
A holy confluence of three holy rivers, Pamba River (also known as Dakshin Ganga), Manimala River and Achankovil River, Thriveni Sangamam, is one of the sacred places to visit in Pathanamthitta. Devotees around the country visit the sangam and take a dip in the holy water to get rid of their sins.
The site is also known for its beautiful landscapes. People take a dip before and after trekking to Sabarimala.
- Distance: 6 km from Pathanamthitta.
- Travel Time: 10-15 minutes.
- Best Time to Visit: September and February.
- Entry Fee: No Fees.
2. Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple
To witness the devotion and tradition come together, Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is one of the famous temples in Kerala, located in Pathanamthitta. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, where the deity is depicted as the charioteer of Arjuna during the Mahabharata. It is popular among devotees and tourists for its snake boat race held during the Onam Festival.
If you are interested in getting the first-hand experience of the culture and spirituality of the place, the Kerala boat race is the perfect time to visit Pathanamthitta.
- Distance:14.3 km from Pathanamthitta.
- Travel Time: 24 minutes.
- Timings: 5:00 AM – 01:00 PM & 04:00 PM – 07:00 PM.
- Entry Fee: Free entry; race seating INR 50– INR 200.
- Dress Code: Mundu and blouse; saree for women.
- Best Time to Visit: Snake boat race in early Sept; Onam celebrations.
3. Perunthenaruvi Waterfall
Located around 27 kms away from the city centre in Vechoochira Panchayat of Ranni Taluk, Perunthenaruvi Waterfall is one of the best places to visit in Pathanamthitta. The name Perunthenaruvi is derived from the two Malayalam words Perunthen (great honey) and aruvi (stream).
More than its height, the fall is popular for its wide spread area, making it one of the unique waterfalls in the state. This beautiful waterfall later joins the Pamba River. During the monsoon, the waterfall may turn dangerous, so you can avoid visiting it during the bad weather.
- Distance: 27.6 km from Pathanamthitta.
- Travel Time: 54 minutes.
- Best Time to Visit: November to May.
- Entry Fee: No Fees.
4. Sabarimala Temple
One of the busiest religious sites in India and the second largest in the world, after the Hajj Pilgrimage of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the Sabarimala temple receives more than 30 million pilgrims annually. Located inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve on the banks of the Pampa River, the temple is surrounded by eighteen hills and dense forests, known as Poongavanam.
The temple, also known as Dharma Sashta, is named after the mythological character, Sabarimala, who shelters the famous Ayyapa Temple. According to the locals, Lord Vishnu’s incarnation, Parasurama, placed the Ayyappa idol at the top of the mountain. Another reason that makes it one of the best places to visit in Pathanamthitta is the blend of Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism and other Sramana traditions, which one gets to witness in the temple.
- Distance: 65.3 km from Pathanamthitta.
- Travel Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes by road.
- Entry Fee: No Fees.
- Best Time to Visit: September to April or during the festivals like Mandalapooja, Makaravilakku and Makar Sankranti.
5. Gavi
Whether you are a nature lover or an adventure seeker, Gavi is one of the best tourist places to visit in Pathanamthitta. It is an Eco-tourism project of the Kerala Forest Development Corporation. It is a part of the Periyar National Park and offers serene landscapes for a getaway in the wild.
You can enjoy trekking, wildlife watching and outdoor camping.
If you are looking for a comfortable and convenient stay near Gavi, you can easily find budget-friendly hotels in Thekkady, which is just 38 km away.
- Distance: 109.42 km from Pathanamthitta.
- Travel Time: 2 hours 5 minutes by road.
- Entry Fee: INR 25 per person and INR 50 per vehicle.
- Best Time to Visit: November-March.
Some other significant places to visit in Pathanamthitta include Konni Forest Reserve, Kaviyoor Rock Temple, Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple and Manjinikkara Church. The place is full of adventure, peaceful atmosphere and spirituality, making it an ideal destination for every traveller.
Additionally, if you want to extend your holidays to nearby towns like Thekkady, you can do so. It is close to Periyar National Park and has plenty of beautiful sightseeing points. There are a host of budget-friendly hotels in Thekaddy for a convenient stay.
