Kerala Tradition & Fascinating Destinations 2014 Kerala Tradition & Destinations 2014 | Page 158

Transport and Communication
Air - Nearest airport - Trivandrum international airport (119 kms).
International and domestic flights of major companies operate to cities
and countries from here. Airport International Ph: 0471 2500140, Domestic
- 0471 2702311.
Rail - Nearest railway stations - Chengannur (28 kms), Thiruvalla (30 kms).
Railway enquiry - Ph: 139, 1397.
Road - Pathanamthitta is connected by road with several tourist centres and
cities. Long distance buses operate from KSRTC Bus Station - Ph: 0468 2222366,
2229213.
Local Transport - Buses, Taxis and Autorikshaws.
Tourist Information Offices -Tourist information office, Ph: 0468 2326409. DTPC
Pathanamthitta, Ph: 0468 2229952. Konni Elephant Training Centre, Ph: 0468
2342005. Vastu Vidya Gurukulam, Ph: 0468 2319740.

Places Interested
Thiruvalla: Thiruvalla is the headquarters of Malankara Marthomite Syrian
Church. The Paliakara Church here is famous for its wonderful mural paintings. The Sree Vallabha temple at Thiruvalla is the only temple where
Kathakali is performed as a daily ritual.
Mannadi: (13 km from Adoor and 50 km from Thiruvalla) Mannadi is famous
as a historical town. This is where Veluthampi Dalawa, the renowned
freedom fighter of Travancore, spent his last days. The ancient Devi Temple
here has some beautiful stone sculptures. The annual festival is held
during February/March. The Kerala Institute of Folklores and Folk Arts
functions here.
Niranam: (7 km from Thiruvalla) This is a small town and internationally
reputed for having the oldest church in India built by none other than the
apostle St. Thomas in the year AD 52. This is also the birth place of Kannassa
Kavikal, the famous poets and social reformers.
Cherukolpuzha: An important religious convention of the Hindus is held at
Cherukol-puzha on the river bed of Pamba, during February every year.
Muloor Smarakam: (12 km from Pathanamthitta) This memorial is rendered
as the respectful memoir of the late social reformer and poet Sri Muloor
Padnamabha Pillai at Elavumthitta.
Fascinating Destinations
Aranmula | Charalkkunnu | Cherukolpuzha | Kadamanitta | Kakki Reservoir | Kaviyoor
| Kodumon Chilanthiyambalam | Konni | Malayalapuzha | Maniyar | Manjanikkara
Church | Mannadi | Maramon | Muloor Smarakam | Nilakkal | Niranam | Omallur |
Pandalam | Parumala | Perumthenaruvi | Sabarimala | St. John’s Cathedral | The Rockcut cave temple | Thiruvalla | Vastu Vidya Gurukulam | Vijnana Kala Vedi

156

PATHANAMTHITTA|TRADITION AND DESTINATIONS