Pathanamthitta TownGavi, a major tourist destination in PathanamthittaPerunthenaruvi Falls, Pathanamthitta
Pathanamthitta (IPA:[pɐt̪ːɐnɐn̪d̪iʈːɐ]), is a Municipal Town in southern Kerala, India, spread over an area of 23.5km2 (9.1sqmi). It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The town has a population of 37,538 (as of 2011 census). The Hindu pilgrim centre Sabarimala is situated in the Pathanamthitta district; as the main transport hub to Sabarimala, the town is known as the 'Pilgrim Capital of Kerala'.
Etymology
The district's name is a combination of two Malayalam words, pathanam and thitta, which together mean 'array of houses on the river side'. The district headquarters is located on the banks of the river Achankovil.
History
The regions that form the town were formerly under the rule of Pandalam, which had connections with the Pandya kingdom. It is believed that Hindu God Lord Ayyappa was the King of this region. When Pandalam was added to the princely state of Travancore in 1820, the region came under Travancore administration.
Modern day Pathanamthitta District, the thirteenth revenue district of the State of Kerala was formed with effect from 1 November 1982, with headquarters at Pathanamthitta.
Geography
Pathanamthitta has an average elevation of 18metres (62ft) above sea level.
The main trunk road from south to Sabarimala starts from MC Road at Adoor via NH 183A Pathanamthitta. From The North it Starts from Thiruvalla MC Road and Continues through State Highway 7 (Kerala), The Main Eastern Highway (Punalur-Muvattupuzha Road/SH-08), Main Central Road (Kesavadasapuram-Angamaly Road/SH-01), NH 183A Kollam -Teni via Adoor- Pathanamthitta.
Pathanamthitta has a tropical monsoon climate bordering a tropical rainforest climate, more or less the same as is prevalent elsewhere in Kerala. Annual temperatures range between 20°C (68°F) and 39°C (102°F). The district experiences three distinct weather conditions: winter, summer and the monsoon. The winter season is experienced from December to February and summer season from March to May. There are two rainy seasons: The South-West monsoon (June to September) and the North-East monsoon (October to November). The South-West monsoon is usually very heavy. About 75% of its annual rainfall is received during this season.
The town has a tropical climate. The monsoons start in June. The months of April–May can get significantly humid. The best weather is from October to February.
Pathanamthitta experiences three distinct seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. Typical summer months are from March to May. The warmest month in Pathanamthitta is April. Although summer doesn't end until May, the city often receives locally developed heavy thundershowers in May (although humidity remains high).
The monsoon lasts from June to August, with moderate rainfall. Most of the heavy rainfall in the city falls between June and July, and June is the wettest month of the year. The Last weeks of June is also days of floods. The three major rivers viz Pampa, Achankovil and Manimala swell with rainwater.
Winter begins in December. December through February are the winter months. The lowest temperatures are experienced during January.
A 2014 World Health Organization (WHO) study on ambient air quality among 123 Indian cities found that Pathanamthitta had the cleanest air in India, in terms of least concentration of dust particles in air. Two out of the three least polluted cities in India are from Kerala, Kollam being the second least polluted. As per the database, in Pathanamthitta, the annual mean of PM10 and PM2.5 is recorded at 23 and 10 respectively, which is closer to the recommended level of concentration of particulate matter. While a number of Indian cities are among the world's most polluted, Pathanamthitta's air quality is comparable to some of the cleanest cities in North America, Europe and Australia.
Agriculture is the main occupation of the people. About 75% people are dependent on this sector. Rubber is the most important crop, with its plantations covering over 478 square kilometres (185sqmi). The hilly terrain coupled with high humidity makes the region suitable for rubber plantations. Paddy is the most important crop cultivated in the wet lands. Tapioca and pulses are the important dry land crops. Other major crops are coconut, banana, pepper and ginger. In certain areas cashew, pineapple, sugarcane, cocoa and other tree spices are cultivated. The land available for cultivation is less since sizeable area of the district is reserve forest.
Pathanamthitta district has a unique position in the inland fisheries map of Kerala state with its freshwater resources like rivers, reservoirs, streams, ponds, quarries and paddy fields. The fisheries activities in this region started with the establishment of a Fresh Water Survey Station. The district has an Ornamental Fish Breeding resource centre and a National Fish Seed Farm. There are 2444 fishermen depending on this sector for their livelihood.
Kerala Assembly Election 2016 Constituency map of Pathanamthitta
Pathanamthitta assembly constituency was part of the Idukki (Lok Sabha constituency) but now Pathanamthitta is a separate Lok Sabha constituency.
Pathanamthitta comes under Aranmula Assembly constituency. Earlier, Pathanamthitta itself was an Assembly constituency. But after delimitation, Pathanamthitta lost its named constituency.
The district headquarters is at Pathanamthitta town. The district administration is headed by the District CollectorPrem Krishnan. He is assisted by five Deputy Collectors holding charges of general matters, revenue recovery, land acquisition, land reforms and election.
Under the three tier system of panchayat in rural areas, Pathanamthitta has one district panchayat, 9 block panchayat and 57 grama panchayats.
Under the single tier system in urban areas, there are 4 municipalities the district. In addition, there is a census town (Kozhencherry).
As per the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008, Pathanamthitta has five Assembly constituencies, down from eight. However, the district was unified into a single Parliamentary constituency, thus contributing a seat to the Lok Sabha. The Pathanamthitta parliamentary constituency is formed by including all the five Assembly constituencies of the district along with two other Assembly constituencies in the neighboring Kottayam district.
Perunad Heliport (helipad) is situated in Kuttikayam estate, Mampara road. Which is known as Sabarimala helipad. Chipsan Aviation Pvt Ltd, having service from various location. Most of the Sabarimala pilgrimages are using this heliport.
Railway
Chengannur railway station (station code: CNGR), located 24km (15mi) away, is the nearest railway station. Tiruvalla railway station (station code: TRVL), located 30km (19mi) away, is the only railway station in the district. Mavelikara railway station (station code: MVLK), located 32.5km (20.2mi) away, is also nearby after Chengannur and Tiruvalla. The Chengannur private bus stand located in front of the station makes it the most convenient. Direct bus services to Pathanamthitta are operated from both Tiruvalla and Chengannur.
Pathanamthitta is the meeting point of two major State Highways T.K. Road (SH – 07) and Main Eastern Highway (Punalur-Muvattupuzha Road / SH – 08). The town is well connected to major towns and cities inside and outside Kerala by the State run K.S.R.T.C and private buses as well as Luxury Services. Both the KSRTC and private buses play equal roles in satisfying the transportation needs of the town. The cities of Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Thrissur etc. are connected by KSRTC services whereas hi-range townships like Punalur, Kumali, Pala and the Malabar Area of Northern Kerala are connected by private bus services. KSRTC is running chain services that connect Pathanamthitta with the City of Kollam via Adoor, Also to Chengannur railway via Elavumthitta or Kozhencherry. Plenty of A/C Luxury Bus services are operated from Pathanamthitta to Bangalore, Chennai, Mangalore and Mumbai on a daily basis.
KSRTC bus depots in Pathanamthitta district are Pathanamthitta, Konni, Thiruvalla, Adoor, Mallapally, KSRTC Operating centers are situated in Ranni, Pandalam and a Temporary KSRTC Depot working during Sabarimala season at Pamba.
Tourism
Lake tourism in Adavi
Pathanamthitta district is known as the Headquarters of Pilgrimage Tourism, of the Kerala State. Situated near the Western Ghats and bordered by the hills, Pathanamthitta district is a treat to eyes with its vast unending stretches of forests, rivers and rural landscapes. Blessed by nature, the district is famous for its scenic beauty, fairs and festivals. Land of Lord Ayyappa is the tag-line of Pathanamthitta tourism.
Pathanamthitta attracts a large number of tourists every year. Pilgrim centres and other eco tourism spots like Gavi and Adavi are most visited in Pathanamthitta.
Maramon Convention was recorded in 2010 as one of the largest Christian gatherings in Asia. The annual conventions are held during the first half of February.[citation needed]
As per the 2011 Census of India, Pathanamthitta municipality has a population of 37,538, of which 17,744 are males and 19,794 are females. The population of children aged 0–6 is 3,400, which is 9.06% of the total population.
Pathanamthitta has a Human sex ratio of 1,116 against the state average of 1,084, and a child sex ratio of 973 against the Kerala average of 964. The literacy rate of the town is 96.40%, higher than the state average of 94.00%. Male literacy is 97.40% and female literacy is 95.52%.
Hinduism (45%) is the majority faith in Pathanamthitta municipality followed by Christianity (30%) and Islam (24%).
Pathanamthitta is a center of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, with its largest diocese in members, Thumpamon Diocese being headquartered here at Saint Basil Aramana, Pathanamthitta with the diocesan co-cathedral at Makamkunnu Saint Stephen Orthodox Cathedral in Pathanamthitta Town, the other being Saint Mary Orthodox Cathedral in Thumpamon. In 1992, Thumpamon Orthodox Diocese covered 101 parishes with 12 chapels. The current diocesan bishop is Abraham Mar Seraphim a member of Saint George Orthodox Valiyapally, Thumpamon Eram.
Religious conventions
The Cherukolpuzha Convention, in Pathanamthitta is an important religious convention of the Hindus. It is held at Cherukole on the sand banks of Pamba River, usually in February every year. It is organized by the Ayroor-Cherukolpuzha Hindumatha Maha Mandalam at Vidyadhiraja Nagar at Ayroor village.
The Maramon Convention, one of the largest Christian convention in Asia, is held at Maramon, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India annually during the month of February on the vast sand-bed of the Pampa River next to the Kozhencherry Bridge. It is organised by Malabar Mar Thoma Syrian Christian Evangelistic Association, commonly known as MTEA, the missionary wing of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church.
Kumbanad Convention is the second largest Christian convention in Kerala and it is the general convention of India Pentecostal Church of God.It is held at the second last week of January annually at Hebronpuram, Kumbanad.
Madhya Thiruvithamcore Syrian convention held every year during the three-day Lent in February. It was started in 1918 under the auspices of Thumpamon diocese and is held on the grounds of St Stephen's cathedral, Makamkunnu, Pathanamthitta. It was started when Thengumtharayil Geevarghese corepiscopa was the vicar of the church. It is the oldest and largest convention in the orthodox Syrian church.
St. Ignatius Monastery, Manjinikkara, Omalloor. Saint Elias III, the Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, arrived in Omalloor, Manjanikkara on February 12, 1932, but died the next day, February 13. The Manjanikkara Dayara attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.
Flora and fauna
The tiger inhabits Pathanamthitta's reserve forests
Pathanamthitta has tropical biodiversity with forest, plantations, rivers and fertile land. Fifty percent of the district is covered with forest, providing rich flora and fauna. The district has a variety of plants including medicinal, spices, tuber crops and those yielding fruits and fiber. Aromatic plants and spices such as pepper, ginger, cardamom and turmeric are cultivated on a large scale. Trees such as timber, teak, rosewood, jack tree, manjakadambu, anjili, pala can be found in abundance.
The existence of the wildlife habitat is under threat from various areas. Pollution from fertilizer and industries and illegal sand mining are the major threats. Issues connected to Sabarimala pilgrimage such as clearing of forest land and large amount of waste discharged also threatens the habitat.
Main stadiums in the town are Pathanamthitta K. K. Nair Stadium and Pathanamthitta Indoor Stadium. Other stadiums include Pramadom Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium. These stadiums host sports events in state, district levels and is also used for other purposes.
Cultural Sports
The Aranmula Boat Race is part of a festival celebrated during the month of September. Though the snake boat race is also performed at nearby places, the race held at Aranmula is unique because of the boats' shape and design. Maramadimatsaram (Ox Race) is another such seasonal sport. This is held as part of the largest annual cattle fair of Central Travancore region. The race is held in three categories.
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