Pandalam, Nearby Tourist Places

Panthalam in Kerala is the chosen and blessed place where Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala had had His human sojourn as the son of the Raja of Pandalam. The Valiyakoikal Temple near the palace on the banks of river Achenkovil has been modelled on the Sabarimala shrine. Pilgrims usually stop here to worship before proceeding to Sabarimala. Three days prior to the Makaravilaku festival, the sacred ornaments of Sree Ayyappa are taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala.

The Pandalam kingdom was established around 79 ME (903 AD) by the Pandalam royal family who are the descendents of the Pandya kings of Madurai. The Pandya royal family had to flee Madurai because of threats to their lives posed by their own ministers. A branch of the fleeing family moved westward, briefly staying at various places it acquired by purchase.

The family kept on the move for over a century, finally reaching Pandalam in 79 ME. This was chosen to be the permanent home for the royal family. The then ruler of Venad (later Travancore) helped to establish the kingdom at Pandalam. According to the Travancore State Manual, the Rajas of Pandalam ” were always friendly to the Kings of Travancore.? By the time, all members of the family reached Pandalam and a full-fledged kingdom was established, it was 370 ME (1194AD).

Town:: 105 Kms north of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala and 120 Kms South of Kochi.
Airport:: Thiruvananthapuram - 119 km, Kochi - 127 km
Railway Station:: Chengannur Railway Station is 14 km away
District:: Pathanamthitta
Longitude:: 9.225196
Latitude:: 76.679013