Pandalam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pandalam
Panthalam
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Municipality
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    from left to right: Pandalam Palace, NSS College Pandalam, Achankovil River and Kettukazhcha at Pandalam Mahadeva Temple
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| Nickname(s):
Kurunthottayam
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 Pandalam
Location in Kerala
Pandalam
Location in India
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| Country |  India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Pathanamthitta District |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 28.42 km2 (10.97 sq mi) |
| Population
(2015)
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| • Total | 42,793 |
| • Density | 1,505.74/km2 (3,899.8/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN |
689501
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| Telephone code | +91 |
| Vehicle registration | KL 26 |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Pathanamthitta |
Pandalam is a town in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. It is famous for its strong connection to Ayyappan, a revered deity, and the holy site of Sabarimala. Many people call Pandalam the cultural capital of Travancore.
The town has many schools and colleges. These include post-graduate studies, training centers, and colleges for Ayurveda and engineering. There are seven colleges and 23 schools in Pandalam. One well-known college is N. S. S. College, Pandalam. The government of Kerala plans to make Pandalam a special Township. This will include the Pandalam municipality and the Kulanada panchayat.
Some nearby areas of Pandalam town are Thumpamon, Pandalam Thekkekara, Kulanada, Nooranad, Padanilam, and Venmony.
Contents
Trade and Markets
Pandalam has a long history of trade. The Kurunthottayam market is centuries old. Today, it is known as the Pandalam market. It used to be one of the biggest agricultural markets in central Travancore.
Pandalam is also home to Kerala's widest suspension bridge. It crosses the Achankovil River. The bridge is 70 meters long and 2.5 meters wide.
Places of Worship
Pandalam has many important religious sites. The most famous ones are Valiyakoikkal Temple, Mahadeva Temple, Puthenkavil Bhagavathi Temple, and Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple. Other temples include Kadakkad Sree Bhadrakali Temple and the Thattayil Orippurathu Bhagavathi Temple.
About 8 kilometers southwest of Pandalam town is the Nooranad Padanilam Parabrahma Temple. This temple is famous for its Maha Shivaratri Kettukazhcha festival.
The Legend of Ayyappan
According to local stories, Lord Ayyappan lived in Pandalam. He is the main deity of Sabarimala. Ayyappan was adopted by the King of Pandalam and grew up in the palace.
During the Sabarimala pilgrimage season, many devotees visit Pandalam. They come to worship at the Valiyakoikkal Temple. This temple is located near the Pandalam Palace on the banks of the Achenkovil River.
Three days before the Makaravilakku festival, a special event takes place. The Thiruvabharanam, which are sacred ornaments, are carried in a grand procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala.
A Glimpse into History
It is believed that the Pandya kings from Tamil Nadu came to Pandalam a long time ago. They had to leave their home because of attacks from the Cholas. They bought land from a local landlord named Kaipuzha Thampan and settled in Pandalam.
The Pandya dynasty once controlled areas on both sides of the Western Ghats mountains. The King of Pandalam helped Marthanda Varma conquer the Kayamkulam region. Because of this help, Marthanda Varma did not attack Pandalam when he expanded his kingdom.
The princely state of Pandalam once stretched all the way to Thodupuzha in the Idukki district. Pandalam became part of Travancore in 1820. Before the Pathanamthitta district was formed, Pandalam was part of the Mavelikara area in the Alappuzha district.
Colleges in Pandalam
- NSS College Pandalam
- Mannam Ayurveda Co-operative Medical College, Pandalam
- NSS Polytechnic College, Pandalam
- NSS Training College, Pandalam
- NSS Nursing College, Pandalam
- Govt. ITI cherickal, Pandalam (Under SC department Govt. of Kerala) in Cherickal.
Hospitals in Pandalam
- NSS Medical Mission Hospital
- CM Hospital
- Chitra Multi-Speciality Hospital
- Mannam Ayurveda Medical College Hospital
- Primary Health Centre Kadakkad, Pandalam
Important Landmarks
Pandalam Bridge
The Pandalam Bridge is also known as Kurunthottayam Bridge. It is located in the Pandalam junction.
Pandalam Suspension Bridge
The Pandalam Suspension Bridge is a special bridge for people to walk across. It connects Pandalam with Kulanada.
Pandalam Palace
The Pandalam Palace sits on the banks of the Achankovil River. This palace was once home to the royal family of Pandalam. This royal family is very important in Kerala's history. People believe they are descendants of the Pandya kings from Madurai.
The Pandalam Palace is important for both history and religion. According to legends, Lord Ayyappa was born to the King of Pandalam here. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa near the palace. The sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa are carried from Pandalam Palace to Sabarimala in a big procession. This happens three days before the makaravilakku festival.
Famous People from Pandalam
- Pandalam Kerala Varma: A famous poet.
- M. N. Govindan Nair: A former state minister and Member of Parliament.
- V. S. Valiathan: An artist.
- Dr. Jitheshji: Known as the World's Fastest Cartoonist.
- Ullas Pandalam: A comedian and film actor.
- Pandalam Balan: A playback singer.
- Pandalam Benny: A singer.
- Benyamin: A novelist and screenwriter.
- Dr. Biju: A film director.
- Anup Pandalam: A prankster, director, actor, and screenwriter.
- Kadammanitta Vasudevan Pillai: A Padayani artist.
- Pandalam Sudhakaran: A former state cabinet minister.
- Pandalam KP Raman Pillai: A poet, journalist, and freedom fighter. He wrote the famous prayer song "Akilandamandalam aniyochorukki".
- P. K. Manthri: A cartoonist.
- M.S. KUTTIYASAN: A folklore artist.
Images for kids
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Valiyakoikkal Temple
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Achankovil river
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Pandalam Palace
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Pandalam Palace
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NSS College, Pandalam
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Pandalam Central Junction
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Pandalam KSRTC Bus Station
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Mavarappara
