# Pandalam

Pandalam is a municipality in Pathanamthitta district Kerala, India. Pandalam is known for its connection with Ayyappan and Sabarimala. It recognised as the cultural capital of Travancore, Pandalam hosts educational institutions ranging from reputed schools to post graduate, training, Ayurveda, and engineering colleges. There are seven colleges and 23 schools at Pandalam, including N. S. S. College, Pandalam. The Kerala state government plans to make the place a special Township, by including the Pandalam municipality and Kulanada panchayat.
The neighborhoods of Pandalam town include Thumpamon, Pandalam Thekkekara, Kulanada, Nooranad, Padanilam, Venmony

## Trade and Commerce

The centuries-old Kurunthottayam market (now known as the Pandalam market) was one among the largest agricultural markets in central Travancore.
Kerala's widest suspension bridge was constructed in Pandalam over the Achankovil river. The bridge is 70 metres long and 2.5 metres wide.
There are several devotional places at Pandalam. The most famous are Valiyakoikkal Temple, Mahadeva Temple, Puthenkavil Bhagavathi Temple, Pattupurakkavu Bhagavathi Temple, Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple, Kadakkad Sree Bhadrakali Temple and the Thattayil Orippurathu Bhagavathi Temple.
Nooranad Padanilam Parabrahma Temple, which is famous for its Maha Shivaratri Kettukazhcha is located 8 Km South West of Pandalam town.

## Legend

According to legend, Lord Ayyappan, the presiding deity of Sabarimala, had his human sojourn at Pandalam as the adopted son of the King of Pandalam. During Sabarimala pilgrimage season, devotees come to Pandalam in large numbers to worship the deity of Valiyakoikkal Temple near the Pandalam Palace. This temple is on the banks of river Achenkovil. Three days prior to the Makaravilakku festival, the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) are taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala.

## History

It is believed that the Pandya kings of Tamil Nadu fled to Pandalam in the face of an attack from Cholas and settled there in the land they bought from Kaipuzha Thampan, a landlord. The Pandya dynasty had provinces on either sides of the Western Ghats. The King of Pandalam helped Marthanda Varma to conquer the Kayamkulam province. In return for this help, Marthanda Varma did not attempt to attack and conquer Pandalam during the expansion of his kingdom. The princely state of Pandalam had extended up to Thodupuzha in Idukki district once. Pandalam was added to Travancore in 1820. Before the formation of Pathanamthitta district, Pandalam was in Mavelikara taluk of Alappuzha district.

## Colleges

* 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

* NSS Medical Mission Hospital
* CM Hospital
* Chitra Multi-Speciality Hospital
* Mannam Ayurveda Medical College Hospital
* Primary Health Centre Kadakkad, Pandalam

## Landmarks
### Pandalam Bridge

Pandalam Bridge, popularly known as Kurunthottayam Bridge, is situated in Pandalam junction.

### Pandalam Suspension Bridge

Pandalam Suspension Bridge, is a pedestrian suspension bridge in Pandalam, that connects Pandalam with Kulanada.

### Pandalam Palace

Pandalam Palace, placed on the banks of Achankovil river, was home to the royal family of Pandalam.The royal family of this palace enjoys a significant position in the history of Kerala. It is believed that they have descended from the Pandya kings of Madurai. Pandalam Palace carries not just historical importance, but a considerable religious magnitude as well. According to legends, Lord Ayyappa was born to the King of Pandalam.There is a temple on the banks of Achankovil river which is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa are carried from Pandalam Palace to Sabarimala as a grand procession three days prior to the makaravilakku festival

## Famous Personalities

| No | Name | Profession |
| 1 | Pandalam Kerala Varma | Poet |
| 2 | Dr Alexander Jacob IPS | DGP, Kerala Police (retd) |
| 3 | Benyamin | Novelist, Screenwriter |
| 4 | Dr. Biju | Film director |
| 5 | M. N. Govindan Nair | Former State Secretary of CPI, former State Cabinet Minister and MP |
| 6 | Dr. Jitheshji | Cartoonist |
| 7 | Joy Kulanada | Cartoonist |
| 8 | Kadammanitta Vasudevan Pillai | Padayani artist |
| 9 | Kudassanadu Kanakam | Cine artist |
| 10 | P. K. Manthri | Cartoonist |
| 11 | Pandalam Balan | Playback singer |
| 12 | Pandalam Sudhakaran | Former state cabinet minister |
| 13 | V. S. Valiathan | Artist |
| 14 | Pandalam Sudhakaran | Former state cabinet minister Gallery Valiyakoikkal Temple Achankovil river Pandalam Palace Pandalam Palace NSS College, Pandalam Pandalam Central Junction Pandalam KSRTC Bus Station Mavarappara References ↑ Population of Pandalam Municipality, 2015 ↑ https://lsgkerala.gov.in/system/files/2017-10/localbodies.pdf ↑ "Ayurveda varsity taking shape at Pandalam — Defunct sugar mill's brush with health". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 27 December 2013. ↑ "Pandalam to be made a special township: V.S. Sivakumar". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 December 2013. ↑ "Government to set up township at Pandalam". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 January 2014. 1 2 "Suspension bridge at Pandalam gets ready". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 December 2013. ↑ Roshen Dalal (2010). The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths. Penguin Books. p. 43. ISBN 9780143415176. ↑ Caroline Osella, Filippo Osella (2006). Men and Masculinities in South India. Anthem Press. p. 145. ISBN 1843312328. ↑ "Pandalam Palace decries government affidavit". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 April 2017. ↑ "Home | Sabarimala". sabarimala.kerala.gov.in. ↑ "Hundreds throng Pandalam to worship Thiruvabharanam". The Hindu. 10 January 2011. Archived from the original on 15 January 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2013. ↑ Yoginder Sikand (2003). Sacred Spaces: Exploring Traditions of Shared Faith in India. Navi Mumbai: Penguin Books. p. 27. ISBN 9780143029311. ↑ "GOVERNMENT ITI [SCDD] PANDALAM". Retrieved 7 September 2021. ↑ "Pandalam bridge set to be commissioned by November 30". The Hindu. Pathanamthitta. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017. ↑ "Pandalam Suspension Bridge Ready to be used". Kerala News. Kerala. Retrieved 1 January 2017. ↑ "Suspension bridge at Pandalam gets ready". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 August 2017. External links Media related to Pandalam at Wikimedia Commons Information portal about Pandalam vtePathanamthitta districtCities and towns Adoor Pandalam Konni Pathanamthitta Elanthoor Kozhencherry Aranmula Koipuram-Kumbanad Tiruvalla Kadapra-Parumala Mallapally Ranni Talukas, panchayats and villagesAdoor Enadimangalam Kodumon Angadickal Ezhamkulam Enathu Erathu Adoor Parakode Kadampanad Peringanad Pallikkal Thumpamon Pandalam Thekkekara Kaithaparampu Kurampala Pandalam Konni Kalanjoor Koodal Mylapra Malayalapuzha Vallicode Vallicode-Kottayam Pramadom Konni Konni-Thazham Iravon Aruvappulam Thannithodu Seethathodu Chittar Kozhencherry Kulanada Mezhuveli Kidangannoor Aranmula Mallappuzhassery Kozhencherry Naranganam Elanthoor Chenneerkara Omalloor Pathanamthitta Ranni Vadasserikkara Ranni-Perunad Athikkayam Kollamula Chethakkal Ranni-Pazhavangadi Ranni-Angadi Ranni Cherukole Ayroor Mallappally Kottangal Perumpetty Ezhumattoor Thelliyoor Puramattam Anicadu Kallooppara Mallappally Kunnamthanam Thiruvalla Kaviyoor Kuttoor Eraviperoor Koipuram Thottapuzhassery Kuttappuzha Thiruvalla Kavumbhagam Peringara Nedumpuram Kadapra Niranam |