Pandalam

Pandalam is a municipality in the Pathanamthitta district of 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

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

 * Pandalam Kerala Varma: Poet
 * M. N. Govindan Nair: Former State Secretary of CPI, Former State Cabinet Minister and MP
 * V. S. Valiathan: Artist
 * Dr. Jitheshji: World's Fastest Cartoonist
 * Ullas Pandalam : Comedian and Cine artist
 * Pandalam Balan : Playback singer
 * Pandalam Benny : Singer
 * Benyamin: Novelist and Screenwriter
 * Dr. Biju: Film director
 * Anup Pandalam : Prankster, Director, Actor and Screenwriter
 * Kadammanitta Vasudevan Pillai: Padayani artist
 * Pandalam Sudhakaran: Former state cabinet minister
 * Pandalam KP Raman Pillai : Poet, Journalist, freedom fighter, author of famous prayer song "Akilandamandalam aniyochorukki"
 * P. K. Manthri: Cartoonist
 * M.S. KUTTIYASAN FOLKLORE ARTIST