| About: |
Parumala church is situated at Mannar on the banks of river Pampa, Near Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala.The first saint Mar Gregorious(famously known as Parumala Kochu Tirumeni) of Malankara Orthodox Church lived here. Now it is a famous pilgrime centre.The church is renowned as a centre of worship for all religious communities and as one of the main pilgrimage centers for Christians in Kerala. It contains the mortal remains of Mar Gregorios Metropolitan known as Parumala Thirumeni who was the first declared saint of the Malankara Orthodox Church. The annual commemorative feast (Ormapperunnal) celebrations at the Parumala Church is held on 1st and 2nd of November. Devotees from all over the state attended the special rites and prayers offered as part of the commemorative feast of the saint.Parumala Perunnal is an extremely popular festival of Kerala. The festival is celebrated at the Parumala St. Peter’s & St. Paul’s Orthodox Church.There is also a ceremonial procession through the town, attended by devotees from all over the State. All prayers and related rituals are conducted here during these days with great enthusiasm. Devotees from all parts of the state attend the festival. As in all other festivals typical of Kerala, the church grounds swarm with vendors and stalls, selling all kinds of things from food to utensils to jewelry.
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| Location info: |
| Address: Mannar,Near Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India |
| District: Pathanamthitta District |
| Nearest City: Trivandrum, Ernakulam, Thiruvalla, and Kozhencherryi. |
| Best time to visit: October to November. |
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| History: |
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| Interesting things to do: |
| Watch the Parumala church and St. Paul’s Orthodox Church on the event of festival. |
| Interesting things to Visit: |
| Koothambalam:The Koothambalam , Situated 30 kms North West of Mananthavadi in the Wayanad region, Thirunelli Temple is known as the “main pilgrimage of South”. Tucked away in the Brahmagiri Hills, Thirunelli Temple is encircled by the gurgling River Papanasini.Kadayanickadu Dharmashastha Temple:The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and is located in a beautiful and peaceful place. It is about 4 km from Manimala Town.Forane Church:Forane Church perunal is very famous. It runs for a week and worshippers from all over the neighborhood from all casts attend the procession from Karikkattoor junction all the way to church which is about 4 kilometers.Kaviyoor Hanuman Temple:A Hanuman Temple is also located in the temple complex of Kaviyoor Temple. This is one of the famous major temples of Travancore Devaswam Board.Pandalam Valiyakoyickal Temple:This temple is located 15 kms away from Pathanamthitta on the banks of Achankovil river, is the Valiyakoyickal Temple of Sri Dharma Sastha. Believed to be constructed by the Raja of Pandalam, this Ayyappa shrine has been modeled on the Sabarimala temple. Pilgrims usually stop here to worship before proceeding to Sabarimala. One of the major events associated with the ‘Makaravilaku’ festival is the procession carrying the ‘Thiruvabharanam’ (sacred ornaments) of Lord Ayyappa from the Valiyakoyical temple to Sabarimala. This is performed three days prior to makaravilakku.Sabarimala temple:Sabarimala temple is located on the top of the hills of the Western Ghats. The holy shrine in Sabarimala is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Thousands of devotees visit Sabarimala during the months of November-January when the main festival takes place.The devotees who visit the temple during the festival walk barefoot through the uneven road to reach the temple.Perunthenaruvi Waterfall:The Perunthenaruvi Waterfall from Pathanamthitta via Vachoochira on the banks of the Pamba River about 10 km from Erumely, Perunthenaruvi is about 36 km from Pathanamthittais a natural fall down a rocky path into a ravine about 100 feet deep. Ideal for an outing, this place is a popular picnic spot.Ranni:Ranni alias the queen of hill lands is one of the most beautiful villages blessed with beautiful nature, rivers, hills, forests, good climate and atmosphere. This fast developing tourist place, situated in a high range about 14 km from Pathanamthitta |
| Mobile range info: |
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| How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station:Thiruvalla railway station |
| Nearest Airport:Cochin International Airport |
| Road Transport:Parumala is well connected to the other cities with its road networks. |
| Nearest Visiting places: |
Cherukolpuzha:
Ayiroor Cherukolpuzha religious convention of the Hindus is held at Cherukole on the banks of River Pamba, usually in Feb every year. This famous convention is attended by a large number of people and addressed by prominent religious scholars and cultural personalities.Malikapurathamma Temple:Malikappurathamma Devi temple alias Malikapuram Temple is situated on a small hill just 100 meters away from Sabarimala. According to legend, Malikapuram temple is the place where the demon Mahishi rests in eternal wait. The temple complex houses the shrines of the Devi and Kaduthaswamy and also the the shrines of the snake god, Nagaraja and goddess, Nagayakshi. Here coconuts are offered only after rolling them on the ground.Niranam:The powerful ancient church situated at Niranam, dates back to 52AD. This monument is believed to have been erected by Apostle St.Thomas and is considered the oldest Christian church.Konni (Elephant Training Center):The hilly area of Konni, located just 11 km from Pathanamthitta, is the gate-way to the forest bordering the district. Surrounded by acres of thick forest, it is an adventurous tourist spot where one can go for thrilling elephant safaris and trekking. Konni has the largest number of wild elephants in the state and is a major elephant training center. In the past, wild elephants caught from the forests were brought here and put in wooden cages known as ‘anakoodu’ (Elephant Cage) till they were properly trained.Aranmula Boat Race:The stretch of river Pamba at aranmula is the venue of the famous snake boat race. It is more a pageantry than a race. The snake boat is of an exrtra ordinary shape with a length of about 100ft. The rear portion towering to a height of about 20ft. and the front portion tapering gradually. The boat resembles a snake with its hood raised. the race is held on the last day of the week long Onam festival to commemorate the crossing of the river by Lord Krishna.Parumala:Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, a Saint of Malankara Orthodox Church is burried here. This is also a famous Christian pilgrim centre .Pandalam:Pandalam is perhaps second only to Sabarimala, in sanctity and significance. Lord Ayyappa, the presiding diety of Sabarimala had his human sojourn as the son of Raja of Pandalam. It is believed that Raja constructed a temple close to his palace on the banks of river Achankoil modeled on the Sbarimala shrine which is the present Valiya Koickal temple. Pilgrims usually wiorship here before proceding to Sabarimala. Three days prior to Makaravilakku, the chest containing Thiruvabharanam (the sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa kept here) is taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala.Konni (Elephant Training Center):
The hilly area of Konn is located just 11 km from Pathanamthitta, is the gate-way to the forest bordering the district. Surrounded by acres of thick forest, it is an adventurous tourist spot where one can go for thrilling elephant safaris and trekking. Konni has the largest number of wild elephants in the state and is a major elephant training center. In the past, wild elephants caught from the forests were brought here and put in wooden cages known as ‘anakoodu’ (Elephant Cage) till they were properly trained.Mannadi:This place is located 13 km from Adoor , Mannadi is the place where the renowned freedom fighter of Travancore, Veluthampi Dalawa spent his last days. He became a martyr on march 29, 1809. The Govt. of Kerala acquired 1 acre and 27 cents of land here, and built a monument in memory of Veluthampi Dalawa.Vijana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre:Louba Schild, a French scholar under the Indo-French Cultural Exchange Programme, who started this centre with UNESCO support, founded this famous cultural centre. Those interested in culture and art, gather from different parts of the country over here. The centre offers residential training courses, in Kerala’s traditional arts & crafts like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, Kalaripayattu, Music, wood carving etc.Kaviyoor:The Kaviyoor Mahadeva temple which was constructed in the early years of the 10th century is one of the oldest of the Mahadeva temples in Kerala. References are there in the Kaviyoor Shasanas of 950 A.D. about the gifts that were offered to this temple.But it is believed that he darusilpas seen around the temple belong to the 17th century.Thekekudi Cave Temple in Kaviyoor panchayat is one of the rare cave temples of Kara It is assumed that this temple is constructed in the Pallava architectural style and was built in the 8th century. Apart from Ganapathi, Maharshi, Dwarapalaka idols in the sreekovil which in inside the cave,Omallor:Omallor is known to outsides for the famous ‘Rakthakantha swamy Temple’ and the annual cattle fair known as Vayalvanibham, which is held on the Malayalam month of Meenam. Peoples from very distant places and even from outside the state participate in this fair. Omallore is five kms south of the District headquarters. |
| Nearest Petrol Pump: |
Petrol Pump
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.Petrol Pump
Kozhencherry, Pathanamthitta
Kerala.Sri Krishna Fuels and Petrol Pump
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.Eraviperoor Petrol pump
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.HP Petrol Pump
Adoor, Pathanamthitta
Kerala. |
| Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
Hotel Kumarakom Lake Resort
Kumarakom North
Kottayam, 686566
Tel: 0481 2524900.Hotel Amala
Pathanamthitta
KeralaPark Hotel
Kozhencheri, Pathanamthitta
Kerala.Hotel Lals Residency
Puimoodu junction NH 220, Adoor
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.Hotel Italia
Adoor, Pathanamthitta
Kerala. |
| Things to carry: |
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| Tips & Suggestions: |
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| Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station:Police station
Pandalam, Pathanamthitta
Kerala.Pulincunnoo Police Station
Alappuzha, Kerala
Tel: 0477 2222222.Mavelikara Police Station
Mavelikkara, Alappuzha
Kerala.Police Station
Pathanamthitta, kerala.Ponkunnam Police Station
NH 220, Ponkunnam
Kottayam, Kerala. |
Nearest Hospital:Pushpagiri Medical College and Hospital
Pushpagiri Buildings
Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Tel: 0469 2700755.Tiruvalla Medical Mission Hospital
Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Tel: 0469 2630144.Govt.Hospital
Thiruvalla, Kottayam
Kerala
Tel: 0469 2602757.AncySibi Pandisserry House
Ramankary, Alappuzha
Kerala 689595-
Tel: 09780892400.GK Hospital
Kavumbhagom
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.Central Research Institute For Homeopathy
Chethipuzha Kurichy Road
Kottayam, Kerala.Government Hospital
Kottayam, Kottayam
Kerala State
Tel: 0481 2462550. |
Society/Community Phone NumberContact Address:
Parumala St. Peter’s & St. Pauls Orthodox Church
Parumala P.O, Thiruvalla
Pathanamthitta District
Pin:689 626
Phone : 0479-2931202/2312328
Fax : 0479-2310894. |
