About:

The Achankovil River is known as Achankovilaru in vernacular, situated in Pathanamitta town.The river is also known as Kulallada River. This Indian River is formed when several small streams namely Rishimala River, Pasukidametttu River and the Ramakkalteri River meet together in eastern Kerala. It is a small river not more than 130 kilometers. It passes through Cheriyanad, Puliyoor and Chengannur villages, enters Mavelikkara Taluk at Chennithala, It then flows through Thriperumthura and Pallippad villages.The river ultimately joins the Pamba River at Veeyapuram, which is in the Alappuzha district of Kerela. On the banks of the Achankovil River, is the holy town of Pandalam, which is associated with Lord Ayyappa. The Achankovil Dam is built on this river.The river is unique in that along its route the river is blessed with the presence of a large number of ancient temples. This is a testimony that the richness of the river basin has been identified by the humans since ancient times and they preferred to settle down there so that they can harvest the good times on the fertile lands.The River Achankovil nurtures numerous Townships on its fertile banks.



Location info:

Address: Pathanamthitta Town, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, India
District: Pathanamthitta district
Nearest City: Trivandrum,Vachoochira, Adoor, Ernakulam,Mallapally, Kozhencherry,Erumeli
Best time to visit: August to April.

Climate/Weather:

The climate is tropical and humid, And the Weather temparature ranges from Summers: 36°-20° and in Winters: 16°-32°C.

History:

 

Interesting things to do:

You can do boating, walking, fishing, sitting in a pub or having meal at a riverside restaurant.

Interesting things to Visit:

Pandalam:

This is a township in Pathanamthitta District. It is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. It is considered as a holy town. Pandalam is also a well known educational and health care centre in central Travancore.Pandalam hosts a lot of educational institutions ranging from reputed schools to Post Graduate, Training, Ayurveda, Medical and Engineering Colleges.

Pampa Maha Ganapathi Temple:

The Mahaganapathi Temple at Pampa 8 Kms from Sabarimala, has an important roll in the Sabarimala pilgrimage as it is the main halting point. The temple is reached by climbing about 102 steps. Breaking of coconuts is the main offering here. Neelimala, Appachimedu, Sabareepeedam, Saramkuthi are the other holy places enroute.

Pandalam Valiyakoyickal Temple:

It 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.

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:

Chengannura Railway Station.

Nearest Airport:

Airports Trivandrum (170 kilometers) and Cochin (200 kilometers).

Road Transport:

Both the State run KSRTC and Private Luxury Bus operators connect Pathanamthitta to other cities.There are daily direct bus services to Mumbai, Chennai & BangaloreFrequent buses are available to cities like Kottayam, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Coimbatore, Mangalore & Madurai.

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.

Perunthenaruvi Waterfalls:

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.
Perumthenaruvi which literally means honey river, is a picturesque tourist spot situated in Erumely, It is a favourite picnic spot among the tourists, with an awesome view of water cascading from a rocky path at a height of 60 to 100 ft.

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 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. After 1972, elephant hunting was stopped since the central government put an end to this crude old method of elephant catching and training.

Sabarimala Temple:

A well-known pilgrim center of Kerala, Sabarimala lies 191 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram and 210 kms away from Cochin. The holy shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is situated 914 meters above sea level amidst dense forests in the rugged terrains of the Western Ghats. Lord Ayyappa is looked upon as the guardian of mountains and there are several shrines dedicated to Him all along the Western Ghats.

Parumala:

Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, a Saint of Malankara Orthodox Church is burried here. This is also a famous Christian pilgrim centre . The orma perunnal (Remembrance Day) is celebrated during November every year.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Civil supplies Petrol Pump
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala.

Eraviperoor Petrol pump
Pathanamthitta
Kerala.

HP Petrol Pump
Adoor, Pathanamthitta
Kerala.

Petrol Pump
Mylapra, Pathanamthitta
Kerala.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Hotel Amala
Pathanamthitta
Kerala

Park Hotel
Kozhencheri, Pathanamthitta
Kerala.

Hotel Lals Residency
Puimoodu junction NH 220, Adoor
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

Hotel Italia
Adoor, Pathanamthitta
Kerala.

Things to carry:

 

Tips & Suggestions:

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:

Police station
Pandalam, Pathanamthitta
Kerala.

Mavelikara Police Station
Mavelikkara, Alappuzha
Kerala.

Police Station
Pathanamthitta, Pathanamthitta
Kerala.

Kayamkulam Police Station
SH6, Kayankulam, Alappuzha
Kerala.

Nearest Hospital:

Changethu Bhaskaran Nair Memorial Hospital
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

BODHI HOMOEOPATHY
ABAN TOWER, ABAN JUNCTION, PATHANAMTHITTA,
Kerala 689645 - Tel:09447364380

Muthoot Medical Centre
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

Poyyanil Hospital
Kozhencherry, Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

Government Hospital
Elanthur, Elanthoor
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

Society/Community Phone Number:

Link:

http://infoaranmula.blogspot.com/2008/09/pampa-action-plan.html
http://1history-com.blogspot.com/2009/08/river-which-ends-on-arab-sagar.html
http://meenasblogworld.blogspot.com/2009/05/achankovil.html

 

Photo Gallery

Video Gallery

Vijnana Kala Vedi Centre
Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre is located at Aranmula, Trivendrum District, Kerala. established in 1977, is one of the pioneering institutes that attempts at preserving the ancient Indian Culture. Inaugurated by a French artist, Louba Schild, the main objective of this organization is to impart aesthetic sense amongst the Indian populace.The concept of the artistic and cultural traditions that are followed in India, which is still more or less blurred or vague in the minds of most people, gets a concrete manifestation here. The spirit of India finds a vibrant expression in its traditional arts, crafts and performing arts.At the Centre, you can learn, for short or long term as you wish, two subjects, chosen from a list of 18 subjects ranging from Music, Dance, Theatre, Crafts, Languages like Sanskrit, Hindi and Malayalam to Yoga, Martial Art and even Cooking. Most of the lessons are one to one and hence you can make maximum use of your stay.....more
Parumala Church
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.....more
Pamba River
Pamba river is located in 16 km from Pathanamthitta District, Kerala.Pamba River is the third longest river in the South Indian state of Kerala nd the longest river in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore. Sabarimala temple dedicated to lord Ayyappa is located on the river pamba.River Pamba is considered as the Dakshin Ganga due to its association with Kerala's Largest Pilgrim Centre - Sabarimala.District Pamba originates at Pulachimalai hill in the Peerumedu plateau in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 1650 metres and flows through Ranni, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Kuttanad and Ambalappuzha Taluks and finally empties into the Vembanad Lake.A famous Anjana temple is situated near this bank.....more
Aranmula Temple
Aranmula Temple, innorth side of chengannur, Pathanamthitta district, is famous as one of the five temple towns of Kerala. There are other temples besides Aranmula, which are devoted to Lord Krishna and are located at Trichambaram, Tiruvarppu and Ambalappuzha. Lord Parthasarathy is the presiding deity of the Aranmula temple. There are five ancient shrines around Chengannur, sanctified by the Pandavas. One of them is Aranmula pilgrimage of Kochi. It is said that this temple has existed since the time of Mahabharata. In Cochin, Aranmula temple comes alive during the time of Onam festival when snake boat races are held in this temple.....more
Kaviyoor Rock Cut Cave Temple
Kaviyoor Rock Cut CaveTemple(Mahadeva Temple) is a bout 5 km east of thiruvalla, pathanamthitta district, south Kerala, this is located on the banks of the river Manimala, Kaviyoor is famous for its temples. The Kaviyoor Trikkukkudi Cave Temple, also known as the Rock Cut Cave Temple, is of historical importance and is preserved as a monument by the Archaeological Department.It bears close resemblance to the Pallava style of architecture and has prompted historians to date it to a period as early as the eighth century AD. The temple is more than thousand years old.But the actual time of construction is not known,like any other old temples. Certainly, this temple belongs to the oldest period of strucural temples.....more
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. Before taking the trip the devotees fast and surrender themselves to the will of God for 40 days. They do not drink or smoke, eat selected food, sleep on the floor and stay away from women and family during this period. Irrespective of caste and creed they wear black dhotis and carry offerings like coconut filled with ghee, camphor and rice.....more
Perumthenaruvi 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. Perumthenaruvi which literally means honey river, is a picturesque tourist spot situated in Erumely, It is a favourite picnic spot among the tourists, with an awesome view of water cascading from a rocky path at a height of 60 to 100 ft. Perhaps, the collection of beehives found near the river side, might have incited the ancestors to name the river as Perunthenaruvi.This fall is a much sought after spot for both domestic and foreign tourists.....more