Pandalam is a municipal town which is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. Known for its mythological connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala, Pandalam is considered to be a holy town. It is also a renowned educational and health care center in central Travancore. Rightly recognised as the educational and cultural headquarters of Central Travancore, Pandalam hosts a lot of 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 centuries-old Kurunthottayam market (now known as the Pandalam market) is one among the largest agricultural markets in central Travancore. Kerala's widest suspension bridge is constructed at Pandalam over the Achankovil river. The bridge is 70 meter long and 2.5 meter wide.
There are several devotional places at Pandalam of which the most famous are Valiyakoikkal Temple, Mahadeva Temple, Pattupurakkavu Bhagavathi Temple, Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple, Kadakkadu Sree Bharakali Temple, Kadakkad Juma Masjid, Thumpamon St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Cherickal Juma Masjid and St. Bursouma's Orthodox Church.
Legend
According to myth, 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) is 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.
