The villagers watching the festivalAshwathy FestivalMooloor Memorial
Elavumthitta (also Elavinthitta, Elavanthitta) is a town (located near to the border of Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta district) in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. The majority of its inhabitants are from Hindu and Christian backgrounds. The primary crops are rubber, coconut, black pepper and plantain. The terrain is hilly with plenty of paddy fields in between. It is the commercial centre of Mezhuveli and Chenneerkara panchayaths.
Elavumthitta is located in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India.[1] The town is situated at an elevation of 46 metres (151 feet) above mean sea level, with paddy fields in the surrounding terrain at approximately 30 metres (100 feet).[2]
Two main roads passes through Elavumthitta. One is Pathanamthitta – Elavumthitta – Chengannur. KSRTC is running chain service through this road. The other road is Adoor – Elavumthitta – Kozhencherry road.
The average height of Elavumthitta is 150 feet (46m) above mean sea level. The low lying water shed paddy fields around Elavumthitta is 100 feet (30m) above mean sea level. There is a peak called Namakuzhy, 387 feet (118m) above mean sea level 2km. north of Elavumthitta. This peak can be considered as the highest spot in the area. There is a legend about this peak that the pandavas in exile visited this place and stayed here for a short while. There were giant size foot marks imprinted on rocks scattered above the hill believed to be of Bhima the mighty bare hand warrior of Mahabharat epic. And also there was a pit on the rock with perennial source of water; signs reinforcing the local beliefs.
Rivers and Water Systems
Elavumthitta is situated within the catchment area of two major rivers: the Sacred Pampa and the Achankovil.[3] The Pamba River basin extends over an area of 2,235 square kilometres (863 sq mi), bounded on the east by the Western Ghats and on the west by the Arabian Sea. [4]
The Achankovil River, a 128-kilometre-long west-flowing river, originates in the Western Ghats at Pathanamthitta district at an elevation of 700 metres and joins the Pamba River at Veeyapuram.[5] The abundant rainfall in the region sustains both rivers throughout the year and maintains the region's groundwater levels.[6]
Economy
The primary crops in Elavumthitta include rubber, coconut, black pepper, and plantains.[7] Rubber cultivation was introduced to Kerala by British planters in the late 19th century, with the first plantations established in the Western Ghats highlands of regions including Pathanamthitta.[7] Rubber cultivation expanded rapidly during the early to mid-20th century through government initiatives and technological advancements, transforming the landscape of Kerala's highlands and becoming a major cash crop.[8]
Dairy farming is a significant supplementary economic activity in Elavumthitta.[9]. Elavumthitta also hosts a unit of Akay Flavours and Aromatics Pvt. Ltd. at Nallanikunnu, Elavumthitta, a food and agro‑processing exporter of essential oils and oleoresins.[10][11][12]
Elavumthitta does not have its own rain gauge, but the area is in the close proximity of Pathanamthitta, which is 12km. away and has a Rain gauge. The rain fall data for the past few years is given below in mm .
Elavumthitta Market celebrated its centenary year in 2009. Muloor S. Padmanabha Panicker, a poet and social reformer and a disciple of Sree Narayana Guru, established the Elavumthitta market in 1909 when he was a member of the Sreemoolam Prajasabha.[13] He named the market as "Sreemoolam Rajagopalavilasam". The Elavumthitta market celebrated its 100th anniversary in September 2009.[14]
Aswathy festival
The Aswathy festival is the most significant annual celebration in Elavumthitta, held in the Malayalam month of Meenam.[15] Unlike Onam, which is celebrated throughout Kerala, Aswathy is unique to Elavumthitta and draws local participation in various cultural and commercial activities.[16][17]
Cattle market
A busy day at Elavumthitta cattle market.Cattle market is active on 9th and 22nd of every Malayalam month.
Elavumthitta market popularly known as Elavumthitta Chantha (ഇലവുംതിട്ട ചന്ത) celebrated its 100th year in September 2009.[18] The cattle market is held on the 9th and 22nd of every Malayalam month.[19]
First Sivagiri Pilgrimage
The first Sivagiri pilgrimage began on December 28, 1932, from Elavumthitta with five pilgrims, marking the beginning of an annual tradition approved by Sri Narayana Guru in 1928.[20] The Sivagiri pilgrimage was conceived by Guru’s disciples including Vallabhasseri Govindan Vaidyar and T. K. Kittan (Kittan Writer).[21][22][23]. Malayalam reports note that the first pilgrimage from Elavumthitta in 1932 set out from the house of poet Muloor S. Padmanabha Panicker, under the leadership of his son Divakara Panicker.[24]
The five young pilgrims who initiated the first journey were P.K. Divakara Panicker (son of Muloor S. Padmanabha Panicker), P.K. Kesavan, P.V. Raghavan, M.K. Raghavan, and S. Sankunni.[25]
The team was led by Sri.P.K.Divakara Panicker. This was a historical journey that led to the famous Sivagiri pilgrimage conducted every year. The pilgrimage has become an occasion of unity and peace.
Mooloor S. Padmanābha Panicker
Muloor S. Padmanabha Panicker (1869–1931) was a renowned poet and social reformer who made significant contributions to Elavumthitta's development through his literary work and advocacy for social reform.[26]He named his residence in Elavumthitta as 'Kerala Varma Soudham' as a mark of respect towards Kerala Varma Valiyakoyi Thampuran who was his close friend. Muloor Smarakam, a memorial dedicated to Padmanabha Panicker built at the location of his residence, is located in Elavumthitta and serves as a cultural and historical landmark.[27] The memorial includes a museum housing an extensive collection of manuscripts, personal belongings, and photographs that showcase his contributions to Malayalam literature and social justice movements.[28]
Libraries in and around Elavumthitta
Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Aksharakala Samskarika Kendram Library
Menon Smaraka Grandhasala, Nediyakala, Mezhuveli
Janatha Library and Reading Room, Muttathukonam
Educational institutions
Sreebuddha College of Engineering (now mixed)
Salvation Army L P school, Thumpamon North – This is the first School of Elavumthitta, established in the year 1903. It celebrated its Centenary year in 2003. The school is located 1km away from Elavumthitta market on the way side of Ramanchira road. [29]
S N Giri S N D P H S S Chenneerkkara
S N D P H S S, Muttathukonam North
CMS high School, Kuzhikkala
Sree Narayana Guru College of Advanced Studies, Mezhuveli
Padmanabhodayam H S S, Mezhuveli
Gangadhara Vilasam L P School, Mezhuveli
Teachers Training Institute, Mezhuveli
Govt. Model L P School, Mezhuveli North
U P School, Mezhuveli North
S N Govt. L P School, Kooduvettikkal, Karithotta
Govt. Of India Women's I T I, Elavumthitta
Sarasakavi Mooloor Smaraka U P School, Chandanakkunnu
Ambedkar English Medium School, Konganal buildings, near Melathemukku.
Elavumthitta is flanked by the area of 4 panchayats. Following data is from the book 'Panchayat level Statistics 2006' published by Department of Economics & Statistics Thiruvananthapuram.
Elavumthitta is spread in four Panchayats namely Mezhuveli, Chenneerkkara, Kulanada and Elanthoor. The total households in Elavumthitta is 7,988 and population is 32,399. The literacy of Elavumthitta area is 94.70%.
↑"Elavumthitta Malanada". Temples in Kerala. Retrieved 14 January 2026. Aswathy festival... is a unique event specifically for Elavumthitta
↑"Elavumthitta Devi Temple Festival". Hindu Blog. 15 November 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2026. The annual festival begins on the Aswathy Nakshatra in... Meenam
↑"നൂറ്റാണ്ടുകളുടെ ചരിത്രം പേറുന്ന ഇലവുംതിട്ട ചന്ത"[Elavumthitta Chantha carrying centuries of history]. Malayala Manorama (in Malayalam). 31 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2026. ഇലവുംതിട്ട ചന്ത 100 വർഷം പൂർത്തിയായപ്പോൾ 2009-ൽ ഭവനമായ ആഘോഷം... 1909-ൽ സ്ഥാപിതം
↑"Pathanamthitta District Disaster Management Plan 2015"(PDF). Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. 2015. p.45. Retrieved 14 January 2026. Cattle markets in Pathanamthitta including Elavumthitta Chantha operate bi-monthly on fixed dates
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