Kottayam is one of the fourteen districts in the state of Kerala, India. Kottayam comprises six municipal towns: Kottayam, Changanassery, Pala, Erattupetta, Ettumanoor, and Vaikom. The district is 65 kilometers south of Kochi. It is also the only district in Kerala that does not border the Arabian Sea or any other states.
The Sabarimala temple is a temple complex located at Sabarimala inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, India. It is the site of the one of the largest annual pilgrimage in the world with an estimate of between 40 million and 50 million devotees visiting every year. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu celibate deity Ayyappan also known as Dharma Sastha, who according to belief is the son of Shiva and Mohini, the feminine incarnation of Vishnu. The traditions of Sabarimala are a confluence of Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism, and other Śramaṇa traditions.
Kanjirappally is a taluk and a town in Kottayam district situated about 38 km (24 mi) away from the district capital, in the state of Kerala, India. National Highway connects Kanjirapally to major nearest cities. Kanjirappally, also known as the Gateway of Highrange since it is the geographic entrance to the 'Malanad' or the Hill country of Kerala, which extends to Idukki district and then to Tamil Nadu. Kanjirapally is one of the most busiest towns in kottayam district.Proposals for an Airport is in Centrered in Erumeli.
Mundakayam, is a town in Kanjirappally Taluk in the Kottayam District of Kerala. It is the doorway to the high ranges of southern Kerala, and is at the border of Kottayam and Idukki districts. The next nearest town, Kanjirappally, is 14 km (8.7 mi) & Erumely is 12 km from Mundakayam. Mundakayam has rubber plantations, and greenery. The Manimala River runs through Mundakayam. It is located 48 km east of the district headquarters at Kottayam and 148 km from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. The name Mundakayam is said to be derived from the Mundi cranes that used to be seen along the Manimala River banks.
Koottickal is a Town at the base of Western Ghats mountain ranges in the Kottayam district, Kerala. It is 2,000 feet (610 m) above sea level and is situated on the eastern border of Kottayam District, 55 km from Kottayam, and around 5 km away from Mundakayam on the NH 220. There are streams and waterfalls in the surrounding places. The Muthukora Hills are nearby. Urban centres in Kottayam and Ernakulam districts can be viewed from the top of Muthukora Hills.
Ponkunnam (പൊൻകുന്നം) is a census town in the eastern high-ranges of Kerala, India, part of Kottayam district under Kanjirappally Taluk. Ponkunnam literally means 'The Town on a Golden mountain
Ranni sometimes spelled Ranny, is a small town in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, in India. The taluk headquarters is a small township on both sides of the Pamba River. Ranni is also one of the largest taluks in Kerala. The renowned Hindu temple of Sabarimala is in this taluk, situated approximately 66 km from the main town, Ittiyappara. Ranni is known for its natural environment, forests, hills, river and good climate.
Pathanamthitta is a town and a municipality situated in the Central Travancore region in the state of Kerala, India, spread over an area of 23.50 km2. It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The town has a population of 37,538. The Hindu pilgrim centre Sabarimala is situated in the Pathanamthitta district; as the main transport hub to Sabarimala, the town is known as the 'Pilgrim Capital of Kerala'. Pathanamthitta. District, the thirteenth revenue district of the State of Kerala. It was formed with effect from 1 November 1982 vide G.O. (M.S) No.1026/82/RD dated 29 October 1982, with headquarters at Pathanamthitta. Forest covers more than half (1396.95 km2.) of the total area of the District. Pathanamthitta District ranks the 7th in area in the State.
Manimala is a small town and a village in Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala, situated about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the nearest town Kanjirappally. It's declared as a folklore village since 2011 by the central government to promote folklore.
Kumily is the largest Gram Panchayat in the Idukki district of Kerala. It is a town in Cardamom Hills near Thekkady and Periyar Tiger Reserve. Kumily is gateway town in Kerala to Tamil Nadu.
Erumely, also spelt "Erumeli" is a village and town in the southeast part of Kottayam district in Kerala state, India. It is situated on the way to Sabarimala and also an important halting place (idathavalam) for the Sabarimala pilgrims. Erumely is famed for its religious harmony and prosperity between Hindus and Muslims which existed from the early periods. It is a place which have strong roots in legends and myths associated with lord Ayyappa. A new airport has been proposed in Erumeli. The city is nourished by Manimala River.
Cheruvally is a Village in Chirakkadavu panchayat of Kottayam district in Kerala. It is in Kanjirappally taluk, Kottayam district. Name of the place is derived from the myth related to cheruvally temple. Kerala govt and central govt gave approval to construct airport for Sabarimala at Cheruvally Estate near Erumeli. The proposed Sabarigiri International Airport in Central Travancore is to come up on the 2263 acre Cheruvally estate, 2.5 km from the Theni-Kottarakara National Highway and close to Erumeli town in Kottayam district and is about 48 km from Sabarimala. Cheruvally Estate is close to two NH corridors and five PWD roads.A ₹2,500-crore greenfield airport to be developed by a joint venture of Non-Resident Indians.The GIA had also floated a company, Indo-Heritage International Aeropolis Pvt. Ltd. (IHIAPL), for executing the project and opened its office in Pathanamthitta. Besides catering to the needs of the flyers in Central Travancore, the airport is expected to reduce the heavy traffic on the roads leading to Sabarimala during the pilgrim season. Pilgrims alighting at the Chengannur and Thiruvalla railway stations reach Sabarimala through various routes linked to M.C. Road or National Highway.
Mukkoottuthara is a developing Town located in the south eastern part of Kottayam district of Kerala State, India. Sabarimala is only 48 km (30 mi) from Erumely, while travelling through Mukkoottuthara. The roads passing through here are upgraded and maintained as State Highways. The main cultivation is rubber. Mukkoottuthara is famous for its decades old "Sunday Open Markets" and for its famous bamboo products. One of the famous tourist spots in Pathanamthitta, Perunthenaruvi Falls is just 5 kilometers from Mukkoottuthara. There are many rubber estates. The border of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta divides Mukkoottuthara into two. However the place is recorded as part of Kottayam district only.
Perunad (Ranni-Perunad) is a scenic hilly village in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala state, India It's located on the banks of Pamba River and Kakkadu River.
Nilakkal, also spelled Nilackal, or formerly Chayal, is a remote ghat region located in the Goodrical range of Ranni forest division in Pathanamthitta District in the Indian state of Kerala. The place is noted mainly as an edathavalam or halting-place for the Ayyappa devotees during Sabarimala pilgrimage. Administratively, it falls under the Perunad grama panchayath in Ranni tehsil. Sabarimala, the famous Hindu pilgrim centre in South India is located at a distance of 23 km (14 mi) in the north-east hilly region of Nilakkal.
Thulappally is a small village in Perunad panchayath of Ranni tehsil in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala state, India..
Sabarimala Railway is a proposed 111 kilometres (69 mi) railway line from Angamaly to Erumeli, near Sabarimala that has been sanctioned in the year 1998 by Indian Railways. According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Kerala State and the Ministry of Railways on 27 January 2016, commercially viable railway projects will be identified and handed over to the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to be fast-tracked on a 51:49 per cent equity basis. SPV has discussed about the extension to Punalur. The currently proposed Sabarimala railway is under PMO - Pro active governs and timely implementation (Pragati); will be monitored by the Prime Minister's Office. Another proposal for this railway line is extend to Trivandrum Central. If this proposed Sabarimala railway is connected to proposed new railway terminal at Nemom near Trivandrum Central via Nedumangad, several long distance trains are supposed to be operated from Nemom Terminal via Punalur ,Nedumangad and Angamaly to Chennai/Bangalore and rest of country. Survey for new lines from Madurai Junction to Kottayam and Dindigul Junction to Cumbum lower camp, Kumily to Sabarimala, ettumanoor to pala also started.
Kanamala, commonly known by the name Pambavalley, is a village in Erumely panchayath in Kanjirappally tehsil of Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is situated in the border of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts, but officially recorded as a part of Kottayam district only.
Punchavayal is a village in Mundakayam panchayath of Kanjirappally taluk in the Indian state of Kerala. An Aided Arts and science college is present in this village. Punchavayal includes the places nearby Murikkumvayal, Pachima, Pakkanam, Kadamanthode, Kulamakkal and Moonnoly. It is approximately 6 km away by road from Mundakayam the doorway to the high ranges of southern Kerala, and is at the border of Kottayam and Idukki districts.
Vizhikkithodu is a village located on the banks of river Manimala in Kanjirapally panchayath in Kottayam district of Kerala. Kanjirapally is the nearest town to this village and is located at a distance of 6 km. The Ponkunnam-Erumeli Road, which is one of the main roads for Sabarimala pilgrims passes through this village.
