Tourists willing to take Eco-tourism in India must visit the Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. The World Health Organization has listed Pathanamthitta as the cleanest place to live, with excellent air quality. Thus, Mother Nature promotes Eco- tours rather than the Kerala Tourism Development Board. Nature and wildlife lovers to see the Biome of the Western Ghats mostly book Pathanamthitta tour packages. Pathanamthitta is also known as the Land of Lord Ayyappa. The Sabarimala Temple is nestled on the 18 rolling hills on the Western Ghats at 1598-ft AMSL. Sabarimala Temple pilgrimage foothills or the place to start begins from this district and there are many tourist places to visit in Pathanamthitta that offers the Gods Own Country with its evergreen farmlands, monsoon rain forests, rivers, and the traditional countryside looks.
Famous Tourist Places in Pathanamthitta for One-Day Trip
1. Gavi
This destination is a part of the Ranni reserve forest and Periyar Tiger Reserve which is one of the most famous tourist places to visit in Pathanamthitta during Your Visit to Kerala. Thus, plan your Gavi backpacking trip by booking in advance. You can buy an entry ticket from the entrance. During your exploration, you can see many Biomes of the Western Ghat and nature lovers must visit this place once in a lifetime to see many untouched places on the foothills of the Western Ghats in Gavi, Pathanamthitta. The silent nature sound of flowing river water, birds chirping, flowing winds, rolling hills, fog, cool and lush green environment of the rainforest will relax you to the fullest.
Visiting hours: 08:00 AM – 05:30 PM
Trip Duration: Around 8 hours
Entry Fee: Per head INR 25, Vehicle fee INR 50, photo camera INR 25 and Video camera INR 100.
2. Perunthenaruvi Falls
Tourists must reach Vechoochira in Ranni Taluk to see this aquatic attraction in Pathanamthitta. Perunthenaruvi Falls is also known as Ranni waterfalls locally. Pathanamthitta to Perunthenaruvi distance is 22 miles. The main source of the water is from Southwest Monsoon and Northeast Monsoon rains flowing from the Western Ghats in the Ranni rolling hill areas. The water from this falls joins the holly Pemba River. The waterfalls and their streams are flooded during rain in Kerala from June to November. Thus, the best time to visit this waterfall is from December to March. During April and May, the water flow is less due to the hot summer. It is not a steep and high waterfall.
Visiting hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Trip Duration: Around 04 to 06 hours
Entry Fee: INR 30 for adults and INR 15 for children
3. Konni Reserve Forest
If you wish to relax with Mother Nature, then visit Konni Reserve Forest in Pathanamthitta. A part of this forest is also allocated as a Konni elephant reserve by the forest department of India. These are non-rainy seasons, and hiking in the forest is possible with mild difficulties. Mother Nature in this tropical rain forest will make you feel Kerala is God’s Own Country. The wildlife you can see here are Asian elephants, languor monkeys, barking deer, peacocks, panthers, sloth bears, leopards, and kingfisher birds. In this forest, you will find an elephant sanctuary, Annakudu or a huge elephant cage. They are harmless, and you can go near them when they are with attendants.
Visiting hours: 07:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Trip Duration: Around 05 to 06 hours
Entry Fee: Nil. For boating, you have to pay INR 400 per head.
4. Sree Vallabha Temple
A divine temple on the banks of the Manimala River made this place blessed by Lord Vishnu since ancient times. It is believed that this temple has undergone many changes over the past 4000 years. Tourists willing to see the Kathakali dance must visit this temple in the evening as daily dance performances happen in this temple only in the entire Kerala. It will be an architectural wonder to see a 54-ft flag mast made of monolith rock and a vast Garuda statue in front of this temple. This temple is a masterpiece of Kerala temple architecture. It is advisable t visit this temple during sunset to see glittering oil-lit lamps all over it.
5. St John’s Cathedral
If any church in India does not look like the conventional Christian churches, then visit the St. John’s Cathedral on the Thiruvalla highway. You will be surprised to see a circular church with a seating capacity of 2000 people. This church is built in a modern and traditional Kerala architectural type. This church is unique to look in a church garden, which is in green surroundings. This holy church comes under the Syro-Malankara Catholic Archeparchy governing body. Architect Laurie Baker is the designer of this church in the Hindu temple and Cyrian architectural marvel. Its interior has many glass stain paintings depicting biblical stories and the painting of the last judgment. Thousands of people gather for mass prayer on Sundays and festival occasions.
Visiting hours: 07:00 – 06:00 PM
Trip Duration: 02 to 03 hours
Entry Fee: Nil
6. St Mary’s Orthodox Church
The St Thomas apostle in India lays the foundation of many old churches. One such old church is the St Mary’s Orthodox Church in Pathanamthitta. This 54 CE-built church was renovated many times, and the present structure has been untouched for more than a century. It has chandeliers, sculptures, brass lamps, and wooden and metal artefacts dating back 500 years. Overall, the present-day temple looks in the Travancore style. Apart from its face, you will find shingled rooftops made from locally sourced red clay in the rest of the places. This church is amidst the tropical rainforest in Kerala. If you wish to attend the mass prayer, you must visit on Sundays.
Visiting hours: 07:00 – 06:00 PM
Trip Duration: 02 to 03 hours
Entry Fee: Nil
7. Parumala
It is a famous church in Pathanamthitta, attracting thousands of pilgrims in November or this church Remembrance Day. Apart from Christianity, people from other religions visit here to seek blessings from this church’s three saints’ tombs. You will see a festival of glory on the remembrance day occasion of this church. This church is one a scenic location near the banks of River Pampa. It will be a wonder to see this part of the church is like a river islet during rain. Night prayer mass happens during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Ormapperunnal is this church’s famous festival during 1st week of November annually. They serve a mass feast for all on the church premise during this festive occasion.
Visiting hours: 07:00 – 06:00 PM
Trip Duration: 02 to 05 hours
Entry Fee: Nil
8. Chengannur Mahadeva Kshethram
It is a mythic temple in Pathanamthitta, which does not have restrictions that teenagers and adult women nearing their menstrual cycle can come and worship here. It is believed that the Durga or Devi Shakthi menstruated in ancient times when she visited this place. Since then, it is the only temples in India that women with such circumstances can visit this temple. It is because; a few Hindu customs do not allow such women to enter the temple premises of gods and goddesses in India. Thripoothe Arattu Festival pulls many women devotees from across Kerala. Elephant processions happen with the traditional band, which is famous s the Chenda Melam in Malayalam.
Visiting hours: 07:00 – 06:00 PM
Trip Duration: 01 to 02 hours
Entry Fee: Nil
9. Aranmula
Kerala’s famous snake boat race takes place in Aranmula between August and September every year. Domestic and foreign tourists gather here to see the magnificent hand-built 100-ft long and 20-ft height wooden snake boat. Aranmula is a scenic village located on the banks of the Pampa River. Aranmula looks like God’s Own Country after the monsoon rain. It is in a lush green tropical rainforest. Foreign tourists visit here to see the competitions. It happens with Chenda Vadhiyam, or traditional drumming, on the boat, and 100 men row each snake boat with a lead commander and instructor. New boats are made every year in a traditional handmade manner. These are unique boats that later become river careers to transport agricultural produce.
Visiting hours: 07:00 – 06:00 PM
Trip Duration: 03 to 05 hours
Entry Fee: Nil
10. Parthasarathy Gajamela
There is no other place on this Earth like Kerala where the elephants are honoured and respected with great devotion in temples. One of such nine elephant processions takes place during Parthasarathy Gajamela annually in February. It will be eye soothing to see the giant mammoths stuffed with gold-covered metal accessories and flowers and men’s display umbrellas and colourful artefacts from the top of elephants’ backs. These elephants have special ornate vibes during the festival occasion. These nine elephants are the main pride of this temple. The elephants of this temple are taken care of near the temple surroundings. They are human-friendly and bless you with their trunk when you near them. Peoples seek blessings from the elephants to seek strength like them.
Visiting hours: 07:00 – 06:00 PM
Trip Duration: 01 to 05 hours
Entry Fee: Nil
11. Konni Elephant Camp
It is one of the wild tourist places in Pathanamthitta for a one-day trip to see the taming of elephants from close to them. Konni Elephant Camp is the entry point to the Konni forest reserve too. Kids can enjoy with small elephants trained to act according to human commands. The Annakudu is a famous elephant house where you will find where the elephants take rest. It is a family and kids-friendly place to visit in Pathanamthitta. It would be best if you hiked in the Konni rainforest to reach this wild nature camp. A day trip is enough to see the friendly mammoths, river streams, waterfalls and lakes of this Konni forest.
Visiting hours: 07:00 – 06:00 PM
Trip Duration: 05 to 10 hours
Entry Fee: Nil
Frequently Asked Questions?
A. The nearest railway station to alight is Tiruvalla railway station to reach Pathanamthitta town. This railway station is 31 Km away from Pathanamthitta town.
A. The nearest airport to reach Pathanamthitta town is Trivandrum and Kochi. The former is 109 km, and the latter is 137 km.
A. Pathanamthitta town is accessible via SH 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, and 37 from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
A. December to March is the favourable time to visit Pathanamthitta. These are non-rainy seasons in Kerala State.
Conclusion
An all-inclusive Pathanamthitta tour package is the best to book during peak season online. It is because tourist places in Pathanamthitta are mostly present in the forest reserve. Pathanamthitta in Kerala tourism is Eco-friendly. Thus, only a permitted number of tourists are allowed in peak and non-peak seasons. Thus, avoid carrying plastic bags and water bottles. It is a tourist-friendly place in Kerala, State, India. Thousands of foreign tourist visit here under the Gods Own Country tour in Kerala sponsored by KTDC. Yet, locally and via travel and tourism booking apps and platforms, you can book the customs Pathanamthitta tour. It is the best for adventure seekers, campers, and trekkers.
