Pandalam

2025-09-06T13:25:13Z

2409:4073:21F:9048:9ABD:B691:BDF2:DC1A: quick cleanup section for accuracy additionally and cleaned formatting based on references

{{about|the town is in Pathanamthitta District|other uses|Pandalam (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Pandalam
| other_name = Panthalam
| settlement_type = Municipality
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Pandalam palace2.JPG{{!}} Pandalam Palace
| photo1b = NSSCollegePandalam3.jpg{{!}} NSS College Pandalam
Mannam Ayurveda Co-operative Medical College,
| photo2a = പന്തളംപുഴ.JPG{{!}} Achankovil River
| photo3a = Kettukazhcha.jpg{{!}}Kettukazhcha at Pandalam Mahadeva Temple
| spacing = 2
| position = center
| color_border = black
| color = black
| size = 300
| foot_montage = from left to right: [[Pandalam Palace]], [[NSS College Pandalam]], [[Achankovil River]] and Kettukazhcha at [[Pandalam Mahadeva Temple]]
}}
| nickname = '''Kurunthottayam'''
| pushpin_map = India Kerala#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kerala, India
| coordinates = {{coord|9.225|N|76.679|E|region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Pathanamthitta District]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Pandalam Municipality|Municipality]]
| leader_title = Municipal Chairman
| leader_name = Achankunju John ([[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]])<ref>{{cite news|title=BJP again in Pandalam Municipal Council; new chairman elected|url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/mobile/news.php?id=1448629&u=bjp-again-in-pandalam-municipal-council-new-chairman-elected-1448629}}</ref>
| leader_title1 =
| leader_name1 =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 28.42
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 42,793<ref>{{citation|url=https://pandalammunicipality.lsgkerala.gov.in/en/|title= Population of Pandalam Municipality, 2015}}</ref>
| population_as_of = 2015
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Malayalam]], English
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 689501
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = +91
| registration_plate = KL 26
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Adoor Assembly constituency|Adoor]]
| blank2_name_sec1 =
| blank3_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank3_info_sec1 = [[Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency|Pathanamthitta]]
| blank1_name_sec2 = Official website
| blank1_info_sec2 = {{URL|https://pandalammunicipality.lsgkerala.gov.in/en/}}
| footnotes =
| official_name =
}}

'''Pandalam''' is a [[Municipalities of Kerala|municipality]] in [[Pathanamthitta district]] [[Kerala]], [[India]].<ref>{{Cite web| title=Grama Panchayaths | url=https://lsgkerala.gov.in/system/files/2017-10/localbodies.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417130137/http://lsgkerala.gov.in:80/system/files/2017-10/localbodies.pdf | archive-date=2018-04-17}}</ref> Pandalam is known for its connection with [[Ayyappan]] and [[Sabarimala]]. Rightly recognised ''as the cultural capital of [[ Central Travancore]]'', Pandalam hosts educational institutions ranging from reputed schools to post graduate, training, [[Ayurveda]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Ayurveda varsity taking shape at Pandalam — Defunct sugar mill's brush with health|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2005/09/24/stories/2005092402211900.htm|access-date=27 December 2013|newspaper=The Hindu Business Line}}</ref> 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]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Pandalam to be made a special township: V.S. Sivakumar|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/pandalam-to-be-made-a-special-township-vs-sivakumar/article4018571.ece|access-date=27 December 2013|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> by including the Pandalam municipality and [[Kulanada]] panchayat.<ref name=OC>{{cite news|title=Government to set up township at Pandalam|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/government-to-set-up-township-at-pandalam/article5524084.ece|access-date=2 January 2014|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>

The neighborhoods of Pandalam town include [[Thumpamon]], [[Pandalam Thekkekara]], [[Kulanada]], [[Nooranad]], [[Padanilam]], and [[Venmony]].

==Trade and Commerce==
The centuries-old ''Kurunthottayam'' market (now known as the Pandalam market) was one among the largest agricultural markets in central [[Travancore]].

Kerala's widest suspension bridge was constructed in Pandalam over the [[Achankovil|Achankovil river]].<ref name=bridge>{{cite news|title=Suspension bridge at Pandalam gets ready|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/suspension-bridge-at-pandalam-gets-ready/article5396696.ece|access-date=27 December 2013|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> The bridge is 70 metres long and 2.5 metres wide.<ref name=bridge/>

There are several devotional places at Pandalam. The most famous are [[Valiyakoikkal Temple]], [[Pandalam Mahadeva Temple|Mahadeva Temple]], [[Pattupurakkavu Bhagavathi Temple|Puthenkavil Bhagavathi Temple]], [[Pattupurakkavu Bhagavathi Temple]], [[Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple]], [[Kadakkad Sree Bhadrakali Temple]] and the [[Thattayil Orippurathu Bhagavathi Temple]].

Nooranad [[Padanilam Parabrahma Temple]], which is famous for its [[Maha Shivaratri]] ''Kettukazhcha'' is located 8 Km South West of Pandalam town.

==Legend==

According to legend, Lord [[Ayyappan]], the presiding deity of [[Sabarimala]], had his human sojourn at Pandalam as the adopted son of the King of Pandalam.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths|year=2010|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=9780143415176|page=43|author=Roshen Dalal}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Men and Masculinities in South India|url=https://archive.org/details/menmasculinities00osel|url-access=limited|year=2006|publisher=Anthem Press|isbn=1843312328|page=[https://archive.org/details/menmasculinities00osel/page/n161 145]|author=Caroline Osella, Filippo Osella}}</ref> During Sabarimala pilgrimage season, devotees come to Pandalam in large numbers to worship the deity of [[Valiyakoikkal Temple]] near the [[Pandalam Palace]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Pandalam Palace decries government affidavit|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/Pandalam-Palace-decries-government-affidavit/article16440847.ece|access-date =21 April 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sabarimala.kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=90&Itemid=92|title = Home | Sabarimala|website=sabarimala.kerala.gov.in}}</ref> This temple is on the banks of river [[Achenkovil]]. Three days prior to the [[Makara Jyothi|Makaravilakku festival]], the [[Thiruvabharanam]] (sacred ornaments) are taken in a procession from Pandalam to [[Sabarimala]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Hundreds throng Pandalam to worship Thiruvabharanam|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/10/stories/2011011058310300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115031119/http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/10/stories/2011011058310300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 January 2011|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=2011-01-10|access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref>

==History==
It is believed that the [[Pandya]] kings of [[Tamil Nadu]] fled to Pandalam in the face of an attack from [[Chola]]s<ref>{{cite book|title=Sacred Spaces: Exploring Traditions of Shared Faith in India|year=2003|publisher=Penguin Books|location=Navi Mumbai|isbn=9780143029311|page=27|author=Yoginder Sikand}}</ref> 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.

==Administration==
{{Main|Pandalam Municipality}}

Pandalam Municipality is the civic body that governs Pandalam. It is surrounded by other local bodies including [[Kulanada]] panchayath, [[Thumpamon]] panchayath, [[Pandalam Thekkekara]] panchayath and [[Nooranad]] panchayat in [[Alappuzha]] district on one side.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pandalam Municipalities and six grama panchayats has turned almost dry in the summer heat|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/water-scarcity-grips-pathanamthitta/article17396224.ece|accessdate=7 April 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> This is the first ever municipality in Southern Kerala where [[BJP]] is in power.

==Colleges==
* [[NSS College Pandalam]]
* Mannam Ayurveda Co-operative Medical College, Pandalam
* NSS Polytechnic College, Pandalam
* NSS Training College, Pandalam
* NSS Nursing College, Pandalam
* [https://itipandalam.kerala.gov.in/ Govt. ITI Cherickal, Pandalam (Under SC department Govt. of Kerala)] <ref>{{Cite web|title=GOVERNMENT ITI [SCDD] PANDALAM|url=https://itipandalam.kerala.gov.in/|access-date=2021-09-07|language=en-US|archive-date=7 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907095507/https://itipandalam.kerala.gov.in/|url-status=dead}}</ref> in [[Cherickal]].

== Hospitals ==

* NSS Medical Mission Hospital
* CM Hospital
* Chitra Multi-Speciality Hospital
* Mannam Ayurveda Medical College Hospital
* Primary Health Centre Kadakkad, Pandalam

== Landmarks ==

=== Pandalam Bridge ===
[[Pandalam Bridge]], popularly known as ''Kurunthottayam Bridge'', is situated in Pandalam junction.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pandalam bridge set to be commissioned by November 30|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/Pandalam-bridge-set-to-be-commissioned-by-November-30/article16078286.ece|access-date=1 January 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Pathanamthitta|date=22 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pandalam Suspension Bridge Ready to be used|url=http://news.justkerala.in/pandalam-suspension-bridge-ready-to-be-used.php|access-date=1 January 2017|work=Kerala News|location =Kerala}}</ref>

===Pandalam Suspension Bridge===
[[Pandalam Suspension Bridge]], is a pedestrian suspension bridge in Pandalam, that connects Pandalam with Kulanada.<ref>{{cite news|title=Suspension bridge at Pandalam gets ready|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/suspension-bridge-at-pandalam-gets-ready/article5396696.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=13 August 2017}}</ref>

===Pandalam Palace===
[[Pandalam Palace]], placed on the banks of [[Achankovil river]], was home to the royal family of Pandalam.The royal family of this palace enjoys a significant position in the history of Kerala. It is believed that they have descended from the Pandya kings of Madurai. Pandalam Palace carries not just historical importance, but a considerable religious magnitude as well. According to legends, Lord [[Ayyappa]] was born to the King of Pandalam.There is a temple on the banks of Achankovil river which is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa are carried from Pandalam Palace to [[Sabarimala]] as a grand procession three days prior to the [[makaravilakku]] festival

==Notable people==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="width:75%"
! scope="col" style="width:5%" | No
! scope="col" style="width:40%" | Name
! scope="col" style="width:10%" | Profession
|-
|1||[[Pandalam Kerala Varma]]||Poet
|-
|2||[[Alexander Jacob (police officer)|Dr Alexander Jacob]] [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]||[[Director General of Police|DGP]], [[Kerala Police]] (retd)
|-
|-
|3||[[Benyamin (writer)|Benyamin]]||Novelist, Screenwriter
|-
|4||[[Dr. Biju]]||Film director
|-
|5||[[M. N. Govindan Nair]]||Former State Secretary of CPI, former State Cabinet Minister and MP
|-
|6||[[S. Jithesh|Dr. Jitheshji]]||Cartoonist
|-
|7||Joy Kulanada||Cartoonist
|-
|8||[[Kadammanitta Vasudevan Pillai]]||Padayani artist
|-
|9||Kudassanadu Kanakam||Cine artist
|-
|10||[[P. K. Manthri]]||Cartoonist
|-
|11||Pandalam Balan||Playback singer
|-
|12||[[Pandalam Sudhakaran]]||Former state cabinet minister
|-
|13||[[V. S. Valiathan]]||Artist
|-
|14||Pandalam K. P. Raman Pillai||Lyricist famous for writing the song "Akhilandamandalam"
|-
|}

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Pandalam kshethram1.JPG|[[Valiyakoikkal Temple]]
File:പന്തളംപുഴ.JPG|[[Achankovil river]]
File:Pandalam palace2.JPG|Pandalam Palace
File:പന്തളം കൊട്ടാരം.JPG|Pandalam Palace
File:NSSCollegePandalam2.jpg|[[NSS College, Pandalam]]
File:Pandalam Central Junction.jpg|Pandalam Central Junction
File:Pandalam KSRTC Bus Station.jpg|Pandalam KSRTC Bus Station
File:Mavarappara.jpg|Mavarappara
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[Kadakkad]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscatinline}}
* [http://www.pandalam.org Information portal about Pandalam]

{{Pathanamthitta district}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Pathanamthitta district]]

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Pandalam