Pathanamthitta (), is a Municipal Town in southern Kerala, India, spread over an area of . It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The town has a population of 37,538 (as of 2011 census). 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, was formed with effect from 1 November 1982, with headquarters at Pathanamthitta. Forest covers more than half of the total area of the District. Pathanamthitta District ranks the 7th in area in the State. The district has its borders with Allepey, Kottayam, Kollam and Idukki districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Nearest town is Thiruvalla (largest town in Pathanamthitta District), located at a distance of 30 km. Thiruvalla railway station is 30 km via Thiruvalla-Kumbazha highway.
Etymology The district's name is a combination of two Malayalam words, and , which together mean 'array of houses on the river side'. The district headquarters is located on the banks of the river Achankovil.
History The regions that form the town were formerly under the rule of Pandalam, which had connections with the Pandya kingdom. It is believed that Hindu God Lord Ayyappa was the King of this region."History — Pathanamthitta" When Pandalam was added to the princely state of Travancore in 1820, the region came under Travancore administration.
Pathanamthitta district, along with most parts of Alappuzha district, was part of the Quilon district of the Travancore Kingdom until the formation of Pathanamthitta district in 1982.
Modern day Pathanamthitta District, the thirteenth revenue district of the State of Kerala was formed with effect from 1 November 1982, with headquarters at Pathanamthitta.
Geography Pathanamthitta has an average elevation of 18 metres (62 ft) above sea level.
The main trunk road from south to Sabarimala starts from MC Road at Adoor via NH 183A Pathanamthitta. From The North it Starts from Thiruvalla MC Road and Continues through State Highway 7 (Kerala), The Main Eastern Highway (Punalur-Muvattupuzha Road/SH-08), Main Central Road (Kesavadasapuram-Angamaly Road/SH-01), NH 183A Kollam -Teni via Adoor- Pathanamthitta.
Climate
Pathanamthitta has a tropical monsoon climate bordering a tropical rainforest climate, more or less the same as is prevalent elsewhere in Kerala. Annual temperatures range between 20 °C (68 °F) and 39 °C (102 °F). The district experiences three distinct weather conditions: winter, summer and the monsoon. The winter season is experienced from December to February and summer season from March to May. There are two rainy seasons: The South-West monsoon (June to September) and the North-East monsoon (October to November). The South-West monsoon is usually very heavy. About 75% of its annual rainfall is received during this season.
The town has a tropical climate. The monsoons start in June. The months of April–May can get significantly humid. The best weather is from October to February. Pathanamthitta experiences three distinct seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. Typical summer months are from March to May. The warmest month in Pathanamthitta is April. Although summer doesn't end until May, the city often receives locally developed heavy thundershowers in May (although humidity remains high).
The monsoon lasts from June to August, with moderate rainfall. Most of the heavy rainfall in the city falls between June and July, and June is the wettest month of the year. The Last weeks of June is also days of floods. The three major rivers viz Pampa, Achankovil and Manimala swell with rainwater.
Winter begins in December. December through February are the winter months. The lowest temperatures are experienced during January.
A 2014 World Health Organization (WHO) study on ambient air quality among 123 Indian cities found that Pathanamthitta had the cleanest air in India, in terms of least concentration of dust particles in air. Two out of the three least polluted cities in India are from Kerala, Kollam being the second least polluted. As per the database, in Pathanamthitta, the annual mean of PM10 and PM2.5 is recorded at 23 and 10 respectively, which is closer to the recommended level of concentration of particulate matter. While a number of Indian cities are among the world's most polluted, Pathanamthitta's air quality is comparable to some of the cleanest cities in North America, Europe and Australia.
Economy
Agriculture Agriculture is the main occupation of the people. About 75% people are dependent on this sector. Rubber is the most important crop, with its plantations covering over . The hilly terrain coupled with high humidity makes the region suitable for rubber plantations. Paddy is the most important crop cultivated in the wet lands. Tapioca and pulses are the important dry land crops. Other major crops are coconut, banana, pepper and ginger. In certain areas cashew, pineapple, sugarcane, cocoa and other tree spices are cultivated. The land available for cultivation is less since sizeable area of the district is reserve forest.
+ Major Agricultural Products Products Area under cultivation (km2) Production (tonne) Rice 43.39 10784 Sugar Cane 1.23 601 Pepper 56.51 1328 Ginger 5.26 1358 Cardamom 6.64 82 Cashewnut 11.41 686 Rubber 478.47 69094 Tapioca 79.91 226993 Coconut 217.39 380 Source : Statistics for Planning-DES 2006
Fisheries Pathanamthitta district has a unique position in the inland fisheries map of Kerala state with its freshwater resources like rivers, reservoirs, streams, ponds, quarries and paddy fields. The fisheries activities in this region started with the establishment of a Fresh Water Survey Station. The district has an Ornamental Fish Breeding resource centre and a National Fish Seed Farm. There are 2444 fishermen depending on this sector for their livelihood.
Administration
Pathanamthitta assembly constituency was part of the Idukki (Lok Sabha constituency) but now Pathanamthitta is a separate Lok Sabha constituency. Pathanamthitta comes under Aranmula Assembly constituency. Earlier, Pathanamthitta itself was an Assembly constituency. But after delimitation, Pathanamthitta lost its named constituency.
The district headquarters is at Pathanamthitta town. The district administration is headed by the District Collector Prem Krishnan. He is assisted by five Deputy Collectors holding charges of general matters, revenue recovery, land acquisition, land reforms and election. Under the three tier system of panchayat in rural areas, Pathanamthitta has one district panchayat, 9 block panchayat and 57 grama panchayats. Under the single tier system in urban areas, there are 4 municipalities the district. In addition, there is a census town (Kozhencherry).
As per the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008, Pathanamthitta has five Assembly constituencies, down from eight. However, the district was unified into a single Parliamentary constituency, thus contributing a seat to the Lok Sabha. The Pathanamthitta parliamentary constituency is formed by including all the five Assembly constituencies of the district along with two other Assembly constituencies in the neighboring Kottayam district.
Indian National Congress, the CPM/CPI, Bharathiya Janatha party(BJP)and Kerala Congress are the main political parties.
Municipality Members
+ Pathanamthitta Municipality Election 2025 Results Ward Ward Name Councilor Name Alliance 001 Mundukottackal Saji K. Simon INC/UDF 002 Kairaleepuram V. R. Johnson CPI(M)/LDF 003 Kulasekharapathy Ansar Muhammed INC/UDF 004 Arabic College Shainy Ashraf CPI(M)/LDF 005 Kumbazha North Aravindakshan Nair INC/UDF 006 Myladupara Thazhom Bijimol Mathew KC(M)/LDF 007 Myladupara Akhil Madathileth BJP/NDA 008 Plaveli Joji Samuel CPI(M)/LDF 009 Kumbazha East Ambika Venu INC/UDF 010 Kumbazha South M. N. Vijayaraj CPI(M)/LDF 011 Kumbazha West Nejim Rajan INC/UDF 012 Chuttippara East Sagheer IUML/UDF 013 Valamchuzhi Adv. Geetha Suresh INC/UDF 014 Kannankara Misna Arif INC/UDF 015 Town Square Fathima S. INC/UDF 016 Petta North Bibin Baby Others 017 Collectorate C. K. Arjunan INC/UDF 018 Kallarakkadavu Adv. A. Suresh Kumar INC/UDF 019 Azhoor West Asha Mohanraj INC/UDF 020 Azhoor Manju V. G. CPI/LDF 021 Kodumthara Leo Akhil INC/UDF 022 College Ward Kochurani B. Others 023 Karimpanakkuzhi Abel Mathew INC/UDF 024 Churulikode Ajin Varghese CPI(M)/LDF 025 North YMCA Sobha K. Mathew CPI(M)/LDF 026 Pattamkulam Ammini Teacher CPI(M)/LDF 027 Thycavu Sindhu Anil INC/UDF 028 Anchakkala Anila Anil CPI(M)/LDF 029 Poovanpara Sajini Mohan INC/UDF 030 Vettippuram Sherina Rahim Others 031 Vanchipoika Ansil Ahammed CPI(M)/LDF 032 Peringamala P. K. Aneesh CPI(M)/LDF 033 Saradamadom Joyamma Simon INC/UDF
Municipalities: 4
Thiruvalla Pathanamthitta Adoor Pandalam
Transportation Airport The proposed Sabari International Airport, Cheruvally would be the closest airport upon completion, at 28 km away from Pathanamthitta town.
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (113 km), Cochin International Airport, at Nedumbassery, Kochi (142 km) are the nearest airports.
Heliport Perunad Heliport (helipad) is situated in Kuttikayam estate, Mampara road. Which is known as Sabarimala helipad. Chipsan Aviation Pvt Ltd, having service from various location. Most of the Sabarimala pilgrimages are using this heliport.
Railway Chengannur railway station (Code: CNGR) (24 km) is the nearest Railway station. Tiruvalla railway station (Code: TRVL) (30 km) is the only railway station in the District. Mavelikara railway station (Code: MVLK) (32.5 km) is also nearest station after Chengannur and Tiruvalla stations. Kollam Junction Railway Station (Code: QLN) is 62 km away from Pathanamthitta. The location of Chengannur private bus stand in front of the station makes it the most convenient one. Direct Bus services to Pathanamthitta are operated from both Tiruvalla and Chengannur. The proposed Chengannur – Pandalam – Kottarakkara – Thiruvananthapuram railway line passes through the district.
Road
Pathanamthitta is the meeting point of two major State Highways T.K. Road (SH – 07) and Main Eastern Highway (Punalur-Muvattupuzha Road / SH – 08). The town is well connected to major towns and cities inside and outside Kerala by the State run K.S.R.T.C and private buses as well as Luxury Services. Both the KSRTC and private buses play equal roles in satisfying the transportation needs of the town. The cities of Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Thrissur etc. are connected by KSRTC services whereas hi-range townships like Punalur, Kumali, Pala and the Malabar Area of Northern Kerala are connected by private bus services. KSRTC is running chain services that connect Pathanamthitta with the City of Kollam via Adoor, Also to Chengannur railway via Elavumthitta or Kozhencherry. Plenty of A/C Luxury Bus services are operated from Pathanamthitta to Bangalore, Chennai, Mangalore and Mumbai on a daily basis.
KSRTC bus depots in Pathanamthitta district are Pathanamthitta, Konni, Thiruvalla, Adoor, Mallapally, KSRTC Operating centers are situated in Ranni, Pandalam and a Temporary KSRTC Depot working during Sabarimala season at Pamba.
Tourism
Pathanamthitta district is known as the Headquarters of Pilgrimage Tourism, of the Kerala State. Situated near the Western Ghats and bordered by the hills, Pathanamthitta district is a treat to eyes with its vast unending stretches of forests, rivers and rural landscapes. Blessed by nature, the district is famous for its scenic beauty, fairs and festivals. Land of Lord Ayyappa is the tag-line of Pathanamthitta tourism. Pathanamthitta attracts a large number of tourists every year. Pilgrim centres and other eco tourism spots like Gavi and Adavi are most visited in Pathanamthitta.
Distance from Pathanamthitta Konni (10;Km)