Pathanamthitta

For the district with the same name, see Pathanamthitta district.
Pathanamthitta
പത്തനംതിട്ട
Town

Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race
Pathanamthitta
Pathanamthitta

Location in Kerala, India

Coordinates: 9°15′53″N 76°47′13″E / 9.2648°N 76.7870°E / 9.2648; 76.7870Coordinates: 9°15′53″N 76°47′13″E / 9.2648°N 76.7870°E / 9.2648; 76.7870
Country  India
State Kerala
District Pathanamthitta
Founded by K. K. Nair
Area
 • Total 23.50 km2 (9.07 sq mi)
Elevation 31 m (102 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 37,538
 • Density 1,600/km2 (4,100/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Malayalam,
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 689645
Telephone code 0468
Vehicle registration KL – 03
Website www.pathanamthitta.nic.in
Gavi, a major tourist destination in Pathanamthitta.
Perunthenaruvi Falls, Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta (പത്തനംതിട്ട) is a town and a municipality situated in the Central Travancore region in the state of Kerala, south 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'.[1] Pathanamthitta. District, the thirteenth revenue district of the State of Kerala. It was formed with effect from the 1st 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 (2652 sq. km.) in the State.

Etymology

There are different versions on how the name Pathanamthitta came about. One view is that the name is derived from two Tamil / Malayalam words Pathanam and thitta, which together mean "array of ten "family" houses by the riverside". Another opinion is that is pattanam (town) which became 'pathanam'. Thus, Pathanamthitta meant a town by the riverside.

Pathanamthitta town is located on the fertile banks of the River Achenkovil.

Sri K. K. Nair, who formed the District, is known as the Father of Pathanamthitta.

Geography

Pathanamthitta has an average elevation of 18 metres (62 ft) above sea level.[2]

The main trunk road to Sabarimala is from Pathanamthitta. The Main Eastern Highway (Punalur-Muvattupuzha Road/SH-08) and T.K.Road (Thiruvalla-Kumbazha Road/SH-07) pass through Pathanamthitta. www.pathanamthittainfo.com . Main Roads passing through pathanamthitta are T.K Road, Adoor Road, Azhoor Road, Mannarakulanji Road

Climate

Pathanamthitta district
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
16
 
 
32
22
 
 
236
 
 
33
23
 
 
76
 
 
33
24
 
 
167
 
 
33
25
 
 
125
 
 
32
25
 
 
595
 
 
30
24
 
 
232
 
 
29
23
 
 
563
 
 
29
23
 
 
297
 
 
30
23
 
 
196
 
 
30
23
 
 
93
 
 
30
23
 
 
88
 
 
31
23
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

Pathanamthitta has a moderate 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 enjoys a tropical climate, the monsoons start in June.[3] The months of April–May can get pretty 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 fall between June and July, and June is the wettest month of the year. Last weeks of June is also days of floods. The three major rivers viz Pampa, Achankovil and Manimala swell with rainwater.[4]

Winter begins in December. December through February are the winter months. The lowest temperatures are experienced during January.

According to the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) study on ambient air quality among 123 Indian cities, Pathanamthitta was found to have the cleanest air in India, in terms of least concentration of dust particles in air. Two out of three least polluted cities in India are from Kerala, Kollam being 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.

Climate data for Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 31.0
(87.8)		 31.8
(89.2)		 32.9
(91.2)		 33.0
(91.4)		 32.5
(90.5)		 30.5
(86.9)		 29.8
(85.6)		 29.9
(85.8)		 30.4
(86.7)		 30.3
(86.5)		 30.0
(86)		 30.4
(86.7)		 31.04
(87.86)
Average low °C (°F) 22.4
(72.3)		 23.2
(73.8)		 24.6
(76.3)		 25.5
(77.9)		 25.4
(77.7)		 24.3
(75.7)		 23.8
(74.8)		 23.8
(74.8)		 24.0
(75.2)		 23.9
(75)		 23.6
(74.5)		 22.6
(72.7)		 23.93
(75.06)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 20
(0.79)		 36
(1.42)		 66
(2.6)		 160
(6.3)		 264
(10.39)		 476
(18.74)		 446
(17.56)		 306
(12.05)		 241
(9.49)		 318
(12.52)		 214
(8.43)		 57
(2.24)		 2,604
(102.53)
Source: Climate-Data.org[5]

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 478 square kilometres (185 sq mi). 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

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[6] fishermen depending on this sector for their livelihood.

Pathanamthitta district has tremendous potential in fish culture sector. For the development of piscine culture activities a Fish Farmers Development Agency(F.F.D.A.) was constituted during the year 1990. The agency provide technical as well as financial assistance to the farmers. The ongoing schemes of F.F.D.A. are assistance to new pond construction, pond reclamation, supply of fish seed, feed, medicine towards input, integrated farming and establishment of mini hatcheries.

Industry

Pathanamthitta is a less industrialized district of Kerala. As of 31 March 2006, there are 13,898 registered Small Scale Industries (SSI), employing 46,421 people.[6] There are also 378 workers employed in the handloom sector. There are three Mini Industrial Estates in the district with the State government declaring 8.5 hectares of area as development plot. District Industries Centre distributes the land to needy entrepreneurs on request. 14.48 hectares of land has been transferred to KINFRA and five acres of land has been transferred to SIDCO for industrial parks. Green channel committee has been set up to help entrepreneurs get help in obtaining licenses, clearances, electricity, water connection, without delay.

Administration

Kerala Assembly Election 2016 Constituency map of Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta assembly constituency was part of the Idukki (Lok Sabha constituency) but now Pathanamthitta is a separate Lok Sabha constituency.[7] 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. 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 panthayats. 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.[8][9] Congress, Kerala Congress, BJP and the CPM/CPI are the main political parties.

Municipalities: 4

  1. Thiruvalla
  2. Pathanamthitta
  3. Adoor
  4. Pandalam

Transportation

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (113 km), Cochin International Airport, at Nedumbassery, Kochi (142 km) are the nearest airports. 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. Tiruvalla railway station (Code: TRVL) (30 km) is the only railway station in the District. Chengannur railway station (Code: CNGR) (24 km) is the nearest Railway station. 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 more convenient one. Direct Bus services to Pathanamthitta are operated from both Tiruvalla and Chengannur. The proposed Chengannur – Pandalam – Adoor – Kottarakkara – Thiruvananthapuram railway line passes through the district.

Road

View of Pathanamthitta

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 city 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. Plenty of A/C Luxury Bus services are operated from Pathanamthitta to Bangalore, Chennai, Mangalore and Mumbai on a daily basis.

KSRTC bus stations in Pathanamthitta district are Pathanamthitta, Thiruvalla, Adoor, Pandalam, Mallapally, Ranni, and Pamba.

Distance from Pathanamthitta

Culture zone

Places around Pathanamthitta city within a distance of 15 km include, Elanthoor, Ranny, Vadaserikara, Kozhencherry, Kadammanitta, Vazhamuttom, Pandalam, Manjinikara, Mathoor, Omallur, Malayalappuzha, Kodumthara, Elavumthitta-Muloor Smarakam, Kodumon, Ayroor Cherukolpuzha, Ulanadu, Kaipattoor, Mylapra, Uthimoodu, Thumpamon, Maroor, Pramadom, Konni and Valamchuzhy. The places beyond these are Thiruvalla, Nilackal, Parumala, and Maramon. Pathanamthitta lies on the road route to the pilgrim town of Sabarimala, which is 65 km away. The Chettikulangara temple, at Mavelikkara is about 35 km from Pathanamthitta. Padanilam Parabrahma Temple is situated 26 km from Pathanamthitta. Aranmula is around 14 km from Pathanamthitta. Aranmula Temple is one of the biggest temples in South India en route to Sabarimala.

Notable people from Pathanamthitta District

See List of people from Pathanamthitta District

Demographics

As per Census of India 2011 Pathanamthitta had a population of 11,97,412 (11.97 Lakh) and which was lower than 12.34 lakh of previous Census of 2001. Males constitute 46.9% of the population and females 53.1%. 89% of Total population in Pathanamthitta lives in Rural area and only 11% lives in urban. Pathanamthitta District ranks the 12th place in terms of population size in the state. In total density of the District is 452 Persons per km2 which the 12th in States as per 2011 Census. In Sex-ratio, the District is in the 2nd position with 1132 females per 1,000 males. In Child Sex-ratio, the District has the 1st rank with 976 female children per 1000 male children. The District has the second position in total literacy rate (96.55 per cent) and female literacy rate (95.83 per cent). Agricultural Labourers constitute 14.1 per cent while Cultivators form 10.5 per cent of the Total Workers in the District. There are five engineering colleges and one medical college in Pathanamthitta District.

Pathanamthitta still has quite few settlements of aborigines called 'adivasis' deep in the forest area including areas like Thanithoddu, Chittar. The people from the settlements prefer not to be disturbed by the crowd from outside civilizations or lifestyles.

Religion

Religion in Pathanamthitta District
Religion Percent
Hinduism
  
 56.3%
Christianity
  
 39.0%
Islam
  
 4.7%
Others
  
 0.1%

Pathanamthitta's major religion are Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains have much smaller followings. As of 2004 the population included 694,560(56.28%) Hindus, 481,602 (39.03%) Christians and 56,457 (4.58%) Muslims, the lowest following in the State.[16] In Christian Denominations Malankara Orthodox Church, with population of 252, 352, Mar Thoma Syrian Church population of 134, 751, Jacobite and Knanaya Jacobite population accumulating to a total of 47,256 and Malankara Catholics reaching a total of 44,326.A large number of Reformation Groups also are present in this area.

Places of Worship

Sabarimala Temple

Flora and Fauna

The tiger inhabits Pathanamthitta's reserve forests

Pathanamthitta has tropical biodiversity with forest, plantations, rivers and fertile land. Fifty percent of the district is covered with forest, providing rich flora and fauna. The district has a variety of plants including medicinal, spices, tuber crops and those yielding fruits and fiber. Aromatic plants and spices such as pepper, ginger, cardamom and turmeric are cultivated on a large scale. Trees such as timber, teak, rosewood, jack tree, manjakadambu, anjili, pala can be found in abundance.

The forests of the district have excellent wild life habitats. A variety of animals and birds can be found. Tigers, elephants, gaur, deer, monkeys and other wild animals are found in the forest. Giant squirrel, lion-tailed macaques, barking deer and bear can also be spotted in the reserve. Malabar grey hornbill and great Indian hornbill are found. Wide variety of other birds such as sunbirds, woodpeckers and kingfishers can also be seen.

The existence of the wildlife habitat is under threat from various areas. Pollution from fertilizer and industries and illegal sand mining are the major threats. Issues connected to Sabarimala pilgrimage such as clearing of forest land and large amount of waste discharged also threatens the habitat.[18][19]

Educational Institutions

Sports

The Aranmula Boat Race is part of a festival celebrated during the month of September. Though the snake boat race is also performed at nearby places, the race held at Aranmula is unique because of the boats' shape and design. Maramadimatsaram (Ox Race) is another such seasonal sport. This is held as part of the largest annual cattle fair of Central Travancore region. The race is held in three categories.[20]

While football is the most popular sport, cricket is the most-followed sport as in the rest of the state and India. The Public stadium at Tiruvalla houses some of the important sports activities (mainly cricket) in the district.

Notes

  1. ↑ http://www.keralatravels.com/resourcepage.php?sid=14&rid=281 KeralaTravels
  2. ↑ "FallingRain Map". Fallingrain.com. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  3. ↑ http://www.mustseeindia.com/Pathanamthitta-weather
  4. ↑ http://www.pathanamthitta.com/physiography.htm
  5. ↑ "CLIMATE: PATHANAMTHITTA", Climate-Data.org. Web: .
  6. 1 2 "District level database of Pathanamthitta" (PDF). Government of Kerala. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 November 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
  7. ↑ "Assembly Constituencies – Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies" (PDF). Kerala. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2009. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
  8. ↑ "Parliamentary Constituencies of Kerala - 2008". Government of Kerala. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  9. ↑ Radhakrishnan Kuttoor (2008-01-31). "Due recognition for the youngest district". The Hindu. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  10. ↑ "Mandala Pooja/ Makaravilakku". Sabarimala.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  11. ↑ "pathanamthittainfo.com". pathanamthittainfo.com. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  12. ↑ "About it". Hmmp.org. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  13. ↑ "Festivals of India-Aranmula-Vallamkali (Boat Race )". Festivalsofindia.in. 2010-06-15. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  14. ↑ "Festivals of India- Aranmula Boat race". Festivalsofindia.in. 2010-06-15. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  15. ↑ "The Making of Aranmula kannadi". Youtube.com. 2010-01-04. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  16. ↑ Govind, Biju (2004-09-23). "Increase in Muslim population in the State". The Hindu. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  17. ↑ http://www.elanthoordevi.org
  18. ↑ "Pampa pollution". Pampa Parirakshana Samithy, N.G.O. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  19. ↑ "TDB to get forest land at Nilackal today". The Hindu. 2005-06-16. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  20. ↑ "Maramadimatsaram". Department of tourism, Kerala. Retrieved 2009-08-27.

References

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