What is "pandalam"

Pandalam is a municipal town, which is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. Known for its connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala, Pandalam is considered to be a holy town. It is also a renowned educational and health care center in central Travancore. Rightly recognised as the educational and cultural headquarters of Central Travancore, Pandalam hosts a lot of educational institutions ranging from reputed schools to post graduate, training, ayurveda, 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, by including the Pandalam municipality and Kulanada panchayat.

The centuries-old ''Kurunthottayam ''market (now known as the Pandalam market) is one among the largest agricultural markets in central Travancore. Kerala's widest suspension bridge is constructed at Pandalam over the Achankovil river. The bridge is 70 meter long and 2.5 meter wide.

There are several devotional places at Pandalam of which the most famous are Valiyakoikkal Temple, Mahadeva Temple, Pattupurakkavu Bhagavathi Temple, Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple, Kadakkadu Sree Bharakali Temple, Kadakkad Juma Masjid, Thumpamon St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Cherickal Juma Masjid and St. Bursouma's Orthodox Church.