Pandalam () is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. Known far and wide for its legendary 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.Pandalam hosts a lot of educational institutions ranging from reputed schools to Post Graduate, Training, Ayurveda and Engineering Colleges. According to legend, Lord Ayyappan, the presiding deity of Sabarimala had his human sojourn at Pandalam as the son of the King of Pandalam. During Sabarimala pilgrimage season, devotees come to Pandalam in large numbers to worship the deity of Valiyakoikkal Temple near the Pandalam Palace. This temple is on the banks of river Achenkovil. Three days prior to the Makaravilakku festival, the sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappan (known as Thiruvabharanam) are taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala. Pandalam was in Mavelikkara taluk, before forming the Pathanamthitta...
