Pathanapuram () is an administrative division (taluk) situated in the Western Ghats in the Kollam District of Kerala state of India. It covers a mountainous area of 248.32 sq. km and has a population of about 160,000 people.

The area was rich in forest cover and had a roaming elephant population. The name of the place "Pathanapuram" was derived from "ten elephant puram" (path=10 +ana=elephant +puram = town). Though a large part of the rainforest was destroyed to create rubber plantations, there is still a considerable area of very dense tropical rainforest (achan kovil+thenmala etc.).

The Main Eastern Highway (Punalur-Pathanamthitta-Muvattupuzha Road / SH - 08) connects the town to other major towns.

Pathanapuram falls in the spice belt area of Kerala and produces a wide variety of spices. The main source of income is from agriculture, and the main produce is rice, pepper, ginger, cashew nuts, tapioca and rubber.

Pathanapuram is 85 km away from Trivandrum and 43 km from Kollam (Quilon) Town. It also lies along the way to the famous Hindu Temple of Lord Ayyappa in Shabarimala, which is located 89 km from Pathanapuram.

Pathanapuram has a mixed population of Hindus, Christians and Muslims.

<gallery> Image:Pathanapuram_kunnicode_Road.jpg|Pathanapuram Kunnikode road

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Villages in Pathanapuram include Kamukumchery.

How to get there

1.From Thiruvananthapuram: (Recommended route) Proceed to Kottarakkara via Kilimanoor,Ayoor through M.C road and then turn right and proceed to Kunnicode through NH 208. From Kunnicode,take left to Pathanapuram (Distance 89 km). You can also reach Pathanapuram via Ayoor,Anchal and Punalur(Distance 88 km). The shortest route from Thiruvananthapuram to Pathanapuram is via Ayoor,Valakom,Chengamanadu and Kunnicode (Distance 81 km)

2.From Ernakulam/Alappuzha/Kottayam: From Ernakulam, proceed to Kayamkulam via Alappuzha through NH 47. From Kayamkulam, proceed to Pathanapuram via Adoor (Distance 152 km) From Ernakulam, one can also proceed to Kottayam and then to Adoor through M.C Road and finally to Pathanapuram (Distance 147 km)

3. From Kollam : From Kollam, proceed to Kunnicode through NH 208 and then take turn to Pathanapuram. (Distance 44 km)

4. From Sabarimala/Munnar/Thekkady: From Sabarimala, Munnar or Thekkady, proceed to Pathanamthitta and then to Pathanapuram via Konni (India). Sabarimala(89 km) is a famous pilgrim centre. Thekkady (132 km) and Munnar (230 km) are famous hill stations.

5. From Tenkasi: Proceed to Punalur through NH 208 and then to Pathanapuram(71 km).

Conveyance

Nearest Railhead: Chengannur (42 km) or Kayamkulam (44 km) or Kollam (44 km).

Nearest Airport: Thiruvanathapuram International Airport (89 km) and Cochin International airport at Nedumbassery (175 km).

Bus Services: Pathanapuram is well connected to many places of Kerala by buses. Nearest main bus stations from where frequent services are available,are at Adoor (16 km) and Kottarakkara (16 km)

Places of Interest

• Kavalayil Devi Temple (1 kilometre) dedicated to goddess Durga, a form of deity worshipped in Pattazhi Devi temple located 10 kilometres from Pathanapuram.

<gallery> Image:Kavalayil ampalam.jpg|Kavalayil Devi Temple

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• vazhappara waterfalls located about 6 kilometres from Pathanapuram in Mancode route.
• Pathanapuram town mosque.

Educational and Charitable Institutions

• Mout Tabor girl's high school (state syllabus)
• St: stephen's school (state syllabus)
• St: Mary's Residential school and Junior College (ICSE syllabus)
• Al-Amen public school (CBSE syllabus)
• St Stephen's College, Maloor (6 kilometres from here).)]].^[1]

<gallery> Image:St-stephens.jpeg|St: stephen's college, maloor, pathanapuram

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Charitable Institutions

• Gandhi Bhavan, located 3 kilometres away from pathanapuram in Kundayam. It provides refuge for many disabled and poor people

Places of Worship

Temples

• Kavalayil Devi Temple
• Pathirickal Sastha temple
• Manchalloor Madathil amplalam
• Sree krishna temple, Manchalloor

Churches

• Marthoma church( Immanuel)
• St: Xavier catholic church
• Mar Lazerus church, pathirickal

Mosques

• Pallimukku mosque
• Town mosque
• Karummoodu Palli

Politics

Pathanapuram assembly constituency is part of Adoor (Lok Sabha constituency).^[2]

Nearby landmarks

• Manchalloor
• Kundayam
• Kurumpakara
• Puthuval
• Edathara
• Pidavoor
• Kadakkamon
• Salempuram
• Poonkulanji
• Pathirickal

See also

• Main Eastern Highway
• Pathanamthitta

References

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