Pampa River

The River Pampa (Southern Ganga)- The Divine River

The pampa River considered as the Dakshina Ganga (Southern Ganges) due to its association with Kerala's Largest Pilgrim Centre - Sabarimala is the third longest river in the South Indian state of Kerala after Periyar and Bharathappuzha and the longest river in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore.                    

Sabarimala and Pampa

Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is located on the banks of the river pampa. The River pampa enriches the lands of Pathanamthitta District and the Kuttanand area of Alappuzha District. Pampa originates at Pulachimalai hill in the Peerumedu plateau in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 1650 metres and flows through Ranni, Kozhenchery, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Kuttanad, Karthikapally, and Ambalappuzha Taluks (approximately 176 Kms)  and finally empties into the Vembanad Lake.A famous Anjana temple is situated near this bank. This river enriches the Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha districts of Kerala state. Kuttanad, an important rice cultivating area in Kerala gets the irrigation water from the pampa river. The pampa basin is bounded on the east by the Western Ghats. The river shares its northern boundary with the Manimala River basin, while it shares the southern boundary with the Achankovil River basin.Lord Ayyappan (Sri Dharmasastha) appeared to the Pandalam Raja as a child on the banks of the pampa River.

The pampa River has been venerated as Dakshina Ganga, and devotees of Lord Ayyappan believe that immersing oneself in the pampa is equivalent to bathing in the Holy Ganges River.  Bathing in the river, believed to absolve one's sins, is a requirement before commencing the trek through the forest to the Ayyappan Temple atop Sabarimala (pampa snanam, sarva paapa vinasanam) .The Pampa water purifies one from curse and evil. Neelimala, Appachimedu, Sabareepeedam, Saramkuthi are the other divine places enroute. At Pampa also there are a few pilgrim sheds. 

If one takes bath in the pampa, he will feel the freshness and as if all his tiresome is removed and he is being rejunevated. One can experience the energy being injected into the body after taking the holy bath in pampa. After walking from Erumely to pampa, if one takes his bath in pampa, one can experience that all the body pains which had been there during the walk will just vanish like anything and one can feel that freshness and vibrant energy flowing into the body. With this rejunevated energy and the eagerness to have the darshan of lord ayyappa one will easily go ahead to sabarimala.The most auspicious part of Pampa is the Triveni Sangamam which is the right of pampa bridge.Two branches of the river merge and this point is called Triveni Sangamam.Triveni offers salvations to forefathers.It is believed that Lord Rama during his stay in the forest reached Triveni and offered tarpan to his father.Due to this devotees take a dip at Triveni sangamam often balitarpan to their forefathers as per the rituals on the sandy banks of the river.Triveni area is  known for its rich herbal wealth and flora and  may be due to its purity and medicinal wealth that augments the health of the devotees.

Responsibility of the devotees and the board

Every year, 2-2.5 crore pilgrims visit the temple town in the forests of Sabari hills. The congregation peaks in November-December and the second week of January. The past few decades have seen a huge rise in numbers. But infrastructure has not kept up with the influx, making it one of the most polluted places in Kerala. Sanitation facilities are inadequate and almost all the solid waste generated around the temple area ultimately reaches the Pampa. Travancore Devasthanam Board is trying its best to keep the sanctity of the river and provide facilities to the visiting devotees (pilgrims). Apart from the board, it is the individual responsibility of the devotees to protect the sanctity of the holy river. Devotees should take care not to pollute the river by dumping all the material into pampa. Use public toilet facilities provided by devasthanam board and not to pollute the river. Let everybody behave responsible to keep the holiness and purity of the sacred river. Previous years, Mata Amritanandamayi mutt volunteers have taken the pampa cleaning drive and removed all the dirt and waste material which had got accumulated in pampa river. But why should one spoil the sanctity of the river and why should someone volunteer to remove the waste material. What if mata amritanandamayi mutt didnt took the initiative and volunteered to clean the river. Why should devotees visiting sabarimala not behave with responsibility. Let everyone should feel that this is our country, our place. Will a devotee do the same thing in his house by dumping all the dirt and waste in his hall,bedroom, kitchen, varandah etc. In the same way, the devotee should feel that sabarimala is his fathers abode and not spoil it and try to keep it pure and clean.

Aranmula temple uthruttathi vallam kali (the snake boat race)

Apart from the pilgrims and devotees taking holy bath in pampa, pampa which is the life line of Central Travancore has also gifted keralites with a cultural gift of Snake Boats(Chundan valloms). The major snake boat races are conducted in the Pampa waters at various localities, via Ayroor, Malakkara, Chengannur, Mannar, Neeretupuram, Payipadu, Pulinkunnu and Allapuzha as well as Aranmula. The snake boat race (chundan Vallom kali) is one of the important "Traditional Game" in Kerala.One of the most important boat races is being conducted at Aranmula in the River Pampa. Aranmula Boat festival is connected to the Annual Onam Festival of Kerala. Annually about 35 Snake boats other wise called 'Palliyodams' participate in the Aranmula 'Uthruttathy Jalolswom'. The Aranmula Jalolswam is steadily and fast growing into a great international event in India. The Aranmula Boat race is the biggest domestic tourist event which attracts millions every year. This spectacular regatta has found its own place in the international tourist map and every year a large number of tourists come over to Kerala to watch this boat race."Palliyodams" are given the sanctity of a temple due to faith in the presence of the deity. "Parthasarathy" (Lord Krishna), of the holy shrine of the Aranmula Temple. Snake boat pageantry is held as a part of the anniversary celebrations of the 'Idol' installation of Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple believed to have been held centuries ago on an Uthruttathy day in Chingam, 1st calendar month of Malayalam Era. This legendary festival is a great annual event of Central Travancore. It has religious, artistic and social overtones. No where else in the world would there be such an event with millions of people taking part ( one Eanam and Thalam). It has no parallel as it is commemorative of an ancient tradition rooted about 600 years in history. The Aranmula Jalolswom is steadily growing into a great international event in India and abroad. The "Discovery Television channel has beamed the beauty of the Aranmula Snake boat race all over the World.Aranmula Boat race has manifold significance.

It has contributed immensely to the communal harmony as it has become a cosmopolitan, social event, participated by people of all religions, age and creed. It attracts thousands of domestic and foreign tourists. Unlike the sporting and competitive aspects of other boat races artistic, social and religious too aspects are given importance. PERUNTHENARUVI  (36 km from Pathanamthitta via Vachoochira)The Perunthenaruvi waterfalls on the banks of the pampa river is a favourite picnic spot for both domestic and foreign tourists MARAMON CONVENTION 

Started in 1896, the Maramon Convention is held annually by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association (MTEA), the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church. It is on the banks of the River pampa at Maramon near Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta District. Usually held in the month of February, the convention is attended by thousands from all over India, and is a centre of Christian culture and influence. The annual weeklong gathering is a great occasion for listening to evangelists and eminent exponents of the Bible from around the world. 

Missionaries of the Evangelistic Association also come and share their experiences with the believers.Maramon and Kozhencherry, on the banks of the river Pampa 7 kilometres. CONVENTION CHERUKOLPUZHA  Ayiroor Cherukolpuzha religious convention is another important annual feature on the river bed of pampa. This famous Hindu religious convention is attended by a large number of people and addressed by prominent religious scholars and cultural personalities PARUMALA

It is here that Mar Gregories Metropolitan the declared saint of Malankara Orthodox Church takes his eternal rest . The ormapperunnal celebrated on the first and second of every November, is very famous at this time a large number of people flock to this place for worship .The Travancore Devasam board has setup here a collage known as pampa college DEVASWOM BOARD PAMPA COLLEGE, PARUMALA 

Devaswom Board Pampa College, Parumala was established in 1968 to offer quality higher education to the students in and around Mannar and the nearby areas in various taluks of Aalappuzha and present Pathanamthitta districts.The college became a Centre of Post Graduate studies with the affiliation of M.Sc.Mathematics course in 1984-85 and in 1995-96, M.Sc. Physics course was started. In 1997-98 a vocational B.Sc. course was started with Botany main and B.A.English vocational was started in 1998-99, followed by M.Sc. Chemistry in 2000-01.The college was affiliated to 12(f) of University Grants Commission, paving way for high standards in education and infrastructure. CHARALKUNNU 

Charalkunnu is a picturesque hill station from where one can have a panoramic view of the low lying areas including that of the sinuous river Pumpa. There is a comfortable camp house which has both rooms and dormitories.Charalkunnu is also renowned as a religious centre for Christians, for its many Convention centers organizing holy preaching from Bible. 

This is a picturesque hill station, where the panoramic view of valleys merges with that of the sinuous river pampa. From rooms and dormitories to comfortable camp houses in dense forests, the place has everything to fulfill your accommodation facilities. KADAMMANITTA 

Kadammanitta, a village only 8 kms away from Pathanamthitta is famous for padayani,which is an important ritual art performed in the premises of the Kadamanitta .Devi Temple. This art from is an offering for the mother goddess. it is celebrated every year from the first day of Medam (Malayalam -era)to the 10th day (pathmudayam). Nearest Bus Station - Patthanamthitta Patthanamthitta to Kadammanitta - 8kms. KAKKI 

Kakki reservoir, set in sylvan background, is a 'tourists' delight. The splendid artificial lake offers exhilarating boating experience . The surrounding forest abounds in tigers, elephants, deers and monkeys.Kakki Reservoir is an artificial lake, located in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. 

The lake, which was created when Kakki and Anathode dams were built, is on one of the tributaries of pampa, the Kakki tributary. The dams were built in 1966 as part of the Sabarigiri Hydroelectric project. Full reservoir level (FRL) is 981.45 meters above sea level according to  the operators of the "twin" reservoirs, the Kerala State Electricity Board.The reservoir, which is also a tourist spot, is nestled in the Pathanamthitta reserve forest, very close to the Western Ghats.  (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)