Pandalam

The centuries-old Kurunthottayam market (now known as the Pandalam market) was one among the largest agricultural markets in central Travancore.

Kerala's widest suspension bridge was constructed in Pandalam over the Achankovil river.^[7] The bridge is 70 metres long and 2.5 metres wide.^[7]

There are several devotional places at Pandalam. The most famous are Valiyakoikkal Temple, Mahadeva Temple, Puthenkavil Bhagavathi Temple, Pattupurakkavu Bhagavathi Temple, Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple, Kadakkad Sree Bhadrakali Temple and the Thattayil Orippurathu Bhagavathi Temple.

Nooranad Padanilam Parabrahma Temple, which is famous for its Maha Shivaratri Kettukazhcha is located 8 Km South West of Pandalam town.

According to legend, Lord Ayyappan, the presiding deity of Sabarimala, had his human sojourn at Pandalam as the adopted son of the King of Pandalam.^[8][9] During Sabarimala pilgrimage season, devotees come to Pandalam in large numbers to worship the deity of Valiyakoikkal Temple near the Pandalam Palace.^[10][11] This temple is on the banks of river Achenkovil. Three days prior to the Makaravilakku festival, the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) are taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala.^[12]

It is believed that the Pandya kings of Tamil Nadu fled to Pandalam in the face of an attack from Cholas^[13] and settled there in the land they bought from Kaipuzha Thampan, a landlord. The Pandya dynasty had provinces on either sides of the Western Ghats. The King of Pandalam helped Marthanda Varma to conquer the Kayamkulam province. In return for this help, Marthanda Varma did not attempt to attack and conquer Pandalam during the expansion of his kingdom. The princely state of Pandalam had extended up to Thodupuzha in Idukki district once. Pandalam was added to Travancore in 1820. Before the formation of Pathanamthitta district, Pandalam was in Mavelikara taluk of Alappuzha district.

Pandalam Municipality is the civic body that governs Pandalam. It is surrounded by other local bodies including Kulanada panchayath, Thumpamon panchayath, Pandalam Thekkekara panchayath and Nooranad panchayat in Alappuzha district on one side.^[14] This is the first ever municipality in Southern Kerala where BJP is in power.

• NSS College Pandalam
• Mannam Ayurveda Co-operative Medical College, Pandalam
• NSS Polytechnic College, Pandalam
• NSS Training College, Pandalam
• NSS Nursing College, Pandalam
• Govt. ITI Cherickal, Pandalam (Under SC department Govt. of Kerala) ^[15] in Cherickal.

• NSS Medical Mission Hospital
• CM Hospital
• Chitra Multi-Speciality Hospital
• Mannam Ayurveda Medical College Hospital
• Primary Health Centre Kadakkad, Pandalam

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  Valiyakoikkal Temple
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  Achankovil river
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  Pandalam Palace
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  Pandalam Palace
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  NSS College, Pandalam
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  Pandalam Central Junction
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  Pandalam KSRTC Bus Station
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  Mavarappara

• Kadakkad