According to the 2011 Census of India, the population was 1,197,412, making it the third least populous district in Kerala (out of 14), after Wayanad and Idukki.[3] Pathanamthitta has been declared the first polio-free district in India.[4] The district is 10.03% urbanised.[5] Pathanamthitta is one of the richest districts in India with just 1.17% poverty as of 2013, which places the district among the top 5 districts in India with least poverty.[6]
Etymology
The district's name is a combination of two Malayalam words, pathanam and thitta, which together mean 'array of houses on the river side'.[7] The district capital is located on the banks of the river Achankovil.
Pathanamthitta being also a land of culture and learning could bring forth the literary talents of two centuries together in single volume named Desathuti: Pathanamthitta Kavithakal. Unnikrishnan Poozhikkad collected 184 poems of different poets of Pathanamthitta starting from 18th century.[10][page needed]
The district can be divided into three natural geographical regions: the highland, the midland and the lowland. The highland stretches through the Western Ghats, where the hills are tall and covered with thick forests. Western Ghats maintains an average altitude of around 800 m. It descends to the smaller hills of midland in the centre and finally to the lowland. The lowland with its abundance of coconut trees, lies along the eastern borders of Alappuzha district.[13] (western part of Tiruvalla Taluk)
Forest
Pathanamthitta district has a reserve forest area of 1,385.27 square kilometres (534.86 sq mi).[14] This is approximately 50% of the total district area. The forest area can broadly be classified as evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous. The forest is the main source of raw materials for wood based industrial units. Timber is the most important produce.[citation needed]
Rivers
Three important rivers flow through the district. These rivers originate from various mountains of the Western Ghats mountain range. The Pamba (176 km or 109 mi), which is the third longest river in Kerala, has its origin in Pulachimala. The Achankovil river (128 km or 80 mi) originates from Pasukida Mettu, and Manimala river (90 km or 56 mi) originates from the Thattamalai hills. A small portion of Kallada river also falls in the southern border of the district. Pamba, Achankovil and Manimala rivers together drain more than 70% of the total area of Pathanamthitta.[15][16]
The district headquarters is at Pathanamthitta town. The district administration is headed by the District Collector. She is assisted by five Deputy Collectors holding charges of general matters, revenue recovery, land acquisition, land reforms and election.
Under the three tier system of panchayat in rural areas, Pathanamthitta has one district panchayat, 9 block panchayat and 57 grama panchayats.
Under the single tier system in urban areas, there are 4 municipalities in the district.
As per the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008, Pathanamthitta has five Assembly constituencies, down from eight. However, the district was unified into a single Parliamentary constituency, thus contributing a seat to the Lok Sabha. The Pathanamthitta parliamentary constituency is formed by including all the five state legislative assembly constituencies of the district along with two other assembly constituencies in the neighbouring Kottayam district.[17][18]
Pathanamthitta town is the administrative headquarters of the Pathanamthitta district. The district is divided into two revenue divisions- Thiruvalla and Adoor.[19]
Pathanamthitta district is divided into 70 revenue villages for the ease and decentralisation of its revenue administration.[19] They are further incorporated into 6 taluks as eludicated below.[19]
According to the 2011 census Pathanamthitta district has a population of 1,197,412,[3] roughly equal to the nation of Timor-Leste[22] or the US state of Rhode Island.[23] This gives it a ranking of 399th in India (out of a total of 640).[3] The district has a population density of 453 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,170/sq mi).[3] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was −3.12%.[3] Pathanamthitta has a sex ratio of 1129 females for every 1000 males,[3] and a literacy rate of 96.93%. 10.99% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 13.74% and 0.68% of the population respectively.[3]
Malayalam is the predominant language, spoken by 99.13% of the population. Small minorities of Tamil speakers live in urban areas.[24]
According to the Census of India 2001, the district had a population of 1,234,016 with a density of 467 persons per square kilometre.[25] This is the lowest density in the State after Idukki and Wayanad.[26] Schedule tribes and castes comprise 13% of the total population. The female to male ratio is 1094:1000, which is the highest among the districts in the State.[27]
With a number of fairs and festivals, Pathanamthitta district is known as the "headquarters of pilgrimage tourism."[29] The district receives an estimated 3 to 4 million pilgrims during the festival season of Sabarimala temple.[30] The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity, Ayyappan.
Pathanamthitta district has places known for its historical importance. Among them are, ancient Valiyakoickal Temple and Palace at Pandalam, monument of Velu Thampi Dalawa at Mannadi and the Muloor Smarakom (Muloor memorial). Pandalam was the capital of the ancient Travancore kingdom.
The Cherukolpuzha Convention, in Pathanamthitta is an important religious convention of the Hindus. It is held at Cherukole on the sand banks of Pamba River, usually in February every year. It is organized by the Ayroor-Cherukolpuzha Hindumatha Maha Mandalam at Vidyadhiraja Nagar at Ayroor village.[32]
The district is a host to Asia's biggest and the world's second largest Christian convention, the Maramon Convention[33] It is an eight-day Christian gathering in the month of February, conducted by the Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church and dedicated to gospel preaching by renowned Christian missionaries from all over the world, and held at Maramon on the sand-bed of Pamba River. The three-day Christian gathering is held at Makkamkunnu, Pathanamthitta known as Makkamkunnu Convention by Malankara Orthodox Church.
The most important and famous Christian center is Parumala St Peters, St Paul's and St Gregorios Orthodox Church (http://parumalachurch.org) famous for the tomb of Saint Gregorios (Parumala Thirumeni). Millions of Pilgrims visit this church annually.
St. George Orthodox Church, Chandanapally or Chandanapally Valiyapalli is one of the biggest churches in South India, located at a village named Chandanapally, Pathanamthitta District.
St. George Orthodox Church, Chandanapally or Chandanapally Valiyapalli is one of the biggest churches in South India, located at a village named Chandanapally, Pathanamthitta District in Kerala state of India.
St. George Orthodox Church, Mylapra or Mylapra Valiyapalli or Chakkittayil palli (ചക്കിട്ടേൽ പള്ളി) is one of the famous Georgian pilgrim centre which is very close to Pathanamthitta District headquarters.
The Church of God (Full Gospel) in India, Kerala State, holds its annual convention in Tiruvalla town center. This is usually held in the month of January and is a large gathering of Pentecostal Christians.
The district has other tourist attractions. Aranmula is a major attraction for its famous metal mirrors and snake boat race. The school of traditional arts attracts foreign visitors. Founded by French artist Louba Schild, the school teaches kathakali, classical dance, classical music as well as kalarippayattu. The palace at Aranmula Aranmula kottaram has a history of 200 years.[36]
The district is known for its reserve forest and wild life. Perunthenaruvi water falls, Kakki reservoir surrounded by forest and wild animals, dam sites at Moozhyar and Maniyar, elephant training centre at Konni, Charalkunnu hill station are ideal locations for nature enthusiasts. Trekking to the Sabari Hills during January to March is also organized by Pathanamthitta District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC).
The existence of the wildlife habitat is under threat from various areas. Pollution from fertilizer and industries and illegal sand mining are the major threats. Issues connected to Sabarimala pilgrimage such as clearing of forest land and large amount of waste discharged also threatens the habitat.[15][37]
Sports
Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race
The Aranmula Boat Race is part of a festival celebrated during the month of September. Though the snake boat race is also performed at nearby places, the race held at Aranmula is unique because of the boats' shape and design. Maramadimatsaram (Ox Race) is another such seasonal sport. This is held as part of the largest annual cattle fair of Central Travancore region. The race is held in three categories.[38]
M. K. Devassy (1965), 1961 Census Handbook- Quilon District(PDF), Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala and The Union Territory of Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands
