Pandalam

Pandalam പന്തളം பந்தளம் పండలంలోని Panthalam
Municipality, Educational centre, Pilgrimage Town
Clockwise from top right: Kettukazhcha at Mahadeva Temple, Pattupurakkavu Bhagavathi Temple, Kadakkad Sree Bhadrakali Temple, Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple, Pandalam Mahadeva Temple, Achankovil River
Nickname(s): Kurunthottayam
Pandalam Show map of Kerala Pandalam Show map of India Location in Kerala, India
Coordinates: 9°19′N 76°44′E / 9.32°N 76.73°E / 9.32; 76.73Coordinates: 9°19′N 76°44′E / 9.32°N 76.73°E / 9.32; 76.73
India	India
State	Kerala
Government
• Type	Municipality
• Body	Pandalam Municipality
Area
• Total	28.72 km2 (11.09 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	22,635
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Vehicle registration	KL 26

Pandalam (Malayalam:പന്തളം, Tamil:பந்தளம், Telugu:పండలంలోని) is a municipal town in Kerala, India. Among the fastest growing towns, Pandalam is considered a holy town due to its connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala. It is also a renowned educational and health care centre in central Travancore. Rightly recognised as the educational and cultural headquarters of Central Travancore, Pandalam hosts educational institutions ranging from reputed schools to post graduate, training, ayurveda, and engineering colleges. There are seven colleges and 23 schools at Pandalam, including N. S. S. College, Pandalam. The Kerala state government plans to make the place a special Township, by including the Pandalam municipality and Kulanada panchayat.

The centuries-old Kurunthottayam market (now known as the Pandalam market) is one among the largest agricultural markets in central Travancore. Kerala's widest suspension bridge was constructed in Pandalam over the Achankovil river. The bridge is 70 metres long and 2.5 metres wide.

There are several devotional places at Pandalam. The most famous are Valiyakoikkal Temple, Mahadeva Temple, Pattupurakkavu Bhagavathi Temple, Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple, Kadakkad Sree Bhadrakali Temple, Kadakkad Juma Masjid, Thumpamon St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Cherickal Juma Masjid and St. Bursouma's Orthodox Church.