Pandalam is a holy town, second only to Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta District. It is believed that Sree Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala had his human sojourn here as the son of the Raja of Pandalam. Valiyakoyikkal Temple is located here. It is the place where the pilgrims offer worship before proceeding to Sabarimala. Three days prior to the Makaravilaku festival, the sacred ornaments of Sree Ayyappa are taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala.
Pandalam lies on M C Road which goes straight up to Thiruvananthapuram. From Kochi, the best route is by the National Highway 47 up to Nangiyarkulangara (near Harippad) from where one has to traverse to Mavelikkara and then to Pandalam. The nearest railway station is Chengannur Railway Station, 14 km. Nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport(119 km).
