Aranmula is a small historical village on the banks of river Pampa in Kerala. There are a lot of tourist places, temples, churches, mosques, etc, in and around this village. River Pamba runs through this village.

Aranmula metal mirror

Aranmula is famous for the geographically patented Aranmula Metal Mirror, or Aranmula Kannadi, as is known in the local language, Malayalam.

Aranmula snake boat race‘s history is linked to the history of Aranmula Parthasarathy temple, a 900-year-old famous temple on the banks of river Pamba. The deity at this temple is Lord Parthasarathy Alias, Lord Arjuna.

The world-famous Hindu Pilgrimage center Sabarimala is around 70 kilometers from this village. Pandalam Palace and Pandalam Temple, which was the home of Lord Aiyappan (deity at Sabarimala), is 12 kilometers distance from Aranmula Ikkara Junction. At this junction, Pandalam – Kozhencherry road and Mavelikkara – Kozhencherry road meet.

World-famous Maramon Convention Center, the largest Christian convention in the world, on the sand-beds of the River Pampa, near the Kozhencherry – Maramon Bridge, is just 3 kilometers from Ikkara Junction (Ikkara Mukku in local language). Cherukolpuzha Hindu Convention or Hindumatha Mahamandalam (as it is called in the local language of Malayalam), on the sand-beds of the holy river Pampa, near Cherukolpuzha bridge, is hardly 8 kilometers from Ikkaraka Junction.

Vastu Vidya Gurukulam at Aranmula, under the Department of Culture, Government of Kerala, promotes Traditional Kerala-style Architecture. The institute, situated at Tharayil Mukku Bus Stop, around one kilometer from Ikkara Junction, offers different courses in Kerala’s Traditional Architecture. There is also a Mural Art Gallery on the same premises for the preservation, promotion, exhibition, and sale of mural painting works.

The sight of the river in the evenings makes you spellbound. The sight of the river waters, bathed in light bluish color in the backdrop of the evening rosy sun rays from the setting sun, It’s one of the best sights of any river.

How Do I Go to Aranmula?

This heritage village is well connected by roads. Mavelikara – Kozhencherry road and Pandalam – Kozhencherry road passes through this village.

Main Central Road (MC Road) at Chenganoor is nine kilometers away.

Tiruvalla – Pathanamthitta state highway goes through Thekkemala, two kilometers from Aranmula.

Chenganoor is the nearest railway station with station code CNGR for the railway booking site, irctc.co.in.

Pathanamthitta, the district headquarters, is just 12 kilometers away.

Cochin International Airport at Nedumbrassery and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport are almost equidistant, at 100 kilometers distance.

Malakkarethu House by Thundiyath

Malakkarethu House Homestay by Thundiyath is an ideal homestay-like facility near Ikkara Junction, which is centrally located, and the property is on the banks of the holy river Pampa.

Controversies on the Proposed Aranmula International Airport

There was a proposal to start a new International airport at this heritage village, The First Private International Greenfield Airport in India.

The above-mentioned airport proposal was abandoned due to the failure to get the required environmental clearance certificates. The Government of Kerala, in July 2017, decided to start a new airport near Erumely, close to the famous religious pilgrimage center, Sabarimala Temple.