Pala, (also known as Palai) is a municipal town in the eastern hilly areas of Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is situated on the banks of the Meenachil River and is the headquarters of the Meenachil Taluk and the Pala Revenue Division. It is the main gateway to the southern high ranges. Located at 9.7° N 76.7° E, Pala is 56.7 meters above Sea Level.

Best For:
The millennium old Town of Pala has been a seat of early Christianity.  St. Thomas Cathedral, other Churches and the renowned Christian educational establishments bear testimony to a vibrant faith that has lasted over centuries. There are innumerable institutions caring for the orphaned, the aged and the physically and mentally challenged. Pala is also well known for its acres of rubber, coffee, coconut and areca nut plantations.

There are various versions regarding the origin of the name of the place. According to one, Pala gets its name from Palazhi, (Ksheer Sagara), the mythological ocean of milk from which nectar was churned out. According to another version, the name was derived from the Palathu Chettiyar families who were the prominent early settlers of the region. Pala was ruled by Meenachil Karthas (Hindu Local Chieftains) for a long time. The first royal Kartha families were known as Njavakattu Karthas. Pala was ruled by Meenachil Karthas (Hindu Local Chieftains) for a long time. The first royal Kartha families were known as Njavakattu Karthas

Pala has the largest population of Christians in Kerala. The early settlements in this region date back to 1000AD when Christians came here on the invitation of the local rulers. These Christian settlers are believed to have established the market on the banks of the Meenachil River. Pala had trade links with TamilNadu and even countries in the Middle East.

A jungle route to Gudalloor in Tamil Nadu, through the dense forests in the High Ranges, is believed to have brought a significant number of Vellalas and Chettiars during the Middle Ages. During the early 1900s,  Pala became famous for its spice market. A particular brand of pepper called "Pala Pepper" was quoted in the London market in the  early 1900s. When rubber took a firm root in Central Kerala, Pala became a rubber market. Today, it is the land of latex (Rubber Pala), hence the name is relevant even today!  

Like most other places in Kottayam, Pala experiences a tropical humid climate with an oppressive hot season from March to May followed by the South-west monsoon from June to September. The months of October and November face the retreating monsoon when the day temperature soars and the heat matches that of the summer. From December to February, Pala is drenched by the North-east monsoon winds and the rains usually cease early in January.

The best time to visit is between the months of January and March.

 

Foreign currency and travellers cheques can be exchanged at the international airports of Kerala namely Thiruvanantapuram, Cochin and Calicut.

Pala can be reached by road from Kottayam or from Cochin as it is on the main Eastern Highway, Muvattupuzha-Pathanamthitta- Punalur Road.

Air
The airports at Thiruvanantapuram, Calicut and Cochin are connected to all the major cities of India. Daily flights operate to Indian cities such as Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai.

International Flight:There are international flights to Kerala from most countries around the world. Of the three international airports that Kerala boasts of, the nearest to Pala is the Cochin Airport at Kochi.

Road
Pala can be reached by road from Kottayam or by driving on the Muvattupuzha-Punalur State Highway No. 8. Buses and taxis ply from the major cities of Kerala to Pala.

Train
The nearest railway station is at Kottayam. From here onwards one has to travel by road to reach Pala.

There are 11 temples in Pala Municipality. Among them Lalam Mahadeva Temple is among the most famous and is called Dakshina Kasi (Kasi of South). Lalam Mahadeva Temple is situated at the heart of Pala town on the bank of Lalam River. It is believed that this is the oldest temple in Meenachil Taluk and was once the only temple in the 58 Karas or Villages of Meenachil Taluk. Thiruvathira festival in Dhanu (December - January) is the main festival of this temple. Ambalppurathukavu Bhagavthy Temple is situated near to Lalam temple.

Kadappattor Mahadeva Temple which is situated on the bank of Meenachil River is the most famous Hindu temple in this region. Thousands of pilgrims visit the Kadappattoor temple every year, on their way to Sabarimala.

Kurishupalli, a shrine located at the centre of the Pala town, acts as the landmark of the town. St. Thomas Cathedral, Pala and St. Mary's Church, Lalam are two of the main Christian churches in Pala.

A famous pilgrim centre nearby is the Alphonsa Church at Bharananganam, where the mortal remains of Blessed Alphonsa of India is kept. Adjacent to it is St. Mary's Church of Bharananganam which was founded in 1004. St. George's Church, Aruvithura, near Erattupetta, is also a famous pilgrim centre. Another Christian pilgrim centre near Pala is the St. Augustine's Church at Ramapuram, where the mortal remains of the Blessed Augustine Kunjachan are kept. Monastery of Mutholy is founded by Blessed Chavara Kuriakose Elias.

Shopping:

The local artisans display traditional handicrafts along the streets and it is a treat to watch them at work. Lots of wooden articles catch the attention of the visitors for their delicate carving and inlay work. Spices are also a good buy here and can be packaged for long distance journeys.

Planters Home Stay is located 80 kms from Cochin airport and 35 kms from Kottayam railway station. It nestles in the serene and scenic Amparanirappel hamlet in Bharananganam

Ann’s Home Stay is surrounded by 50 acres of plantations-fruit orchards and dairy farms. Fruit trees of innumerable species, including jackfruit, guava, gooseberry, pomegranate and passion fruit have been brought here from different parts of the world and grown with painstaking attention. 

Kottukapally Nazarani Tarawad (70 kms from Cochin airport) is located in the heart of Pala, amidst sprawling lawns and greenery that attracts numerous species of migratory birds. This has been built, expanded and restored in the Kerala, Dutch and Spanish styles of architecture by successive generations of the Kottukapally family over a period of 300 years. This family traces its Christian roots 2000 years back to St.Thomas, the Apostle, when the Nampoothiris of Kottakavu Illam embraced Christianity.

Grandma’s Home Stay is the hundred year old ancestral home of the Thankamma Joseph family. This double storeyed wooden mansion reflects the grandeur of Gothic style architecture and every room within is uniquely furnished. Surrounded by bountiful flora and fauna, it is a pleasant drive of one and a half hour from the Cochin airport. Guests can enjoy fishing, watch toddy-tapping or stroll around the plantations of clove, cinnamon, pepper and chilly.

Erattupetta, Ettumanoor, Ponkunnama, Ramapuram and Thodupuzha are some of the nearby places.

Ilaveezhapoonchira, 25 kms from Pala, is one of the virgin tourist destinations in Kerala, especially for trekkers. There are four hills from atop which the sunset and sunrise can be experienced. One of the hills Kuduyathoor Vindhyan, renders a bird’s eye view of large parts of Idukki, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Alapuzha, Panthanamthitta and Thrissur districts.

Kannadipara, or ‘mirror rock’ is also 25kms from Pala. This rocky mountain is the highest point in Ilaveez and mirrors the morning sun.  

Recommended Circuit:

Pala is a transit point for those visiting the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats, or for those travelling to the pilgrimage centre at Sabarimala.

Visitors to the tea estates at Vagamon and Munnar, also travel via Pala.     

     

Pala, the land of rubber and spices, enjoy a rich cultural and religious heritage. Whether one purchases packets of the famous Pala pepper or pay obeisance at the many churches and temples one is sure to feel blessed.