Parumala Church

On an island in the Pamba, the church of St Gregorios of Parumala (Parumala Thirumeni) — the first canonised saint of the Malankara Orthodox Church; a major pilgrimage, busiest at the November feast.

Town guide: Pathanamthitta town Pathanamthitta district Get directions →

Practical guide

Plan Parumala Church

Typechurch

Nearest basePathanamthitta town

Best timeMorning or late afternoon for quieter visits and better light

Time needed30 minutes to 1

EntryFree (dress modestly; it is an active pilgrimage church).

Nearest town/basePathanamthitta town

DistrictPathanamthitta

Place typechurch

Time needed30 minutes to 1.5 hours.

Parumala Church belongs under Pathanamthitta town, one of the practical travel bases in Pathanamthitta district. Use Pathanamthitta town for stays, food, local transport and operators, then plan this place as a focused stop rather than an isolated pin.

Visiting

Parumala Church — at a glance

TimingsOpen through the day for pilgrims; the Parumala Perunnal feast (early November) is the peak.

Best timeThe Parumala Perunnal (St Gregorios feast) around 1–2 November draws huge crowds.

Entry: Free (dress modestly; it is an active pilgrimage church).

Getting there: On an island in the Pamba near Mannar, about 13 km from Thiruvalla.

The shrine of St Gregorios of Parumala (Parumala Thirumeni), the first canonised saint of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church — one of Kerala’s major Christian pilgrimages.

What to expect

Highlights

Church visit at Parumala Church
Pilgrimage, architecture or local Christian heritage
Nearby town food and stays

Getting there

How to visit

Base yourself in Pathanamthitta town or a nearby town in Pathanamthitta, then confirm the last-mile route locally before leaving.
Check mass/prayer timings if visiting for worship; otherwise visit outside service rush.
If the visit depends on forest, temple, boat, ferry, weather or seasonal access, check the official/local rule on the day before travel.

Distance by road

Thiruvananthapuram103 km
Kochi119 km
Madurai243 km
Coimbatore287 km
Kozhikode311 km

Road km to Pathanamthitta; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.

Timing

Best time

Morning or late afternoon for quieter visits and better light.

Weather in Parumala ChurchSeasonal guide

Live forecast loads in your browser.

Visitor notes

Dress respectfully and avoid disturbing services.
Photography may be restricted during worship.

Safety

Good to know

Expect crowds on feast days and Sundays.
Use marked parking and official entry points.

On the map

Where Parumala Church is

Photos

Parumala Church in pictures

Official eco & forest programmes

Forest stays, camping and guided activities linked to Parumala Church

These are official or public-sector eco offerings that match this place, town or forest destination. Confirm availability, permits, tariffs and reporting times with the official operator before travel.

waterfall

Perunthenaruvi Waterfalls forest visit

Rocky waterfall and river landscape on the Pamba tributary system, listed among Kerala ecotourism destinations.

Kerala Forest Department / local tourism authorities

Official source →

Nearby

What’s near Parumala Church

templeKaviyoor Mahadeva Temple11.4 km away heritageAranmula15.7 km away heritagePandalam Palace19.1 km away churchManjinikkara Church24.7 km away templeMalayalapuzha Devi Temple31.7 km away wildlifeKonni Elephant Camp35.8 km away

Good to know

Parumala Church — frequently asked

When is the best time to visit Parumala Church?

Morning or late afternoon for quieter visits and better light.

What are the entry fee and timings at Parumala Church?

Entry: Free (dress modestly; it is an active pilgrimage church).. Timings: Open through the day for pilgrims; the Parumala Perunnal feast (early November) is the peak.. Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.

How do I reach Parumala Church?

Base yourself in Pathanamthitta town or a nearby town in Pathanamthitta, then confirm the last-mile route locally before leaving. Check mass/prayer timings if visiting for worship; otherwise visit outside service rush. If the visit depends on forest, temple, boat, ferry, weather or seasonal access, check the official/local rule on the day before travel.

How much time do I need for Parumala Church?

30 minutes to 1.5 hours.

What else is near Parumala Church?

Nearby you can pair Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple (11.4 km), Aranmula (15.7 km), Pandalam Palace (19.1 km), Manjinikkara Church (24.7 km).

What should I know before visiting Parumala Church?

Expect crowds on feast days and Sundays. Use marked parking and official entry points.

Stories & guides for Parumala Church

Pathanamthitta · heritageParumala and Maramon: Pathanamthitta’s Christian pilgrimages5 min read Pathanamthitta · district guidePathanamthitta travel guide: the pilgrim heart of Kerala7 min read Pathanamthitta · itineraryPathanamthitta in 2 days: temples, river and forest6 min read Pathanamthitta · pilgrimageSabarimala: a guide to the Ayyappa pilgrimage7 min read Pathanamthitta · heritageAranmula: the temple town of boats and mirrors6 min read Pathanamthitta · wildlifeGavi: a guide to Kerala’s forest ecotourism jewel6 min read

Verified local inventory

Businesses around Parumala Church

Roampedia only publishes businesses after admin approval or owner verification. These are the exact listing categories this place should carry; real businesses appear here as they are verified.

Aswathibhavan Chikilsanilayam

Things to do

Verified

Ayurveda centre · Pathanamthitta town

Aswathibhavan Chikilsanilayam

Aswathibhavan Chikilsanilayam is a long-established Ayurveda centre in Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, founded in 1922 and among the oldest Ayurvedic institutions in central Kerala. It offers classical panchakarma, rasayana rejuvenation and ENT-focused treatment under experienced physicians. (do option in Pathanamthitta town)

View details

Anima Ayurvedic Medical Centre

Things to do

Verified

Ayurveda centre · Pathanamthitta town

Anima Ayurvedic Medical Centre

Anima is a Kerala Ayurveda hospital on Kottayam Road in Mallappally, Pathanamthitta, grown from a 1984 clinic into a full centre with an in-patient wing in 2004. It runs classical panchakarma along with post-natal, orthopaedic, skin and paediatric care from a GMP-certified own medicine unit. (do option in Pathanamthitta town)

View details

Riverside Retreat Thiruvalla

Place to stay

Verified

Riverside villa · Pathanamthitta town

Riverside Retreat Thiruvalla

Riverside Retreat is a premium three-bedroom villa on a gated riverside estate at Thirumoolapuram, Thiruvalla, on the banks of the Manimala river. The whole villa is booked as one stay with its own kitchen, living space and river frontage, suited to families and small groups. (stay option in Pathanamthitta town)

View details

Vanjipuzha Palace Heritage Resort

Place to stay

Verified

Heritage resort · Pathanamthitta town

Vanjipuzha Palace Heritage Resort

Vanjipuzha Palace is an eight-room heritage resort in Ranni, Pathanamthitta, set in the former summer palace of the Vanjipuzha chiefs of central Travancore. It pairs old palace architecture and family history with simple rooms, on the road towards Gavi and the Sabarimala forest belt. (stay option in Pathanamthitta town)

View details

Malayalappuzha Devi Temple Visit — Temple visit in Pathanamthitta town

Verified

Temple visit · Pathanamthitta town

Malayalappuzha Devi Temple Visit

do option in Pathanamthitta town: Malayalappuzha Devi Temple Visit is a Temple visit option for do planning in Pathanamthitta town, Ernakulam, kerala, India. Use Malayalappuzha Devi Temple Visit as a do option in Pathanamthitta town, Ernakulam, kerala, India. book timing, permits and local support before heading out. Key details: Malayalappuzha, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala · Price range: Contact direct / check current rules · Amenities: pathanamthitta-town, do, Temple visit.

View details

Hotel Hills Park Restaurant Pathanamthitta

Where to eat

Verified

Hotel restaurant · Pathanamthitta town

Hotel Hills Park Restaurant Pathanamthitta

eat option in Pathanamthitta town: Hotel Hills Park Restaurant Pathanamthitta is a Hotel restaurant option for eat planning in Pathanamthitta town, Ernakulam, kerala, India. Use Hotel Hills Park Restaurant Pathanamthitta as a eat option in Pathanamthitta town, Ernakulam, kerala, India. compare menus, pricing and location against your route. Key details: Kumbazha Road, Pathanamthitta, Kerala · Price range: Contact direct / check current rules · Amenities: pathanamthitta-town, eat, Hotel restaurant.

Hotel · Pathanamthitta town

Hotel Yamuna Adoor

Hotel Yamuna is a three-star hotel on MC Road in Adoor, Pathanamthitta, with 24 air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant and a bar. It is a convenient mid-range base for Sabarimala-season travel and central-Travancore trips, with rooms around Rs 2,400–2,800 per night. (stay option in Pathanamthitta town)

View details

Sreevalsam Residency Kulanada

Place to stay

Verified

Hotel · Pathanamthitta town

Sreevalsam Residency Kulanada

stay option in Pathanamthitta town: Sreevalsam Residency Kulanada is a Hotel option for stay planning in Pathanamthitta town, Ernakulam, kerala, India. Use Sreevalsam Residency Kulanada as a stay option in Pathanamthitta town, Ernakulam, kerala, India. book your stay, transport and nearby food stops. Key details: Sreevalsam Residency, M. C. Road, Kulanada, Pandalam, Pathanamthitta, Kerala · Price range: Contact direct · Amenities: Kulanada, Pandalam, MC Road.

View details

24 Inn Residency Pathanamthitta — Hotel in Pathanamthitta town

Verified

Hotel · Pathanamthitta town

24 Inn Residency Pathanamthitta

24 Inn Residency is a mid-range hotel at College Junction in Pathanamthitta town, with air-conditioned rooms, banquet and conference halls. Well rated by guests, it sits on NH-183A and works as a comfortable town base at around Rs 2,600 per night. (stay option in Pathanamthitta town)

View details