About:

Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre is located at Aranmula, Trivendrum District, Kerala. established in 1977, is one of the pioneering institutes that attempts at preserving the ancient Indian Culture. Inaugurated by a French artist, Louba Schild, the main objective of this organization is to impart aesthetic sense amongst the Indian populace.The concept of the artistic and cultural traditions that are followed in India, which is still more or less blurred or vague in the minds of most people, gets a concrete manifestation here. The spirit of India finds a vibrant expression in its traditional arts, crafts and performing arts.At the Centre, you can learn, for short or long term as you wish, two subjects, chosen from a list of 18 subjects ranging from Music, Dance, Theatre, Crafts, Languages like Sanskrit, Hindi and Malayalam to Yoga, Martial Art and even Cooking. Most of the lessons are one to one and hence you can make maximum use of your stay.Learn and Teach at the same time in India. You will have single accommodation and freshly prepared Kerala vegetarian food provided in the Centre.The setting of Village adds to the charm of the centre. Vijnana Kala Vedi centre has been introducing Indian and Foreign visitors into Indian arts, crafts and languages since 1977. The centre is the only private organization in Kerala described as a Cultural Educational Institution by the Government of Kerala.The ‘Vijnanakalavedi’ has students from outside India who are directed by UNESCO and Indian Council for Cultural Relations.The training at the centre is usually for twohours a day on one main subject, and an hour a day for the secondary subject. Classes will be held five days a week with Saturdays and Sundays for leisure activities.

The vegetarian diet followed here is a well-balanced one, most appropriate for a tropical climate.Accommodation at the centre is provided in modern village houses. There are fifteen rooms available in three blocks with most of the rooms having enough space for double and single occupancy. It is also an excellent place to make good friends with people around the world. As our students say, centre mostly attracts only nice people and you will have lots of nice friends in the centre.

Location info:

History:

Interesting things to do:

Interesting things to Visit:

Pandalam:

This is a township in Pathanamthitta District. It is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. It is considered as a holy town. Pandalam is also a well known educational and health care centre in central Travancore.Pandalam hosts a lot of educational institutions ranging from reputed schools to Post Graduate, Training, Ayurveda, Medical and Engineering Colleges.

Pampa Maha Ganapathi Temple:

The Mahaganapathi Temple at Pampa 8 Kms from Sabarimala, has an important roll in the Sabarimala pilgrimage as it is the main halting point. The temple is reached by climbing about 102 steps. Breaking of coconuts is the main offering here. Neelimala, Appachimedu, Sabareepeedam, Saramkuthi are the other holy places enroute.

Pandalam Valiyakoyickal Temple:

Located 15 kms away from Pathanamthitta on the banks of Achankovil river, is the Valiyakoyickal Temple of Sri Dharma Sastha. Believed to be constructed by the Raja of Pandalam, this Ayyappa shrine has been modeled on the Sabarimala temple. Pilgrims usually stop here to worship before proceeding to Sabarimala. One of the major events associated with the 'Makaravilaku' festival is the procession carrying the 'Thiruvabharanam' (sacred ornaments) of Lord Ayyappa from the Valiyakoyical temple to Sabarimala. This is performed three days prior to makaravilakku.

Vinjana Culture Centre :

The dance dramas of the Kerala performed in traditional costumes, are a major attraction here. These dances are integral to visitor experience.

Kathakali Dance Dramas :

It exhibits energy in its five forms - Earth, Fire, Water, Wind and Space or Air.

Thiruvamundur Temple:

This is dedicated to Lord Krishna and attributed to Nakul, one of the five pandava brothers.

Parumala Church:

It is here that Mar Gregories Metropolitan the declared saint of Malankara Orthodox Church take his eternal rest . The ormapperunnal celebrated on the first and second of every November.

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:

Chengannur Railway Station.

Nearest Airport:

Trivandrum International Airport.

Road Transport:

Chengannur 12 km from Aranmula Temple, So NH 47 link with Kochi (NW) airport, sea port, Konkan railway & highway; Thiruvananthapuram (SE) also via NH 47.

Nearest Visiting places:

Cherukolpuzha:

Ayiroor Cherukolpuzha religious convention of the Hindus is held at Cherukole on the banks of River Pamba, usually in Feb every year. This famous convention is attended by a large number of people and addressed by prominent religious scholars and cultural personalities.

Malikapurathamma Temple:

Malikappurathamma Devi temple alias Malikapuram Temple is situated on a small hill just 100 meters away from Sabarimala. According to legend, Malikapuram temple is the place where the demon Mahishi rests in eternal wait. The temple complex houses the shrines of the Devi and Kaduthaswamy and also the the shrines of the snake god, Nagaraja and goddess, Nagayakshi. Here coconuts are offered only after rolling them on the ground.

Perunthenaruvi Waterfalls:

The Perunthenaruvi Waterfall from Pathanamthitta via Vachoochira on the banks of the Pamba River about 10 km from Erumely, Perunthenaruvi is about 36 km from Pathanamthittais a natural fall down a rocky path into a ravine about 100 feet deep. Ideal for an outing, this place is a popular picnic spot.
Perumthenaruvi which literally means honey river, is a picturesque tourist spot situated in Erumely, It is a favourite picnic spot among the tourists, with an awesome view of water cascading from a rocky path at a height of 60 to 100 ft.

Niranam:

The powerful ancient church situated at Niranam, dates back to 52AD. This monument is believed to have been erected by Apostle St.Thomas and is considered the oldest Christian church.

Konni (Elephant Training Center):

The hilly area of Konni, located 11 km from Pathanamthitta, is the gate-way to the forest bordering the district. Surrounded by acres of thick forest, it is an adventurous tourist spot where one can go for thrilling elephant safaris and trekking. Konni has the largest number of wild elephants in the state and is a major elephant training center. In the past, wild elephants caught from the forests were brought here and put in wooden cages known as 'anakoodu' (Elephant Cage) till they were properly trained. After 1972, elephant hunting was stopped since the central government put an end to this crude old method of elephant catching and training.

Sabarimala Temple:

A well-known pilgrim center of Kerala, Sabarimala lies 191 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram and 210 kms away from Cochin. The holy shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is situated 914 meters above sea level amidst dense forests in the rugged terrains of the Western Ghats. Lord Ayyappa is looked upon as the guardian of mountains and there are several shrines dedicated to Him all along the Western Ghats.

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:

Police station
Pandalam, Pathanamthitta
Kerala

Police Station
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

Nearest Hospital:

Changethu Bhaskaran Nair Memorial Hospital
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

BODHI HOMOEOPATHY
ABAN TOWER, ABAN JUNCTION
PATHANAMTHITTA
Kerala 689645 - Tel:09447364380

Muthoot Medical Centre
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

Poyyanil Hospital
Kozhencherry, Pathanamthitta
Kerala.

Government Hospital
Elanthur, Elanthoor
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

Society/Community Phone Number

VIJNANA KALA VEDI CULTURAL CENTRE
Address: Aranmula, Pathanamthitta
689533Phone : ++91-468-2310451
Mobile : 9447114485
E-mail : vkv@vijnanakalavedi.org
Website : www.vijnanakalavedi.org