The history of Adoor is directly connected to the history of Kollam district. During the 1st century A.D., most of the places in Kollam district were ruled by the Ay Kingdom, with their headquarters at south Travancore. It is known that during the rule of the Ay Kings, a Buddhist Monastery existed in Adoor. Some megalithic monuments like dolmens, dating back to the Neolithic period, have been discovered in the Enadimangalam village of Adoor Taluk.
Adoor
About
Municipality in Pathanamthitta district and headquarters of Adoor Taluk - known for Sree Parthasarathy Temple, the Adoor Gajamela elephant festival, and its place on the MC Road corridor between Thiruvananthapuram and central Travancore.
Heritage
History of Adoor
A fuller look at how this place grew - from early roots to the town travellers visit today.
Adoor was once part of Ilayidathu Dynasty and Pandalam dynasty. In 1741, Venad Maharaja Marthandavarma included Adoor to the Travancore Kingdom. King Marthanda Varma once came to Adoor to hide from Ettuvettil Pillai (a wealthy family who tried to capture King Marthandavarma and to get hold of his throne) and sought the help from Chittundayil house but it was refused and then support and shelter was provided by the grandmother of Nellimuttil family at Adoor, in the later days, after he became the King he then made revenge to the Chittundayil house and granted help to the Nellimuttil house. During the rule of Dharmaraja, a notable event was the battle against Tippu Sultan, where travancore made alliance with the East India Company. During the rule of Rani Gowri Parvathy Bayi, in 1812 A.D., pandalam was annexed to the kingdom of Travancore. The Anantharamapuram market situated at Parakkode is known to be one of the oldest, largest and busiest market during the Travancore era. After India got its independence in 1947, the Maharaja of Travancore refused to join Indian Union, but later had to agree. On 1 July 1949, Travancore and Cochin States were integrated and the Maharaja of Travancore became Rajpramukh of Travancore-Cochin State. On 1 November 1956, The State of Kerala was formed integrating the earlier regions of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar. After that, Adoor was in Kollam district until a new 13th district called, the Pathanamthitta District came into existence as a separate administrative unit on the 1 November 1982. The newly formed Adoor Taluk comprised nine Villages of Kunnathur Taluk and two villages of Mavelikkara Taluk of former Kollam and Alappuzha districts. On 1 April 1990, Adoor municipality came into existence and the area under Adoor municipality is presently known as Adoor Town.
Adoor was part of Central Travancore and was never directly under British rule. Adoor was a major town of both wealthy Hindu families and notable Saint Thomas Christian families. Adoor was never captured by King Marthanadavarma.
Adoor Dharma Hospital (now known as Adoor General Hospital) was established in the 1880s during Travancore rule.
In 1914, the first school opened in Adoor: Adoor Malayalam School, known today as Adoor Govt. UP School.
In 1934, Mahatma Gandhi visited Adoor and laid the foundation stone of the present SNDP building situated near a private bus stand. The message of khadi and charkha gained more attention during this time. During the 1940s, communism started emerging in Adoor. Both the SNDP and NSS have made great contributions to the development of Adoor.
Know the place
More about Adoor
Culture, nearby stops, and practical notes for travellers.
Overview
Adoor is a municipality in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, about 18 km southwest of Pathanamthitta town and roughly 90 km north of Thiruvananthapuram. It is the headquarters of Adoor Taluk and one of the two revenue divisions of the district, sitting at a busy road junction that links Kollam, Kayamkulam, Punalur, and the capital-region MC Road.
Culture & festivals
Sree Parthasarathy Temple is one of Kerala's oldest Krishna temples, dedicated to Krishna as Parthasarathy (charioteer of Arjuna). Its ten-day annual festival (usually January-February) culminates in Adoor Gajamela - a celebrated pageant of nine caparisoned elephants, temple percussion, and classical and folk arts. Ashtami Rohini is also marked with traditional performances.
Nearby places
Mannadi Temple (about 8 km) is linked with Velu Thampi Dalawa. Sreenarayanapuram Mahavishnu Temple is known for Dasavathara chartu observances. Pilgrim routes toward Sabarimala and district towns such as Pandalam and Pathanamthitta make Adoor a practical stop for travellers exploring Central Travancore.
Getting around
Adoor is road-based: MC Road (SH1), NH 183 / 183A corridors, and the Kayamkulam-Punalur road meet here, with KSRTC and private buses running long-distance services. Nearest major rail options include Kayamkulam Junction and Chengannur; Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is about 90 km away.
Weather & climate
Live weather
Drizzle · 93% humidity · 14 km/h wind
Municipality
Localities in Adoor
28 localities within Adoor.
- 01 Adoor Town Core town area of Adoor Municipality.
- 02 Adoor Central Central locality within Adoor Municipality.
- 03 Anandappally Residential locality in Adoor Municipality.
- 04 Anandaramapuram Historic market-side locality linked with Parakkode.
- 05 Ayyappanpara Locality within Adoor Municipality.
- 06 Kannamkodu Locality known for Kannamcode Cathedral.
- 07 Mithrapuram Locality within Adoor Municipality.
- 08 Munnalam Locality within Adoor Municipality.
- 09 Nellimoottilpadi Locality within Adoor Municipality.
- 10 Pannivizha Locality within Adoor Municipality.
- 11 Pannivizha East Eastern part of the Pannivizha locality.
- 12 Pannivizha South Southern part of the Pannivizha locality.
- 13 Parakkode Junction locality with historic market links.
- 14 Parakkode East Eastern part of Parakkode.
- 15 Parakkode West Western part of Parakkode.
- 16 Pothradu Locality within Adoor Municipality.
- 17 Puthiyakavu Chira Locality within Adoor Municipality.
- 18 Sangamam Locality within Adoor Municipality.
- 19 Town Ward Municipal ward covering the town centre.
- 20 Civil Station Administrative locality around civic offices.
- 21 Jawahar Ward Municipal ward of Adoor.
- 22 Holy Cross Locality within Adoor Municipality.
- 23 Priyadarshini Locality within Adoor Municipality.
- 24 Salvation Army Area Locality within Adoor Municipality.
- 25 M.G. Ward Municipal ward of Adoor.
- 26 Netaji Ward Municipal ward of Adoor.
- 27 Bhagath Singh Ward Municipal ward of Adoor.
- 28 E.V. Nagar Locality within Adoor Municipality.
Taluk
Villages in Adoor Taluk
15 villages in Adoor Taluk.
- 01 Adoor Village / HQ area of Adoor Taluk.
- 02 Angadickal Village in Adoor Taluk.
- 03 Enadimangalam Village in Adoor Taluk.
- 04 Enathu Village in Adoor Taluk.
- 05 Erathu Village in Adoor Taluk.
- 06 Ezhamkulam Village in Adoor Taluk.
- 07 Kadampanadu Village in Adoor Taluk.
- 08 Kalanjoor Village in Adoor Taluk.
- 09 Kodumon Village in Adoor Taluk.
- 10 Koodal Village in Adoor Taluk.
- 11 Kurampala Village in Adoor Taluk.
- 12 Pallickal Village in Adoor Taluk.
- 13 Pandalam Historic town-village in Adoor Taluk.
- 14 Pandalam Thekkekara Village in Adoor Taluk.
- 15 Peringanadu Village in Adoor Taluk.
Landmarks
Landmarks in Adoor
10 landmarks in Adoor.
- 01 Manakala Junction Key road junction landmark in Adoor.
- 02 Vellakulangara Junction Major junction landmark in Adoor.
- 03 Gandhi Circle Town circle landmark linked with Gandhi Park.
- 04 KSRTC Bus Stand Main Kerala State Road Transport bus stand.
- 05 Adoor Central Junction Central junction in the heart of town.
- 06 Civil Station Administrative landmark around civic offices.
- 07 Court Complex Court complex landmark in Adoor.
- 08 Adoor Market Main market landmark of the town.
- 09 Adoor Tower Town tower / skyline landmark.
- 10 MC Road Junction Junction on the MC Road corridor.
Faith
Hindu Temples
14 Hindu temples around Adoor.
- 01 Peringanad Trichennamangalam Mahadevar Temple Mahadeva temple at Peringanadu.
- 02 Peedikayil Devi Temple Devi temple near Adoor.
- 03 Sree Mahadeva (Dakshinamoorthi) Temple Mahadeva temple dedicated as Dakshinamoorthi.
- 04 Mannadi Devi Temple Historic Devi temple linked with Velu Thampi Dalawa.
- 05 Sree Narayanapuram Mahavishnu Temple Vishnu temple known for Dasavathara observances.
- 06 Indilayappan Temple (Parakkode) Temple at Parakkode.
- 07 Orippurathu Bhagavathy Temple Bhagavathy temple near Adoor.
- 08 Bhagavatikunnu Devi Temple Devi temple on Bhagavatikunnu.
- 09 Puthenkavil Bhagavathy Temple Bhagavathy temple near Adoor.
- 10 Udayagiri Temple Temple landmark near Adoor.
- 11 Thazhoor Bhagavathy Temple Bhagavathy temple known for Padayani.
- 12 Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple Vadakkumnatha temple at Thumpamon.
- 13 Kadampanad Devi Temple Devi temple at Kadampanadu.
- 14 Kodumon Chilanthiyambalam Temple at Kodumon.
Faith
Churches
12 churches around Adoor.
- 01 St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Kannamkode Orthodox cathedral at Kannamkode.
- 02 Sacred Heart Malankara Syrian Catholic Church Malankara Syrian Catholic church in Adoor.
- 03 St. John of The Cross Roman Catholic Church Roman Catholic church in Adoor.
- 04 Kannamcode Mar Thoma Church Mar Thoma church at Kannamcode.
- 05 St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Karuvatta Orthodox church at Karuvatta.
- 06 CSI Christ Church, Adoor CSI parish church in Adoor.
- 07 Holy Cross Church Church in the Adoor area.
- 08 Mar Gregorios Church Church dedicated to St. Gregorios.
- 09 IPC Church Adoor Indian Pentecostal Church in Adoor.
- 10 Sharon Fellowship Church Sharon Fellowship congregation in Adoor.
- 11 Pentecostal Mission Church Pentecostal Mission church in Adoor.
- 12 Assemblies of God Church Assemblies of God church in Adoor.
Faith
Mosques
8 mosques around Adoor.
- 01 Town Juma Masjid Main town Friday mosque in Adoor.
- 02 Kannamkode Juma Masjid Friday mosque at Kannamkode.
- 03 Kottamukal Jum'a Masjid Friday mosque at Kottamukal.
- 04 Central Juma Masjid Central Friday mosque in Adoor.
- 05 Pannivizha Juma Masjid Friday mosque at Pannivizha.
- 06 Parakkode Juma Masjid Friday mosque at Parakkode.
- 07 Kadampanad Juma Masjid Friday mosque at Kadampanadu.
- 08 Ezhamkulam Muslim Jama-ath Mosque Muslim Jama-ath mosque at Ezhamkulam.
Healthcare
Hospitals
8 hospitals and clinics around Adoor.
- 01 The Lifeline Multi Speciality Hospital Multi-speciality hospital in Adoor.
- 02 Government General Hospital, Adoor Government general hospital in Adoor.
- 03 Holy Cross Multi Speciality Hospital Multi-speciality hospital in Adoor.
- 04 Maria Hospital Hospital in Adoor.
- 05 Government Veterinary Hospital Government veterinary hospital in Adoor.
- 06 Adoor Medical Centre Medical centre in Adoor.
- 07 Moses Dental Clinic Dental clinic in Adoor.
- 08 Ceegees Grace Dental Centre Dental centre in Adoor.
Education
Schools
11 schools and colleges around Adoor.
- 01 St. Mary's MMGHS Higher secondary school in Adoor.
- 02 Travancore International School International school in Adoor.
- 03 The Baanyan School School in Adoor.
- 04 Kendriya Vidyalaya Adoor Central government school in Adoor.
- 05 College of Engineering, Adoor Engineering college in Adoor.
- 06 Government Boys Higher Secondary School Government boys' HSS in Adoor.
- 07 Government Girls Higher Secondary School Government girls' HSS in Adoor.
- 08 Holy Angels EMHSS English-medium HSS in Adoor.
- 09 St. Cyril's Higher Secondary School Higher secondary school in Adoor.
- 10 SNDP Higher Secondary School SNDP higher secondary school in Adoor.
- 11 Government Polytechnic College Government polytechnic in Adoor.
Visit
Tourist Places
10 tourist places around Adoor.
- 01 Mannadi (birthplace of Velu Thampi Dalawa) Historic birthplace of Velu Thampi Dalawa.
- 02 Peringanad Trichennamangalam Mahadevar Temple Mahadeva temple visit near Peringanadu.
- 03 Mannadi Devi Temple Historic Devi temple visit near Mannadi.
- 04 St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Kannamkode Landmark Orthodox cathedral visit at Kannamkode.
- 05 TB the Top of Adoor Elevated viewpoint / top-of-town stop.
- 06 Adoor Town Park Public town park in Adoor.
- 07 Peringanad village Village visit around Peringanadu.
- 08 Thumpamon village Village visit linked with Thumpamon temple heritage.
- 09 Adoor Market Town market visit and local commerce hub.
- 10 Cultural festival grounds Open grounds for cultural festivals and gatherings.