Padanilam

Padanilam is a small town located in Alappuzha district of Kerala. The word Padanilam means "land of battles" (pada means "battle" and nilam means "land").It is located on the banks of river Achankovil. The Padanilam temple is one of the important centres of worship in Kerala.GeographyNooranadu Padanilam is situated on the south eastern edge of Alappuzha district.It is bounded by Venmony Panchayath on the north, Pandalam municipality and Palamel on the east, Mavelikkara Thamarakkulam on the south and Chunakkara and Thazhakara on the west.Achankovil river is flowing westwards through the northern boundary of the village. Topographically, village has 3 areas:-small hills, slope regions and plain land. Hills include Pattoor malamukal and koombuloor mala.Pattoor malamukal is the highest point in the village with an altitude of 121 m from sea level.Laterite is the soil type found here.Alluvium and Loam soil types can be found in low lying areas of the village including plain lands.Padanilam Parabrahma TemplePadanilam Parabrahma Temple is one of the major temples in Kerala. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Parabrahma. The temple is very much like the Oachira Parabrahma Temple.The temple has no compound walls and roofs. Large number of festivals are being conducted here annually. The temple is one of the idathaavalam of sabarimala Ayyappa Swami temple. There are KSRTC buses from Padanilam to Pamba during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season. The temple has mainly 15 karakal (territories), who conduct the annual Sivarathri Festival. This is one of the biggest Nandikesha (ox vehicle of Lord Siva) kettulsavams in Kerala.