Sree Bhuvaneswary Temple, Valamchuzhy

Sree Bhuvaneswary Temple at Valamchuzhy, about 3 km from the centre of Pathanamthitta, is one of the oldest temples in the area. The Achankovil river curls around it on three sides, which gives Valamchuzhy its name, and over the centuries the river has carried away much temple land; a bund was later built to improve access after the great floods of 1096 damaged the temple. The surviving sarpakavu, or serpent grove, is a remnant of the forest that once covered the area and holds many rare medicinal herbs, though sand mining in the river threatens it.

Legend says a devotee brought a flower from the Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, an embodiment of the goddess Bhuvaneswary, and was inspired to install it here; a sword and anklet from Kodungallur are displayed in the temple, and the two temples share several customs. After 1974 its management passed to fourteen local karas, which elect a council every two years. Rudrapongala, held on the Bharani days of Kumbham, is the main offering.