Manikantan Aalthara is a temple located near
Pandalam Palace, about 15 km from
Chengannur,
Pathanamthitta District. This is a small shrine built around a banyan tree. The main central road from the temple leads to the palace.
The processions from the
Valiyakoyikkal Temple on the Mandalam day, 11th day of the Malayam month
Dhanu, and on Ayyapan's birthday ('Uthram' in the month of Kumbham) come to this temple. The 'Nayattuvili' (call to go for hunting) and the 'Aazhi' (fire walking) are the main functions performed here before the procession goes back to the temple.
