Pala is a municipal town in the eastern hilly areas of Kottayam district in the Indian state Kearala. It is situated on the banks of the meenachil River and is the headquarters of the Meenachil taluk and the Pala Revenue division. It is the main gateway to the southern high ranges. Located at 09.7° N 076.7° E, Pala is 56.7 meters above MSL. Nearby town are Ponkunnam, Erattupetta, Thodupuzha, Ramapuram, Marangattupally, Uzhavoor, Kuravilangad, Ettumanoor and Kottayam. Pala is on the main Eastern highway (Muvattupuzha - Pathanamthitta - Punalur Road / SH - 08).
Pala has the largest proportion of Roman Catholics in Kerala. The reason why its so often referred among the Catholic circles as the "Mini Vatican of India."The Meenachil River flows through the taluks of Meenachil, Vaikom and Kottayam. It is formed by several streams originating from the Western Ghats in Idukkidistrict. At Erattupeetta, Poonjar River also joins it, takes a sharp turn and flows towards the west. At Kondur, it is joined by the Chittar and at Lalam it receives the Payuapparathodu and flows in a south- west direction till it reaches Kottayam. Here, it branches into several streams before emptying into the Vembanad Lake. The important towns in the basin are Pala, Poonjar, Ettumanoor and Kottayam.
Pala is one of the most exotic, lush green places in Kerala, resided by loving ,educated, well-cultured people belonging to various castes and religions who live harmoniously and peacefully. Pala flourished as a town on the banks of the Meenachil river. A majority of the population consists of thriving farmers and businessmen. The main cultivation's are rubber, pepper, plantain, coconut and tapioca. Rice is the major part of the diet. Pala is blessed with numerous cultural and educational institutions which are counted among the best in the state.The main attraction of Pala is the shrine Kurisupally, in the name of St. Mary. It is the pride of the residents of Pala. Its Jubilee Festival celebrations are carried out with grand fervor every year on December 8th by all people of Pala without any caste based or religious boundary.
