The centuries old Kurumthottayam market, (now known as the Pandalam market) is one among the largest agricultural markets in Central Travancore. Situated in the heart of this township till late 1990s, this market was later shifted to a more convenient place on the Pandalam - Mavelikkara road. Right from agricultural produce (mainly cultivated in and around Pandalam and parts of adjoining panchayats) to fisheries, meat, rice and spices, this market is one among the nerve centres of the region.
Pandalam Kerala is now a mordern township with adequate facilities, well connected by road to other places of the state. As an excellent centre for higher learning and health care, Pandalam is well equipped to contribute its part to the mordern liberalised economy.
The Road, Rail and Air distances to Pandalam are listed below: by road 105 km to the north of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, 120 km to the south of Kochi, the state's commercial capital, 52 km to the south of Kottayam. By rail its 14 km from Chengannur railway station and 14 km from Mavelikkara railway station. By air 119 km from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and 138 km from Kochi International Airport
N.S.S. College, Pandalam is one of the premier institutions of higher education managed by Nair Service Society, a leading educational agency and a social organization. The founder of the N.S.S., the Late Padmasree Mannathu Padmanabhan a great visionary and social reformer believed that education is the most effective means of social reforms. It was with this strong conviction that he established a number of educational institutions all over Kerala in order to liberate the members of his community from the retrogressive and decadent practices prevalent in pre-Independent Kerala. Pandalam, the legendary land of Lord Ayyappa was specially selected by the founder considering its geographical significance of accessibility, surrounded by a rural, agrarian community. The college is situated on the side of the MC road half a kilometer away from the Pandalam junction. Established in the year 1950, this special grade post graduate college is one among the most reputed educational institutions in the state. Alumni include noted film director Padmashri Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Dr VN Rajasekharan Pillai (Vice Chairman, NAAC), Narendra Prasad (Actor) et al, N.S.S Training College, Pandalam: Established in the year 1957, Mannam Co-operative Ayurveda Medical College, NSS School of Nursing, Pandalam and Sree Budha College of Engineering,Pattoor
