Thiruvalla is one among the oldest municipal towns in the rural areas of Kerala . Once Thiruvalla Taluk was considered as having the maximum number of graduates in a Taluk in India. This indicates the cultural and educational background of Thiruvalla . Thiruvalla has given birth to the renowned artist, Shri. C. K.Ra, who was a product of Santhi Nikethan and also a student of Nandalal Bose. The well-known poet, Shri. Vishnu Narayanan Nampoothiri, also a son of Thiruvalla . In the field of medical service, Thiruvalla Medical Mission Hospital and Pushpagiri Hospital render commendable services . They also extend service in the Para-medical field.

The Headquarters of Marthoma Syrian Church of Malabar is situated in Thiruvalla which has contributed so much in the field of higher education with a first grade Arts and Science College and a B.Ed. College, in addition to the large number of buildings in which most of the trading , banking and other institutions are housed in Thiruvalla township. Thiruvalla is also blessed with a Sree Ramakrishna Ashramam at Thukalassery. Thiruvalla is on the western border of Pathanamthitta District. Formerly some areas of present Changanacherry were parts of Thiruvalla. Now the boundaries of the taluk are Varattar Bridge on the south, Lappalam on the north, Pullad on the east, Edathua on the west.

From time immemmorial,Thiruvalla is well known for the communal harmony prevalent in the area. A large number of churches co-exist near a large number of temples in Thiruvalla town. The Paliekara Church was constructed at the time of Col. Munroe. People from various communities were invited to Thiruvalla by the then rulers and they were given all sorts of assistance for setting up places of worship. On both the sides of the road in front of the Thiruvalla temple were located several trading centres, then known as "Chalai". There is a reference to this place in the epic, " Unnuneelisandesam". Chalai at that time was a powerful competitor to the markets of Kollam and Kozhikode.

Thiruvalla is also blessed with the wonderful works of constructions - the Flagpost in the Sree Vallabha Temple with a height of 5.3 mts. from ground level and 1.5 mts below ground level constructed from a single rock with a Garudan composed by "Perumthachan" at the top.

Thiruvalla Railway Station deserves more facilities as it is the only Railway Station in Pathanamthitta District. The completion of the Revenue Tower is a great achievement and it provides accommodation for various Government offices under one roof. In the field of social service, Tiruvalla has two Rotary Clubs, one Lions Club and a Junior Chamber.

Maramon and Kozhencherry, on the banks of the river Pampa, 16 kilometers east of Thiruvalla, have for centuries been recognized as centres of Christian culture and influence. This village which developed into a town has the added distinction of being the venue of a religious gathering known as Maramon Convention, said to be the largest Christian gathering in Asia. It is during the month of February on the vast sand-bed of the river Pampa, below the Kozhencherry Bridge that the Maramon Convention is held every year. About a week before the Convention, Christians from the parishes around Maramon are seen carrying Cadjan leaves and bamboo poles and other materials for erecting the convention pandal. The pandal has a seating capacity of about fifty thousand. All round the pandal there are temporary sheds and tents. Stalls for the sale of religious literature, church offices and restaurants are allowed to operate in the vicinity of the pandal.

The Maramon Convention is pre-eminently an assembly of Christians who once a year come here for listening to the Word of God as read and expounded by leaders of Christian thought, from all over India as well as abroad. Preaching and Bible studies occupy the major part of the conference programme. Along with the religious reading and discourse, singing of hymns and praying for the sick and needy are also held.

The river Pampa at Aranmula, is the venue of this famous snake boat race .The snake boats of an extraordinary shape with a length of about 100 ft., the rear portion towering to a height of about 20 ft., and the front portion tapering gradually.The boat resembles a snake with its hood raised. The race is held on the last day of the week-long Onam Festival to commemorate Lord Krishna's crossing of the river. The participants cheerfully row up and down the river to the tune of songs known as vanchipattu.

The Vinjana Kalavedi at Aranmula imparts training in the traditional arts and crafts of Kerala.Kathakali, classical dance, classical music as well as kalaripayattu (the martial arts of Kara) are taught here. Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirrors made of bell metal.This is a unique art which is not found any where else in the world .