KOTTAYAM
Location: Southern Part of Kerala
Attractions: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Vaikom
Best Season: August to March
Language Known: Malayalam, Hindi, and English
Kottayam, located in the southern part of Kerala is an important commercial center of India, producing a large chunk of cash crops. A beautiful town situated in the hills, most of India's natural rubber originates from the acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam.
The town is also home to the Rubber Board, one of the country's Primary Commodities Board. Situated in the 'Backwater' circuit, the populace of Kottayam is marked by the presence of the Syrian Christian community.
Well known for its churches, Kottayam sandwiched between serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western Ghats on the east, provides some of Kerala's finest natural scenes.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Thirunakkara Mahadev Temple: The temple built in the indigenous style is situated in that heart of the town of Kottayam. It features several murals and is thronged by a large number of devotees during the annual festival held in the third week of March.
Valiyapalli Church: Dedicated to St. Mary, the Valia Palli is a church built in 1550 for the Knanaya Orthodox Syrians situated in Thazhathangadi, 2 km from the center of the town. It is famous for its 8th century Persian cross and the Pahalavi inscription on the cross.
Cheryapalli: Located near the Valia Palli, the smaller church of Cheria Palli, also dedicated to St. Mary, built in 1579, has some Murals and paintings of Biblical and other themes.
Ayyampara: 43 km from Kottayam, Ayyampara, a good base for trekking expeditions is a little-known scenic spot of rocky plains where a 100-acre area of flat rock makes a natural granite stadium to enjoy the sunset and the view of the town below.
Bharananganam An important Christian pilgrimage center, the town of Bharananganam is known as the site of the internment of Sister Alphonsa (1916 - '46) in a chapel next to the St. Mary's Church. This millenium-old church features an attractive grotto of Virgin Mary.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary: 12 km west of Kottayam town, on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, at Kumarakom is the Bird Sanctuary known for local varieties of Waterfowl, Cuckoo, and Water Ducks, as well as for the migratory Siberian Storks.
Erumelli: 60 kms form Kottayam; it’s an important pilgrim center of both the Muslims and Hindus. An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ayappa and a mosque of Vavar, his Muslim ally, are both located here. The pilgrims to the holy shrine at Sabarimala also pay obeisance to Vavar, an enduring custom, which brilliantly exemplifies the communal harmony of the land and its people.
Vaikom: 40 km from Kottayam, in Vaikom is the Shiva Temple, which is believed to have been built by Parasurama, the mythical creator of Kerala. The 12-day Ashtami festival in the months of November and December is marked by elephant processions, religious discourses, and performances of dance and music.
In contemporary history, Vaikom's prominence derives from the Satyagraha of 1925, started by Mahatma Gandhi and aimed at opening the temple for untouchables
Ettumanoor Temple: 13 kms. Famous for its legendary 16th century Shiva Temple, Ettumanoor is a Hindu pilgrimage. The Shiva temple is a specimen of Kerala's indigenous style of temple architecture, incorporating clear-cut woodcarvings and murals, including an exceptionally striking one of Shiva as Nataraja, where he trampled underfoot the evil spirit represented by a demon. Every year in February and March, a 10- day long festival is held at the temple.
Pundareekapuram Temple Pundareekapuram is a small temple atop a small hill called Midayikunnam near Thalayolapparambu, in Kottayam District. The temple is dedicated to the Lord Vishnu mounted on his vehicle Garuda.The temple at Pundareekapuram is famous for its Mural Collection.
Vembanad Lake Vembanad Lake, one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia, is 12km west from Kottayam. Kottayam is a vast network of rivers and canals, which empty into the great expanse of water called Vembanad Lake.
Peerumedu is a small hill station, snuggled at an altitude of 914 m above sea level, on way to Thekkady. The famous plantation town takes its name from Peer Mohammed, a Sufi saint and close associate of the erstwhile royal family of Travancore.
Grampi The picturesque hill station of Grampi, situated 5 kms from Peerumade is also known as the Parunthupara, meaning the eagle rock.
Ilaveezhapoonchira Located at distance of 55 kms from Kottayam and 20 kms from Thodapuzha, this is another picnic spot located in the midst of the beautiful hillocks near Kanjar. Wagamon Located 64 kms from Kottayam and 65 kms from Idukki town, Wagamon is a hill station perched at an altitude of 1100 m above sea level.
Mannanam: Housing the famous St. Joseph's Monastery, Mannanam is an important Syrian Christian center. The town is associated with the name of Father Kuriakose Elias of Chavara (1805 - 1871), one of the saintly figures of the Syrian Catholic Church of Kerala. Established in 1844, St. Joseph's Press is one of the oldest printing presses in India, where one of the oldest of Kerala's newspapers was printed.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Nearest Airport is at Cochin, 76 kms away. The Thiruvananthapuam International Airport is 152 kms.
Rail: Kottayam Railway Station 2 kms. Away from the Central Bus Station and is connected with major cities and tourist centers.
Road: There are two bus stands, one run by state transport and the other private. The buses to major centers operate from the KSRTC bus station.
Ferry: The Ferry Station is 3 kms, away from the railway station. Services to Alleppey, Mannar, Chempakulam, Mankombu and Ambalapuzha.
NEARBY CITIES
Alappuzha43 km
Kochi66 km
Thrissur135 km
Thiruvananthapuram148 km
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area:2579 sq.km.
Population:2,398,285.
Climate:Tropical.
Rainfall:270 cm. (Annual).
Temperature:
Mean Max:36.0°C
Mean Min:22.4°C
Clothing:Tropical.
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