Kottayam is situated between the palm-fringed backwaters on the west and Western Ghats on the east, Kottayam presents some of the most beautiful natural scenes of Kerala. Kottayam town is the district headquarters. The town can be accessed by rail or road from other places of the state. The nearest airport is Kochi 100km north of Kottayam.
Kottayam in south India is combinations of hills mountains lakes and lush green groves. This is a place of historical importance. This region has a high rate of literacy and is a beautiful destination noted for back water destinations, mountains and valleys, temples and churches, aqua tourism, rubber plantations replete with lakes and rural destinations. Kottayam is known as the land of lakes, letters, latex and lagoons. The rubber plantations in Kottayam district are world famous. Kottayam is also known as the "City of Letters". Major news papers like Malayala Manorama, and Deepika has their headquarters in Kottayam. Besides these, many other newspapers like Mathrubhumi, Mangalam and Madhyamam are published from Kottayam.
¤ Tourist Attractions of Kottayam
* Valiyapally
It is not far from the city centre, this St. Mary's Church was built in 1550 for the Knanaya Orthodox Syrians. The church is known for the 8th century Persian cross with the Pahlavi inscription on it.
* Cheriyapally
It is located about 100m from Valiyapalli (Big Church), this smaller St. Mary's Church built in 1579 has an elegant façade with an interior noted for its 400 years old paintings depicting biblical and other themes.
* Bharananganam
It is an important Christian pilgrim centre where the mortal remains of Sister Alphonsa (1916-1946) are interned in a chapel next to the 1000 years old St. Mary's Church. The church has an attractive grotto of Virgin Mary.
* Vagamon
Vagamon is emerging as a destination of importance noted for its scenic beauty, heritage and historical buildings and religious shrines. This is a hill station amidst plantations of coffee rubber and cardamom. A journey through winding roads along the mist clad hills is something to be cherished for life. Vagamon is on the Kottayam Idukki boundary. This is also gaining importance as an international paragliding destination. We can go trekking to the church at the top of the hill. Kurisumala Ashram established by Belgian Priests is worth a visit.
* Vembanad Lake
With an area of 260 sq.km., Vembanad Lake is the largest lake in Kerala. House boat cruises, boating, sightseeing and fishing are the main attractions. During Onam, boat races are held in the lake, making this otherwise serene water body, lively.
* Kumarakom
Kumarakom jutts into the Vembanad Lake as if it appears to be a peninsula. Lagoons, canals and waterways are geographically carved-out as the fresh water lake dents into the mainland. The ready availability of house boats, traditional country crafts, boats and canoes make it an exemplary location with unmatched avenues in water- tourism. To a lover of tastes, it is great news that tiger prawns, crabs, Karimeen or pearl spotted fish prawns are available everywhere. The Monsoon season imparts lush greenery to the place.
* Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
On the banks of Vembanad Lake, 12km from Kottayam, Kumarakom is a bird watcher's haven known for local and migratory birds. Cormorants, teals, ducks, owls and water fouls are seen from October to February. Feb.-July is the time for the snake birds, night herons, egrets, and Siberian storks.
* Vikom
Famous for the Shiva temple, Vikom is 40km from Kottayam. It is believed that Parasurama, the mythological creator of Kerala, built the temple. The Ashtami festival in Nov-Dec is popular for elephant processions as well as dance and music performances.
* Ettumanur
Famous for the Shiva Temple, Ettumanur is 17km from Kottayam. The temple has inscriptions dating back to 16th century or older. The temple is admired for the superb woodcarvings and murals. The temple festival is held in Feb-Mar. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.
* Athirampuzha
Situated 3km from Ettumanur towards Kottayam, St. Mary's Fiona Church is famous for its annual feast known as "Athirampuzha Nercha". The grand feast is an eight days event.
Like all other districts of Kerala, Kottayam also has many tourist places and pilgrimage centres. Some of the pilgrimage places where devotees visit are Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple. Bharananganam Church, Mannanam Church, Kudamaloor Church, Panachikkad Saraswathi Temple, and Thirunakkara Temple. St Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Manarkadu is another very important and famous Christian church in Kottayam.
Kottayam in south India is combinations of hills mountains lakes and lush green groves. This is a place of historical importance. This region has a high rate of literacy and is a beautiful destination noted for back water destinations, mountains and valleys, temples and churches, aqua tourism, rubber plantations replete with lakes and rural destinations. Kottayam is known as the land of lakes, letters, latex and lagoons. The rubber plantations in Kottayam district are world famous. Kottayam is also known as the "City of Letters". Major news papers like Malayala Manorama, and Deepika has their headquarters in Kottayam. Besides these, many other newspapers like Mathrubhumi, Mangalam and Madhyamam are published from Kottayam.
¤ Tourist Attractions of Kottayam
* Valiyapally
It is not far from the city centre, this St. Mary's Church was built in 1550 for the Knanaya Orthodox Syrians. The church is known for the 8th century Persian cross with the Pahlavi inscription on it.
* Cheriyapally
It is located about 100m from Valiyapalli (Big Church), this smaller St. Mary's Church built in 1579 has an elegant façade with an interior noted for its 400 years old paintings depicting biblical and other themes.
* Bharananganam
It is an important Christian pilgrim centre where the mortal remains of Sister Alphonsa (1916-1946) are interned in a chapel next to the 1000 years old St. Mary's Church. The church has an attractive grotto of Virgin Mary.
* Vagamon
Vagamon is emerging as a destination of importance noted for its scenic beauty, heritage and historical buildings and religious shrines. This is a hill station amidst plantations of coffee rubber and cardamom. A journey through winding roads along the mist clad hills is something to be cherished for life. Vagamon is on the Kottayam Idukki boundary. This is also gaining importance as an international paragliding destination. We can go trekking to the church at the top of the hill. Kurisumala Ashram established by Belgian Priests is worth a visit.
* Vembanad Lake
With an area of 260 sq.km., Vembanad Lake is the largest lake in Kerala. House boat cruises, boating, sightseeing and fishing are the main attractions. During Onam, boat races are held in the lake, making this otherwise serene water body, lively.
* Kumarakom
Kumarakom jutts into the Vembanad Lake as if it appears to be a peninsula. Lagoons, canals and waterways are geographically carved-out as the fresh water lake dents into the mainland. The ready availability of house boats, traditional country crafts, boats and canoes make it an exemplary location with unmatched avenues in water- tourism. To a lover of tastes, it is great news that tiger prawns, crabs, Karimeen or pearl spotted fish prawns are available everywhere. The Monsoon season imparts lush greenery to the place.
* Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
On the banks of Vembanad Lake, 12km from Kottayam, Kumarakom is a bird watcher's haven known for local and migratory birds. Cormorants, teals, ducks, owls and water fouls are seen from October to February. Feb.-July is the time for the snake birds, night herons, egrets, and Siberian storks.
* Vikom
Famous for the Shiva temple, Vikom is 40km from Kottayam. It is believed that Parasurama, the mythological creator of Kerala, built the temple. The Ashtami festival in Nov-Dec is popular for elephant processions as well as dance and music performances.
* Ettumanur
Famous for the Shiva Temple, Ettumanur is 17km from Kottayam. The temple has inscriptions dating back to 16th century or older. The temple is admired for the superb woodcarvings and murals. The temple festival is held in Feb-Mar. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.
* Athirampuzha
Situated 3km from Ettumanur towards Kottayam, St. Mary's Fiona Church is famous for its annual feast known as "Athirampuzha Nercha". The grand feast is an eight days event.
Like all other districts of Kerala, Kottayam also has many tourist places and pilgrimage centres. Some of the pilgrimage places where devotees visit are Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple. Bharananganam Church, Mannanam Church, Kudamaloor Church, Panachikkad Saraswathi Temple, and Thirunakkara Temple. St Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Manarkadu is another very important and famous Christian church in Kottayam.
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So many places are there to visit in Kottayam, Kumarakom is a very well known place in Kerala, Kumarakom is a backwater village and famous for its natural beauty.. this post will help the people who love to visit Kottayam.
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