Kottayam City Travel Guide -
Kerala
General Information Of
Kottayam
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Area 27.33 sq. km
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Population 89,625
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Altitude Sea level
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Languages Malayalam and
English
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STD Code 0481
Best time to visit October to March
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Introduction to city Kottayam -
In Kerala
An important centre of the Syrian Christian community in Kerala,
Kottayam is located between the palm-fringed backwaters on the
west and the Western Ghats to the east. Also called the Rome of
the East, the city is renowned for its churches and houses built
in the colonial style.
Kottayam shot into limelight when it was declared the first
fully literate municipal town of India. The town is also the
birthplace of the state/’s publishing industry and home to a
number of globally renowned newspapers and magazines.
Kottayam is derived from two Malayalam words —kotta and akkam—
which, when combined, mean the interior of a fort. In 9th
century AD Kottayam was a part of the Kulashekara Empire
(AD 1090–1102) and was referred to as Vempolinad (the logical
root of the Vembanad Lake). By about 1102, the empire split into
the kingdoms of Thekkumkur and Vadakkumkur. Both these kingdoms
were annexed by Marthanda Varma of Travancore between 1748 and
1754. During Marthanda Varma/’s reign, Kottayam received a
prominent place among the princely states of the South.
Kottayam has been the centre of various social and political
movements that started in the state. The town played a major
role in the Malayali Memorial agitation. During 1924–25,
Kottayam became the breeding ground for the Vaikom Satyagraha, a
movement started for eradication of untouchability in the state
The Syrian Christian community has a special place in the
history of Kottayam. The community traces its origin to Saint
Thomas who visited the region in AD 53. Seven churches were
established by Saint Thomas on the Malabar Coast. However, the
arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century saw many of the
Syrian Christians forcibly converted into Roman Catholicism.
Kottayam has a moderate and pleasant climate. The temperature
here reaches up to 34.33°C during summers. The winter months are
more suited for a visit to this place.
Sightseeing : Places to visit in
destination - Kottayam
The lush paddy fields, the highlands, the extensive rubber, tea,
coffee, teak, cardamom, and pepper plantations enchant all those
who visit this little town. The panoramic backwaters here offer
an ideal retreat to enjoy nature at its best. A visit to
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and Vembanad Lake provide
you with beautiful sights besides offering you with an
opportunity for boating and fishing.
Kottayam Sightseeing :
Places to visit in destination Kottayam
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Places to visit in the city Kottayam |
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KUMARAKOM BIRD SANCTUARY -
Kottayam
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Twelve kilometres to the west of Kottayam town lies a
small village called Kumarakom. The village is a part of
Kuttanad, the wonderland which lies below sea level. The
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, spread over 14 acres of lush
greenery and blue waters, is located on the banks of the
Vembanad Lake. The sanctuary is home to local varieties of
waterfowl, cuckoo, and water ducks, as well as migrating
Siberian storks. An additional attraction at Kumarakom is
the backwater cruises in the Vembanad Lake for which the
boats are offered on rent by the Kerala Tourism
Development Corporation. |
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VEMBANAD LAKE - Kottayam
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About 16 km from Kottayam lies the Vembanad Lake, an
enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater
tourism destination in Kerala. A trip to Vembanad Lake
provides the visitor with exhilarating boating, fishing
and sightseeing experiences. On its banks lies the
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, an ornithologist/’s paradise. |
Excursions : Places nearby city -
Kottayam
Venture around the town and you find the environment as
mesmerizing as it was within the town. Visit Pathiramanal,
an enchanting island that can only be accessed by a boat. The
religious-minded should not miss a visit to Erumeli, an
important pilgrim centre for both the Hindus and Muslims. Some
other locations you can visit from Kottayam on a daylong trip
are Nadukani and Anchuvilakku.
Kottayam Excursion : Places
nearby Kottayam - Kerala
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Places to visit nearby destination - Kottayam |
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Anchuvilakku
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About 22 km from Kottayam near the Changanacherry boat
jetty stands Anchuvilakku. This lamppost made of stone is
a typical example of Kerala architecture. It was built by
the renowned freedom fighter Veluthampi Dalawa. On this
post stand five lamps that use kerosene for lighting. The
Changanacherry market, one of the largest in Kerala,
exists nearby. |
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Erumeli
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About 60 km northeast of Kottayam lies Erumeli, an
important pilgrim centre for both the Hindus and Muslims.
Sri Dharma Sastha Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to
Lord Ayyappa, is located here. An ancient mosque dedicated
to Vavar, the companion of the deity of the Sabarimala
Temple, is also situated here. Hindu pilgrims customarily
worship here before their trek to Sabarimala. |
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Pathiramanal
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The enchanting island of Pathiramanal (literally, sands of
midnight) lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is
accessible only by boat. This little island is a favourite
haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different
parts of the world. According to a legend, a young Brahmin
dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening
ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from
below, thus creating the island of Pathiramanal.
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