» Introduction
» Prime Attractions of Kottayam
How To reach Kottayam
By Air
From Cochin International Airport, about 76 kms to Kottayam town.
From Madurai Airport about 142 kms to Kottayam.
From Thiruvananthapuram International Airport about 170 kms to Kottayam.
By Rail
Nearest railway stations are Kottayam and Earnakulam (Kochi)
By Road
There are two bus stands, one run by state transport and the other private. The buses to major centres operate from the KSRTC bus station.
Ferries
The Ferry Station is 3 kms, away from the railway station. Services to Alleppey, Mannar, Chempakulam, Mankombu and Ambalapuzha.
Local Transport
Local buses, cycles.
Climate
Temperature
Tropical
Mean Max: 36.0°C
Mean Min : 22.4°C
Rainfall
270 cm. (Annual)
Location
North-Latitude between 9°-5¹ and 10°-21¹
East-Longitude between 76°-22¹ and 77°-25¹
Lies in the south central part of Kerala.
Kottayam - The Place of Letters
The Known history of Kottayam starts from the second Chera Empire. Kottayam and Ettumanoor were parts of the erstwhile Vanchunad. Vaikom and Meenachil taluks were in Nanrulainadu. The etymology of Kottayam is kotta 'fort' and akam 'inside'. Thazhathangadi near Kottayam town was the administrative headquarters of the Thekkumkoor and Vadakkumkoor Kings. Vembolinadu established in 1100 A.D. were conquered by Marthanda Varma between 1749 and 1754 and became part of Travancore. Later Poonjar and Meenachil areas were also conquered by him.
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After Marthanda Varma Dharmaraja (1758-1798) selected Kottayam as a strategic location to defend Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan. Clock Tower, Kottayam Clock Tower, Kottayam as an administrative unit, Kottayam was formed in 1860 as one of the divisions of Travancore with Chertalla as its headquarters. The then Diwan of Travancore, G. Rama Rao shifted the headquarters to Kottayam in 1878. The present Thirunakkara ground was meant for police parade.
Kottayam Town, the headquarters of this district is located on the foothills of the Western Ghats. This beautiful town is also a prominent trading centre, especially for plantation crops like rubber, tea, pepper and cardamom. Kottayam is a stronghold of the Christian community in the state as many denominations have their headquarters here. Many newspapers and magazines in Malayalam and English are published from Kottayam. Kottayam is very famous for its 'Kettuvallam' (House Boat). Traditional cargo boats called Kettuvalloms are modified into cruise boats and house boats, with all basic facilities like kitchen, toilet, bathrooms, sit-outs etc. These boats gracefully move around the backwaters, providing facilities to tourist to enjoy the beauty of the Vambanad lake in a relaxed pace.
Prime Attractions of Kottayam
Bharananganam
Bharananganam is an important Christian Pilgrimage centre, located 5 kms east of Palai on the Kottayam - Erattupett Road.
Associated with Sister Alphonsa, the blessed saint of the Catholics, the mortal remains of the saint are preserved in a chapel next to the St. Mary's Church. She lived from 1916 AD to 1946 AD. The day of 28th July, the death anniversary of the saint is observed with much solemnity. This 100-year-old church features an attractive grotto of Virgin Mary. |
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Blessed Alphonsa
During her life she was just an ordinary nun who led an obscure and eventless life in the quiet cloisters of the Clarist convent at Bharananganam, Kerala Ill-health rendered her inactive and she remained bed-ridden for long intervals of time. Blessed Alphonsa’s life does not appear to be anything extraordinary or even remarkable. She had no great achievements to her credit, nor was she a person of exceptional talents or of any high intellectual acquisitions.But she is venerated today as the humble suffering handmaid of Jesus.
Alphonsa was born on August 19, 1910 at Muttathupadath family of Kudamaloor, Kottayam in the Archdiocese of Changanacherry in Kerala. She lost her mother at an early age. She joined the Franciscan Clarist Congregation, Bharananganam in 1927 and received religious habit on May 19, 1930. She took perpetual vows on August 12, 1936.
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Her life was full of sufferings and sickness. She got miraculous cure through the intercession of Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara in December 1936. She fell ill with double pneumonia in June 1939 and was again seriously ill in 1940. She was administered the sacrament of the sick on September 29, 1941, but recovered. She started vomiting in July 1945 and died of that sickness on July 28,1946.
Diocesan Tribunal for the beatification of Sister Alphonsa was inaugurated on December 2, 1953. She was declared Venerable on July 9, 1985 and declared Blessed by Pope John Paul II on February 8, 1986 at Kottayam, Kerala. Her feast is celebrated on July 28.
Valiyapalli Church
The St. Mary's Church, located 2 kms from Kottayam was built as early as 1550 AD. The church is famous for its Persian stone cross, engraved with ancient inscriptions.
The church was built by the descendants of the Syrian Kanaya Christians who migrated to India in 345 A.D., from Jerusalem and near-by places under the leadership of Kana Thoma.
The Valliyapalli Church is famous for its two granite crosses known as Persian Crosses, which were brought to their present location from a much older church near Crangannore, built by the forefathers of the builders of this church.
On each of the stone slabs there is a cross with an inscription in the Pahalavi language, which was the official language of the Sassanian dynasty in Persia. The smaller slab is placed on the northern altar while the bigger slab lies on the southern altar of the church.
Location : 2 Kms From Kottayam, Kerala
Unique Features : Persian Stone Cross Engraved With Ancient Inscriptions
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.
Mannanam
Housing the famous St. Joseph's Monastery, Mannanam is an important Syrian Christian centre. The town is assosiated 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.
Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara
Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born on Feb. 10, 1805 at Kainakary, Alappuzha in the Archdiocese of Changanacherry in Kerala. From the age 5 to 10, he attended the village school (Kalari) to study languages, different dialects, and elementary sciences under the guidance of a Hindu teacher (Asan). Inspired by the desire to become a priest, he began the studies under the parish priest of the church of St. Joseph. At the age of 13 in 1818 he entered the seminary at Pallipuram where Malpan Thomas Palackal was the Rector.
He was ordained priest on 29th November, 1829 at Arthunkal and celebrated his First Holy Mass at Chennankari Church. Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara is one of the founding fathers and the first Superior General of C.M.I. (Carmelites of Mary Immaculate) congregation of the Catholic Church. |
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Blessed Chavara was a great educationist and social reformer. He was appointed official teacher (Malpan) of the Syro-Malabar seminarians on February 16, 1844 by the Archbishop of Verapoly.
He died on January 3rd, 1871 in the odor of sanctity leaving behind him the high reputation of a very holy monk. His cause of canonization was taken up in 1953. He was declared Blessed by Pope John Paul II at Kottayam on Feb. 8, 1986. His feast is celebrated on January 3.
Thirunakkara Mahadev Temple
The temple built in the indegenous style is situated in tht 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.
Ettumanoor Temple
Located 12 kms north of Kottayam town, at Ettumanoor is an ancient Shiva temple, which was built in the 16th century is famous for its legendary 16th century Shiva Temple. Ettumanoor is a Hindu pilgrimage centre. The Shiva temple is a specimen of Kerala's indigenous style of temple architecture, incorporating clear-cut wood carvings 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.
The shrine is inlaid with beautiful carvings of scenes from the Ramayana, Bhagavatha and Krishna Leela. The temple is also endowed with an exquisite collection of Mural paintings and sculptures, depicting scenes from the Hindu mythology.
The Mural Art Centre, near the temple is preserved by the Archaeological Department of the state. The ten-day annual festival, 'Ezharaponnaana Ezhunallathu' falls in February/ March. The last day 'Arathi' falls on the day of Thiruvathira.
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. Ilaveezhapoonchira Skirting the Kottayam district are beautiful valleys of Ilaveezhapoonchira, spread over thousands of acres.
Ilaveezhpoonchira, means the 'valley where leaves don't fall' and is so named because the place has no trees. This is also one of the best places in Kerala to witness the sunrise and sunset. It is easily accessible from Palai in Kottayam district. The place is surrounded by three enchanting hillocks: Mankunnu, Kodayathoormal and Thonippara, making the place ideal for trekking.
The verdant landscape punctuated by four gigantic hills, each rising to about 3200 feet above sea level is an ideal place to unwind. During the monsoons when the valley fills up to form a scenic lake, this place unveils yet another beautiful slice of nature.
Altitude : Around 3200 Feet Above Sea Level.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Located on the banks of the vembanad lake, the kumarakom bird sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Other common varieties like the woodpecker, skylark, crane, water hen and parrots can also be spotted here. A cruise along the vembabad lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary. Pathiramanal, an enchanting island on the lake, can be accessed by boat from here.
The Kumarakom Tourist Complex, sprawling over 101 acres of enchanting wooded land and lake, was built around the 50-year-old 'Baker's Mansion', which was earlier a small hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC). |
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Now the complex has been renovated in grand style by the Taj Kerala Resorts Ltd. Boats are available on hire for a a cruise around the sanctuary.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to bird watch is between June and August . To watch Migratory birds, November to February is the best time.
Pundareekapuram Temple
Pundareekapuram is a small temple situated at the top of a small hill called Midayikunnam near Thalayolapparambu, in Kottayam.
The temple is dedicated to the Lord Vishnu mounted on his vehicle Garuda. The temple at Pundareekapuram is famous for its Mural Collection. The Mural Paintings depict the frolics of Krishna and other scenes from Hindu epics. Considered to be amongst the best in Kerala, the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is decorated with the murals depicting scenes from the Hindu epics and puranas.
Vaikom Temple
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The Vaikom Mahadevar temple is one of the most celebrated Shiva temples in South India. Vaikom is located at a distance of 33km south of Ernakulam and 40 km north of Kottayam on the railroad between Ernakulam and Tiruvanandapuram. |
The elliptical sanctum here is covered with a copper plated roof crowned with a golden kalasam. The height of the wall of the sanctum is just about a third of that of the roof. The building dates back to the 11th century, and the wooden panels and the murals date back to the 15th and 18th centuries respectively. The mukhamandapam in front of the sanctum houses the nandi. The wall of the inner prakaram is lined with columns of lamps (vilakkumaatam) on a wooden framework. The flagstaff rises to a height of 317 feet. The Uttuppura or the dining hall is on the northern side of the sanctum. There is a shrine to Pananchikkal Bhagawati in the outer prakaram.
Vembanad Lake
Vembanad Lake is 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.
The lake, an enchanting tourist spot and a fast developing Backwater Tourism destination, provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. Vembanad, the beautiful reservoir stretches across the verdant lands of Kerala. The lake has been the reason for the flourishment of the flora and fauna in this region. Vembanad Kayal, as it is called in the regional language, is a tank that acts against the floods. The local people in their attractive clothings are found searching for the tasty Karimeen fish.
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.
Erumelli
60 kms form Kottayam, its an important pilgrim centre 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
Wagamon
Wagamon is located 64 kms from Kottayam and 65 kms from Idukki town, it is a hill station perched at an altitude of 1,100m above sea level.
Vagamon is a paradise for the seekers of peace and tranquility and abundance of nature. The hill station is surrounded by tea estates and will soon become India's foremost Eco-Tourism Projects. The hill station is a amalgamation of natural beauty, religious mysticism and colonial legacies. |
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Vagamon is surrounded by three chain of hills, namely, Thangal hill, Murugan hill and Kurisumala. The hill station of Vagamon is an ideal destination for a break away from the fast lanes of city life and to live a laidback life. The important tourist attractions of Vagamon are the Kurisumala hill, which is ideal for trekking. A small church over the top of the hill and the nearby Kurisumala Ashramam are worthy of a visit. Kurisumala Ashramam is actually a monastery for Christian ascetics, who have belief in the Christianity along with the Indian spiritual beliefs and the Gandhian thought.
Vagamon is a popular spot for trekkers. The hill station offers all the tourists wit an opportunity for long treks, paragliding, mountaineering and rock climbing. Placid lakes are the location where you can sit idle for hours or can go for boating. You may spot wild animals like elephants and wild buffalos if you quest deep into the forests.
Vagamon grasslands are rich abode of very rare endemic big and smaller mammals, birds, insects and butterflies. The Jananeethi team could locate many evidences of this faunistic heritage of the place. The shifting of even the microbes and insects, as part of the huge displacement may wreak havoc in this area and in turn may affect the whole animal wealth of the forests of the state.
Vagamon is also a perfect base station for the tourists who wish to explore other nearby hill stations such as Thekkady, Kurisumala, Thangalpara, Muruganmala and Kulamavu.
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