KOTTAYAM

GENERAL INFORMATION

District Area	2204 sq. km.
District Population	18,20,000
Altitude	Sea level
Temperature	Mean Max. 34.5 deg. C Mean Min. 23.0 deg. C
Climate	Tropical humid. Cool and pleasant in high ranges and Cardamom hills
Rainfall	346 cm.
Clothing	Tropical cottons
Tourist Season	September to March

It is a beautiful town situated in the hills, in the heart of the rubber plantations. People who go to the wildlife sanctuary at Thekkady, built around the Periyar lake, often stop at Kottayam. It is on the 'backwater' circuit - Kerala's unique system of transport, based on a network of inland lagoons and streams linked by ferry boats, private motor launches and self - paddled sampan type boats. Kottayam is dominated by the presence of the Syrian Christian community and is known for its churches.

HOW TO GET THERE :

Air	Nearest Airport - Cochin (76 kms). Trivandrum International Airport (160 kms.)
Rail	Kottayam Railway Station is 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 is private. The buses to major centres 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 are available.

PLACES OF INTEREST :

Bharananganam

The church is one of the important pilgrim centres of the Christians in Kerala. The mortal remains of Sr. Alphonsa, pronounced as blessed, is kept in this church. The death of blessed 
Sr. Alphonsa which falls on the 20^th of July is an important day.

Champakara

This place is an important centre for ‘Thirummu Chikilsa’. Sreerangam C V N Kalari Chikilsakendram,  attracts people from India and abroad. 18 kms from Kottayam, 94 kms from Cochin Airport and 157 kms from Trivandrum Airport.

Changanacherry Thrikodithanam Temple

It is believed that this is one of the five temples where the original Vishnu image, worshipped by the Pandavas, is kept. The ‘Deepam’ festival is celebrated in November/December.

Erumely

This is an important pilgrim centre for the Hindus and the Muslims. Sree Dharmasastha Temple here is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Pilgrims going to Sabarimala alight here. The 'Petta Thullal’ of 'Kanni Ayyappas' is an important festival which is held in December/January. There is also an ancient mosque dedicated to ‘Vavar’ who is considered to be the friend of Lord Ayyappa. The devotees going to Sabarimala visit this Mosque also.

Ettumanoor

12 kms. north of Kottayam, this ancient Shiva Temple attracts many devotees. There are exquisite murals  and sculptures inside the temple.  The Ramayana, scenes from Santhana Gopala Krishna Leela and Bhagavatham   are beautifully carved round the shrine.

The state Archaeological Department has opened a mural arts centre near the temple. The annual festival of the temple falls in February/March and it lasts for ten days. The last day 'Arathi' falls on the day of Thiruvathira.

Kumarakom

Hidden away in Kerala's famous backwaters, Coconut Lagoon is one of India's most discrete holiday destination, an exclusive haven with an unique cultural heritage. The resort can only be reached by boat and offers a fascinating insight into the past. Guests stay in genuine 'tharawad' cottages - traditional wooden family houses. In danger of being destroyed, each one has been brought here from different parts of Kerala and carefully reassembled to include every modern luxury. It's a stunning combination - conservation mixed with comfort, tradition with tranquility.

St. Mary's Church (Cheriya Pally)

There are paintings of Biblical and non Biblical themes. This church is situated near the Valiapally.

St. Mary's Church (Valiapally)

5 kms. North-west of the railway station the church was built in 1515. It is famous for its Persian cross and Phalvi inscriptions.

Thirunakkara Shiva Temple

The main festival 'Phalguna Utsavam’ is celebrated during March. The temple is situated in Kottayam town and is built in the indigenous Kerala style of architecture. The Koothambalam here is one of the best in the State and the temple has also a wealth of paintings on its walls.

Vaikom

Vaikom, 40 kms. away from Kottayam,  figures prominently in the history of Kerala as the venue of the famous Sathyagraha staged in 1925, with the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi, for the admission of  Harijans into the temple.

The famous temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, here is believed to have been constructed by Parasurama, the legendary founder of Kerala.

The festival in November/December lasts for 12 days and the ’Panchavadyam’ is an important musical performance.

Wagamon

Wagamon, 64 km. from Kottayam and 34 km. from Pala, situated at an elevation of 1100 metres above sea level is a trekker’s paradise. It is an ideal tourist spot, surrounded by the greenery of tea gardens, beautiful meadows, valleys and dales. Other attractions areThangal Para, lndo-swiss project, Kurisumala Ashramam.