WELCOME TO KOTTAYAM

Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located in central Kerala and is also the administrative capital of Kottayam district. Bordered by the lofty and mighty Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west, Kottayam is a land of unique characteristics. Panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, hills and hillocks, extensive rubber plantations, places associated with many legends and a totally literate people have given Kottayam District the enviable title: The land of letters, legends, latex and lakes. The city is an important trading center of spices and commercial crops, especially rubber. Most of India's natural rubber originates from the acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam, also home to the Rubber Board. Kottayam is also called as "Akshara Nagari" which means the "city of letters" considering its contribution to print media and literature. Kottayam is the ideal take off point for visits to Peermade, Munnar, Thekkady, Ernakulam and the temple city, Madurai. It is also a gateway to the pilgrim centers of Sabarimala, Mannanam, Vaikom, Ettumanoor, Bharananganam, Erumeli, Manarcaud, and so on.

                  PLACES TO VISIT IN KOTTAYAM

KUMARAKOM

Kumarakom is a tourist village and in fact a cluster of little beautiful islands on the eastern banks of the Vembanadu Lake. It is 15 kilometers away from Kottyam town. The place Kumarakom is filled with the real beauty of Kerala with mangrove forests, lush green paddy fields, waterways, canals etc. Vembanad Lake is an enchanting picnic spot and a rapidly developing backwater tourism spot in Kerala. 

KOOTTICKAL

Koottickal is a Town at the base of Western Ghats mountain ranges in the Kottayam district, Kerala. It is 2,000 feet (610 m) above sea level and is situated on the eastern border of Kottayam District, 55 km from Kottayam, and around 5 km away from Mundakayam on the NH 220 (Kottayam–Kumily Road). There are streams and waterfalls in the surrounding places. The Muthukora Hills (2500 ft above MSL) are nearby. 

VAGAMON

Vagamon is a holiday retreat and picnic spot, about  two hours drive from Pala in Kottayam district. It is a mountainous place with many hills, meadows and velvet lawns. Forest plantations and tea gardens dot the landscape. The Forest Department maintains a pine plantation at Kolahalamedu near Vagamon  which attracts many visitors.Kolahalamedu is one of the highest spots in the area and,is renowned for its annual paragliding.Tea garden There are three mountains at Vagamon-- Thangalmala, Kurisumala and Muruganmala. 





 ILA VEEZHA POONCHIRA

MARAMALA WATERFALL

Spread over 1000 acres, this land locked by green hillocks skirts kottayam district. the place gets its name from the fact that there is not a single tree in the vicinity and hence no leaf falls here. the verdant landscape, punctuated with four hills, each rising to 3,200 feet, is ideal for trekking. during the monsoon when the valley fills up to form a scenic lake. It is located in the midst of the beautiful hillocks near Kanjar,55km from Kottayam,20 km from Thodupuzha.laveezhpoonchira, means the 'valley where leaves don't fall' and is so named because the place has no trees. 

This lies a few kms away from Erattupetta. It is exactly 7 kms from Teekoy rubber estate. From here a private vehicle can take you further 2 kms after which the road is not motor able. To reach the falls one has to trek through the estate over the rocky path. 

PANCHALIMEDU

Panchalimedu is located at an attitude of about 1000 meters above sea level.It is an ideal place for low level trekking.This view point,named after Panchali wife of Pandavas according to Hindu legend,The Panchalikulam,where Panchali is believed to have taken bath here,From this top sabarimala "Makarajyothi",can be seen,Another peak PARUTHUMPARA also seen from here.

ILLIKKAL KADAVU

Illickal Kallu is a group of three hills, each rising to more than 4000 feet above the sea level, in Kottayam District. Since the hills have a peculiar shape, closely resembling the mushroom or an umbrella, they are also called kuda kallu (umbrella shaped rock).A medicinal herb, Neel Koduveli, found in the hill is believed to possess supernatural healing powers. 

POONJAR PALACE

The Poonjar Palace is a glorious testimony to the regal opulence of a bygone era. Within the palace walls is an extraordinary royal collection of antiques and exquisite furniture including a palanquin, a thoni - carved out of a single piece of wood - for Ayurvedic massages, huge chandeliers, palm leaf engravings, jewel boxes, varieties of lamps, sculptures of Nataraja (the dancing Siva),grain measures,statues and weapons. A unique conch preserved here is taken out once a year for ritualistic purposes.

PILGRIM CENTRES IN KOTTAYAM

MANNANAM CHURCH

St. Joseph's Monastery Church at Mannanam, 15 kms from Kottayam is a prominent Christian pilgrim center. The church was built by the blessed Father Kuriakose Elias of Chavara, who is among the most saintly figures in the annals of Syrian Catholic Church history. The mortal remains of this saintly priest is preserved here. Thousands of devotees gather here to pay homage to the saint every Saturday. The altar of the church is painted with gold filigree work. Every year on 3rd January , the feast of Blessed Chavara is celebrated with great devotion and solemnity.

BHARANANGANAM CHURCH

Bharananganam, an important pilgrim centre in South India, is located on the banks of Meenachil river, 5 km east of Pala in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala. Bharananganam and surrounding places are bestowed with natural beauty due to hilly areas and lot of vegetation. This small town is known as Lisieux of India after the birthplace of St. Theresa of Lisieux in France, The thousand year old St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church here is one of the famous pilgrim centers of the Christians in Kerala. Also known as Anakkallu Palli, it is the place holding the mortal remains of Saint Alphonsa (1910–1946).

VAIKOM SHIVA TEMPLE

Vaikom Shiva Temple is famous for its benign deity. Life in the little town of Vaikom literally revolves round the deity. It is endearingly called Lord of Vaikom or Perumthrikovilappan or simply Vai-katnappan. His name is always on the lips of devotees. The temple of Vaikom every morning and evening becomes vibrant with hundreds of devotees thronging the shrine with chants of "Nama Shivaya", "Hara Hara Mahadeva", and "Shambho Mahadeva." The life of people here is intimately connected with the deity because he is Annadana Prabhu or the Giver of food.

ETTUMANUR SHIVA TEMPLE

The temple of Ettumanoorappan has a special sanctity and glorious history of its own. Owing to the potency and all prevading power of the “Aghora Moorthy” the Temple stands first among the pIaces of worships and pilgrimage in South India arid it attracts devotees not only from India but also from abroad. 

THIRUNAKKARA MAHADEVA TEMPLE

The Thirunakkara Sree Mahadevar Temple situated in the heart of Kottayam city is one of the most revered Siva temples in central Kerala. The elevated area where the temple is situated was once called 'Nakkara Kunnu' which in due course, because of the presence of the sacred shrine, came to known as 'Thirunakkara' means 'sacred Nakkara.'The Temple was constructed five centuries ago by one of the native kings called the 'Thekkumkoor Raja' who ruled from Thalikkotta, west of the present city.

DHAKSHINA MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE

Panachikkadu Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Saraswati, situated in Panachikkad in Kottayam, Kerala, India. It is also known as the Dakshina Mookambika (Mookambika of the south) Temple, as it is a Saraswati temple located in the southern region of the Indian peninsula. It is one of the most prominent Saraswati temples in Kerala. Vishnu is the main deity, whom the devotees worship before Saraswati. Ganapati, Shiva, Sasthavu and Yakshi are sub-deities who are also worshipped in this temple.

ERUMELI SHASHSTHA TEMPLE

Erumeli is one of the most important point in the pilgrimage to Sabarimala. There are two shrines and Vavar mosque where pilgrims use to worship.The famous Erumeli petta thullal is performed near the Kochambalam (Small shrine).