Kottayam, located in the southern part of Kerala is an important
commercial centre of India, producing a large chunk of cash crops. A
beautiful town situated in the hills, most of India's natural rubber
originates from the acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam.
The town is also home to the Rubber Board, one of the country's Primary
Commodities Board. Situated in the 'Backwater' circuit, the populace of
Kottayam is marked by the presence of the Syrian Christian community.
Well known for its churches, Kottayam sandwiched between serene
palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western Ghats on the east,
provides some of Kerala's finest natural scenes.
Prime Attractions of Kottayam
» Temples
§ 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.
» Churches
§ Valiyapalli Church : Dedicated to St. Mary,
the Valia Palli is a church built in 1550 for the Knanaya Orthodox Syrians
situated in Thazhathangadi, 2 km from the centre of the town. It is famous
for its 8th century Persian cross and the Pahalavi inscription on the
cross.
§ 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.
§ 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.
§ Bharananganam : An important Christian
pilgrimage centre, the town of Bharananganam is known as the site of the
internment of Sister Alphonsa (1916 - '46) in a chapel next to the St.
Mary's Church. This millenium-old church features an attractive grotto of
Virgin Mary.
» Wildlife
§ Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary : 12 km west of
Kottayam town, on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, at Kumarakom is the Bird
Sanctuary known for local varieties of Waterfowl, Cuckoo, and Water Ducks,
as well as for the migratory Siberian Storks.
» Others
§ 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
Excursions of Kottayam
» Hill Stations
§ Peerumedu : Peerumedu is a small hill station,
snuggled at an altitude of 914 m above sea level, on way to Thekkady. The
famous plantation town takes its name from Peer Mohammad, a Sufi saint and
close associate of the erstwhile royal family of Travancore.
§ Grampi : The picturesque hill station of
Grampi, situated 5 kms from Peerumade is also known as the Parunthupara,
meaning the eagle rock.
§ 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.
§ Wagamon : Located 64 kms from Kottayam and 65
kms from Idukki town, Wagamon is a hill station perched at an altitude of
1100 m above sea level.
» Temples
§ Vaikom : 40 km from Kottayam, in Vaikom is the
Shiva Temple, which is believed to have been built by Parasurama, the
mythical creator of Kerala. The 12-day Ashtami festival in the months of
November and December is marked by elephant processions, religious
discourses, and performances of dance and music.
In contemporary history, Vaikom's prominence derives from the satyagraha
of 1925, started by Mahatma Gandhi and aimed at opening the temple for
untouchables
§ Ettumanoor Temple : 13 kms. Famous for its
legendary 16th century Shiva Temple, Ettumanoor is a Hindu pilgrimage. 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.
§ Pundareekapuram Temple : Pundareekapuram is a
small temple atop a small hill called Midayikunnam near Thalayolapparambu,
in Kottayam District. The temple is dedicated to the Lord Vishnu mounted
on his vehicle Garuda.The temple at Pundareekapuram is famous for its
Mural Collection.
» Lakes
§ Vembanad Lake : Vembanad Lake, 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.
» Others
§ 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.
