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Kottayam, believed to be the seat of the Murinjanad Kings and later, the Thekkumkur Kings, is one of the most prosperous cities of Kerala. Bordered by the lofty Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west, Kottayam is a land of unique traits.
Panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, exquisite churches, extensive rubber plantations and a totally literate population, have given this district the enviable title. The land of letters, latex and lakes. The land also boasts of housing the first Malayalam printing press, established by a Christian missionary in 1820 AD.
Kottayam is the ideal take off point for visits to Peerumede, Munnar, Idukki, Thekkady, Ernakulam and the temple city of Madurai. It is one of the industrially developed districts of the state.
Kumarakom (Backwaters)
10 km from Kottayam. A voyage north of Alappuzha takes you to the rich green, sleepy little village of Kumarakom on the Vembanad Lake. An enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater tourism destination, Kumarakom provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating.
At Kumarakom, you could sail the backwaters in rented houseboats, which are poled by local oarsmen and are simply furnished with a living room, a bedroom and bath, together with a raised central platform creating a private sit-out for the passengers.
Sections of the curved roof of wood or plaited palm open out to provide shade and allow uninterrupted views. Boat trains - formed by joining two or more houseboats together - make for a convenient mode of sightseeing when the company is large.
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Kumarakom Tourist Village
Kumarakom Tourist Village that offers houseboat cruises and holiday packages. The otherwise quiet and peaceful lake comes alive bustling with joy at the arrival of Onam. It forms the centre of attraction during that time as the snake boat races are held there. The vigor of the boatmen, their cheerful and competitive spirit and the enthusiasm of the silent watchers is worth the bucks spent on a trip to this place. Back
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
12 kms west of Kottayam town is this small village Kumarakom, which has a beautiful bird sanctuary on the banks of the Vembanad Lake and is an ideal place for backwater cruises. The 14-acre sanctuary is an ornithologist's paradise and a favorite haunt of migratory birds like Siberian stork, Egret darter, Heron and Teal. There are also different varieties of local birds like waterfowl, wild duck, cuckoo, owl, water duck etc.
In the sanctuary, there have beautifully wooded ground near the backwaters, is coconut lagoon heritage resort, which is one of India's most discrete holiday destinations. Guests stay in genuine 'Tharawad' (traditional wooden) cottages and love this unique culture
The bird sanctuary set in 14 acres is inhabited by a variety of avians of all description,some arriving from as far away as Siberia. You will find water fowl,water ducks,cuckoos etc, which nest and spend the summer here.
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Vembanad Lake
16 kms from Kottayam. Vembanad Lake is an intermingled and immense network of rivers and canals, it is so to say, just another paradise. It incidentally forms the joining point of all the rivers.
The lake is an enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater tourist destination. It provides boating, fishing and sight seeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The Kumarakom tourist village also offers houseboat cruises and holiday packages.
Anchuvilakku
Anchuvilakku is a stone lamp post, from the times when the Kerala architecture reigned supreme. It lies near the Changanacherry boat jetty, where the famous Changanacherry market also exists. Five lamps adorn this post and are lit using kerosene.
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Aruvikkuzhi
Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls is a beautiful picnic spot where streams snake through the landscapes that house fascinating rubber plantations and the gushing waters make gurgling noises that are a treat to the ears. The waters splash down the mountains from a height of 100 ft.
Karimbukayam
Karimbukayam is a tiny area on the Manimala River. The river flows between the Kanjirapally and Erumeli. This place is bountiful in natural treats but what makes it so popular are the occasional exotic water fiestas on the reservoirs organized by the fervent people.
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Ilaveezhapoonchira
The Kottayam district has beautiful valleys of Ilaveezhapoonchira, spread over thousands of acres. The verdant landscape punctuated by four gigantic hills, each rising to around 3200 ft, 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. Ilaveezhapoonchira means valley where leaves don't fall and is named so because the place has no trees (Meaning of the word- (in literally):-illa=Leaf, veezhuka=fall, chira=height).
Kannadipara
As the name suggests, the valley of this rocky mountain reflects the morning sun with a mirror like perfection. This is also the highest point in Ilaveezhapoonchira. 3 km from here is the Pazhakakanam Plateau nourished by the Kadapuzha River. Bamboo groves, meadows and wild flowers make this place exotic. An added attraction here is the Kazhukankulimali Waterfalls that playfully cascade down the mountain and greet the river below with a magnificent splash. On the eastern side of Kannadipara is a natural fort set amidst steep rocks.
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Koottickal
Situated in the western ghats, 5 kms north of Mundakayam in Kottayam district, is Koottickal .The majesty of the mountain ranges combined with the beauty of the forest and the artificial lake created by the check dam of the River Manimala makes the spot linger in ones mind. Amruthameda, which is famous for medicinal plants, is nearby. The waterfall at Vadakkemala, near Kootickal is another attraction.
Poonjar Palace
Poonjar Palace - Within the palace walls is an extraordinary royal collection of antiques and exquisite furniture which include a palanquin, a thoni - carved out of a single piece of wood - for Ayurvedic massages, huge chandeliers, palm leaf engravings, jewel boxes, different varieties of lamps, sculptures of Nataraja (dancing Lord Shiva), grain measures, statues and weapons. A unique conch preserved here is taken out once a year for ritualistic purposes. Near the palace is an amazing replica of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple. The walls of this temple bear sculptures which narrate stories from the Puranas (the legends of ancient India). However, the most fascinating thing here is the Chuttuvilakku (row of lamps) carved out on stone walls of the Sastha Temple nearby.
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Illickal Kallu
This magnificent hill comprises of three different hills each rising to 4000 ft and above. The hills have a rather peculiar shape, closely resembling the mushroom or an umbrella. Hence the name Kuda kallu (umbrella shaped rock).
The hill houses a medicinal herb Neel Koduveli believed to possess supernatural healing powers. One can have a look at the Arabian Sea from the hilltops. The sunset is an exceptionally rare treat to the eyes.
Wagamon (Trekker's Paradise)
Situated at an elevation of 1100 meters above sea level, Wagamon is called the trekker's paradise because it is an ideal place for trekking and a beautiful tourist spot surrounded by the greenery of tea plantations, meadows, valleys and dales. It is about 60 km from Kottayam.
The other attraction of this place is Kurisumala, a sky-scraping mountain with a small church on its peak. There is also a monastery on this hill, called Kurisumala Ashramam, which has a small community of ascetics who follow Christian faith but combines with it the Indian spiritual traditions and Gandhian thoughts. People of all faith are welcome to visit this place.
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Vavarambalam
Vavarambalam is a mosque dedicated to Vavar, a companion of Sree Ayyappa. The Pettathullal festival is held here in January every year.
Thazhathangadi
The Mosque at Thazhathangadi is one of the ancient mosques in India which is made in the old Kerala style. It is believed that malik Dinar had built this mosque about 1000 years ago. Now it is an important pilgrim centre at Kottayam. The artistic value of this mosque is of special interest to the tourists.
Ayyappapara
The Pandavas, of the Mahabharata fame are believed to have stayed near this rock, 2000ft. above sea level, during their exile. The land is spread over an area of 20 acres. The name is believed to have its origination from the Ayyappa temple situated here.
Standing on four pillars and placed below a flat but huge piece of rock that forms the roof, The temple, or so to say, a rock cave, can accommodate jus around 15 people. Thousands throng to this place to get the deity's blessings and more than anything, to watch the pleasing sunset.
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Kurisumala
3 km from Vazhikkadavu is this renowned Christian pilgrim centre where hundreds of devotees from far and near converge during the holy week and after, to climb the hill in faith, carrying small wooden crosses.
The peaceful Jewish Monastery at the top of the hill, the silence of the hills, the cool mountain air and the lush green landscape are all soothing to the soul. On the eastern side of the hill is Muruganmala housing a rock cut temple dedicated to Murugan (son of Lord Shiva).
Thangalppara
The mausoleum of Sheikh Fariduddin found here makes this place a famous Muslim pilgrim centre. Nearby is the scenic hill station of Kurathikallu and the beautiful Kottathavalam. Kottathavalam Near Murugan hills at Kurushumala, a flight of steps cut in the rocks takes one to this magnificent cave.
The rocks within the cave, carved like chairs and couches and the figures of Madurai Meenakshi, Ayyappa, Murugan, Kannaki and weapons sculpted on them, are all worth exploring.
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Vaikom
This town, located on the bank of the Vembanadu lake, is famous for its Siva temple, which is one of the oldest Siva Temple in the world. During the Sabarimala season pilgrims alight here to worship the 'Annadanaprabhu (Load Siva)'. Vaikom gained prominence during the Indian freedom struggle, as it was the venue of the famous Satyagraha staged in 1925 for the admission of Harijans into this temple.
Vaikom is situated about 40kms from Kottayam town. Two Ashtami festivals are held annually, one in Kumbham (Feb -Mar) and the other in Vrischikam (Nov-Dec) of which the latter is more famous. The celebrations last for 12 days and end with an 'Aarattu' at the Subramanya Swami Temple at Udayanapuram, on the day after Ashtami.
Prathal (feast) is the main Vazhipadu here. There is a school teaching temple arts, known as Kshethrakalapeedhom, attached to the temple.
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Vimalagiri (Angathattu Palli)
Vimalagiri (Angathattu Palli) is the cathedral of the Dioceses of Vijayapuram.This church, constructed in Gothic style. The main steeple has a height of 172 ft., which is considered as the highest church steeple in the state. Vimalambika is the deity here. The main feast is in December.
This church is situated near Kottayam railway station. The chief ecclesiastical dignity of the Orthodox Syrian Church, the Catholics of the East, has his head quarters in Devalokam Aramana at Muttambalam Catholic Church, Latin Catholic Church and the Church of South India have their Head quarters in Kottayam. The Arch Bishop of Changanassery who follows the Syro-malabar rite, has his Head Quarters in Changanassery.
The Bishops of Knanaya Jacobite and the Church Mission Society have their headquarters at Chingavanam and Kurichy respectively.
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St.Mary's Church
St. Mary's Church is another attraction here and now forms a famous pilgrim centre. An annual festival is held here named the Feast of the Blessed Alphonsa (July). Thousands flock to see the major event.
St. Mary's church, Cheriyapally
This church contains exquisite murals and paintings of Bibilical and non Bibilical themes.
St. Mary's church, Valiyapalli
This Syrian Christian church is believed to have been built in 1550AD. The Persian Cross and Phalvi inscriptions are some of the ancient relics.
Thirunakkara Siva Temple
Built in the indigenous Kerala style of architecture, this temple has many interesting paintings on its walls. The main festival Phalguna Utsav is celebrated during March.
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Bharananganam
The church here, containing the moral remains of Sister Alphonsa is one of the important pilgrim centers of the Christians in Kerala,
Mankallu Mudikal
The three hills in this region lie close to each other, their flat hilltops covered with lush grasslands.
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