Kottayam
Prev
Next

Kottayam is one of the mountainous districts of Kerala. It is sandwiched between backwaters on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. Kottayam is also famous for its cultural heritage. It was the first town in India to attain 100% percent literacy. Kottayam is also the "Town of Letters", dozens of Malayalam newspapers and magazines, and the countries largest selling daily and weekly, the Malayala Manorama are published.

Places to Visit

Pathiramanal

This little island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom. Legend states that a young Brahmin dived into the Lake Vembanad to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from below, thus creating this enchanting island of Pathiramanal (Sands of Midnight). This little island is a favourite haunt for hundreds of migratory birds from different parts of the world. It is accessible only by boat.

Kumarakam

Kumarakom is a small village 14kms west of Kottayam. It is located on the Vembanad Lake and Kumarakom Village covers an area of 5166 Ha. Kumarakom is a beautiful place with mangroves and coconut groves, lush green paddy fields, gushing waters snaking through the dense forests and the magnificent blossoms. It is also recognized for its traditional country crafts. There are boats and canoes to cruise round the lake. Resorts are available nearby that offer leisurely accommodation and offers facilities like Ayurvedic massage, yoga, and meditation, boating, fishing, angling and swimming.

Vagamon

Vagamon is a ideal tourist spot surrounded by tea gardens, beautiful meadows, deep puzzling valleys and dales. Trekking enthusiasts get to climb the 1100 metres tall hill. The other tourist spots here are Thangal Para, the Indo-Swiss Project and Kurisumala Ashram. Grass covered hills, velvet lawns and the cool mountain air make Vagamon a perfect holiday retreat. A curious blend of religious mysticism and European legacies, this hillside village is a haven of tranquility. The chain of three hills - Thangal Hill, Murugan Hill and Kurisumala - is a mark of religious harmony. The dairy farm managed by the Kurisumala monks is worth a visit.

Ilaveezhapoonchira

This is located 55 kms from Kottayam and 20 kms from Thodapuzha and is another picnic spot located in the midst of the beautiful hillocks near Kanjar. 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. The beautiful valleys of Ilaveezhapoonchira are spread across thousands of acres of the district of Kottayam. The place is surrounded by three hillocks Mankunnu, Kodayathoormal and Thonippara. During the monsoons the valley fills up to form a scenic lake.

Poonjar Palace

Poonjar Palace at Poonjar is on the Pala-Erattupetta route in Kottayam district. There are royal collections of antiques, rock cut lamps, sculptures etc. Within the palace walls there 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. Near the palace is an amazing replica of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple. The walls of this temple bear sculptures that 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 the stonewalls of the Sastha Temple nearby. Such rocks cut lamps are rare in India.