Kottayam

Quick Facts
Location : 70 kms from Cochin
State : Kerala
Area : 2,579 Sq, km
Trip Highlights : Beaches and Temples
Ideal time to visit : October - March
Languages : Malayalam, Hindi and English
STD Code : 0474

The word Kottayam is a composition of the words Kotta (meaning fort) and Akkam (meaning inside). 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. Popular 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.

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. Kottayam Town is the first town in India to have achieved 100% literacy. (a remarkable feat achieved as early as in 1989).

Places of Attraction in Kottayam
Vaikom Temple
This Shiva temple located 40 km away from the city is said to be related with the legendary figure- Parshurama who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple is a magnificent work of art and displays the classical style of Kerala Temple architecture.

The Temple at Ettumanoor
It is located about 12 km north of Kottayam and is well-known for murals and the 'ezhara ponnana' or the 7.5 elephants carved in gold.

The Mosque at Erumeli
Located about 60 km north-east of Kottayam, this mosque is dedicated to Vavar, a companion of Lord Ayyappa, a Hindu deity. A large number of Hindu pilgrims worship at this mosque every year before their pilgrimage to Sabarimala.

St Mary's Forane Church
This 9th century church located at Athirumpuzha, near Kottayam is famous for its extraordinary filigree work on the rusty fold altar and this church introduces an unequalled crucifix which exhibits the Jesus Christ without a single bruise.

Elaveezha Poonchira
It is a hill station that lies 60kms away from Kottayam and is an ideal place for picnics. It has a pool with picturesque beauty and legends say that this pool was used as a bathing place by Draupadi, the legendary persona of Mahabharata.

Climate and Best Time to Visit
The climate of Kottayam like the rest of Kerala is equatorial. It is hot and humid. From June to Sept. it experiences torrential rains brought by the monsoon clouds. From September to March the climate remains relatively dry and cool. The temperature rises upto 35ºC in summers and lower down to 22 º.C

Kottayam Air/Rail/Road Links
Airport : The nearest airport from Kottyam is at Cochin (Kochi) which is 76 km away. Another important airport is at Thiruvananthapuram () which is 160 km away.

Railway Station : Kottayam is well connected with the main towns within and outside Kerala by an extensive rail network. The nearest railway station is just 2 km away from the main bus station. There are regular trains from Kottayam to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam (165 km), and Ernakulam (65 km).

Bus Station : Kottayam is connected to major cities of South India by a good network ofroads. There are two bus stations - the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation on T.B. Road and a private bus stand near the railway station. Buses to major cities ply from the the KSRTC bus station.