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| Home - Destinations - Kottayam |
Kottayam |
Kottayam is an important commercial centre of Kerala, India, thanks to its strength as a producer of cash crops. Most of India's natural rubber originates from the acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam, also home to the Rubber Board, One of the country's primary commodities board. Kottayam, among the state's more mountainous districts, provides some of Kerala's finest natural scenes sandwiched as it is between serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western ghats on the east.
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The etymology of Kottayam is kotta 'fort' and akam 'inside'. Thazhathangadi near Kottayam town was the administrative headquarters of the Thekkumkoor and Vadakkumkoor Kings. Vembolinadu established in 1100 A.D. were conquered by Marthanda Varma between 1749 and 1754 and became part of Travancore.
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| Kottayam (Kerala) India |
| Climate |
| The temperature varies from a minimum of 19.58°C during December to a maximum of 34.33°C between April and May. The average annual rainfall is 2,701.7 mm. |
| Geographic coordinates |
| 6.36° N 76.17° E |
| Altitude |
| 935 to 2817 m |
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| SIGHT SEEING: |
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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