Kerala - Tourism - Kottayam @ whatisindia.com

KOTTAYAM
Kottayam, is the main Christian centre in Kerala. The town is surrounded by some of the most fertile and beautiful scenery in the state, with hills and back waters. The foot hills of the ghats are extensively cultivated with cash crops, while in the valley's, paddy is cultivated. Today this town is the center for rubber production and transportation. Climate is Tropically humid. Best time to visit this place is September to March.

How to get there
Air: Nearest Airport is Cochin 76 km. connected by Indian Airlines & East West Airlines with Mumbai (Bombay).
Rail: Kottayam is well connected by rail with other cities in India.
Road: Kottayam is connected by road with all important cities in South India. It is: 76 km from Cochin, 248 km from Madurai, 267 km from Kanyakumari, 114 km from Thekkady, 180 km from Thiruvananthapuram.

The Mahadeva Temple Ettumanoor
The temple is at 10 km north of Kottayam. It was constructed in 1542. Its murals depicting scenes from Ramayana and the Krishna legends are famous. The Arattu festival in March draws thousands of pilgrims.

The Vembanad Lake
16km from the Kottayam town. Kottayam has a vast network of rivers and canals which empty into the great expanse of Vembanad lake. The lake is an enchanting picnic spot. A fast developing back water tourism, provides boating, fishing and sight seeing facilities. The Kumarakom Tourist Village offers houseboat cruises and holiday packages.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
16 km from Kottayam. It is located on the banks of the lake Vembanad. The Kumarakom Bird sanctuary is an ornithologist's Paradise and a favorite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. A cruise along the Vembanad lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary. Pathiramanal, an enchanting island on the lake, can be accessed by boat from here.

Peermade
It is on the way from Kottayam to Thekkadi (National park) route. It is surrounded by tea, rubber and cardamom plantations. It can be a pleasant brief halt.

Wagamon (60 km from Kottayam town)
This hill station, at an elevation of 1100 metres about sea level is a trekkers delight. It is on the Idukki - Kottayam border. The breeding centre of the Kerala Livestock Board is located here.

Elaveezhapoonchira
This is a picnic spot located in the midst of beautiful hillocks. It is easily accessible from Pala. Elaveezhapoonchira means valley where leaves don't fall and is named so because the place has no trees. This is also one of the best places in Kerala to enjoy both the sunrise and sunset.

Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls (18 km from Kottayam town)
2 km down a mud lane from Kumarakom is this beautiful picnic spot where streams tinkle as they make their way through the landscape and waters roar as they cascade down the mountains from a height of 100 ft.

Pathiramanal
This is a 10 acre island. It is the home to many rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the world.

Vazhikkadavu
This hill station of rocky terrains is on the outskirts of the district. On one side of the main rock are extremely tall and steep rocks and on the other is a valley of fearful depth. Bordering this crude landscape like a silver lace is the Meenachil River. During the months of December/January the landscape comes alive in a riot of colors with orchids and wild flowers.

Poonjar Palace
The palace is a glorious testimony to the regal opulence of a bygone era. 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.

References:
http://india-tourism.com/

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