Location : In the
south Indian State of Kerala, on the high ranges of the western ghats.
Tourist Attractions : Thirunakkara Mahadeva Shiva
Temple, Valiyapally, Cheriyapally, Thazhathangadi Mosque, Good Shepherd
Church.
Best Hangouts : Backwaters
Best Activity : Backwater cruise
Nearby Tourist Destinations : Ernakulam, Idukki,
Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha.
When to Visit : September to March
About Kottyam
Kottayam is an important commercial centre of Kerala, situated in the
southern part of India. Sandwiched between tranquil palm-lined backwaters on
the west and the Western ghats on the east, Kottayam is among the state's
most mountainous regions, providing some of Kerala's finest natural scenes.
The town is surrounded by some of the most fertile and beautiful scenery in
the state with hills to its East and backwaters to the west. Kottayam is the
ideal take off point for visits to Peermedu, Munnar, Idukki, Thekkady,
Ernakulam and the temple city of Madurai. Most of India's natural rubber
originates from the lands of well-kept plantations of Kottayam, also home to
the Rubber Board, one of the country's primary commodities board.
Major Tourist Attractions in Kottayam
Thirunakkara Mahadeva Shiva Temple
This Shiva temple was built in the South Indian style of temple
architecture. The murals on the walls are a major attraction here. The
sanctum sanctorum is decorated with scenes from Hindu epics. In the month of
March, on the occasion of the annual temple festival the temple pulls in a
large number of pilgrims.
Valiyapally
Built in AD 1550, this is one of the largest churches in Kottayam. The
church is dedicated to St. Mary and is located in Thazhathangadi about 4km
northwest of the town center. The church is known for two 8th-century
Persian crosses with Pahlavi inscriptions that prove them to be the earliest
examples of Christianity in India.
Cheriyapally
The church of Cheriyapally is dedicated to St. Mary. Built in 1579 AD, the
church houses some exquisite vegetable dye paintings on the ceilings and
walls depicting biblical and non-biblical themes.
Thazhathangadi Mosque
Known for its exquisite architecture, the mosque forms an important pilgrim
center of Kottayam. The 1,000-year-old mosque at Thazhathangadi is believed
to have been built by Malik Dinar.
Good Shepherd Church
The Good Shepherd Church is the first church of the Diocese of Vijayapuram,
built in the Italian style. The construction of the Church was completed in
1882 and was renovated in 1964. The annual feast of Good Shepherd is held
here in the month of April every year.
Getting There
Air : The nearest airport is at Cochin (Kochi) located 76 km from
Kottayam.
Rail : Kottayam is well connected with the major towns in and
outside Kerala by an extensive rail network. The railway station is situated
just 2 km away from the central bus station. There are regular trains from
Kottayam to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam (165 km), and Ernakulam (65 km).
Road : Kottayam is connected to major cities of South India by good
motorable roads.
Accommodation
Kottayam offer several well furnished hotels and lodges that make your stay
most memorable. One can easily go for the various options available
according to the budget allotment. We offer excellent accommodation
facilities in and around Kottayam. The various hotels in Kottayam offer best
of facilities, as expected by the visitors.
