Destination Kerala - Kottayam
Situated 76 Km. south east of Cochin, Kottayam is a prominent commercial centre with palm fringed backwaters on the west and the scenic western ghats on the east. This was the capital of the Thekkumkur Rajas before the annexation of the kingdom by Marthandavarma. The existence of the ancient religious shrines of different communities in close proximity is proof of the glorious tradition of religious toleration of the people.
Transport
Air : The nearest airport is at Cochin.
Rail : The Railway station is situated 2 Km. away from the central bus station and is connected with major cities of south India.
Road : Kottayam is connected with major cities of south India by good motorable roads. There are two bus stations, KSRTC bus station and private bus stand. Buses to major centres operate from the KSRTC bus station.
Private luxury coaches to Coimbatore (10.45pm ),
Bangalore ( 4.30pm) and Mangalore (5.45pm) start from Hotel Sakthi (Ph 563161).
Ferry services (Enq. Ph : 582588)
The ferry station is about 3 Km. away from the railway station. The ferry services to various places pass through scenic backwaters.
Alleppey07.15, 11.30, 13.00, 15.30, 17.30
(3 hrs journey)
Mannar14.45 (3 hrs.) (Best for back water tours.
upto Nedumudi jetty)
Tour Operators and Travel Agents
Concord Tours And TravelsPh : 560350
Falcon Air Travels Ph : 560251
Malaya World ToursPh : 565903
Post & Telegraph
The head post office is situated on M.C. road and is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on week days and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. on holidays.
The telegraph office is situated near Pulimood Junction. It works round the clock.
Banks
Banking facilities for foreign nationals are available at
the State Bank of India, K.K Road branch near Manorama junction.
Places of interest
Thirunakkara Siva Temple : The temple is situated in the centre of Kottayam town and is built in the indigenous Kerala style of architecture. The Koothambalam - traditional temple theatre- here is one of the best in the state. The temple has also a wealth of paintings on its walls. The main festival "Phalguna Utsav" is celebrated during March every year.
St. Mary's Church (Valiapally) : This church built in 1515 is situated 2 Km. away from the town. It is famous for its Persian Cross and Phalavi inscriptions.
St. Mary' Church (Cheriyapally) : This church situated near the Valiapally has some exquisite murals. There are also paintings on Biblical and non Biblical themes.
Mannanam : This is an important Christian pilgrim centre situated 8 Km. west of Kottayam. The St. Joseph's Monastry here is an old institution and is associated with Fr. Kuriakose Elias of Chavara (1805-71), who has been recently pronounced blessed. The mortal remains of Fr. Kuriakose is preserved in this monastry.
Bharananganam : This place is located 5 Km. east of Palai on the Kottayam - Erattupetta road. The church here is an important pilgrim centre for the Christians in Kerala. The mortal remains of Sr. Alphonsa who is pronounced as blessed is kept in this church. The death anniversary of Blessed Sr. Alphonsa which falls on the 20th of July is an important day. There are frequent private buses from Kottayam to Bharananganam.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary : This sanctuary is situated 12 Km. west of Kottayam on the eastern banks of Vembanad lake. This is an ideal place for back water cruises. The sanctuary sprawls over an area of 14 acres and domestic birds like Water Foul, Cuckoo, Wild Duck etc. are seen here in abundance. The sanctuary is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are frequent buses from Kottayam to Kumarakom. Boat services are also available.
Ettumanoor : It is located 12 Km. north of Kottayam. The Siva temple here built in 16 A.D. is a good specimen of indigenous Kerala style of temple architecture. Its circular central shrine is covered by a conical roof laid with copper sheets.
The Ramayana, scenes from Santhana Gopala, Krishna Leela and Bhagavatha are beautifully carved round the shrine. There are exquisite mural paintings and sculptures inside the temple. There is a mural art centre near the temple which is preserved by the State Archeological Department. The annual festival of the temple falls in February/ March and lasts for 10 days. Buses from Ernakulam to Kottayam pass through Ettumanoor.
Around Kottayam
Vaikom : This place is located 40 Km. away from Kottayam and 29 Km away from Ernakulam. The famous temple dedicated to Lord Siva here is believed to have been constructed by Parasurama, the legendary founder of Kerala. The festival in November - December lasts for 12 days with many classical performances. Vaikom has figured prominence in the history of Kerala as the venue of the famous Satyagraha staged in 1925 with the blessing of Mahatma Gandhi for the admission of the untouchables inside the temple.
The temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya at Udayanapuram, 3 Km. north of Vaikom, is noted for its interesting wood carvings and stone sculptures. The murals here are also equally famous for their high level of artistic excellence. There are frequent buses from Kottayam and Ernakulam to Vaikom.
Thrikkodithanam temple : The temple is situated at Changanacherry, 23 Km. away from Kottayam. It is believed that this is one of the five temples where the original Vishnu image worshipped by the Pandavas is kept. The temple has many inscriptions, one of which is traced back to the times of Bhaskara Ravi Varma, a famous ruler in ancient Kerala. The temple and the inscriptions are dated to the 18th century A.D. The 'Deepam' festival celebrated in November - December is the most important festival in this temple.
Pundareekapuram : This is a small temple near Thalayolaparambu on the Kottayam-Vaikom route. The walls of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple are covered with exquisite paintings which depicts episodes from the Hindu myths and Puranas. The murals in this temple are some of the best in Kerala. There are frequent private buses from Ernakulam to Thalayolaparambu.
Erumeli : Situated about 60 Km. away from Kottayam, this is an important pilgrim centre for the Hindus and the Muslims. Sri Dharma Sastha temple here is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Pilgrims going to Sabarimala alight here. The Petta Thullal of Kanni Ayyappas is an important festival which is held in December/January. There is also an ancient mosque dedicated to Vavar who is considered to be the friend of Lord Ayyappa. The devotees going to Sabarimala visit this mosque also.
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