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 Located at south of
central Kerala, the
Kottayam district is
bordered on the
north by Ernakulam
district, on the
east by Idukki
district and on the
south by Alappuzha
and Pathanamthitta
districts. It is
also a veritable
treasure trove of
beauty with the
Vembanad Lake
forming the western
boundary.
The word Kottayam is
a composition of the
words Kotta (meaning
fort) and Akkam
(meaning inside).
Kottayam is one of
the exotic
backwaters sites
attracting tourists
throughout the year.
Being a mountainous
region with scenic
landscapes,
backwaters, bird
sanctuaries, temples
and churches make
this a place of
tourist attraction.
Lying below the sea
level, some of its
nearby places are
also a treat to the
eyes.
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Air
: The nearest
airport is at Kochi,
which is about 80 km
away from Kottayam.
Rail :
Kottayam is well
connected by train.
Road : Kottayam is
well linked with the
cities of
Thiruvananthapuram,
Thekkady, Ernakulam,
Madurai, and Munnar
by road.
Kottayam is also
famous for its water
transport by boats
and ferries.
Kottayam runs number
of boats and ferries
to connect to the
nearest small and
big ghats. |
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Kumarakom Bird
Sanctuary : |
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 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
favourite 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.
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Peermade : |
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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. |
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Poonjar Palace : |
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 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. |
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Vazhikkadavu : |
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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
colours with orchids
and wild flowers. |
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Aruvikkuzhi
Waterfalls : |
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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. |
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Elaveezhapoonchira
: |
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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. |
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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. |
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The Mahadeva Temple
Ettumanoor : |
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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. |
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Wagamon : |
 Wagamon is another
place to visit while
going for excursion
in and around
Kottayam. The place
is 60 km from
Kottayam town. This
place has good spots
for trekking and so
the place is called
the trekkers'
paradise. |
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Peermed : |
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Peermed, an inviting
hill resort with an
altitude of 1066
meters, is a place
worth visiting while
going to Kottayam. |
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