Kottayam

Kottayam is the centre of education and rubber plantations in Kerala and is located between the Western Ghats and the backwaters.

Access

Kottayam can be reached via rail or by road.

Accommodation

Just like in Alleppy, there are house boats for overnight stay in Kottayam  also. Saffron Houseboat have 2 and 6 bedroom accommodation. Guesthouser and Amrutham Holidays also have houseboats. Some of the hotels in Kottayam are The Windsor Castle, Taj Kumarakom, Athreya Ayurveda Resort,  Chrysoberyl and Convention Centre, Joyees Residency,  Puthens Clifton Inn, Tereza Plaza Apartment, Excalibur Hotel, Orchid Residency,   Lake Village Heritage Resort, The Nisha Continental,  Teak Grove Country House, Elamthotam Home stay, Aqualillies Water Front Homestay, Kuroor Home stay,  Akkara Homestay, Contour Jungle Resorts and a lot more. 

Main Attractions

Vembanad Lake is a major tourist destination for boating and sightseeing. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, a group of small islands is a regular haunt of migratory birds on its bank. The best way to enjoy the sanctuary is by boat cruise. You can also cover this area on land. The area is rich in flora and fauna. Although we can't see huge number of birds at a time it is a breeding ground for several types of birds like stokes, egrets, herons, kites, aquatic birds and many more. The sight from observation tower is fantastic as you can see different varieties of birds. 

Nearby there is the Bay Island Driftwood Museum. It is housed in a beautiful building. It got its name as sculptures here are naturally built on driftwood, fossilized rosewood and they are unique. They are from rosewood mangroves in Andaman islands drifting in from the sea. They have metallic features although they resemble wood. 

Enjoy a relaxed ambiance at the Taj Garden Retreat by going for boating and fishing. Poonjar Palace, an example of royal splendour, houses many sculptures and antiques. A beautiful replica of the famous Madura Meenakshi Temple, surrounded by walls studded with sculptures depicting many Hindu purana (ancient) stories, is located near the palace. The fabulous cave of Koothavalam has carved rocks in the shape of thrones, chairs and weapons, and sculpture so Hindu Goddesses like Madura Meenakshi and Kannaki and Gods like Lord Ayyappan and Murugan (Subrahmanian). Cut into the rocks, there is a flight of steps to provide access.
     
 Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid is a 1000 year old mosque constructed by the son of Malik Dinar, who had brought Islamic faith to Kerala. It is one of the earliest mosques that was built in India. It is 4 km from Kottayam and is built on the picturesque Meenachil River Bank. This beautiful Mosque with its wooden carvings is an example of the traditional style of architecture followed in Kerala 

         Another attraction is Marmala Waterfalls that falls from a 60m height to a 12m deep pool into the Teekay River and provides a picturesque view. You can enjoy the scenic beauty of Kerala by cruising the Punnamada Lake, which is another name of Vembanad Lake. 

You can visit the famous Lord Siva Temples at Vaikom, Ettumaanoor and Kadunthuruthy, which are all only some distance from the Kottayam town. Another place to visit is the Tomb of Saint Alphonsa, a part of St. Alphonsa Shrine Church in Bharananganam. It is built on the spot where she was buried and this cemetery chapel originally belonged to the St. Mary's Church.  There is a grotto with engraved granite plaques nearby and also the Papal Podium erected in memory of Pope John Paul's visit to beatify Sr. Alphonsa along with Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara. You can get accommodation at Alphonsa Tower. There is an august stain-glass painting of her and is about 30 ft high. A specialty of the garden here are the 35 white blossom plants symbolizing her age. There is also a beautiful  fountain nearby.   

Illikkal Kallu  is a an unspoiled beautiful hilltop at around 7000 feet height. At the top two rocks face each other and is connected by a narrow stone bridge of name Naraka Palam meaning Hell Bridge.  Nobody can walk the bridge as it is across a deep ravine and have sharp steep sides. So if you want to go to the other side you will have to crawl across the bridge. That is why it got its name.   Vagamon is an alluring hill station about 64 km from  Kottayam. Ilaveezha Poonchira is another bewitching hill station that tourists can include in their itinerary. Its name is apt for the place as there are no trees in the area, yet it is an enchanting place. The meaning of the word "Ilavizha" is "leaves do not fall". 

Palakkarai Aqua Tourism Farm is an enterprise by the Fisheries and Government. The amenities include Children's Play Area and boating where you can canoe or pedal. There is also facility to fish. Some of the popular Malayalam magazines and a main Malayalam daily is published from Kottayam. So it is called the "Land of Letters". Besides, it is a trading centre of commercial crops like rubber, as well as spices.