Kottayam- Introduction

Services

State

Kerala


		Introduction

		Transport


		Sightseeing
		Accommodation

State	Kerala

City	Munnar

Airports	Cochin

Distance from Cchin City	132 Km/ 82 Mile

Railway Junctions	Cochin

Local Languages	Malayalam

Kottayam - Introduction

Considered as gateway to the high ranges in Central Kerala, the district of Kottayam is flanked by the magnificent backwaters of Vembanad on the west and is bordered by the hills of the Western Ghats in the east. Noted for rubber cultivation, the district has a good percentage of its area under cultivation. With a high percentage of literacy, the district is credited for having the first Malayalam printing press and is a significant place dotted with many Christian and Hindu places of worship.

Historic Zone -

Anchuvilakku (22 km from Kottayam): This stone lamp post, a typical example of Kerala architecture, was built near the Changanacherry boat jetty by the renowned freedom fighter Veluthampi Dalawa. The Changanacherry market, one of the largest in Kerala, was also established by him. The five lamps on this post are lit using kerosene.

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. Near the palace is an amazing replica of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple. The walls of this temple bear sculptures which narrate stories from the Puranas (the legends of ancient India). However, the most fascinating thing here is the Chuttuvilakku (row of lamps) carved out on stone walls of the Sastha Temple nearby. Such rock cut lamps are rare in India.