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Kottyam, this exotic land with long stretches of serene backwaters, sprawling paddy fields and rubber plantations, is bounded by Western Ghats on the east the Vembanad Lake on the west. Kottyam has 109,582 hectares of sprawling land dedicated to the rubber plantations and houses the the head quarters of the Indian Rubber Board. Hence it is also known as the land of latex (crude liquidized rubber).
The literal meaning of the term "Kottayam"(Kotta+Akam) in Malayalam means inside a fort. Kottayam mainly known for its backwater tours is a city with stunning landscape and significance.
- It is the first town to have attained 100 percent literacy and is also the hometown of the feted female award winning author- Arundhuti Roy who wrote her illustrious novel- "God of Small Things".
- This place had the first Malayalam printing press which was established by a Christian missionary Benjamin Bailey, in 1820 A.D.
- The first college in the State (CMS College) was also constituted here at Kottayam in 1840.
- Kottyam was also the first town in India which was chosen by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India to be transformed as an Eco City.
History: The chronicle of Kottayam dates back to the era of the Kulasekhara kings (1090-1102) when the region was united with Vempolinad. Kottayam has witnessed many social and political upheavals. The illustrious Vaikom Satyagraha (1924-25), an imposing struggle for annihilation of untouchability, originated in this place of historical significance under the influence of distinguished national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, C. Rajagopalachari and E.V. Ramswami Naykar.
veezha Poonchira- It is a hill station that lies 60kms away from Kottayam and is an ideal place for picnics. It has a pool with picturesque beauty and legends say that this pool was used as a bathing place by Draupadi, the legendary persona of Mahabharata. You can trek on the enormous hills of 'Elaveezha poonchira' - a valley where no leaves fall and is named so because this place is devoid of trees.
You can stroll along the sprawling rubber plantations of Palatown and Kanjirappally, which are nurtured by the Meenachil and Manimala and witness the process of crude rubber-latex being collected and transported to factories.
Shop for an elegant Kottayam Saree (five metres of fine off-white cotton bordered with golden 'zari') which piece is woven on a traditional handloom and look stunning in it.
Your trip to Kottayam would remain incomplete unless you sail in the sun- streaked backwaters of Kottayam on a kettuvallom(furnished traditional riceboats). Also cruise through the famous Vembanad Lake and behold the stunning beauty of the lilies, verdant paddy fields, 'kayar' (coir) villages, country houses and the copious coconut groves.
Connectivity
By Air: The nearest airport from Kottyam is at Cochin (
Kochi) which is 76 km away. Another important airport is at
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) 160 km away.
By Rail: Kottayam is well connected with the main towns within and outside Kerala by an extensive rail network. The nearest railway station is located just 2 km away from the main bus station. There are regular trains from Kottayam to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam (165 km), and Ernakulam (65 km).
By Road: Kottayam is connected to major cities of South India by a good network of roads.There are two bus depots- the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus station on T.B. Road and a private bus stand near the railway station. Buses to major cities ply from the the KSRTC bus station.
Last Updated on : 23/07/2013