KOTTAYAM

Kottayam is the land of letters, latex and lakes. A land of unique characteristics, Kottayam provides some of Kerala’s finest natural scenes, sandwiched as it is between serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. The town is also the birthplace of the publishing industry and the home of the fourth estate in Kerala. Remarkably fertile and brilliantly green throughout, Kottayam has panoramic lush green fields, stretches of coconut, rubber, tea and coffee plantations and a well-known bird sanctuary.

Places of Attraction

Kumarakom: Kumarakom is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Kumarakom is a bird sanctuary known for local varieties like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl and the water duck as well as migratory Siberian strokes. The best months to bird watch are between June and August. The resorts nearby offer comfortable accommodation and exclusive leisure options like an Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing, angling and swimming. Rather than this you can also enjoy houseboat cruises.

Nadukani: A picturesque location at the top of a hill with endless stretches of meadows girded by huge rocks. A bird’s eye view of the low-lying places can be enjoyed from here.

Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls: It is a beautiful picnic spot where streams tinkle as they make their way through the landscape and water roars as they cascade down the mountains from a height of 100 ft.

Erumeli: Nestled in the lash green Western Ghats is this nature rich village. This is also the entrance point to South India’s most prominent pilgrim center - the Sabarimala Temple. There is a mosque in Erumeli known as Vavarambalam, which is, dedicated o Vavar, a companion of the deity - Sree Ayyappa - of the Sabarimala temple. This mosque is unique because Hindu pilgrims customarily worship here before their trek to Sabarimala.

Elaveezhapoonchira: Ilaveezhapoonchira means “valley where leaves don’t fall and is named so because the place has no trees. The verdant landscape has 4 gigantic hills and beautiful valleys, which spread over thousands of acres. This is also one of the best places in Kerala to enjoy both the sunrise and sunset.

Kannadipara: The valley of this rocky mountain reflects the morning sun with a mirror like perfection. An added attraction here is the Kazhukan kulimali waterfalls that playfully cascade down the mountain and greet the river below with a magnificent splash.

Kottathavalam: Near Murugan hills at “Kurisumala”, a flight of steps cut in the rocks takes one to this magnificent cave legends sat that the royal family from Madurai rested here on their way to Poonjar. The rocks within the cave, carved like chairs and couches and the figures if Madurai Meenakshi, Ayyappa, Murugan, Kannaki and weapons sculpted on them are all worth exploring.

Poonjar Palace: The palace has an extraordinary royal collection of antique and exquisite furniture which include a palanquin, huge chandeliers, palm leaf exgravings, jewel boxes, different varieties of lamps, sculptures of Nataraja, statues, weapons etc. The walls of this temple bear sculptures which narrate stories from the ancient Indian legends. The most fascinating thing here is the Chuttuvilakku (row of lamps) carved out on stone walls of the Sastha temple nearby.