Kottayam � Introduction:
A chief trading hub of commercial produce and a publishing centre in Kerala, the town of Kottayam is also the administrative capital of Kottayam district. The town has been a forerunner of modern learning and education in Kerala since the nineteenth century.

Location of Kottayam:
Bordered by the Meenachil River and Kodoor River and Vembanad Lake, the town of Kottayam is considered to be part of the Midlands of Kerala. Located in the south-central part of Kerala, it is surrounded by Ernakulam to the north, Alappuzha to the west, Idukki to the east, and Pathanamthitta to the south of Kottayam. Kottayam was a portion of Travancore kingdom, before the creation of Kerala state.

Climate of Kottayam:
Like the other parts of Kerala Kottayam also has hot and humid climate. The temperature ranges between 23 degrees to 35 degrees centigrade during summer and 22 degrees to 32 degrees in winters. It experiences heavy showers brought by the monsoon clouds from June to September.

History of Kottayam:
Having derived its name from �Kotta Akam� in Malayalam, meaning �inside the fort�, Kottayam or rather its region was ruled by the Rajas of Thekkumkur, an independent little kingdom. When, in the mid-18th century, Marthanda Varma of Travancore captured Thekkumcore, along with the areas of the rest of the present day Kottayam District, it became part of the Kingdom of Travancore (afterward to be the Princely State of Travancore under the British). After Indian independence, Kottayam in due course became the nerve center of the present Kottayam District.

Tourist Attractions in Kottayam:
Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls, Elaveezha poonchira, Erumely, Thirunnakara Templethe beautiful Syrian Christian churches like St. Mary�s Orthodox Church and Valiapally are the various tourist sites to be visited in Kottayam.

Reaching Kottayam:

By Air: The nearest airport from Kottayam is the Cochin (Kochi) Airport situated at 76 km away. Also Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) Airport lies at 160 km away.�

By Rail:� Kottayam is well linked with the chief towns within and outside Kerala by a fine rail network. The railway station is located barely 2 km away from the central bus stand. There are regular rail services available from Kottayam to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam (165 km), and Ernakulam (65 km).�

By Road: Good motorable roads connect Kottayam to the major cities of South India. You can avail of the bus services from the two bus stations, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus station on T.B. Road and a private bus stand close to the railway station. Buses to the key centres ply from the KSRTC bus station.

Log on to www.touristplacesinindia.com which gives online information on Kottayam on your tour to Kerala India.

     Next