Kottayam
From World travel guide
Kottayam is one of the important cities in Kerala, south India. It is the headquarters of Kottayam district.
Contents |
Understand
Get in
By Air
- Kochi International Airport will be the nearest airport and you can reach Kottayam by train or by MC Road.
- Alternatively by Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) airport.
- Other options are Kozhikode (Calicut), Madras, Bangalore, Bombay airports and catch train or other means to Kottayam.
By Train
You can also reach Kottayam from other cities like Kochi (Cochin), Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kozhikode, Madras, Mangalore, Bangalore, Bombay, New Delhi, Calcutta by train.
By Bus
There are bus services operating from cities like Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Madras, Bangalore, Mangalore, Coimbatore to Kottayam.
By Road
Kottayam is well connected to other cities Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha (Alleppey), Madras, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Bangalore, Coimbatore by road.
Get around
- Bus - Kottayam have an excellent local bus service system and it is cheap.
- Autoricksha - This is cheap way of transportation facility between attractions.
- Taxi - Local taxis are also available at cheap rates.
- Car - There are many Car rental companies offering cars with drivers or self drive.
- Walk - Many places of attractions are near by other so you could walk between them.
See
- Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls - 18km from Kottayam town near Kumarakom.
- Elaveezha poonchira (valley where leaves don't fall) - a hill station near Melukavu Mattom, 60kms from Kottayam with gigantic hills around 3200 ft. height. Beautiful hillocks Mankunnu, Kudayathoormala and Thonippara, Poonchira. Famaous for the legend that says the pool here was a bathing place for Panchali the legendary heroine of the Mahabharata.
- Erumely - important pilgrim centre for the Hindus and Muslims.
- Kumarakom - 14km. west of Kottayam in Kuttanad. Bird sanctuary, Coconut lagoon, House Boat, country boats, crafts, canoes, Floating Restaurant, backwaters, rivers, canals, beautiful bungalow of Henry Baker now modified into the Taj Garden Retreat (a hotel).
- Pathiramanal (Midnight sands) - small beautiful sand island in Vembanad Lake, which shines in dark.
- Poonjar Palace - situatied in Meenachil taluk, famous for the collection of antiques and exquisite furniture's, chandeliers, palm leaf engravings, jewel boxes, a variety of lamps, sculptures of Nataraja (dancing Lord Siva ), grain measures, statues and weapons.
- Vaikom Temple - 40km from Kottayam, famous for the Shiva Temple.
- Vembanad Lake - 83.72km. length and 14.48km. Width, Cruise boats, House boats, Traditional Cargo boats.
- Wagamon - 64kms from Kottayam, enchanting hill station at an elevation of 1100 metre, with tea gardens and meadows.
Do
- Boat Races - Lot of boat races with traditional boats of different size around 50 types in the months of July, August and September during Onam.
Sleep
Hotels
Eat & Drink
Vembanad Hotel which is 1 km away from the city on the road to Thiruvananthapuram is a good restaurant providing you with local delicacies.
If you are interested in having South Indian vegetarian dishes you will find lot of vegetarian restaurants.
If you are in Kumarakom you should try out the KTDC ( Kerala Tourist Development Coorporation) Restaurant which is built on Wood and Bamboos and is nicely situated on the banks of Vembanad lake with an elevation and the lake flows just underneath the restaurant.
Get out
External links
- India Govt. NIC site for Kottayam, maps, history, photo gallery, Rail and Airlines Timings.
- Department of Tourism, Govt. of Kerala
- Kerala Govt. Site
- Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India
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