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Kottayam
- Kerala
Colourful
and charismatic Kottayam, slightly inland from the Malabar Coast is
just 30km from Alleppey. In ancient period, it was stronghold of
Syrian Christian sect (that exists in Kerala since AD 1907). It has
very beautiful churches, most noted being Valiapatti Church,
possessing a cross that is believed to have come from the original
church founded by St. Thomas.
Places
To Visit
Erumeli:
(60 km north-east of Kottayam town):
Nestled in the lush green Western Ghats is this nature-rich village.
This is also the entrance point to South India's most prominent
pilgrim centres - the Sabarimala Temple. At Kanakapalam nearby, teak
plantations dot the landscape.
Vavarambalam, Erumeli : This mosque is dedicated to Vavar, a
companion of the deity - Sree Ayyappa - of the Sabarimala temple.
The mosque is unique in that Hindu pilgrims customarily worship here
before their trek to Sabarimala. Festival: Pettathullal (January).
Kumarakom:
An unbelievably beautiful paradise
of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves
interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white
lilies. Situated on the Vembanad Lake, in this small water world
you'll come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and
canoes which will take you into the heart of the scenic lake. The
resorts nearby offer comfortable accomodation and exclusive leisure
options like an Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating,
fishing, angling and swimming.
The
Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom: (16 km
from Kottayam town): Kottayam is a vast network of rivers and canals
which empty into the great expanse of water called the Vembanad
Lake. The lake, an enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing
backwater tourism destination, provides boating, fishing and
sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The Kumarakom
Tourist Village offers houseboat cruises and holiday packages. The
serene lake comes alive during Onam with a spectacular water regatta
- the snake boat races. It is indeed amazing to watch oarsmen, at
least a hundred in one boat, slice their way through the waters to
the fast rhythm of their own full throated singing.
Kumarakom
Bird Sanctuary: (16 km from
Kottayam town): Located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise, is a
favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret,
darter, heron and teal. Other common varieties like the woodpecker,
skylark, crane, water hen and parrots can also be spotted here. A
cruise along the Vembanad Lake is the best way to experience the
sanctuary. Pathiramanal, an enchanting island on the lake, can be
accessed by boat from here.
Pathiramanal:
This 10 acre island on the
backwaters is home to many rare varieties of migratory birds from
different parts of the world. According to mythology a young brahmin
dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and
the water made way for land to rise from below, thus creating the
enchanting island, Pathiramanal (sands of midnight).
Mannanam
Tourist Home: This was set up by
the DTPC to provide quality accomodation to the holidaying crowd. An
intricate network of shimmering waterways embroider the richly green
landscape, making the land charming in every detail. Boat cruise
packages are being thoughtfully designed to give tourists the most
memorable experience. The enchanting journey will take you through
the Pennar Canal to the picturesque backwater districts of Alappuzha
and Ernakulam.
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.
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: ( 18 km from Kottayam
town): 2 km down a mud lane from Kumarakom is this
beautiful picnic spot where streams tinkle as they make their way
through the landscape and waters roar as they cascade down the
mountains from a height of 100 ft. Tourists can also enjoy the shade
of the rubber plantations here.
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