KOTTAYAM

exploring the diverse attractions this picturesque state has on offer to the discerning tourist

• District Area - 2208 sq.km
• District Population - 19,52,901 (2001 census)
• Altitude - sea level
• Climate - Tropical humid
• Rainfall (avg) - 346 cm
• Tourist season - Sept to March
  

Bordered by the lofty Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west, Kottayam is a land of unique characteristics. Panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, extensive rubber plantations and a totally literate people have given this district the enviable title, ‘The land of letters, latex and lakes’. It was the first town in India to attain total literacy, an event which triggered a mass movement to make Kerala the country’s first totally literate State. The town is also the birth place of the publishing industry and the home of the fourth estate in Kerala. This land also boasts the first Malayalam printing press which was established by Benjamin Bailey, a Christian missionary, in 1820 AD.

Kottayam is the land of latex because the district abounds in extensive rubber plantations which earned for its headquarters the sobriquet ‘Rubber Town’.
Kottayam is the ideal take-off point for visits to Peermede, Munnar, Idukki, Thekkady, Ernakulam and the temple city of Madurai. This district provides some of Kerala’s finest natural scenes, sandwiched as it is between serene palm-fringed backwaters in the West and the Western Ghats on the East. Much of this beauty is laid out in all its glory along the road which winds its way from Kottayam to the Periyar WildLife Sanctuary in Thekkady through plantations of rubber, coffee, tea and pepper.

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Important destinations

• Amrithamedu

Popularly known as Kurisumala, Amrithamedu is a pilgrim centre as well as a trekker’s delight. Peerumedu is the nearest major town from which you can approach Amrithamedu.During Easter, pilgrims climb the ‘Stations of the Cross’, which would require a pilgrim to cover 14 points, with each point marked by a cross denoting various phases of Jesus Christ’s last journey. During the course of the trek, when one reaches the third cross, a good stretch of Peerumedu becomes visible, which is a really enjoyable sight. One can also see tea estates in the distance, as also the rolling Kokkad hills.

As one proceeds further up, the surrounding landscape soon becomes more and more breathtaking. Once the climb reaches the ninth cross, one steps on to a plateau and the mist that engulfs you here is quite an experience. This is Amrithamedu, the highest point in Kuttikkanam region.

For avid trekkers, the nearby Madamakulam, located towards the northern side of Amrithamedu is worth a visit. It is a natural pond, formed at the foot of a waterfall. The pond is encircled by big boulders and surrounded by dense woods.

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