| Location |
In South-Central Kerala, on Vembanad Lake and Meenachil River |
| Area |
2024Sq.km. |
| Altitude |
935 to 2817 m above Sea level |
| Rainfall |
346 cms |
| Best Time to Visit Kottayam ( Kuamrakom ) : |
October to February |
| Clothing |
It is advisable to wear cloths made of natural fibres as
synthetic fibres do not quite agree with climates of Kottayam |
| Boundary districts |
North-Ernakulam, East-Idukki, South-Pathanamthitta,
West-Alappuzha. |
| Languages |
Malayalam |
A combination of mountains, lakes, plantations and
paddy fields, Kottayam epitomizes Kerala's scenic beauty.Kottayam is a
compound word- kotta+akam which means the interior of a fort. Panoramic
backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, hills and hillocks,
extensive rubber plantations, places associated with many legends and a
totally literate people have given Kottayam District the enviable title:
The land of letters, legends, latex and lakes . Kottayam came into
limelight when it was declared the first fully literate municipal town
of India, an event that triggered a mass movement to make Kerala the
country's only state to achieve total literacy. Parched rocks pray for a
few more drops and coconut palms sway in the soft breeze, a silent
gesture of disavowal. Blue waters cut across this swathe of emerald
green, and the colours make you wonder if Mother Earth has snatched a
fistful of rainbow from the horizon.It cherishes the rubber and spice
plantations that have made it a commercial centre. It is also a gateway
to the pilgrim centers of Sabarimala, Mannanam, Vaikom, Ettumanoor,
Bharananganam, Erumeli, Manarcaud, and so on. Like most other places in
South India, Kottayam has a tropical humid climate with plenty of
rainfall throughout the year.Well, it is the first town in India
selected by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India
to be transformed as an Eco City.
How to reach
Kottayam, Kerala
- By Air
The nearest airport is at Cochin (Kochi)
located 76 km from Kottayam. Another airport is at
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) 160 km away.
- By Rail
Kottayam Station connected to New Delhi by
Kerala Express, Mumbai by Kanyakumari Express.
- By Road
Kottayam is connected to major cities of
South India by good motorable roads.
- By Sea
There are two ferry stations .The town Jetty
is 3km away from the railway station and operates service during the
monsoon. During the summers, the boats are operated from kodimatha
Jetty.
