Kottayam, India

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Kottayam, India

Region: Kerala

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Geographic Coordinates: 9.594700, 76.485600

Climate: Seasonal.

Population: 182927

Language: Malayalam

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Kottayam is a stunning city located in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Known as the land of letters, Lakes and latex. The city has a rich cultural heritage that dates back to ancient times, With evidence of human habitation found in the area dating back over 3, 000 years. One of Kottayam’s most notable features is its many water bodies. The city is home to several large lakes and rivers that are not only beautiful but also play an important role in the local economy.

For example, Vembanad Lake is one of India’s largest freshwater lakes and serves as an important source of fish for local fishermen. Another key feature of Kottayam is its thriving rubber industry. The region produces a significant amount of natural rubber each year, Which has helped boost the local economy and provide employment opportunities for thousands of people. In addition to its natural beauty and economic importance, Kottayam also has a rich cultural heritage that can be seen throughout the city.

One popular attraction for visitors is the Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, Which dates back over 500 years and features stunning architecture and intricate carvings. Other notable landmarks include St Mary’s Church – one of India’s oldest churches – as well as several museums dedicated to showcasing local history and culture. no description of Kottayam would be complete without mentioning its delicious cuisine. The region boasts some truly unique dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds – from spicy curries made with fresh seafood to sweet desserts made with coconut milk.

Overall, Kottayam offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, Cultural heritage, Economic importance, And culinary delights that make it well worth exploring on your next trip to India.

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1. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
2. Vembanad Lake
3. Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple
4. Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
5. St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Manarcadu
6. Vaikom Mahadeva Temple
7. Poonjar Palace
8. Ilaveezhapoonchira
9. Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls
10. Bay Island Driftwood Museum

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1. Rubber: Kottayam is popularly known as the rubber capital of India due to its abundant rubber plantations.
2. Printing and publishing: Kottayam has a rich history in printing and publishing, with many top newspapers, magazines, and book publishers based here.
3. Tourism: Kottayam attracts tourists from all over the world with its beautiful attractions such as Kumarakom backwaters, Vagamon hills, Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls etc.
4. Healthcare: The healthcare industry in Kottayam has witnessed significant growth with several hospitals and medical colleges situated here.
5. Education: The city is home to some of Kerala’s leading educational institutions like Mahatma Gandhi University, CMS College, St.Thomas College etc.
6. Agriculture: Agriculture plays a crucial role in Kottayam’s economy with paddy fields being a common sight across the district.
7. IT/ITES sector: The IT/ITES sector has experienced rapid growth in recent years due to several companies setting up operations here because of proximity to Kochi’s IT hub.
8. Food processing industry: The food processing industry also contributes significantly to this region’s economy.

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1. Syrian Christian Migration: Kottayam has a significant Syrian Christian population as it was one of the first places where they migrated to after their arrival in India.
2. CMS College: The CMS College in Kottayam is one of the oldest colleges in India and has produced many notable alumni, including former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
3. Vaikom Satyagraha: The Vaikom Satyagraha was a movement for social justice that took place in 1924-25 in Vaikom near Kottayam. It was led by Mahatma Gandhi and helped to abolish untouchability.
4. Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple: The Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Kottayam that dates back to the 16th century.
5. Raja Ravi Varma: Raja Ravi Varma, one of India’s most famous painters, had his ancestral home in Kilimanoor near Kottayam.
6. Arundhati Roy: Arundhati Roy, the Booker Prize-winning author of The God of Small Things, grew up in Aymanam near Kottayam.
7. Kumaran Asan: Kumaran Asan was a renowned Malayalam poet who lived from 1873-1924 and hailed from Kayikkara village near Kottayam.
8. Pala Manuscripts: The Pala Manuscripts are a collection of ancient palm leaf manuscripts written on Buddhist philosophy that were discovered at Pala near Kottayam during British rule.

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1. Bay Island Driftwood Museum
2. Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple
3. Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
4. Vagamon Hill Station
5. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
6. St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church, Kuravilangadu
7. Poonjar Palace
8. Vaikom Mahadeva Temple
9. Elaveezhapoonchira Hill Station
10. Thazhathangady Juma Masjid

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1. Kottayam is a district located in the Indian state of Kerala.
2. Despite the lack of major sports teams with national or international recognition, Kottayam has a rich sporting culture that is promoted by several local sports clubs and organizations.
3. One such club is the Kottayam Football Club, which was established in 1949 and has participated in various local tournaments and leagues.
4. Another notable organization is the YMCA Athletics Club, which was founded in 1920 and has produced many talented athletes who have represented Kerala at national-level competitions.
5. The Kottayam Cricket Association was formed to promote cricket among young players in the region, organizing various tournaments throughout the year.
6. St Joseph’s Basketball Club is another popular club that has produced many skilled players who have gone on to compete for Kerala at state-level competitions.
7. Finally, CMS College Rowing Team stands out as one of Kottayam’s most successful rowing teams, having won multiple medals at national-level competitions over time.
8. Overall, these local clubs and organizations play an essential role in promoting sports culture within their community for decades.

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1. Thirunakkara Arattu is a ten-day festival celebrated in the Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple in Kottayam. The main attraction of this festival is the procession of elephants, accompanied by traditional music and dance performances.
2. Vaikathashtami is celebrated in the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple and lasts for 12 days. It commemorates Lord Shiva’s victory over evil forces and includes colorful processions, cultural programs, and fireworks.
3. Onam is a major harvest festival celebrated across Kerala, including Kottayam. It marks the homecoming of King Mahabali and involves traditional dances like Pulikali (tiger dance), boat races, flower carpets (Pookalam), and feasting.
4. Christmas is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm in Kottayam as it’s predominantly a Christian town. The streets are decorated with lights and stars while churches hold midnight masses on Christmas Eve.
5. Vishu marks the beginning of Malayalam New Year’s Day and is observed with much fanfare in Kottayam as well as other parts of Kerala where people wear new clothes, light lamps (Vishukkani), exchange gifts (Vishukkaineetam), prepare elaborate feasts etc.
6. Thazhathangadi Utsavam held at Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid brings together people from different religions to celebrate unity amidst diversity through food stalls, cultural shows, handicraft exhibitions etc.
7. Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Festival-This week-long event takes place every year during January or February at St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral Church located near Manarcad Junction,Kottaym District.The church was established during AD 1685 by Mar Gregorios Abdul Jaleel,a Syrian saint.The festival includes various cultural programs, processions,and feasting.
8. Kottayam Flower Show is an annual event held at the Government Guest House in Kottayam showcasing a wide variety of flowers and plants from across Kerala. The show also features competitions for the best flower arrangements, photography exhibitions, etc.
9. Kottayam Literature Festival is a three-day event bringing together renowned writers, poets, and thinkers from India and abroad to discuss literature, culture and society. The festival features book launches, panel discussions, poetry readings etc.
10. Kumarakom Boat Race- It’s an annual boat race held in Kumarakom backwaters during September or October to commemorate the visit of Jawaharlal Nehru,the first Prime Minister of India,to this place.The highlight of this event is the snake boat race where long wooden boats are rowed by dozens of oarsmen accompanied by drummers singing traditional songs.Apart from this there are other water sports events like kayaking ,canoeing etc.

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• Meenachil Restaurant – famous for its traditional Kerala cuisine such as fish curry, appam, and kappa.
• Thali Restaurant – serves vegetarian thalis with a variety of curries and side dishes.
• Hotel Aida – known for its authentic Kerala-style biryani.
• Vembanad Restaurant – offers a wide range of seafood delicacies like prawns, crab, and fish fry.
• Kottaramattom Bakery – famous for its fresh bread, cakes, and pastries.
• Curry Leaves Restaurant – serves North Indian and Chinese cuisine along with traditional Kerala dishes.
• The Grill Lab – offers grilled items such as chicken tikka, kebabs, and burgers.
• Saravana Bhavan – popular for its South Indian breakfast items like idli,dosa,and vada.
• Shanthi’s Natural Kitchen- serves organic food made from locally sourced ingredients
• Pappukutty Naadan Beef Fry- famous for its spicy beef fry served with porotta (layered flatbread).

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Parks and Recreation

1. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
2. Vembanad Lake
3. Illikkal Kallu
4. Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple
5. Poonjar Palace
6. Vaikom Mahadeva Temple
7. Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
8. Kottathavalam Park
9. Baker Hill Park
10. Thazhathangady Juma Masjid (for a cultural experience)

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Experience The Extraordinary.

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