This historical town derives it's name from the malayalam word "kottayakam" - meaning "Within the fort". It was the seat of the Munjunad Rajas and later in the 12th Century, the Tekkumkur Rajas. Among the state's more mountainous districts, it lies sandwiched between the palm fringed backwaters on the west and the Western Ghats on the East. 12 km west of Kottayam, on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, lies a small village - Kumarakom, a captivating bird sanctuary known for it's local varieties like the water fowl,cuckoo and migratory birds like the Siberian Stork.

 
Commerce
Kottayam is also an important commercial centre thanks to it's plantations of rubber, tea, coffee and pepper.


Religion

Kottayam is proof of the cultural and religious plurality of Kerala. It serves as the headquarters of several ecclestiastical heads of christian churches like those of the Syrian Christian Community. It houses several ancient churces like Puthenpally, Valiapally-(1550 A.D), Cheriapally(1579 A.D) and St.Mary's Church, Manarcad (1585).

Bharananganam is another important christian pilgrimage centre. It houses the mortal remains of Sister Alphonsa (1916-1946). Situated in the heart of Kottayam town is the picturesque Thirunakkara Mahadeva Siva Temple.Ettumanoor,13 km away is famous for it's legendary 16th century Shiva Temple.Vaikom, 40 km away from kottayam, is famed for the Siva temple, which according to legend was built by Parasurama - the mythical creator of Kerala. The 12 day Ashtami festival falls in November/December.

Culture
Kottayam is famous for it's cultural achievements.It was the first town in Kerala to achieve total literacy in India, an event that triggered a mass movement across India. It is also the mecca of the publishing scene. It houses dozens of magazines and newspapers including Kerala's first newspaper - Deepika (Founded - 1887) as well as the country's largest selling daily and weekly from the Malayala Manorama Group, kottayam. It is also the birthplace of a unique institution - the Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham, perhaps the first ever co-operative of writers.

Details
District Area - 2203 sq km
Climate - Tropical humid. Cool and pleasant in the high ranges and the cardamom hills.
Rainfall (Annual) - 346 cm
Clothing - Tropical
Tourist Season - September to March

Travel Stuff
The nearest airport is at Kochi, 75 km away. It is linked by rail to most indian cities. The railway station is 3 km away from the City centre. There are 2 bus stations - the KSRTC station and the private bus station near the railway station. The main ferry station is also 3 km away and offers scenic backwater cruises to Mannar, Alleppy, Champakulam, Kavalam, Mankombu and Ambalapuzha. For local transport, there are buses, tourist taxis and auto-rickshaws.

Place to Stay
Hotel Aiswarya - Near Thirunakkara Maidanam.
Hotel Anjali -K.K.Road
Hotel Aida - M.C.Road
Hotel Green Park - Nagampadom
The Taj, Kumarakom.
Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom.
Kumarakom Tourist Complex, Kumarakom.