The bigger city of Kerala Kottayam is our next tourist destination. This south Indian tourist place is positioned
close to Kochi
/ Cochin. Popularity of Kottayam becomes more as the city is having 100%
literate record. Because of literacy ratio, experts call this city as Letter
Capital of Kerala. Reason behind 100 % literacy is there are countless newspaper
companies and publishing houses. Kottayam is popular for colleges and
university as well. There are many reasons that Kottayam is popular like there
are amazingly structured churches like Kerala's indigenous cathedral,
non-catholic church and Malankara Orthodox Church.
Describing the city in few
words is not possible as the town includes countless tourist destinations and
voyagers need at least one week stay to enjoy the town properly. Few areas that
we can cover in this note are mentioned below:
Vennimala: also recognized, as hill of conquest is initial location
for visitors in Kottayam town. Vennimala area was developed after throwing
stones from the busy area of Kottayam to this location. This tranquil and stunning
hilltop is placed at only distance of 15 kilometers. Tourist must not miss the
key destination of Vennimala, which are oldest shrines of Lord Rama and
Lekshmana. People believe Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana reached this spot
during the exile period. Voyagers can attain plenty of fresh ponds, cave and rubber
plantations in Vennimala.
Matrumala: going around 8 kms away from Vennimala people can reach
to Matrumala, which is another hill top offering eye-catching view of
surrounding. On the top of Matrumala hill, a small temple is located. Parasurama
the creator of city Kerala constructed this shrine and installed seven idols of
Goddess.
Kallara: An old-fashioned village placed at just distance of 20 kms
from Kottayam is next destination for voyagers. Access to Kallara is possible
through road links to Kottayam city. However, train is available too but in
limit frequency. Kallara is popular for lush green paddy areas covered by plenty
of canals that draining in backwaters. Alapuzha city is closer to Kallara and
boating transport is available to reach Alapzuha and other watery areas close
to Kallara. Oldest temples and churches are available in Kallara that voyagers can
visit. Attaining to Ayamkudi, Mundar, Kapikkad, Pulithuruth, Pazhampetti, Erunthuruth,
Ponnurukkumpara and Karikkal are possible from Kallara.
Alapra: a traditional and calm place close to Kottayam is Alapra
town located in southeast direction of Kottayam region. Famous for dense forests
could be best spot for travelers though distance is 45 kms only from Kottayam
town. Attaining to Alapra offer visitors to take pleasure of pilgrim spot
Erumeli located at 10 kms distance and Manimala junction placed at 5 kms gay
only from top. Few attractions of Alapra are clam forest, small streams, pretty
cascades, rocks hills and view of village. People can also enjoy Padayani
Festival, Ponthanpuzha Forest, Waterfalls, Oottupara View Point, Caves, Muniyaras
and Manimala River.
Ramapuram: next beautiful spot comes under Kottayam region is Ramapuram
located at 15 kms distance from Pala. People can attain church and missionaries
in Ramapuram. City is named after Lord Rama and the meaning of Ramapuram is “Adobe
of Lord Rama”.
Kurinji Koombana: people love natural splendors can attain to
Kurinji, which is just 5 kms away from Ramapuram. Kurinji is the hill area
having numerous waterfalls and its motor able road allow voyagers to reach the
top easily. However, some adventurous and dangerous curves makes the journey
more exciting.
Kuruvankunnu: next place available in Kottayam region is Kuruvankunnu,
which is also just 5 kms away from Ramapuram.
Few more exciting places close
to Ramapuram are Mayiladumpara, Fathimagiri, Kudamaloor, Valiyamadom Nalukettu,
Vasudevapuram, Ithipuzha, Pallam Backwaters, Aruvikuzhy Waterfalls, Aruvikachal,
Marmala (admired for waterfalls), Poonchira, Kannadipara, Mankallu Mudikal, Kalani
Mudi, Illickal Mala, Illickal Kallu, Kayyoor, Kottathavalam, Vazhikkadavu, Kurisumala,
Kootickal, Melaruvi, Karimbukayam, Maniyamkunnu, and Panchalimdu. Every spot is
special with natural beauties and many types of greenery everywhere.
Elaveezhapoonchira (stunning hill station): if you want to walk in
rain vapors then you should attain to Elaveezhapoonchira. The dense forest and
deep valleys of Elaveezhapoonchira are special to watch. In rainy season, the
entire area is covered with clouds, which could not a simple experience for
anybody.
Attaining to Kottayam:
By plane: international airport of Kochi
/ Cochin is closest big destination
for Kottayam. Kochi
/ Cochin is just 93 kms distant from Kottayam and frequent flights
from domestic areas are available for Kochi
/ Cochin. Voyagers can attain flights from Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Trivandrum, Kozhikode, Agatti, Goa, Mangalore, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and many more from Middle
East. Airline companies that offer flights for Kochi
/ Cochin are Jet Airways, JetLite, Kingfisher
Airlines, Kingfisher Red, IndiGo, Go Air, Air India, Srilankan Airlines, Air
India Express, Silk Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Oman Airlines, Kuwait
Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Gulf Traveller, Air Arabia, Etihad Airlines, Jazeera
Airways, Air Asia and Bahrain Air. Reaching Kottayam from airport is easy as
private taxies are available from parking area of airport. Next closest airport
is Trivandrum located at 152 km distance, though its domestic airport to people
can hire the flights from Indian cities only.
By train: Kottayam region is having trains from longer distance of
Indian cities. Kottayam railway station is connected to major cities of India
like Bangalore, Chennai and few others.
By Road: road services of Kerala are better and direct busses for
Kottayam are available, though frequency is less but still people can attain
the buses. Frequent services of state buses for Kottayam are available from Kochi
/ Cochin, Trivandrum, Chennai, Kozhikode, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Alappuzha, Kannur and Mangalore.