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Land of letters, latex and lakes
Area: 2203 sq. km
Population:18,20,000
Altitude: Sea level
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. 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. This land also boasts the first
Malayalam printing press which was established by Benjamin Bailey, a
Christian missionary, in 1820 AD.
Kottayam is the ideal take-off point for visits to Peermede, Munnar,
Idukki, Thekkady, Ernakulam and the temple city of Madurai.
Other interests here are: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary,
Ilaveezhapoonchira, Bay Island Driftwood Museum, Poonjar Palace,
Siva Temple at Thalikkotta, St. Mary's Church at Cheriapalli,
Thangalppara, Vazhikkadavu, Kurisumala, Vayaskara and Chirattamon
Ayurvedic rejuvenation centres, Anchuvilakku, Pathiramanal,
Reservoirs at Nattakom and Panachikad, Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls,
Karimbukayam - Meloram, Erumeli, Kayyoor at Bharananganam, Illickal
Mala, Mankallu Mudikal, Marmala Stream, Kannadipara. |
