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Kottayam is situated 76 Kms away from Kochi. Kottayam is a place strangely ancient in spirit but fairly modern in atmosphere. This land, located in the erstwhile Central Travancore, is remarkably fertile and brilliantly green. A true topical diversity adorned with backwaters, green paddy fields, rubber plantations and palmgroves as far as the eye can see. The land is also rich in varieties of vegetables, cardamom, pepper, coffee and spices. The people are healthy, hard working and educated. This is Kottayam, the Land of Letters, Latex and Lakes.
As a district, Kottayam has the highest literacy % in India. The town of Kottayam is also the birthplace of the publishing industry and the home of the Fourth Estate in Kerala. The district abounds in extensive rubber plantations, which earned for its headquarters the sobriquet. A trip from Kottayam to Thekkady, along the zig-zag Kumily road, offers breath-taking views of rubber, coffee and tea plantations.
Kottayam is a land of Lakes because of the different lakes forming in great expanse of water called the Vembanad into which a network of rivers like Manimala, Pamba, Achankovil joined here. These and various canals provide for boating, canoeing, fishing and sight seeing, experiences that are unforgettable. The vivid blue and green palm fringed backwaters of Kottayam is a perennial source of attraction to the tourists.
Kottayam first stands in the field of Education, Mass Communication, Printing and Book Publication. There are many printing presses and book publishing companies in Kottayam. It is the headquarters of Current Books from 1977. It is estimated that 70 per cent of the State's book publication take place in Kottayam.
Kottayam with its landscape, rivers, lakes, bird sanctuaries, temples, churches, mosques and historic remnants, attracts lots of tourists. The western parts of the district are embraced by Vembanad Lake.
Kottayam is a district known for its religious harmony. Besides, Kottayam is also the gateway to the Pilgrim centers of Sabarimala, Mannanam, Vaikom, Ettumanoor, Kaduthuruthy, Bharananganam, Erumeli, Manarcad, Aruvithura and Athirampuzha.
At the time of festivals, especially in the month of August and September, the rivers in and near Kottayam are turned into festival centers. The serene lakes comes alive during Onam with a spectacular water regatta- the snake boat races. It is amazing to watch oars men, atleast a hundred in one boat, slice their way through the waters to the fast rhythm of their own full-throated singing.
The dances of Kottayam consist of Margamkali and Arjuna Nritham. Margamkali is an art form popular among the Syrian Christian community of the erstwhile Travancore. This consists of group dance and martial arts like Parichamuttukali. The theme of the songs revolves round the life of St. Thomas. Men and women perform Margamkali separately. |
