Tourist Spots In Kottayam RajExim

1. TOURIST SPOTS IN
KOTTAYAM
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2. Kottayam is one of the larger towns in Kerala, south India, located near to Kochi. The city is India’s first 100% literate
city, also known as Letter Capital of Kerala, due to headquarters of more than a dozen publishing houses and
newspaper companies as well as several famous colleges and university. The city is one of the strongest centres of
Kerala’s indigenous Church, the Malankara Orthodox Church, a major non-catholic church. Kottayam is a town in
south-central Kerala, sandwiched between the Vembanad Lake and the Kerala hill-country. Best known as a hub of
trade and commerce, Kottayam is also a centre for education and literature, and as a centre of Kerala’s large Christian
population. Travellers should not face much difficulty in getting by with English, as the language is widely understood.
Most signboards above shops are in English as well. Tamil is another language that is understood reasonably widely.

3. POONJARPLACE
Poonjar Palace of Poonjar Royal family, one of the major principalities of Travancore Kingdom, was the home of one of Kerala’s
famous prince, Prince G.V Raja. The Poonjar Palace is a glorious testimony to the regal opulence of a bygone era. Within the palace
walls is an extraordinary royal collection of antiques and exquisite furniture including a palanquin, a droni (treatment bed) carved
out of a single piece of wood for Ayurvedic massages, huge chandeliers, palm leaf engravings, jewel boxes, varieties of lamps,
sculptures of Nataraja (the dancing Siva), grain measures, statues and weapons. A unique conch preserved here is taken out once a
year for ritualistic purposes. Near the palace is an amazing replica of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple. The walls of this temple bear
sculptures that narrate stories from the Puranas (the legends of ancient India). However, the fascinating thing here is the
Chuttuvilakku (row of lamps) carved out on the stone walls of the Sastha Temple nearby. Such rock-cut lamps are rare in India.

5. Vaikomtemple
Vaikom Temple The ancient Sanskrit texts, Bhargava Purana & Sanalkumara Samhita mention this place as Vairagya
geham and Vairagya puram. As per legends, Vyaghrapada Maharshi got Siva darsana here, so it was fittingly called
Vyaghrapadapuram. Later, when Tamil spread, the word Vairagya got transformed as Vaikom. Today Vaikom is one
of the most revered Shiva shrines in South India. The temple along with Ettumanoor Siva Temple, Kaduthuruthy
Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple is considered a powerful trisome. The belief is that if a devotee worships at these three
temples before ‘Ucha pooja’, all the wishes are fulfilled. Though Vaikkath Ashtami is the better known festival at the
temple, it celebrates many other festivals, some of them unique to the temple.

7. Vembanad lake
Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. It is also counted as one of the
largest lakes in India. Spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known as Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad,
Kochi Lake in Kochi. Several groups of small islands including Vypin, Mulavukad, Vallarpadam, Willingdon Island are
located in the Kochi Lake portion. Kochi Port is built around the Willingdon Island, and the Vallarpadam Island. The
Nehru Trophy Boat Race is conducted in a portion of the lake. High levels of pollution have been noticed at certain
hotspots of the Vembanad backwaters. The government of India has identified the Vembanad wetland under National
Wetlands Conservation Programme.

9. manarcaud
Manarcaud St. Mary’s Shrine here attracts people of all faiths. Various kinds of offerings are made here
devotees. Manarcad Marth Maryam Cathedral (St. Mary’s Cathedral), is a Syrian Orthodox church located
about 9 km from the town of Kottayam in Kerala, India and a destination for people on annual pilgrimages
seeking the blessings of the Virgin Mary. During his 2004 apostolic visit, Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka II have
elevated this church to the status of Cathedral and Universal Marian Pilgrim Centre. There are more than
2000 families in this parish and it is one of the largest Christian parishes in Kerala.

11. Thirunakkra mahadevatemple
Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple At the heart of the town Is a Shiva temple built in the Kerala style of
temple architecture, and with interior murals depicting themes from the Hindu epics. It was built at the
beginning of 16th century by the then Raja of Thekkumkur. The annual temple festival that culminates
in a ceremony called the Aaraattu which attracts a large number of devotees.

13. Thazhathangady juma masjid
Thazhathangady Juma Masjid On the banks of Meenachil River One of the oldest Mosques in India and is more
than 1000 years old. Thazhathangady Juma Masjid is a mosque situated in Thazhathangady, one of the Heritage
Zones of Kerala. It is famous for its richness of architecture, wood carvings and the beauty. The Southern half of it is
demolished and extended with iron pillars, aluminium sheets and minars in 2012. This mosque is situated on the
banks of the Meenachil River. Thazhathangady Juma Masjid is also called as the “Taj Juma Masjid”. The ancestors of
this Masjid came and settled in Kottayam, from different parts of Kerala.The Muslims who lived here played an
active role in Freedom Struggle and other National Movements. This mosque is known for its intricate wooden
carvings and architecture.

15. St.mary’schurch
St. Mary’s Church commonly known as Kottayam valiyapally (master church- English) is one of the oldest churches in
Kerala. Built in 1579, the church is well preserved. The architectural style of the church is European, with galleries,
pillars, cornices and pediments. The walls are adorned with beautiful murals made in Oriental and Western styles on
biblical and non-biblical themes. Three Metropolitans of the Malankara Syrian Church came from three families of
Kottayam. They were Mar Dionysius, Malankara Metropolitan of the Punnathara family, Mar Theophilos of the
Varikkat family and Mar Athanasius of the Chackalaparambil family. Orthodox Churches venerate departed saints,
commemorate their memorial day and seek their intercession.

17. kuravilangad
Kuravilangad (St.Mary’s Church) the land of Kuravilangad is blessed by the esteemed presence of St.Mary’s Forane
Church, which was built in 105 A.D just one hundred years before Constantine declared Christianity as the official
religion of the Roman Empire. It is believed, Mother Mary’s first appearance in the world was in Kuravilangad. Our
Lady appeared to a few children at Kuravilangad, who were tending their flock in the bushes. Our Lady asked them to
build a church at the place from where a miraculous perpetual spring sprouted, a spring which exists even today. The
children reported the events to the elders and a church was built there. The Asia’s Largest Church bells located at this
church.

19. THANK YOU
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