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Kottayam:
The Land Of Letters & Lakes (The
first 100% literate Municipal City in India)
 Kottayam
Town, the headquarters of this district is located on the
foothills of the Western Ghats. This beautiful town is also a
prominent trading centre, especially for plantation crops like
rubber, tea, pepper and cardamom. Kottayam is a stronghold of the
Christian community in the state as many denominations have their
headquarters here. Many newspapers and magazines in Malayalam and
English are published from Kottayam. Kottayam is very famous for
its 'Kettuvallam' (House Boat). Traditional cargo boats called
Kettuvallams are modified into cruise boats and house boats, with
all basic facilities like kitchen, toilet, bathrooms, sit-outs
etc. These boats gracefully move around the backwaters, providing
facilities to tourist to enjoy the beauty of the Vembanadu lake in
a relaxed pace.
 Kumarakom
is a small village 12 Kms. west of Kottayam town. It is a part of
Kuttanad, which is lying below sea level, comprising of a number
of islands, in the backwaters. This beautiful sanctuary, in
Kumarakom, on the eastern banks of the Vembanadu lake is an ideal
place for backwater cruises organized by the Kerala Tourism
Department. Spread over 14 acres of lush greenery and blue waters,
Kumarakom offers sanctuary to various birds including water fowl,
water ducks, cuckoos and Siberian storks which nest and spend the
summer here.
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