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Home , Kottayam, Kottiyoor Temple, Vadakkumkur

Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kottayam page 1

in India to achieve 100 per cent each house of worship mixes and literacy as matches customs and rituals Kottayam associated with another.   Known for being India's first 100% far back as 1989. It’s also home to literate city, Kottayam is a feather one of India’s largest selling Most tourists visit Kottayam for in the hat of the beautiful . A newspapers, Malayala its backwaters and houseboats. But quiet city amongst weathered hills Manorama. Way before such the town’s heritage structures are and backwaters, this place holds milestones dotted Kottayam, the land also a must-see. Like in many the promise of instantly soothing was ruled by Kulasekharas (1090- Indian cities, the town mushroomed the city worn traveller into a calm Famous For : City 1102) and was part of around a temple; in this case, the and tranquil state. their Vempolinad Kingdom. Around sprawling Thirunakkara Mahadeva Located in God's Own Country, Kottayam is 1100, the territory was split into Temple. It is hailed as the archetype a beautiful town of clear blue skies and Thekkumkur and . Spice of traditional Kerala green hills. Welcome to this land of surreal trade between these kingdoms, the temple architecture. The temple was beauty which is replete with palm fronds Portuguese and the Dutch flourished built by one of the Thekkumkur rajas and backwaters typical to Kerala. Take a in the 15th century, until both were and is more than 500 years old. The walk through the sprawling campus of the reduced to subordinate allies of the main entrance to the temple is via a CMS College, the oldest one in India and Raj. set of steep steps at the eastern admire the magnificent architecture of the gopuram, just next to a rustling imposing building. By the mid-18th banyan tree. century, Thekkumkur and One could also undertake an excursion to Vadakkumkur were annexed by The small entrance door does not the Bird Sanctuary when here, and became part betray the beauty and the grace of or trek to the Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls while of . Today, the many the temple beyond the threshold. enjoying spending quiet time in the lap of churches of the town stand testimony Look for the Shivalingam ensconced nature. As Kottayam is an important center to the erstwhile Dutch and within the inner praharam straight in of Coffee and Spice trading in Kerala, make Portuguese presence. line with the door as you step in. The sure you sample the exotic goodies this Kottayam’s heritage is unique, for it’s and Ayappa shrines are place has to offer. a true melting pot of varied cultural further ahead. Take note of the and religious influences. It helped scores of lamps lining the walls of the that almost all the churches, mosques inner praharam. To the left, the deity This Pdf and its contents are copyright © and temples here were built under of Lord Muruga blesses the 2013,ixigo.com, all rights reserved. ixigo logo, the character and all other marks displayed herein are registered and/or common law trademarks of royal patronage. What you see now is faithful. Not very far from the temple ixigo.com and/or third parties. Kottayam’s a commercial centre, with many rubber and its splendid culmination: a lovely stands the ancient St Mary’s spice plantations. It was the first town amalgamation of religions, where Church, known as Valiapally. It was Kottayam Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kottayam page 2

built in 1550 by Syrian Knanaya huge hanging lamp in the hall and traditional bathing area and Bakery Junction is a good place to buy Christians. the granite pillars are reminiscent latticed windows.  some Syrian Christian of temples in Kerala, while the specialities such as churuttu (a sweet The church has two granite Persian vegetable dye paintings on the altar In the same vicinity, don’t miss savoury) and kozhalappams (fried crosses, each carved out of a single walls and ceiling depicting the life of a beautiful double-storeyed items made of rice flour). A slab of stone dating back to the 4th Christ are typically Portuguese. Sadly, traditional structure made of teak, half-hour drive up the and 7th centuries CE. Both bear the paintings on the lower half of the the Thazathangadi Juma Masjid, one Mannanam hillock, north of inscriptions in Pahalavi altar wall have been ruthlessly of the oldest mosques in India. Kottayam, is worth the effort just for whitewashed.  Believed to be more than 1,000 years a breathtaking view of the town, its old, the mosque has a square inner coconut palms, soaring church spires language, once the official language courtyard typical of a nalukettu (four- and silver lagoons. of the Sassanian dynasty of Persia. sided mansion with an inner The crosses were apparently brought courtyard), carved wooden here from an older church in gabled roof, a traditional bathing area Besides being associated with Cranganore. The porch, with granite pillars and and latticed windows. Clothes the Blessed Father , carved wooden ceilings, the tiled roof, and jewellery are the chief draws in Mannanam is the seat of the first the baptism basin hewn out of a Kottayam. KK Road buzzes with multi- seminary of the Malabar Church The wooden altar and ceiling single stone and the bay windows tiered jewellery shops and sari (1833), the first Catholic Sanskrit are beautifully carved and decorated add to the uniqueness of the church. showrooms. If you are looking School in Kerala (1846), the first with vegetable dye paintings The grass carpeted courtyard houses for Travancore saris and dress printing press in Kerala (the CMS depicting scenes from the Bible. Look an annexe, which functions as the material, try Kasavukada in Arafa Press, 1846), the first Catholic English for the church’s office. Don’t miss the Towers, west of Thirunakkara Temple. School (1846), and the first inscriptions in Syriac on its daily newspaper in , the walls. In the same vicinity, don’t miss Another place to visit is Seemati on  (1887). In Mannanam, ask for baptismal font built within the a beautiful double-storeyed MG Road, which has a special the 19th century St Joseph Church. It width of the thick church walls, more traditional structure made of teak, showroom called Temple of Silks; retains its original altar, adorned with than a metre in diameter.  the Thazathangadi Juma Masjid, one Narmada and Parthas on MG Road gold filigree work. The most brilliant of the oldest mosques in India. are also excellent places to pick up repertory of church history is Just a short distance from the Believed to be saris. If you are a collector of antique preserved at the Chavara Art Valiapally is the Cheriapally or the items, head for a small shop tucked Museum nearby. Also to the north of small church, which is neither small away on the highway in Kodimatha. Kottayam is the ancient Temple nor typically church like. A more than 1,000 years old, the Its modest setting hides a wealth of at Ettumanur, the most important of synchronous blend of temple and mosque has a square inner courtyard artefacts from all over Kerala. For the Shiva temples situated here and Portuguese architecture, St Mary’s typical of a nalukettu (four-sided souvenirs, you can pick up old lamps, in Kadathurthy and . Orthodox Church was built mansion with an inner courtyard), gramophones, Chinese pickle jars and and consecrated by the Portuguese in carved wooden gabled roof, a lamp shades. Anne’s Bakery on The main gopuram fronts a mural, 1579. The large brick outer walls, the Kottayam Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kottayam page 3

most of which is hidden under layers Temple venerates Goddess and is believed to have been Max: Min: Rain: 32.79999923 25.70000076 103.699996948242 of whitewash. Look for the big brass welcomes the annual procession born. The Palace complex, to 706055°C 2939453°C 19mm lamp facing the shrine. North of from the Pazhayapalli Mosque and the east of Kottayam, has a nalukettu May Mananam is Athirumpuzha, where St the Easter procession from St Mary’s and ettukettu (a mansion with two Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, Mary’s Forane Church is located. The Metropolitan inner courtyards). The royalty’s umbrella. church dates to 835 CE. The lovingly collection of antiques housed inside Max: Min: Rain: 32.20000076 25.60000038 270.799987792968 preserved St Sebastian’s statue in the the palace includes wooden utensils, 293945°C 1469727°C 75mm church was brought by a Cathedral. The cathedral, which has wooden and stone measures, and Jun granite flooring typical of 16th- palm leaf manuscripts. The complex Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, century religious buildings, in turn also houses a Madurai Meenakshi umbrella. sailor from Portugal in 1687. welcomes annual processions from Temple with 2,200 lamps hewn out of Max: Min: Rain: 30.10000038 24.29999923 615.900024414062 An unusual feature is a statue of Jesus the mosque and the stone. 1469727°C 7060547°C 5mm on the cross without a single Bhagwati Temple. The rundown Jul wound. People in Pazhayapalli Mosque completes When To Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, (south of Kottayam) take immense Kottayam’s famed religious umbrella. pride in the name of the place. amity. The Vaikom Temple (north- Max: Min: Rain: 29.29999923 23.70000076 516.099975585937 Changanassery is said to be a west of Kottayam), where Lord Shiva VISIT 7060547°C 2939453°C 5mm corruption of shankhunatha- sseri. is known as the ‘Annadana Prabhu’ or Aug The story goes back to the 12th the Giver of Food, has a big kitchen http://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-kottayam-lp-1145303 Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, century, when a Thekkumkur and a doublestorey, 1,000-m-long umbrella. raja, Udaya Marthanda Varma, built oottupura (dining room). Max: 29.5°C Min: Rain: 330.5mm Jan 24.10000038 a temple, a church and a mosque at Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. 1469727°C equal distance from each other, to This 16th-century temple has a 317- Max: 31.5°C Min: Rain: Sep hear the sound of the shanghu foot-tall gold flagstaff. Piravam (north- 23.10000038 32.2999992370605 1469727°C 5mm Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, (conch), the west of Kottayam), akilometre west of umbrella. Peppathy Junction in , on Feb Max: 30.0°C Min: Rain: Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. 24.20000076 283.799987792968 the -Piravam route is ideal 2939453°C 75mm Max: Min: Rain: natham (chime of the church bells) for those who want to see the 31.79999923 24.10000038 24.2999992370605 Oct and the sseri (muezzin’s call) every surviving manas or illams, 7060547°C 1469727°C 47mm Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, morning. the traditional Kerala Brahmin Mar umbrella. houses. Its most famous house, the Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. Max: Min: 24.0°C Rain: 30.39999961 422.100006103515 8th-century Max: Min: Rain: 8530273°C 6mm 32.40000152 25.39999961 39.0999984741210 The rituals and festivals of the 5878906°C 8530273°C 94mm Nov temple, church and mosque are inter- Apr Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, linked, paying eloquent testimony to Melpazhur Mana, meticulously umbrella. Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, Kottayam’s syncretic preserved, is where Shankaracharya umbrella. traditions. The Kavil Bhagwati Kottayam Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kottayam page 4

Max: Min: Rain: 135.0mm border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Buy some 31.10000038 24.10000038 Thazhatangady, Juma Masjid, Wagamon, some 64 km from 1469727°C 1469727°C delectable and rare spices and experience Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala Kottayam) the decadent village lifestyle. Walk, or better Dec 686005, India Wagamon is a carbon neutral hill station Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. still, take a slow elephant ride through the A quick 16 km from Kumarakom at near Kottayam that is flushed with flora and Max: 31.5°C Min: Rain: town's large plantations. Cascading hills, 23.10000038 40.4000015258789 Thazhathangady (Kottayam town) is the fauna. It is a 1469727°C 06mm abundant greenery, astonishing waterfalls Juma Masjid. It's been said the mosque has beautiful, serene hill stations and nature's small wonders, now been standing there for over a full of green cliffs. The climate there is What To thousand years, along the River . always cool and pleasant. It is quite and nice is a hidden paradise. Known mainly The mosque has an intriguing historical getaway if you want to cut out the exterior for its spice market, this merchant town has background. At one point, the cemetery of world and be lost in nature. You can been seeing an increasing amount of tourist SEE the mosque was used for cremations. It has enjoy the bicycle rides in the mountains. traffic due to its proximity to and 5 Sights stunning interiors with gorgeous Wagamon is the place where you can the splendid Periyar Tiger Reserve, popular architecture and detailed wood carvings and http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-kottayam-lp-1145303 enjoy paragliding if you are into adventure tourist destinations just 6 kms from here. traces of some historical cobwebs spun here sports. There are guest houses and lodges Experience an old, forgotten way of life in 1 Juma Masjid and there. The members of this Mosque to stay. It has got a number of tourist spots the quaint markets and vast, fertile also contributed greatly to the freedom to chill out like the botanical garden. plantations. Taste some of the most struggle. It is interesting to note the It is also famous for its tea gardens. Do not tantalising cuisines and imbibe the rich different style in which the Muslim men leave this town without buying some organic cultural heritage of Kerala.  wear their munda (dhoti). The area around tea for yourself. The place is no less than the heaven. Indulge in the luxury of a rejuvenating Juma Masjid is extremely well maintained Ayurvedic massage, one of the best you'll 3 Kumily besides the mosque itself. A definite must ever get. Kumily offers you a perfect, quiet visit if you are in this lively town. holiday away from the hustle bustle of city life in the midst of peace and 2 Wagamon serenity. 

4 Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple

Kumily, Thekkady, India

This tiny, quaint town is tucked between the Kottayam Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kottayam page 5

Temple Road, Thirunakara, St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church, Near KSTRC Bus Stand, T B Road, KK Road, Kottayam, Kerala, 686001, Kottayam, Kerala, India Cheriapally Junction, Kottayam Kottayam, Kerala, 686001, India India Kumarakom Road, Kumarakom, Bang at the centre of the city, the The pleasant ambiance and the atmosphere Thali, a popular name with tourists and Kottayam, Kerala, 686001, India Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple built by of this place are something that will attract locals alike, is a must visit for you if you want Raja of Thekkumkoor is a splendid site. Over Cheriyapally is popularly known as St. Mary’s you at first into the restaurant. But once you to enjoy a classic platter of South Indian, 500 years old, the temple still retains its Church. This is one of the oldest and most taste the food here, you will not forget this Kerala and North Indian cuisines. Not heavy grandeur. stunning churches in the heart of Kottayam. place ever. Done in a vintage setting with on your pocket, this little den promises a The interiors of the ancient temple are Considered to be built in 1579 by the wood lined walls, it is a recommended delectable dining experience for you. They adorned by murals which are episodes right Portuguese, the church is a fine blend of option if you want to enjoy a hearty meal at also serve mouth watering non-veg food but out of the epics. Although the main deity is Hindu and Portuguese architecture. The pocket-friendly prices. The authentic south the good point is that they don't offer you Lord Shiva, there are shrines dedicated to beautiful murals adorning the walls, Indian food here will surely make you want the same if the raw materials (meat or fish) Lord Ganesha as well. Thirunakkara believed to be made of vegetable dye, seem to come to this place over and over is not good. Staff here is polite and attentive, Mahadeva Temple celebrates three festivals to bring alive the various episodes from the again.You can also try out the other ensuring that the guests have a good time with much zeal and fervour. The ten day Bible amongst other scenes. The granite delicacies on their menu that has a typical when they are at Thali. long festival called ‘Aaraattu’ sees the pillars and the suspended lamps of the homely touch to it. temple in a completely different light. From church certainly make 3 Nalekattu dazzling Kathakali dances to folk music, the Cheriyapally worth a visit. 2 Thali Restaurant temple is soaked in excitement.

5 Cheriyapally Where To Eat 5 Places

http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-kottayam-lp-1145303

1 Hotel Suryaas

The Windsor Castle, Kodimatha, Kottayam, Kerala, 686039, India Rs. 130 +91-481-2363637

Nalekattu, the in-house restaurant of Windsor Castle (a famous hotel in Kottayam), greets you with an elaborate Kottayam Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kottayam page 6

menu and cheerful faces. A great place to Non-veg and Biryanis which you will love to have the real flavours of Kerala food, you savour. A great place to enjoy a sumptuous can savour some delectable and authentic fare with your loved ones - that is Meenachil preparations like Karimeen Pollichathu, for you. Make your dining experience an Meen Vattichathu, Kappa and Appam to affair to remember!  name a few. When it comes to interiors and ambiance, Nalekattu scores there as well. 5 Indian Coffee House Done in a traditional and elegant style with comfortable seating arrangement, the place calls for some wonderful moments with your loved ones over great food. 

4 Meenachil

Opposite , K.K Road, Kottayam, Kerala, 686001, India TB Road, Kottayam Rs. 110 A South Indian eating place serving a +91-481-2560467 countless variety of Indian snacks. Simply Step in at Meenachil, an upscale restaurant Irresistible! in Kottayam, and enjoy a hearty Indian fare which is prepared by the expert chefs. The cozy ambiance and a contemporary decor adds charm to the whole dining experience. Choose from the umpteen varieties of Veg, Kottayam Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kottayam page 7

Quick LOCATE

http://www.ixigo.com/hotels-in-kottayam-lp-1145303

See A: Juma Masjid B: Wagamon C: Kumily D: Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple E: Cheriyapally Accommodation F: Meenachil Enclave Homestay G: Rain Forest Ayur County Resort H: White Gate Residency I: Meenachil Enclave Homestay J: Rain Forest Ayur County Resort K: White Gate Residency L: Meenachil Enclave Homestay M: Rain Forest Ayur County Resort N: White Gate Residency Food O: Hotel Suryaas P: Thali Restaurant Q: Nalekattu R: Meenachil S: Indian Coffee House