Once the fortress of an erstwhile kingdom, Kottayam is a treasure chest, which once opened reveals golden nuggets of history, emeralds of vibrant nature, diamonds of sparkling waterfalls and sapphires of radiant lakes. Bounded by the majestic Western Ghats on the east and the calm waters of the Vembanad Lake and the vast paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west, Kottayam truly has been blessed by the bountiful nature. Here, the traditional and the modern not only co-exist but they nurture each other.
The first town in India to have achieved 100% literacy, Kottayam has its claim on many firsts in the field of education. Home to the leading dailies and publishing houses in Kerala, Kottayam truly lives up to its sobriquet ‘Akshara Nagari’ or ‘City of Letters’. India’s first commercially successful rubber plantation was set up in Yendayar, a small hamlet in the eastern border of Kottayam, by the Irish planter J J Murphy. Presently the largest supplier of natural rubber in India, the extensive well-maintained rubber plantations have become the hallmark of Kottayam. The array of spices grown here are valued the world over for their excellent quality and heavenly aroma.
Serene lakes, verdant mountains and rolling paddy fields makes Kottayam a traveller’s paradise. Explore the enchanting labyrinth of the beautiful backwaters, take a walk through the lush paddy fields soaking up the colours of agrarian life, hike through the misty mountains or take a dip in the cascading cold waters of the picturesque falls - you will be spoilt for choice here. Steeped in culture and enhanced by history, the ancient temples, magnificent mosques and hallowed churches stand together as symbols of religious harmony.
Kottayam is not just a treat for your eyes, but for your tastebuds as well. From the fiery red fish curry and mashed tapioca, the lacy hoppers and spicy duck stew, steamy boiled rice paired with marinated pearlspot cooked in banana leaf, to the syrupy flavours of the delicate ‘Churuttu’, Kottayam is waiting to nourish your body and your soul. Enriched by the warm hospitality of its people, the time you spent here will truly be unforgettable.
