QUICK TOUR OF KOTTAYAM & KUMARAKOM (FROM KOCHI)

At a distance of 1 km from Kottayam Railway Station, Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Kottayam, Kerala. Located in heart of the Kottayam town, it is one of the oldest temples in Kerala, and among the must-visit places during your Kottayam tour.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple was constructed by Thekkumkoor Maharaja in the early 16th century. The Mahadeva Temple showcases typical South Indian architecture. The walls of the temples are decorated with beautiful paintings of different scenes from the Hindu epics. The innermost sanctum of the temple is adorned with impressive images of epic characters from Hindu mythology.

The whole temple complex occupies about 4 acres (1.6 ha) of land which is rich in many trees and plants. One of the largest Koothambalams in Kerala is in this temple situated in the southeast corner. The two-storeyed .....

At a distance of 1 Kms from Kottayam Railway Station, Thirunakkara Sri Krishna Temple is located near Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple.

The pilgrims visiting Sabarimala take a dip in the holy pond of this temple. There are separate smaller shrines available in the temple for Lord Ganesh and Goddess Bhagavati. An annual 7 day festival, 'Araattu', held here is a major draw.

At a distance of 3 km from Kottayam Railway Station, Cheriapally Church is a Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church located in Kottayam, Kerala, India. Situated on the way to Kumarakom from Kottayam, it is one of the oldest churches in Kerala, and among the must-include places in Kottayam packages.

St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church, commonly known as Kottayam Cheriapally, is dedicated to mother Mary. According to the legend, the Thekkumkore (old Kottayam) kings were glad that Christians were living in their kingdom. King Kothavarma, who was ruling the kingdom during that period, provided them land for constructing the church, without levying the tax. A church was first built in 1550 and named Valiyapally. However, the congregation later split into ethnic lines and the dissidents built Cheriapally in 1579. The Cheriyapally Church was built by Portuguese architect Antony but the Portuguese did not influence the mode of worship in the church. .....

At a distance of 3 km from Kottayam Railway Station, Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid is a mosque situated in the Thazhathangady locality of Kottayam. It is one of the oldest mosques in India, and among the popular pilgrimage sites near Kochi.

Situated on the banks of the Meeachil River, the Thazhathangady Juma Masjid was built by Habib Dinar, son of Malik Dinar who introduced Islam in the country. It is more than 1000 years old. The Government of Kerala has declared it as one of the protected monuments of the state. It is one of the must- include places in Kottayam packages.

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. The mosque has opened its doors for .....

At a distance of 11 Kms from Kottayam Railway Station, Mahadeva Temple located in Ettumanoor is one of the most celebrated Siva temples in Kerala. This is one of the popular tourist & pilgrimage sites to visit near Kottayam & Kochi.

This temple is known for its exceptional murals and woodcarvings made in 16th century. The themes of these murals are stills from the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata and the and Puranas.The oil lamp at the entrance of the temple is believed to have been lighted for more than 450 years and it is fed with oil by the devotees everyday. There are 14 decorative gopuras in the temple built in 16th century.

Another attraction of the temple is Ezhara Punnana (golden elephants) donated to the temple by Maharaja of Travancore. The golden elephants are kept on display during the temple annual festival celebrated in the month of February / March. Only Hindus are allowed into this temple.

Ezharaponnaana Ezhunallathu is the main festival celebrated .....

At a distance of 5 Kms from Kottayam Railway Station, Bhagavathy Temple at Kumaranalloor is one of the most important Devi temples in Kerala.

The idol of the Goddess is in standing position and is about 3 feet high. The temple has been identified by Sri Adi Sankaracharya as one of the five important centers in India to worship Durga. The temple was built in sreechakra style and known for its unique architecture. It is also renowned for its temple towers constructed in Tamil Nadu style of architecture. The temple has many attractive mural paintings and wood carvings.

The annual festival of the temple is celebrated in the month of November / December.

At a distance of 1 Km from Kumarakom Bus Station, Sri Kumaramangalam Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Kumarakom. It is one of the significant places to visit in Kumarakom.

Sri Kumaramangalam Temple is dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya. Located on the banks of the Meenachil River, the main deity idol was consecrated in 1905 by Sree Narayana Guru, the great social reformer of Kerala.

Timings: 6 AM -5.30 PM

Entry: Free

At a distance of 5 km from Kumarakom Bus Station, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a protected reserve situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake in Kerala. Also known as Vembanad Bird Sanctuary, this is one of the best places of wildlife in Kerala, and among the must-visit places during your Kumarakom trip.

Spread across 14 acres, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is an amazing paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields, and coconut groves. It is one of the best sanctuaries near Kochi, the bird sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. In addition, visitors can get thrilled by the native kingfishers ablaze in psychedelic colours, experience a walk under rookeries of egrets and night herons or lone golden-backed .....

Kumarakom is the most enchanting backwater destination in Kerala. It is located on the banks of Vembanad Lake in the Kuttanad region of the Kottayam district. Vembanad Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India. Also known as the Queen of Vembanad, Kumarakom is the most famous places for backwaters in Kerala.

The major sightseeing option at Kumarakom is a houseboat cruise in the backwaters of Vembanad. Among the must things to do in Kumarakom, Kumarakom backwater cruises are a unique experience that leaves memories for a lifetime. There are Country boats and Houseboats for the boat cruise experience.

A Houseboat cruise along the backwaters is really an amazing experience for every traveler as part of Kumarakom holiday packages. Excellent marine and freshwater fish including tasty .....

At a distance of 18 km from Kumarakom, and 35 km from Kottayam, Vaikom is famous as a temple town in the Kottayam district of Kerala. Situated on the eastern side of Vembanad Lake, popular getaway to experience beautiful backwaters in Kerala, and among the must-visit Kumarakom tourist places.

Vaikom is well known for the ancient Mahadeva temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be built by Parasurama, the founder of Kerala. The temple has a huge courtyard spanning over 8 acres of land and four towers on each side of the temple. Other major attractions of the Mahadeva Temple include the Garbagriha, a golden Stupa surmounting Garbagriha, 19.5m tall golden staff, etc. The exterior walls of the Garbagriha exhibit several pieces of artwork.

This is the place that had made a significance in Indian history with the Vaikom Sathyagraham in 1924, i.e the movement against untouchability in Hindu society. .....