Specialty of Kottayam
Known for rubber production, Kottayam contributes the lion's share to the total production of rubber in the country of India. Apart from that, this place is among the significant trading hubs of spices and cash crops. This district of Kerala is even famous for being the place of one of India's panoramic backwaters.
Best time to visit Kottayam
The residents of this city cum district experiences tropical climatic conditions. The moderate and pleasant weather of the place is not featured with any prominent season. Owing to its location in the equatorial region, this district has got high humidity level with a minute variation of temperature ranging in between 20° C to 35° C. The period in between the months of March and May are comparatively warm and is featured with pre-monsoon rainfall followed by lightening as well as thunder. South west monsoon sets in during June and continues till September, when Kottayam receives the most rainfall. This is followed by north west monsoon. The months from October to December receives low rainfall. The average annual rainfall amounts to 3, 600 mm though. December, January and February are said to be winter season in the place. Keeping Kottayam's climate into consideration, this place of Kerala can be best visited during the months in between September and March.
How to reach Kottayam
Being the location of one of the country's backwaters, this place is well connected to the rest of the nation with the following mode of transport:
Kottayam a major tourist destination?
This place, which is often known as "Akshara Nagari" attracts tourists for being the place of Indian backwaters. Apart from the panoramic backwaters, the lush green agricultural areas, hills, hillocks, highlands, legendary places and many more makes the place popular among tourists. It even acts as a gateway to Bharananganam, Erumeli, Ettumanoor, Manarcaud, Mannanam, Sabarimala, Vaikom etc., which are some of the pilgrim hubs in India. Some of the prominent places of visit in Kottayam are as follows:
- Elaveezha Poonchira: Located at an elevation of about 3, 200 ft., this hill station in Kottayam comprises of some beautiful hillocks like Kudayathoormala, Mankunnu, Poonchira and Thonippara. This hill station even houses the pool that is associated with the Mahabharata.
- Ettumanoor: This place gained its fame for housing an old Shiva temple, which houses 1 small and 7 large gold made elephant statues. The temple has got wall paintings dating back to 1000 years.
- Kumarakom: Situated along the side of the Vembanad Lake, this beautiful village is known for housing a bird sanctuary. Apart from that, this place is often visited by tourists for the backwaters, canals, house boats and the Henry Baker's bungalow.
- Pathiramanal: Accessible just by boats, this small island situated in the Lake Vembanad is visited by people to enjoy the environmental beauty.
- Vembanad Lake: Stretched over 84 kms, this lake is a part of Kerala Backwaters. Kettuvallams, a form of conventional cargo boats which are transformed into luxurious house boats and cruise boats, are one of the main attractions of the place. One can hire such a boat to explore the natural beauty of the backwaters.
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Shopping Places in Kottayam
A person, who loves to shop, can explore and purchase the varied kinds of local handcrafted items in Kottayam. These unique South Indian handicrafts are available in almost every market place in the area. Apart from these, the shoppers of the district even offer silk products as well as different kinds of gift items. To name a few of the popular shopping places in the place are mentioned in the table below along with their location:
| Sl. No. | Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Archies Gallery | M. D. Commercial Centre, K. K. Road, Kottayam - 686 001, Kerala, India. |
| 2 | Bava Shopping Centre | Kavala, Kottayam - 686 001, Kerala, India. |
| 3 | Bhuvana Metal Mart | Market Road, Kottayam - 686 001, Kerala, India. |
| 4 | Hallmark Cards and Gifts | XIV/ 181 - C, Kannankara Buildings, Nattakom, Kottayam - 686 013, Kerala, India. |
| 5 | K. Mart Shopping Centre | 4/ 243 A, Muttambalam, K. K. Road, Kottayam - 686 004, Kerala, India. |
| 6 | Muttippallil Super Bazar | Kuravilangad, Kottayam - 686 633, Kerala, India. |
| 7 | Singapore Shoppe | 18/ 838, C. S. I. Commercial Centre, Baker Junction, Kottayam - 686 001, Kerala, India. |
Famous restaurants in Kottayam
The district houses a number of cafes and restaurants. Though the place lacks variety, still these Kottayam restaurants serve varied kinds of local cuisine. Apart from specializing in vegetarian dishes of south India, some of these restaurants even offer good quality preparations from north India along with Chinese and continental delicacies. This city cum district has even got some bakeries, which provides different kinds of breads and snacks. Owing to the fact that it is one of the staple foods of Kottayam's inhabitants, beef is quite easily available there. Apart from these, this city of Kerala has got many well stocked pubs and bars, which serves mainly the male clientele varied kinds of drinks along with "Toddy" that is a kind of local beverage prepared from palm sap. Names and location of some of the popular restaurants of the place are given below:
- Arabian Restaurant: Located at M. C. Road, this restaurant is known for their unique usage of authentic recipes while serving an array of Arabian, Tandoori and western cuisines along with specialties of the Kerala state as well as dessert items. Address and contact details of this restaurant are as follows:
-
Puthookkadans Buildings
Near Municipal Office
Kottayam, Kerala, India.
Tel.: + 91 - 9847047967/ 9446562701
E-mail: arabianrestaurant@gmail.com - Aryabhavan Veg Restaurant: This restaurant of Kottayam, which is famous for serving delicious vegetarian food, is located at:
- Kottayam - 686 001
- Kerala, India.
- Dreams and Dine: This multi-cuisine restaurant of the district of south Kerala is situated at the following address:
-
18/ 317, Thakidiyil
Changanacherry, Perunnai
Kottayam - 686 101, Kerala
India.
- Thali Restaurant: This restaurant, a part of the Homestead Hotel, is known for serving good quality thalis at a cost effective rate. Following is the contact address of the restaurant:
-
VIII/ 1318, K. K. Road
N. H. 220, Kottayam - 686 001
Kerala, India.
- Wheels Restaurant: Situated on the N. H. 220, this is the sole gallery restaurant in Kottayam as well as Kerala. This restaurant with its origin in Paris is a perfect blend of aesthetics with food because of its exclusive style of serving sumptuous food amid an artistic ambience featured with paintings, sculpture, handicrafts and many more. This gallery restaurant remains open from 11 am to 11 pm at the following address:
-
Kanjikuzhy
Kottayam - 686 004
Kerala, India.
Tel.: + 91 - 0481 - 2572927/ 8145
Where to stay in Kottayam?
Being one of the major tourist places of the southern part of the country, this place houses numerous hotels and resorts, ranging from luxury to budget ones that will make your stay comfortable in the city. The below mentioned table provides information about some of the renowned hotels in Kottayam:
| Sl. No. | Name of Hotel | Category | Contact Address | Contact Telephone Number | Contact E-mail Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hotel White Gate Residency | Luxury | Valiyakavala, Vaikom, Kottayam, Kerala, India. | + 91 - 04829 - 216961 to 64 | info@whitegateresidency.com and sales@whitegateresidency.com |
| 2 | Hotel Pearl Regency | 4 Star | T. B. Junction, M. C. Road, Kottayam - 686 039, Kerala, India. | + 91 - 0481 - 2561124/ 25 | pearlregencyktm@gmail.com and pearlregencyktm@sancharnet.in |
| 3 | Hotel The Windsor Castle | 3 Star | M. C. Road, Kodimatha, Kottayam - 686 039, Kerala, India. | + 91 - 0481 - 2363637/ 638 | wcastle@sify.com |
| 4 | Hotel Muscat Residency | 2 Star | Kottayam, Kerala, India. | ||
| 5 | Hotel Orchid Residency | Business | Boat Jetty Road, Pulimoodu Junction, Kottayam - 686 001, Kerala, India. | + 91 - 0481 - 2563141/ 4141 | mail@orchidresidency.com |
| 6 | Backwater Retreat | Resort | Near Pulikkuttissery Bridge, Aymanam, Kumarakom, Kottayam - 686 004, Kerala, India. | + 91 - 09349526615 | backwaterretreat@yahoo.com |
Last Updated on 09/05/2013
