INFORMATION ABOUT KOTTAYAM

Kottayam, among the State's more mountainous districts, provides some of Kerala's finest natural scenes sandwiched between serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western ghats on the east. Much of this beauty is laid out in all its glory along the road which winds from Kottayam to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady through plantations of rubber, tea, coffee and pepper. Kottayam is an important commercial centre of Kerala, India, thanks to its strength as a producer of cash crops. Most of India's natural rubber originates from the acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam, also home to the Rubber Board, One of the country's primary commodities board.

KOTTAYAM TOURISM

The Places of Interest and Sight Seeing



• Kottayam : has a vast network of rivers and canals which empty into the great expanse of water called the Vembanad Lake, part of the interconnected Kerala Backwaters that run virtually the length of the state. Vembanad Lake is 83.72 km in length and 14.48 km in width. Traditional cargo boats called Kettuvallams are modified into cruise boats and house boats. These boats gracefully move around the back waters, providing facilities to tourist to enjoy the beauty of the Vembanad Lake in a relaxed pace. In the Vembanad Lake there is a small beautiful island called Pathiramanal (the midnight sands). This island is accessible only by boat.



• Kumarakom :located on the coast of Vembanad Lake, is a beautiful village stocked with divine mangroves and coconut groves, lush green paddy fields, gushing waters snaking through the dense forests. Kumarakom bird sanctuary, is home to migratory birds like the Siberian stork, Egret, Darter, Heron and Teal. Local birds like the Water Fowl, Cuckoo, Owl and Water Hen and other common varieties like the Woodpecker, Sky Lark, Crane and Parrots can also be spotted here. 91 species of local and 50 species of migratory birds are found here. The best time to watch local birds is June-August and the best time for migratory birds is November-February. House Boats and motorboats are available on hire for bird watching cruises in the Lake. In the festive months of August and September, the rivers in and near Kottayam are turned into festival centres. The serene lakes come alive during Onam with a spectacular water regatta - the snake boat races. Oarsmen, at least a hundred in each boat, slice their way through the waters to the fast rhythm of their own full throated singing. In the Kumarakom boat race conducted at Kavanar and Kottathodu rivers, about 50 types of boats including veppu, ody and churulan boats participate.

ACCOMODATION/STAY OPTIONS IN KOTTAYAM

• THE WINDSOR CASTLE & THE LAKE VILLAGE
• BACKWATER RIPPLES


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