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| Kottayam |
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‘Land of language and literature’ |
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Kottayam is a compound word- kotta+akam which means the interior of a fort. Rulers of Munjanad and Thekkumkur had their head quarters at Thazhathangadi in the present Kottayam town. Marthanda Varma of Travancore attacked Thekkumkur and destroyed the palace and the Thaliyil fort. The remnants of place and forts are still seen here. |
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Brief History |
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The present district of Kottayam was previously a part of the erstwhile princely state of Travancore. Earlier, the Travancore state consisted of two revenue divisions viz. The Southern and Northern division, under the administrative control of a ‘Diwan Peshkar’ for each. Later, in 1868, two more division, Quilon and Kottayam, were constituted. The fifth division - Devikulm , came next but for a short period, which in course of time, was added to Kottayam. |
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At the time of the integration of the State of Travancore and Cochin in 1949, these revenue division were renamed as districts and the Diwan Pashkars gave way to District Collectors, marking the birth of the Kottayam District
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The beginning of the 9th century AD is the age of the Kulasekharas. At that time, Kottayam was a part of the Vempolinad, which belonged to the Kulasekhara Empire (1090-1102 AD). The Vembanad lake itself, derives its name from Vempolinad |
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The Kingdom of Vempolinad, split itself into the Kingdoms of Thekkumkur and Vadakkumkur by about 1100 AD and later these two kingdoms were annexed by Marthanda Varma of Travancore (between 1749 and 1754).
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The Portuguese and the Dutch had their business relations with both Thekkumkur and Vadakkumkur kingdoms, pepper and other spices, being the main attractions. In addition to Thekkumkur and Vadakkumkur, Marthanda Varma brought two more petty principalities in Kottayam under his control. These were Poonjar and Meenachil. After Marthanda Varma, Dharma Raja (1758-1798) placed Kottayam in a key position in the new defiance strategy against Haider Ali and Tippu Sultan of Mysore. Apart form this, Kottayam afforded asylum to a number of refugee princes who left Malabar in the wake of Mysore invasions |
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Kottayam occupied a pre- eminent position in the cultural life of the Travancore princely court, the main reason being the migration of Ramapurathu Warrier, the famous poet of Vadakkumkur to Thiruvananthapuram, following the annexation Kottayam by Marthanda Varma. |
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Kottayam has played its role in all the political agitating of modern times. The "Malayali Memorial" agitation may be said to have had its origin in Kottayam. The Malayali Memorial sought to secure better representation for educated Travancoreans in the Travancore civil service against persons from outside. The Memorial, which was presented to the Maharaja Sri Mulam Thirunal (1891)was drafted at a public meeting held in the Kottayam Public Library. The event made the beginning of the modern political movement in the state |
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It was here that the famous Vaikom Satyagraha, (1924-25) an epic struggle for eradication of untouchability, took place. Scheduled castes and other backward classes in Travancore were not only denied entry into temple, but also access to temple roads. Vaikom, the seat of a celebrated Siva Temple, was the venue of the symbolic satyagraha. It is of immense historic significance that national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, C. Rajagopalachari, Acharya Vinoba Bhave and E.V. Ramaswami Naykar, associated with this struggle. The ‘Nivarthana’ agitation of the early thirties to secure adequate representation for the non-caste Hindus, Christians and Muslims in the State Legislature, enjoyed considerable support from this district. |
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The district was also a centre of the agitation led by the State Congress for responsible Government in the erstwhile state of Travancore. The agitation had a triumphant end, with the overthrow of Sir. C.P.Ramaswami Iyer, the Dewan of Travancore |
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Climate |
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The district has a tropical humid climate with an oppressive hot season in the plains and plenty of rainfall throughout. The hot season from March to May, is followed by the Southwest Monsoon form June to September. October and November constitute the post-Monsoon or retreating Monsoon season, when day temperature increases gradually and the heat is nearly as intense as in summer. December to February forms the Northeast Monsoon. Rains cease early in January. |
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Places of Interest |
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Kumarakom |
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Kumarakom is a small village 14km. west of Kottayam. It is a part of Kuttanad, which is a ' wonder land ', lying below sea level, comprising of a number of islands, in the back waters. Kumarakom Village covers an area of 5166 Ha of which 2413Ha is lake portion, 1500Ha is paddy fields and the remaining portion of 1253 Ha is dry land. Kumarakom is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interpersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad Lake, this small water world has plenty of traditional country boats, crafts and canoes which will take you in to the heart of scenic Kerala. The resorts near by offer comfortable accomodation and exclusive leisure options like Ayurvedic massages, Yoga and meditation besides boating, fishing, angling and swimming. |
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Vembanad lake |
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Kottayam has a vast network of rivers and canals which empty into the great expanse of water called the Vembanad Lake, a fast developing back water tourism destination. Vembanad lake is having 83.72km. length and 14.48km. width. Traditional cargo boats called Kettuvallams are modified into cruise boats and house boats, with all basic facilities like kitchen, toilet, bathrooms, sitouts etc. These boats gracefully move around the back waters, providing facilities to tourist to enjoy the beauty of the Vembanad lake in a relaxed pace. Keralagreenery offers house boat cruises and holiday packages |
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Elaveezha poonchira |
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a hill station near Melukavu Mattom, 60kms from Kottayam is gaining tourist importance. |
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Located among three beautiful hillocks Mankunnu, Kudayathoormala and Thonippara, Poonchira is a place of picturesque charm. Legends say that the pool here was a bathing place for Panchali the legendary heroine of Mahabharata. The D.T.P.C. is developing this place into a trekking spot. A tourist bungalow with rooms and dormitory to accommodate 15 people has been constructed. The beautiful valleys of Poonchira are spread across thousands of acres. The verdant landscape punctuated by the gigantic hills, each rising to around 3200 ft. is an ideal place to unwind. During the monsoons when the valley fills up to form a scenic lake, this place unveils yet another beautiful slice of nature. Elaveezha poonchira means valley where leaves don't fall and is named so because the place has no trees. This is also one of the best places in Kerala to witness both the sun rise and sunset. |
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Poonjar Palace |
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The Poonjar Palace in Meenachil taluk is a glorious testimony to the regal opulence of a bygone era. With the palace walls, is an extra ordinary royal collection of antiques and exquisite furniture which include a palanquin, a thoni carved out of a single piece of wood for ayurvedic massages, huge chandeliers, palm leaf engravings, jewel boxes, a variety of lamps, sculptures of Nataraja (dancing Lord Siva ), grain measures, statues and weapons. A unique couch preserved here is taken out once a year for ritualistic purposes. Near the palace is an amazing replica of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple. The walls of this temple have sculptures with war fare stories from the Puranas (the legends of ancient India ). However the most fascinating thing here is the Chuttuvilakku (row of lamps) carved out on the stonewalls of the Sastha Temple nearby. Such rocks cut lamps are rare in India |
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Wagamon |
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Situated 64kms from Kottayam, this enchanting hill station at an elevation of 1100 metres above sea level is a trekker’s paradise. This enchanting hill station on the Idukki-Kottayam border dotted with tea gardens and meadows, will soon be one of India's foremost Eco tourism projects. The breeding centre of the Kerala Live stock Board is located here |
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Kurisumala |
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Three Kms. from Vazhikkadavu, this renowned Christian pilgrim centre is where hundreds of devotees from far and near converge during the holy week and after, to climb the hill in faith, carrying small wooden crosses. The peaceful Jewish monastery at the top of the hill, the cool mountain air and the lush green landscape are all soothing to the soul. On the eastern side of the hill is Murugan mala, home of a rock cut temple dedicated to Murugan ( son of Lord Siva). The road to Kurisumala offers wonderful sight-seeing opportunities in a European model house and the beautiful artificial lake both designed by the renowned architect, Laurie Baker. |
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