Kottayam is one of 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. Kottayam district comprises six municipal towns: Kottayam, Changanassery, Pala, Erattupetta, Ettumanoor, and Vaikom. It is the only district in Kerala that neither borders the Arabian Sea nor any other states.
The Sabarimala Sree Ayyappan Temple is a Hindu temple that is devoted to the worship of a deity named Ayyappan, also known as Dharma Shasta. Ayyappan is believed to be the son of Shiva and Mohini. The temple is situated atop a hill in the village of Ranni-Perunad, within the Ranni Taluk of the Pathanamthitta district in the state of Kerala, India. The temple is surrounded by 18 hills in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is one of the largest annual pilgrimage sites in the world, with an estimate of over 10 to 15 million devotees visiting every year.
Kanjirappally is a taluk and a town in Kottayam district situated about 38 km (24 mi) away from the district capital, in the state of Kerala, India.
Mundakayam, is a town in Kanjirappally Taluk in the Kottayam District of Kerala. It is the doorway to the high ranges of southern Kerala, and is at the border of Kottayam and Idukki districts. The next nearest town, Kanjirappally, is 14 km (8.7 mi) & Erumely is 12 km from Mundakayam. Mundakayam has rubber plantations, and greenery. The Manimala River runs through Mundakayam. It is located 48 km east of the district headquarters at Kottayam and 148 km from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. The name Mundakayam is said to be derived from the Mundi cranes that used to be seen along the Manimala River banks.
Koottickal is a town at the base of Western Ghats mountain ranges in the Kottayam district, Kerala. It is 2,000 feet (610 m) above sea level and is situated on the eastern border of Kottayam District, 55 km from Kottayam, and around 5 km away from Mundakayam on the NH 220. There are streams and waterfalls in the surrounding places. The Muthukora Hills are nearby. Urban centres in Kottayam and Ernakulam districts can be viewed from the top of Muthukora Hills.
Pampady is a fast-growing town in Kottayam district of Kerala, Southern India. It lies midway between the backwaters of Western Kerala and the mountains of the Western Ghats.
Ponkunnam is a census town in Kerala, India, part of Kottayam district under Kanjirappally taluk. Ponkunnam literally means golden mountain (ponn = gold, kunn = mountain). Nearby towns are Kanjirappalli, Manimala and Pala. This part of Kerala is famous for its fertile land and rubber plantations. It is at an altitude of 495 ft (151 m) above mean sea level. The town is at the junction of two major roads in Kerala: NH 183 and Main Eastern Highway. The climate is moderate with timely cold breezes and the town is the gateway to the Western Ghats. The town is famous for its volleyball traditions and customs. Almost every year there is an ever-rolling volleyball tournament happening in Ponkunnam Mahatma Gandhi Mini Stadium.
Manimala is a small town and a village in Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala, situated about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the nearest town Kanjirappally. It's declared as a folklore village since 2011 by the central government to promote folklore.
Erumely, also spelt Erumeli, is a town and panchayat located in the south-eastern part of Kottayam district in Kerala state, India. Erumely is situated 49 km (30 mi) east of Kottayam town and 133 km (83 mi) north of capital city Thiruvananthapuram. It is situated on the way to Sabarimala and during pilgrimage season, Erumely and its surroundings will be crowded by devotees from different parts of Kerala as well as other states. Erumely is also renowned for its religious harmony and prosperity between Hindus and Muslims which existed from the early periods. It is a place which have strong roots in legends and myths associated with Hindu deity Ayyappa. A new airport has been proposed in Erumeli. The village is nourished by Manimala River.
Cheruvally is a Village in Chirakkadavu panchayat of Kottayam district in Kerala. It is in Kanjirappally taluk, Kottayam district. There is a Bhadrakali temple viz., Cheruvally Devi Temple in Cheruvally.
Marangattupilly is a small village and headquarters of Marangattupally Grama Panchayat in Kottayam district, Kerala. Most of its people are either farmers or engaged in small-scale business. Famous politician K. M. Mani, was born and brought up in this village. Another famous personality from this village is Santhosh George Kulangara. T. K. Jose IAS is from this village.
Kodungoor is a town in Kottayam District, Kerala, India.
Kadayanickadu is a village situated 11 km east of Karukachal, spread out on either sides of Changanacherry - Manimala road in Kerala, India. It is a typical Kerala rural settlement with the nature's green covering, ringing rivulets, small hills and slopes, agricultural fields, inhabited by rustic population. It is a Kara in Vellavoor revenue village in Changanacherry taluk, Kottayam district.
Dominic Chacko Kizhakemuri was an Indian writer, activist, freedom-fighter and book publisher from Kerala. He founded the book publishing company known as DC Books.
Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple is an ancient Shiva temple in Kottayam, Kerala, India. Temple tradition has it that the Pandavas and the sage Vyasa had worshipped at this temple. The name of the place has its origin from the word manoor, which means "the land of deer." The temple is one of the major Shiva temples in Kerala, along with Vaikom Temple, Chengannur Mahadeva Temple, Kaduthruthy Mahadeva Temple, Ernakulam Shiva Temple, Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple, Vadakkunathan temple and Sreekanteswaram Mahadeva Temple, Thiruvananthapuram.
Panamattom or Panamattam is a large village in Kerala, India, a part of Kottayam district. It is located in Kanjirappally Taluk. Ponkunnam, Kanjirappally and Pala are nearby places of Panamattom. This place is famous for its fertile land and also rubber plantations. The main village Panchayat is Elikkulam Panchayat.
Valliyamkavu Devi Temple is a historic Durga shrine located near Travancore Rubber and Tea Company, 15 km (9.3 mi) east to 35th mile near Mundakkayam. The temple and its surroundings fall under the Peerumedu tehsil of Idukki district.
Punchavayal is a village in Mundakayam panchayath of Kanjirappally taluk in the Indian state of Kerala. An Aided Arts and science college is present in this village. Punchavayal includes the places nearby Murikkumvayal, Pachima, Pakkanam, Kadamanthode, Kulamakkal and Moonnoly. It is approximately 6 km away by road from Mundakayam the doorway to the high ranges of southern Kerala, and is at the border of Kottayam and Idukki districts.
Panchalimedu is a hill station and view point near Kuttikkanam in Peerumedu tehsil of Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. Panchalimedu is known for its climate and views. From the west side hill of Panchalimedu Mundakayam, Ponkunnam, Kanjirapally, and Erumely towns are visible. On clear sunny days Changanassery, Thiruvalla, and Alappuzha towns are visible. Alappuzha backwaters can be seen in golden colour by the reflection of sun light and is a breathtaking view. On the Makar Sankranti day, many Ayyappa devotees camps there to witness the sacred Makaravilakku that appears in the Ponnambalamedu near Sabarimala temple. On Good Fridays, Christians come here to follow the way of the cross here.
Sabarimala International Greenfield Airport, is a proposed greenfield international airport, which will serve the city of Kottayam and the pilgrimage site of Sabarimala in the state of Kerala, India. The airport will be built in between the towns of Erumeli South and Manimala. The nearest town with a railway station is Thiruvalla (34 km). The proposed site is 53.9 km away from Sabarimala temple, 9.2 km away from Kanjirappally town and 9 km away from Ranni town. The site is located at about 40 km from the city of Kottayam. The site is spread over 2,570 acres (10.4 km2) of area. It is 136 km from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, and 113 km from Kochi. Once commissioned,this would be the fifth airport in the state.
