Kottayam is located at a distance of 76 kilometers from Kochi in Kerala, South India and is one of the most riveting Kerala backwater destinations. Kottayam, an incredibly beautiful tourist attraction with its vistas of green hills, mangrove forests and coconut groves interposed with waterways, offers excellent opportunities for Aqua Tourism.

Enjoy the rural sights, the abundant marine life, boat cruises and angling tours with Tourism in Kerala. Aqua tours to Kottayam in Kerala, South India with Tourism in Kerala gives you an opportunity to explore the rich flora and fauna that is supported by this enchanting water world.

Aqua tours to Kottayam in Kerala, South India with Tourism in Kerala is incomplete without a pleasure trip to the Vembanad Lake. Tourism in Kerala offers you aqua tour packages that take you to the Vembanad Lake where you are free to go canoeing, dingy sailing, catamaran rides and much more. The Vembanad Lake happens to be an important Aqua Tourism destination that entices tourists to its luxury picnic spots by the dozen.

Aqua Tourism in Kottayam in Kerala, India has immense potential as this area lies very close to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary that is home to exotic water birds, a boat cruise at this breathtaking tourist attraction will leave you speechless with wonder and excitement.

Attractions:

Thirunakkara Mahadeva Shiva Temple

This Shiva temple in Kottayam was built in the South Indian style of temple architecture. The murals on the walls are a major attraction of this temple. The sanctum sanctorum is decorated with scenes from Hindu epics. In the month of March, on the occasion of the annual temple festival the temple attracts a large number of pilgrims.

Valiyapally

This is one of the largest churches in Kottayam, built in AD 1550. The church is dedicated to St. Mary and is located in Thazhathangadi about 4 km northwest of the town center. It is famous for two 8th-century Persian crosses with Pahlavi inscriptions that prove them to be the earliest examples of Christianity in India.

Cheriyapally

Adjacent to the Valiyapally, the church of Cheriyapally is also dedicated to St. Mary. It was built in AD 1579 and houses some exquisite vegetable dye paintings on the ceilings and walls depicting biblical and non-biblical themes.

Thazhathangadi Mosque

The mosque forms an important pilgrim center of Kottayam, known for its architecture. The 1,000-year-old mosque at Thazhathangadi is believed to have been built by Malik Dinar.

Good Shepherd Church

The Good Shepherd Church is the first church of the Diocese of Vijayapuram, built in the Italian style. Its construction was completed in 1882 and was renovated in 1964. The annual feast of Good Shepherd is held here in the month of April.

Access:

By Air
The nearest international airport is at Cochin, located at a distance of around 80 kilometers.

By Rail
The railway station of Kottayam is located at a distance of just 2 kilometers from the bus station. There are regular trains from major cities of Kerala that come to Kottayam.

By Roads
Kottayam is well connected to the rest of Kerala and India by a wide network of motorable roads.