Kottayam

	Kottayam is a beautiful Kerala backwater destination. This historic town is also famous for many churches and temples and for its role in the history of Kerala. The beautiful Vembanad Lake and its associated backwaters border Kottayam district on the West. There are hill ranges to the East and the Ernakulam district to the North. Kottayam is located in an area of great natural beauty and youre sure to be enchanted by the scenery around Kottayam while cruising in the backwaters here. The name Kottayam is derived from Kotta and Akam which means the inside of a fort. Kottayam has a long history. The local rulers of Munjanad and Thekkumkur used Kottayam as their headquarters. Maharaja Marthanda Varma of Travancore defeated the local rulers and annexed Kottayam. With its fertile fields and transport links through the backwaters, Kottayam was a lucrative prize. You can see the ruins of the old palace and fort of the local rulers of Kottayam while cruising in the backwaters. Kottayam is an important center of Christianity in Kerala. There are many famous churches in Kottayam including the St Marys church and the St Josephs monastery. Some of the historic temples in Kottayam are the Ettumanoor Shiva Temple known for its mral paintings and sculptures and the Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple. Kottayam was the first town in Kerala to achieve 100% literacy among the adult population. Because of the many rubber plantations in Kottayam and the beautiful Vembanad Lake, Kottayam is known as the "Land of Letters, Latex and Lakes.