Travel and Tourism of Kottayam District

About Travel and Tourism of Kottayam District

Kumarakom

A part of Kuutnad, Kumarakom is a wonderland lies below sea level and has a number of islands in the back waters. It is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed 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. The ayurvedic massages, yoga and meditation besides boating, fishing, angling and swimming are the special features of the place. Taj Garden Retreat, a hotel with modern facilities was once the bungalow built by Henry Baker, an English Man.

Wagamon

About 1100 m above sea level, this enchanting hill station on the Idukki-Kottayam border has beautiful tea gardens and meadows. The place also has the breeding centre of the Kerala Live stock Board.

Poonjar Palace

The Poonjar Palace in Meenachil taluk has 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, grain measures, statues and weapons. A unique couch preserved here is taken out once a year for ritualistic purposes. There is an amazing replica of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple near the Palace. The walls of this temple have sculptures with war fare stories from the Puranas. There are rock cut lamps called the Chuttuvilakku (row of lamps) in the Sastha Temple nearby.

Elaveezhapoonchira

Elaveezha poonchira means a valley where leaves don't fall. Located among three beautiful hillocks the Mankunnu, the Kudayathoormala and the Thonippara, Elaveezhapoonchira is a beautiful hill station near Melukavu Mattom, 60kms from Kottayam. Legend says that Panchali, the wife of Pandavas took bathe in the pool here. The beautiful valleys of Poonchira with the verdant landscape punctuated by the gigantic hills, is an ideal place to witness both the sunrise and the sunset. The place has no trees.

Bird Sanctuary

Located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the Bird sanctuary spread over 14 acres of land is a favourite haunt for the migratory birds like the Siberian Stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Local birds like the water fowl, cuckoo, owl and water hen, other common varieties like the wood pecker, sky lark, crane and parrots can also be spotted here. There are around 91 Species of local and 50 species of migratory birds.