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Kottayam in Kerala
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This is a prominent commercial centre with palm fringes backwaters on the west and the scenic Western ghats to the east.
How to reach
By Air - The nearest airport is at Kochi 76 kms away.
By Rail - The railway station is 2 kms from the central bus station. Buses to major cities operate from the central bus station..
By Road - Regular boat services are operated from Koch and Alapuzha from Kodamatha jetty or Town Jetty about 3 kms from railway station.
Thiruvananthapuram Kottayam Road drive
Highway - SH 1
Time - 3.2 hrs
Distance - 151 kms
What to see
Kumarakom
Located 12 kms west of Kottayam on the banks of the Vembanad lake. This place gained recognition after the visit of Prime minister A.B. Vajpayee in 2000 December. An ideal place for backeater cruises the sanctuary here sprawls over 14 scres. Kumarakom is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, paddy fields and coconut groves interspired with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. K.T.D.C. has constructed A.C. Cottages here and it runs a floating restaurant.
The Kumarakom Bird Sanctury has around 91 Species of local 50 species of migratory birds. The best time to bird watch is June-August and migratory birds during November-February. A cruise along the Vembanad Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary.
In the Vembanad Lake there is a small beautiful island called Pathiramanal or the Midnight sands. This lonely island in the Vemabanad Lake is accessible only by boat.
Vaikom
40 kms away from Kottayam and 29 kms away from Ernakulam is the Lord Subramanya temple at Udayanapuram 3 kms north of Vaikom. This temple is noted for its carvings and sculpture.
Thrikkodithanam temple
23 kms away this temple is believed to be one of the 5 temples where Vishnu idol worshipped by the Pandavas is kept.
Erumeli
60 kms away is a pilgrim centre of Hindus and the Muslims. The Dharma Sastha temple here is of Lord Ayyappa and the pilgrims going to Shabarimala alight here. The Petta Thullal of Kanni ayyappas is an important festival held in December - January.
Kerala - God's Own Country
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Ideal time to Visit - Anytime round the year.
Winters in December to March and monsoons in May are the best time to go to Kerala. The day time temperature is about 32 degrees and night temperature drops to the lowest of 20 degrees. The hottest months are April, May and June, where the temperature soars above 36 degrees with high humidity.
Road trip summary, time, kms and tolls and other information required to plan your road trip.
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