|
Kottayam
Kottayam, located in the southern part of Kerala
is an important commercial centre of India, producing a large chunk
of cash crops. A beautiful town situated in the hills, most of India's
natural rubber originates from the acres of well-kept plantations
of Kottayam.
The town is also home to the Rubber Board, one
of the country's Primary Commodities Board. Situated in the 'Backwater'
circuit, the populace of Kottayam is marked by the presence of the
Syrian Christian community.
Well known for its churches, Kottayam sandwiched
between serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western
Ghats on the east, provides some of Kerala's finest natural scenes.
Excursion
Bharananganam
Bharananganam is an important Christian Pilgrimage centre, located
5 kms east of Palai on the Kottayam - Erattupett Road.
Associated with Sister Alphonsa, the blessed saint
of the Catholics, the mortal remains of the saint are preserved
in a chapel next to the St. Mary's Church. She lived from 1916 AD
to 1946 AD.
The day of 28th July, the death anniversary of
the saint is observed with much solemnity. This 100-year-old church
features an attractive grotto of Virgin Mary.
Valiyapalli Church
The St. Mary's Church, located 2 kms from Kottayam was built as
early as 1550 AD. The church is famous for its Persian stone cross,
engraved with ancient inscriptions.
The church was built by the descendants of the
Syrian Kanaya Christians who migrated to India in 345 A.D., from
Jerusalem and near-by places under the leadership of Kana Thoma.
The Valliyapalli Church is famous for its two granite
crosses known as Persian Crosses, which were brought to their present
location from a much older church near Crangannore, built by the
forefathers of the builders of this church.
On each of the stone slabs there is a cross with
an inscription in the Pahalavi language, which was the official
language of the Sassanian dynasty in Persia.
The smaller slab is placed on the northern altar
while the bigger slab lies on the southern altar of the church.
Cheryapalli
Located near the Valia Palli, the smaller church of Cheria Palli,
also dedicated to St. Mary, built in 1579, has some Murals and paintings
of Biblical and other themes.
Mannanam
Housing the famous St. Joseph's Monastery, Mannanam is an important
Syrian Christian centre. The town is assosiated with the name of
Father Kuriakose Elias of Chavara (1805 - 1871), one of the saintly
figures of the Syrian Catholic Church of Kerala. Established in
1844, St. Joseph's Press is one of the oldest printing presses in
India, where one of the oldest of Kerala's newspapers was printed.
Thirunakkara Mahadev Temple
The temple built in the indegenous style is situated in tht heart
of the town of Kottayam. It features several murals and is thronged
by a large number of devotees during the annual festival held in
the third week of March.
Top
weather
Temperature
Mean Max: 36.0°C
Mean Min: 22.4°C
Rainfall : 270 cm. (Annual)
Best Time : August To March
Top
General Information & Accomdation info
on Kottayam city of Kerala - India
|
