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INTRODUCTION
A pretty town in the foothills of
the western Ghats, Kottayam is a commercial centre
noted for its trade in rubber, pepper, tea etc.
Kottayam is also one of the main centres of the Syrian
Christian faith and has some beautiful churches. They
include the Valiapalli Church noted for its Persian
cross and the Cheriapalli Church which has fine murals
and paintings.
It is possible to travel from
Alappuzha to Kottayam on the ferry long the lagoons an
d picturesque waterways, getting a feel of the scenic
beauty of this region. Kottayam is also a good base for
a visit to the Periyar National Park.
Just 10 Km away lies Kumarakom, a
delightful spot beside a lake, which is home to rare
migratory water birds. Traditional Kerala 'tharawad'
style houses, at a resort here, offer a perfect Kerala
gateway. Close by is the Shiva temple at Ettumanoor
with its lovely murals. |
General Section
