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Kottayam

Pop: 180,000 Area Code: 0481

Kottayam was a major settlement for the Syrian Christian community. Most tourists come here as a stopover on their way to somewhere else. They may be taking a short backwater trip to or from Alappuzha, or be going to or from Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Devotees of Ayappa Swami may pass through on their way to the temple in Sabarimala.
The backwater trip between Alappuzha and Kottayam (2½ hr) is a good, much shorter alternative to the Kollam to Alappuzha trip.

Information
There is tourist information available at the KTDC Hotel Aiswarya and at the Tourist Information Office, Central Junction.

The Bank of India and the Hotel Anjali change money (not all TCs).

Syrian Christian Churches & Temple
There are two interesting 13th century churches 4km northwest of the center of town on a hill. In the Valliapalli (big) St. Mary’s Church (1550), there are two 8th century Nestorian stone crosses, one with Pahlavi inscriptions on it and the other with Syriac. The two crosses are on either side of the elegantly decorated altar. These crosses are possibly the earliest example of Christianity in India. The Guest-book dating back to the 1890s includes such visitors as the British Viceroy and the Ethiopian King Halie Selassie (1956).

The interior of the Cheriapalli (small) St. Mary’s Orthodox Church has 400-year-old vegetable dye paintings on the ceilings and walls. If the doors are locked, you can get the key at the church office (open 9 am to 1 pm and 2 to 5 pm).

The Thirunakkara Siva Temple, in the center of town, does not allow non-Hindus to enter.

Local Travel
An auto-rickshaw costs about Rs 15 from the center of town to the railway station, KSRTC bus stand, or the boat jetty. An auto-rickshaw from the railway station to the boat jetty costs about Rs 15.

Where to Stay
Kaycees Lodge (563-440), YMCA Rd, has good clean rooms with bath for Rs 110/160.
Hotel Ambassador (563-293), KK Rd, has rooms for Rs 125/160 and Rs 300 with A/C. It is a good value.
Green Park (563-331), Kurian Uthup Rd, Nagampadam, near the railway station, is a modern place that has decent rooms for Rs 400/500 and Rs 600/700 with A/C.
Homestead Hotel (562-346; fax 560-740), KK Rd, 1km from the railway station, has good clean rooms for Rs 200/400 and with A/C for Rs 700. It has a vegetarian restaurant. It is a good value.
KTDC Hotel Aiswarya (581-440), off Temple Rd, in the center of town, has poorly maintained rooms for Rs 250/300 to Rs 500/600 and Rs 700/850 with A/C.
Hotel Aida (568-391; fax 568-399), MC Rd, has clean rooms for Rs 400/600 and Rs 500/700 with A/C. They have a restaurant and do foreign exchange. It is a pleasant place.
Hotel Nisha Continental (563-984), Sastri Rd, has rooms for Rs 250/350 and Rs 600 with A/C. It has a restaurant with Keralan meals.
Anjali Hotel (Casino Group) (563-661; fax 563-669), KK Rd, 3km from the railway station, has comfortable central A/C rooms for Rs 800/1100 to Rs 1250/1700. It has several restaurants. Recommended.
Vembanad Lake Resort (564-866; fax 564-298), 2km south of city center, is located in a nice place with a pleasant garden next to a lake. It is a modern place that has large rooms for Rs 600 and Rs 850 with A/C.

Where to Eat
Black Stone is a good vegetarian place.
Indian Coffee House is on TB Rd.
Thali Restaurant, Homestead Hotel, KK Rd, has good thalis for Rs 30.
There are good restaurants in the Anjali Hotel.
Vembanad Lake Resort has a good evening meal in their restaurant, which is on a kettu-vallam (Keralan rice barge).

Travel
Train There are express trains going to and from Thiruvananthapuram (100km), Kollam (165km), and Ernakulam (65km).

Bus The KSRTC bus stand is half a km south of the town center on TB Rd. The private bus stand is in the center of town near the railway station. There are regular express buses to Ernakulam (Kochi), Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Madurai (7 hr, 3 daily).

There is one direct bus to Thekkadi in the morning for Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (4 hr). You can also take a bus to Kumily (2 hr) and another bus from there to Thekkadi. You can also take a taxi to Thekkadi for Rs 1000.

Boat Ferries to Alappuzha depart from the boat jetty, 2km south of town. About 10 boats go daily to Alappuzha (2½ hr), the first at 6.30 am. It is an interesting trip. You can also rent your own boat to Alappuzha (Rs 500 to Rs 600).

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