Kottayam

This article is about the city of Kottayam, See Kottayam district also.

Kottayam (in Malayalam:കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located in central Kerala and is also the administrative capital of Kottayam district. Kottayam has an estimated population of 60,725, according to the 2001 census. The town is an important trading center of spices and commercial crops, especially rubber. Major Kerala print media such as Malayala Manorama group and Deepika are headquartered in the city. Also a pioneering centre of modern education in Kerala, the city became India's first municipality to achieve 100% literacy in 1989 and the district became the first tobacco free district in India. The city of Kottayam is also called as "Akshara Nagari (അക്ഷര നഗരി)" which means the "City of Letters" considering its contribution to print media and literature.First Freedom Fighter Chempil Arayan Ananthapadmanabhan Valiya Arayan Kankumaran who fought at the Cochin Fort against the British Rule in 29 December 1808.Chempil Arayan was the commander in chief of Velu Thambi Dalawa.

Etymology

It is believed that the name kottayam originated from the Malayalam words 'Kotta' meaning fort and 'akam' meaning 'inside', giving the word meaning 'interior of the fort'.

History

Kottayam was ruled by the Rajas of the independent little kingdom of Thekkumkoor ruled from Thazhathangady till the mid-18th century. At that time, Marthanda Varma, the king of Travancore annexed Thekkumcore and surrounding areas of Kottayam to the Kingdom of Travancore. During the British rule of India, Kottayam continued to be ruled under the Princely State of Travancore.

Earlier, the Travancore State consisted of two revenue divisions viz., the southern and northern divisions, under the administrative control of a 'Diwan Peshkar' for each. Later in 1868 two more divisions Quilon (Kollam) and Kottayam were constituted. A fifth division, Devikulam existed for a short period but was then added to Kottayam. At the time of the integration of the State of Travancore and Cochin in 1949, these revenue divisions were renamed as districts and the Diwan Peshkars gave way to District Collectors. Thus Kottayam district came into being in July 1949. Later it became a part of Kerala, and the headquarters of the district bearing the same name when the state was formed in 1957.

The citizens of Kottayam played an important in the early social struggles in Kerala. In 1891 a protest movement, known as the 'Malayali Memorial Agitation', took place seeking a better representation for Travancoreans, compared to outsiders, in the Travancore civil service. It is believed to have started in Kottayam. This movement had a big influence in beginning the modern political movements of Kerala . During the 'Nivarthana struggle' which took place in the 1930s in Kerala seeking the representation of Hindus of the lower castes, Christians and Muslims in the Travancore Legislature, Kottayam played a major role. The famous Vaikom Satyagraha of 1924 against untouchability, led by Mahatma Gandhi, took place in Vaikom near Kottayam. It was the first systematically organized agitation in Kerala against orthodoxy to secure the rights of the depressed classes.

Geography and climate

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) photographed in Vembanad Lake, Kottayam

Kottayam town is located in central Kerala at a location of 9.58°N 76.52°E / 9.58; 76.52. It has an average elevation of 3 metres (9  feet) from sea level.

Neighbouring cities & towns

Kottayam town is situated in the basin of the Meenachil River and basin of Vembanad backwaters which is formed from several streams in the Western Ghats in Idukki district. It flows through Kottayam district and joins Vembanad lake. As per division of places in Kerala as Highlands, Midlands and Lowlands based on altitude, Kottayam is considered to be part of the Midlands. The general soil type is alluvial soil. The vegetation is mainly tropical evergreen and moist deciduous type.

The climate in this District is moderate and pleasant. Kottayam's proximity to the equator results in little seasonal temperature variation, with moderate to high levels of humidity. Annual temperatures range between 20 to 35 °C (68 to 95 °F). From June through September, the south-west monsoon brings in heavy rains as Kottayam lies on the windward side of the Western Ghats. From October to December, Kottayam receives light rain from the northwest monsoon, as it lies on the leeward side. Average annual rainfall is 3600 mm.

Kottayam is bordered by Pathanamthitta district on the south, Alappuzha district on the west, Ernakulam district on the north and Idukki district on the east.

Location in Google Maps: [1]

Transport

Autorickshaw in a road in Kottayam. They are a major form of hired transport as in the rest of India

Public transport in the city is largely dependent on buses, run by both private operators and Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). There are three bus stations serving Kottayam- two catering to private buses and one exclusively for the KSRTC buses. Of the private bus stations, the bigger one is at Nagampadam which is very close to the railway station and the other one is in the heart of the city. Bus services are very economical. Besides local bus service for travelling within the town, Kottayam is well-connected to the rest of Kerala through inter-state bus services run by KSRTC. Hired forms of transport include metered taxis and auto-rickshaws. Two-wheelers form the majority of the private-owned vehicles.

The inter-city rail transport system in the city is administered by the Southern Railway division of the Indian Railways. Trains between Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram pass through Kottayam, with all trains having a stop. There are trains passing through Kottayam, from and to most major cities in the country like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. 49 km of railway line runs through Changanassery, Kottayam, Meenachil(Kanakkari Village) and Vaikom taluks. Kanjirappally taluk is not reached by rail.

The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, 90 km away from the city. The other major nearby airport is at Thiruvanthapuram, approximately 150 kilometres away.

Kottayam town, due to its proximity to the Vembanad Lake, is also served by the Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD). The KSWTD runs regular river and lake commuter services between Kottayam and Alleppy Many smaller destinations are also served by this service. The nearest boat jetty to Kottayam Town is in Kodimatha. Older boat jetties, such as in Chandakavala, have been mostly abandoned due to reduced patronage and due to the blockage of the surface water-ways by Water Hyacynth and other plant life.

Arial View of Kottyam Town

KOTTAYAM AIRPORT

There's a strong demand for an airport in Kottayam district to serve the Cental Travancore region of which Kottayam is the most important city. The demand for an airport in Kottayam is a very old one, but did not have the kind of the media and political support as in the case of Kannur airport. The airport will give a fillip to the economic development of Central Travancore as well as the tourist hotspots of Kumarakom and Vagamon in Kottayam, Alappuzha, peerumedu, Thekkady, Munnar and Aranmula. It will benefit the large no: of NRIs in the region, especially in the Kottayam-Pathanamthitta belt and NRKs in other parts of India.

The lack of air connectivity has led to a stunt in the economic growth and development of this region.

Proximity to airport is an important criterion for establishing Central Government institutes like IITs etc.

Lakhs of pilgrims thronging the pilgrim centres of Thirunakkara, Bharananganam, Vaikom, Kadappattur, Ettumanur,Aruvithara, Erumeli, Sabarimala and every year will benefit if the airport becomes a reality.

As Kottayam is the most important city in the region and the ideal gateway to all these places, as well as it is ideally located between the Coastal-Lake area and the Western Ghats, therefore Kottayam is the best place to set up the 5th airport in Kerala.

The airport project is yet to get NOC from the LDF led Kerala Government which already received approval from the aviation minister during the term of previous UPA government.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Kottayam Urban Agglomeration had a population of 1,72,878 , while Kottayam district had a population of 19,52,901. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. It is one of the very few places which witnessed a negative population growth from 1991 to 2001.

Kottayam District has ranked 1st in Literacy with a percentage of 95.9 compared to 90.92% for Kerala State and 65.38% for India (2001 census). It is ranked as 10th in population as well as in area among the districts in Kerala. This District has marked lowest decadal population growth rates of 6.76% compared to 9.42% for Kerala.

Economy

Kottayam is a major trading center of natural rubber in India. Rubber trees are extensively cultivated in central Kerala, especially in vast areas of Kottayam District, in plantations, both large and small. The Rubber Board, a body set up by the Government of India for the development of rubber industry, is located at Kottayam. A number of small and medium sized enterprises in and around the town are engaged in the processing of rubber latex and manufacturing of rubber products. Besides rubber, Kottayam is a trading place of other commercial crops like spices cultivated widely in the surrounding areas. The Plantation Corporation of Kerala also has its headquarters at Kottayam.

Rubber Tree

Kottayam is also known as a business centre. The stretch of Kottayam–Kumily Road (KK road) that passes through the town is a major shopping centre and Sastri Road, one of the broadest road in kottayam is also a hot spot for shopping with the outlets of all the leading brands in the world. Baker Junction and Kanjikuzhy are also considered as the commercial and residential hubs of the town. Kottayam district has industries like Hindustan Newsprint Limited, Kottayam Spinning Mills and KSE factory.

Tourism has a major contribution to the economy of the place, as many tourism related businesses thrive in the town. Kumarakom, one of the most famous tourist destinations in Kerala, is only 14 km from the town. Wagamon is another place worth a visit, and borders the districts of Kottayam and Idukki.

Kottayam is a sought after place for religious tourism. The first Indian Roman Catholic women saint, St. Alphonsa was born and brought up here.

Proposed Kottayam Municipal Corporation

There is a demand to upgrade Kottayam Municipality to a Municipal Corporation.

The proposed Kottayam Municipal Corporation comprises:

• Kottayam Municipality (villages of Kottayam, Veloor, Muttambalam, Nattakam, Pallam, Kumaranallur, Perumbaikad)
• Vijayapuram panchayat
• Panachikkad panchayat
• Tiruvarppu panchayat (villages of Tiruvarppu, Chengalam South)
• Aymanam panchayat (villages of Aymanam, Kudamaloor)
• Arpookara panchayat

Total Area: Around 180 km²

Total Population (1991 Census): 308,958

Culture, literature and sports

Kottayam has its place of honour in the cultural map of Kerala. The culture of Kottayam is influenced mainly by the large presence of the Syrian Christian community. The cuisine of Kottayam is Keralite Cuisine, characterised by the use of parboiled rice as the staple food and the presence of coconut and spices in abundance.

Margamkali and Arjuna Nritham are popular dance forms. Margamkali, which consists of group dance and martial arts like Parichamuttukali, is popular among the Syrian Christian community. It is performed by men and women separately. In the past, it was performed during Syrian Christian weddings. Arjuna Nritham, also known as Mayilpeeli Thookkam, performed by men was also popular. Besides these, popular South India dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattom, and Kuchipudi and classical Carnatic music are also learned by a large number of young people, mainly as a hobby and extracurricular activity.

Kottayam has produced many well known writers,journalists and artists. Muttathu Varkey -novelist, Pala Narayanan Nair -poet and Vayala Vasudevan Pillai -dramatist and pioneer of the theatre movement have all their footings in Kottayam. Kottayam Pushpanath -writer of crime thrillers lives at Kottayam.

Cricket, basketball and football are among the most popular sports in Kottayam. Kottayam is also famous for athletics, as the place has produced several athletes who represented India. The main stadium of Kottayam is the Nehru stadium at the entrance of the town. A number of popular basketball tournaments including the Marian Trophy, Girideepam Trophy, Lourdes Trophy and Virginia Memorial tournament are conducted every year.

A municipal park is located by Sastri road. There are several movie halls which screen Malayalam, English, Tamil and Hindi movies. There are also restaurants that cater to Kerala, Tamil and North cuisines.

Famous Personalities

(Do not include personalities NOT belonging to Kottayam Municipal area. Please use Kottayam District for such entries)

• Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai (1859–1936) was a Malayalam poet. His magnum opus is the epic poem Shreeyeshu Vijayam composed over a span of 15 years, and finished in the year 1926, which earned him the title of Mahakavi. He was the Editor of Vijnaana Rathnaakaram, one of the early literary magazines (started in 1913) in the Malayalam language. He also co-founded one of the earliest rubber trading companies in Kerala, called Meenachil Rubber Company.He hailed from the Kattakayam family of Palai in Kottayam, Kingdom of Travancore.
• Former President of INDIA Dr.K R Narayanan,Kottayam District
• Chief Justice of India - K G Balakrishnan,Kottayam District
• Mannathu Padmanabhan, Perunna, Changanacherry
• Writter - Muttathu Varkey, Changanacherry
• Kandathil Varghese Mapillai, 1858–1904, Founder of Malayala Manorama, Freedom Fighter.
• K. C. Mammen Mappillai, 1873–1956, Editor, Malayala Manorama, Freedom Fighter, Ex-Member Travancore Sree Mollam Assembly
• M.N. Govindan Nair, Lawyer-Malayalam Satirist
• G. Aravindan, 1935–1991, noted cartoonist and film maker. Won a number of state, national and international award, son of M.N. Govindan Nair, mentioned above
• Mammootty , A cine artist(Filmfare,Film critics,National,State,Padmasri,Bharat awards).Kottayam District
• John Abraham : Film director who rose to fame by "Amma Ariyan"
• Vaikom Muhamad Bashir Author
• N.N. Pillai, Playwright and Film/Stage actor
• D. C. Kizhakemuri,writer, activist and book publisher
• M.R.G Panicker, 1910-2002, Freedom fighter and one of the stalwarts of the NSS movement. Honored by Sree Chithira Thirunal as he was instrumental in opening Kumaranelloor temple for all regardless of caste.
• Arundhathy Roy,ayymanam,kottayam Writer
• Kalamandalam Karunakaran Nair-Kathakali actor/Kalamandalam Teacher

Religious institutions

Reflecting the religious make-up of the population, a large number of Hindu temples and Christian churches dot the townscape. Some of them are the Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple, two churches known as Valiya Palli and Manarcad Palli (Manarcad church) and the Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid.

Thazhathangady Juma Masjid, situated in the banks of river Meenachil, is one of the oldest mosques in India and is more than 1000 years old, famous for its architectural beauty, and richness in wood carvings. This mosque was constructed by the followers of the Islamic prophet Muhammad during one of their first voyages to Kerala. Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple, at the heart of the town, is a Shiva temple built in the Kerala style of temple architecture, with interior murals depicting themes from the Hindu epics. It was built at the beginning of the 16th century by the then Raja of Thekkumkur. The annual temple festival that culminates in a ceremony called the Aaraattu, attracts large number of devotees.

Kottayam is a major center of Syrian Christians of Kerala. St. Mary's Church, the Valia Palli (the Big Church), built in 1550 by Knanaya Syrian Christians who immigrated from West Asia, is considered as the first Christian church in Kottayam town. This church is famous for its two granite crosses known as Persian crosses. There are rare antique carvings and mural paintings behind the main altar and on the ceiling.

Another St. Mary's Church known as Cheria Palli (the Little Church), belonging to the Malankara Orthodox Church was built in 1579 by the Raja of Thekkumkur for his Christian subjects. These churches feature temple architectural influences. The interior murals, painted using vegetable dyes, depict Biblical themes. However, the most famous Christian church in Kottayam District is St. Mary's Cathedral Manarcad better known as "Manarkad Palli". Perhaps no other Christian centres in Kerala attracts so many pilgrims and devotees than this church. The "8 days lent" known as "ettunompu" attracts around 1 million people from all religions and walks of life. The rally on the 8th day- "raaza" is the greatest of such events in Asia. See website of (Manarcad church).

The Syro-Malabar rite of the Roman Catholic Church has an archeparchy based in Kottayam. Some of the important Catholic churches in Kottayam include Lourdes Forane Church, Good Shepherd Church, Vimalagiri Cathedral and Christhuraja Cathedral. Pope John Paul II visited Kottayam, during his visit to India in 1986. He announced the beatification of Father Kuriakose of Chavara and Sister Alphonsa, who hails from Kottayam district, at Kottayam. The mortal remains of Saint Alphonsa, who was elevated to sainthood in 12 October 2008, are kept in a chapel next to St. Mary's Church, Bharananganam. It is a popular Christian pilgrimage center.

Media

Kottayam is considered as the nerve center of Malayalam literature and publishing media. Unnuneeli Sandesam, a beautiful and famous poetry work, is supposed to have been written by one of the Vadakkumkur Rajas. In 1821, Benjamin Baily, a British missionary, established C.M.S. Press, the first printing press in Kerala, in Kottayam. The town has been in the forefront of newspaper and book publishing in the state ever since.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Malayalam literature was enriched by the works of Christian missionaries. Varthamana Pusthakam (1778), written by Parammekkal Thoma Kathanar on a visit to Rome, is the first travelogue in Malayalam. The first Malayalam English dictionary and Malayalam dictionary were published in Kottayam in the years 1846 and 1865 respectively. The first autobiography in Malayalam by Vaikom Pachu Moothathu was published in Kottayam in 1870. The first Malayalam Bible was also published in Kottayam.

Jnananikshepam was the first newspaper published by the natives of Kerala, and it was brought out from CMS press at Kottayam in 1848. Nasrani Deepika was started in 1887 by the Carmelities of Mary Immaculate (CMI) missionaries at Mannanam near Kottayam. The newspaper still continues to be published under the name Deepika and is a leading Malayalam daily. Malayala Manorama, India's largest circulating regional daily, was founded here by K.C. Mammen Mapila in 1890. The part played by newspapers published from Kottayam, like Malayala Manorama, Deepika and Bhashaposhini, a literary magazine from Malayala Manorama Group in the cultural and literary development of Kerala is immense.

Today, five major Malayalam newspapers – Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhoomi, Deepika, Madhyamam and Mangalam – and around thirty periodicals are published from Kottayam. Kottayam is also home to several book publishers in Malayalam such as D. C. Books, Labour India Publications and Current Books. Almost 70 percent of books published in Kerala are from Kottayam. In 1945, a group of writers set up Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangam, which stands for 'Literary Workers' Co-operative Society' in Malayalam. It was the first co-operative enterprise of writers, novelists and poets.

Education

Kottayam Medical college hospital is one of the major hospitals in Kerala

The Orthodox Pazhaya Seminary of the Malankara Orthodox Church was the first institution to start English education in Southern India. C.M.S High School, (now Church Missionary Society College High School), was founded by the British missionary, Benjamin Bailey of the Church Mission Society of London. C.M.S College, the first college in Kerala, was started in Kottayam in 1817 by the Church Missionary Society. The Baker Memorial Girls High School in Kottayam, founded by Amalia Dorothea Baker in 1820, is one of the oldest girls' schools in India.

Mahatma Gandhi University, one of six universities in Kerala, is located at Kottayam. Medical College, Kottayam is located about 10 km from the town. There are a number of Arts & Science Colleges, including C.M.S. College Kottayam,K.G.College pampady, BCM College etc. There are government engineering colleges, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Kottayam,Kidangoor engineering college are some near the town, self financed engineering colleges are also there in kottayam Mangalam college of engineering and technology, Saintgits college of engineering and technology, StJoseph college of engineering and technology are some of the main colleges in the district. Polytechnic colleges and several nursing schools are located in and around the town.

Other institutes include the Centre for rural management (CRM), Kottayam (a leading autonomous research organizations for rural development), and the Indian Institute of Mass Communication.

Hospitals and health care

Apart from the Medical College, there is one District Hospital and one District T.B. Centre. There is also one Children's Hospital, four Taluk Hospitals, six Community Health Centres, 11 Block Health Centres, 51 Primary Health Centres and seven Government Hospitals under the Health Department. Most of the modern treatment facilities are available both in the government and private sectors. A disease surveillance programme has been undertaken in the district.

Religion

Various sections of Christianity, Islam and Hinduism co-exist harmoniously. The Ezhavas, Nairs, Viswakarmas and the Scheduled Class & Tribes constitute the major sections of the Hindu religion. Followers of Orthodox church, Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Jacobite Church, Knanaya, Marthoma Church, St. Thomas Evangelical Church, CSI Church, Pentecostal Churches, and Indian Brethren form major Christian sects. Kottayam is the headquarters of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Distance to Important Places

• Kottayam - Sabarimala - 100 KM
• Kottayam - Thekkady - 114 KM
• Kottayam - Thiruvananthapuram - 160 km
• Kottayam - Guruvayoor Temple - 170 km
• Kottayam - Kochi - 67 km
• Kottayam - Idukki - 115 km
• Kottayam - Chettikulangara Temple - 50 km
• Kottayam - Calicut - 285 km
• Kottayam - Thodupuzha - 55 km
• Kottayam - PadanilamTemple - 57 km
• Kottayam - Wagamon - 57 km.
• Kottayam - Ilaveezhapoonchira - 56 km
• Kottayam - Kandamangalam Temple - 31 km
• Kottayam - Cherthala - 27 km

Politics

The Kottayam assembly constituency is part of the Kottayam (Lok Sabha constituency).

The district has 09 Assembly constituencies - Kottayam, Changanassery, Pala, Ettumanoor, Kaduthuruthy, Kanjirappally, Puthuppally, Poonjar and Vaikom. The only Parliamentary constituency with in the district is Kottayam. Kanjirapplly and Poonjar Assembly constituencies are included in Pathanamthitta Parliamentary constituency and Changanassery included in Mavelikkara Parliamentary constituency.

Administratively, Kottayam district consists of two Revenue divisions - Kottayam and Pala - each under the control of a Revenue Divisional Officer. There are five taluks -Kottayam, Changanassery, Vaikom, Meenachil and Kanjirappally.

See also

• Kottayam (Lok Sabha constituency)

External links

• Official website of Kottayam District
• Official website from Gov. of Kerala
• Britannica Reference on Kottayam