Kottayam district

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Kottayam
Kottayam
State	Kerala
Headquarters	Kottayam
Coordinates	9.3° N 76.66° E
Area
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Population - Density	1,953,646 - 1,025/km²
Abbreviation (ISO)	IN-KL-
Website: kottayam.nic.in

For the town with the same name, see Kottayam.

Kottayam [in Malayalam :േകാട്ടയം] is one of the 14 districts in the state name of Kerala, India. The district has its headquarters at Kottayam town, located at 9.36 N and 76.17 E. Bordered by the lofty and mighty Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west, Kottayam is a land of unique characteristics. Panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, hills and hillocks, extensive rubber plantations, places associated with many legends and a totally literate people have given Kottayam District the enviable title: The land of letters, legends, latex and lakes. Kottayam town is the first town in India to have achieved 100% literacy (a remarkable feat achieved as early as in 1989).

The district is 15.35% urbanised. [1]

1 History
2 Climate
3 Tourism
4 Industry
- 4.1 Publishing
- 4.2 Rubber (latex)
5 Education
6 Politics
7 Towns in Kottayam District
8 Educational Institutions
9 External links

[edit] History

Kottayam literally means the interior of a fort - Kotta + Akam. Rulers of Munjanad and Thekkumkur had their headquarters at Thazhathangadi in the present Kottayam town. Marthanda Varma of Travancore attacked Thekkumkur and destroyed the palace and the Thaliyil Fort. The remnants of the palaces and forts are still seen here.

Kottayam has played its role in all the political agitations of modern times. The 'Malayali Memorial ' agitation may be said to have had its origin in Kottayam. The Malayali Memorial sought to secure better representation for educated Travancoreans in the Travancore civil service against persons from outside. The Memorial, which was presented to the Maharaja Sri Moolam Thirunal (1891) was drafted at a public meeting held in the Kottayam Public Library. The event marked the beginning of the modern political movement in the state.

It was in Kottayam that the famous Vaikom Satyagraha (1924-25), an epic struggle for eradication of untouchability, took place. Scheduled castes and other backward classes in Travancore were denied not only entry into temples, but also access to temple roads. Vaikom, the seat of a celebrated Siva Temple, was the venue of the symbolic satyagraha. It is of immense historic significance that national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, C. Rajagopalachari, Acharya Vinoba Bhave and E.V. Ramswami Naykar, associated with this struggle. The ' Nivarthana ' agitation of the early thirties, to secure adequate representation for the non-caste Hindus, Christians and Muslims in the state Legislature, enjoyed considerable support from this district. The district was also a centre of the agitation led by the state Congress for responsible Government in Travancore. The agitation had a triumphant end, with the overthrow of Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer, the then Dewan of Travancore.

The present Kottayam district was previously a part of the erstwhile 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. The fifth division Devikulam came next but only for a short period, which in course of time, was added to Kottayam. At the time of the integration of the state of Travancore and Cochin (Kochi) in 1949, these revenue divisions were renamed as districts and the Diwan peshkars gave way to District Collectors, paving the way for the birth of the Kottayam District in July 1949.

[edit] Climate

Kottayam has a tropical climate as the rest of Kerala. Hence there is no distinct seasons in the area. Humidity is high and rises to about 90% during the rainy season. Kottayam gets rain from two monsoon seasons, the south-west monsoon and the north-east monsoon. The average rainfall is around 1600 mm per year. The south-west monsoon starts from June and ends in August. The north-east monsoon is in October-November. December, January and February are cooler, while March, April and May are hotter. The highest temperature recorded here was 38.5 °C (6th April 1998) and the lowest was 16 °C (13th December 2000). [2]

[edit] Tourism

Kottayam has a vast network of rivers and canals which empty into the great expanse of water called the Vembanad Lake, part of the interconnected Kerala Backwaters that run virtually the length of the state. Vembanad Lake is 83.72km. in length and 14.48km in width. Traditional cargo boats called Kettuvallams are modified into cruise boats and house boats. These boats gracefully move around the back waters, providing facilities to tourist to enjoy the beauty of the Vembanad Lake in a relaxed pace. In the Vembanad Lake there is a small beautiful island called Pathiramanal or the Midnight sands. This lonely island in the Vembanad Lake is accessible only by boat.

Kumarakom, located on the coast of Vembanad Lake, is a beautiful village stocked with divine mangroves and coconut groves, lush green paddy fields, gushing waters snaking through the dense forests. Kumarakom bird sanctuary, is home to migratory birds like the Siberian stork, Egret, Darter, Heron and Teal. Local birds like the Water Fowl, Cuckoo, Owl and Water Hen and other common varieties like the Woodpecker, Sky Lark, Crane and Parrots can also be spotted here. 91 species of local and 50 species of migratory birds are found here. The best time to watch local birds is June-August and the best time for migratory birds is November-February. House Boats and motorboats are available on hire for bird watching cruises in the Lake.

In the festive months of August and September, the rivers in and near Kottayam are turned into festival centres. The serene lakes come alive during Onam with a spectacular water regatta - the snake boat races. It is amazing to watch oarsmen, at least a hundred in one boat, slice their way through the waters to the fast rhythm of their own full throated singing. In the Kumarakom boat race conducted at Kavanar and Kottathodu rivers, about 50 types of boats including veppu, ody and churulan boats participate.

One can reach Thekkady (Periyar Tiger Reserve), which is 104 km away, in Idukki District from Kottayam traveling approximately 3 hours by public transport. It is also a gateway to the pilgrim centers of Sabarimala, Mannanam, Vaikom, Ettumanoor,Thirunakkara Bharananganam, Erumeli, Manarcaud, and so on. Kottayam town is linked by rails to other prominent cities in Kerala and also linked to the waterways for scenic travel.

Kottayam is the first town in India selected by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India to be transformed as an Eco City.

[edit] Industry

Aside from two public sector companies, Hindustan Newsprint at Velloor and Travancore Cements at Nattakom, industries in the district consist mostly of small and medium scale units. The main activity are in publishing (newspapers and books) and processing of rubber (latex)and manufacturing of rubber based products.

Confined more or less to the Vaikom area of the district, is a thriving coir processing industry, processing coir and making coir products. Consisting of more than twenty co-operatives, it employs around 20,000 people. In the handloom sector, eight co-operative societies provide employment to 2100 persons. The district has a rich forest wealth with good availability of softwood and other varieties of timber providing raw material for a number of small enterprises in the production of plywood, packing cases, splints and veneers and furniture.

[edit] Publishing

The first printing press in Kerala (C.M.S Press) was established here in 1821 by Rev. Benjamin Baily, a British missionary. Maiden printed Malayalam-English and English-Malayalam dictionaries were published from Kottayam in 1846 and 1847 respectively. The first and only cooperative society of writers, authors and publishers (SPCS), for publishing books and periodicals was set up here in 1945. Kottayam is the hometown of a vast number of books and periodicals and is the center of publishing business in the state. Popular publishing houses like DC Books, V Publishers and Vidhyamitram are also located in Kottayam. Kottayam city hosts a number of book exhibitions every year.

[edit] Rubber (latex)

Kerala accounts for 90% of the rubber (latex) production in India, major part being from Kottayam district. A number of businesses are involved in the processing of latex and manufacture of rubber based products such as footwear. Kottayam town is a major trading center for rubber and rubber products and the Rubber Board, a central government research institution, is located there. At Chenganassery, near Kottayam (town), a facility service centre, training centre and field testing laboratory for rubber and plastic industries and at Ettumanoor, also near Kottayam town, a central government production cum training centre, have been set up. Other rubber based industries in the district include a unit of MRF LTD (Madras Rubber Factory) in Vadavathoor, Midas Rubber Ltd at Ettumanoor and Intermix factory (Neezhoor) and Rubco at Pampady.

[edit] Education

Old Seminary of the Malankara Orthodox Church situated in Chungam, Kottayam is the first institution to start English education in South India. C.M.S High School (which later became C.M.S College High School) was founded by the British missionary Rev. Benjamin Bailey. The first college in the state (C.M.S College) was started at Kottayam in 1840.

Kottayam is a major center of education. Mahatma Gandhi University, one of the six universities in Kerala is located here. Other prominent educational institutions located in Kottayam include C.M.S College (the first college in kerala), Baselios College, B.C.M College ,Government College Nattakom and K.G College. Medical College, Kottayam one of the government medical colleges, is located at Gandhinagar close to Kottayam. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology , the government engineering college named after former prime minister of India Mr. Rajiv Gandhi is situated in Pampady. There are also a number of other engineering colleges situated in the district.

Kottayam has a Technical Higher Secondary School and College of Applied Science managed by IHRD located at Puthupally

The school Pallikoodam (which means "holy place of learning" or "school" ) is situated in Kottayam. The School was founded and is managed by Mrs. Mary Roy, an educationist, a women's rights activist, and a social reform activist. Ms. Arundhati Roy, Social reforms activist and author (God of Small Things) and winner of the BOOKER PRIZE is the daughter of Mrs. Mary Roy.

Kottayam town is the first town in India to have achieved 100% literacy (a remarkable feat achieved as early as 1989).

[edit] Politics

K R Narayanan (Congress I), the former President of India hails from Kottayam district. Currently Kottayam is represented in Lok Sabha of Indian Parliament by Suresh Kurup of CPI M.

Oommen Chandy (Congress I), the previous Chief Minister of Kerala represents Puthupally Constituency in Kottayam District. K M Mani (Palai), the state minister Minister for Revenue and C F Thomas (Changanacherry), also represents different constituencies in Kottayam district.

Members representing constituencies in Kottayam in Kerala state Legislative Assembly

Kanjirappally: Alphonse Kannanthanam [L.D.F]
Vazhoor: Prof.N. Jayaraj[U.D.F]
Changanacherry: C.F. Thomas [U.D.F]
Kottayam: V N Vasavan [L.D.F]
Ettumanoor: Thomas Chazhikadan [U.D.F]
Puthuppally: Oommen Chandy (Ex Chief Minister) [U.D.F]
Poonjar: P.C.George [L.D.F]
Pala: K.M. Mani [U.D.F]
Kaduthuruthy: Mons Joseph [L.D.F]
Vaikom: Ajith [L.D.F]

→m== Religion == Like the rest of Kerala, Hindus, Christians and Muslims all form a significant part of the population.

Kottayam is the last rail stop for pilgrims heading to the Hindu holy site of Sabarimala. During December and January of each year pilgrims from all over India head to Kottayam and its vicinities to start their final journey to the Sabarimala Temple. The temple is located around 110 km from Kottayam, in the district of Pathanamthitta. Panachikad Temple, one of the famous Saraswathy temples in Kerala is located nearly 12 km away from Kottayam. The Siva temple at Thirunakkara is in the heart of Kottayam town. The sanctum-sanctorum is covered with pictures from the epics. Three festivals are celebrated here in Thulam (October-November) Mithunam (June-July) and Meenam (March-April) of which the last one is the most important. The Aaraattu, conducted on the last day of the festival, is the festival of Kottayam, irrespective of the caste and creeds. Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is another main templed located near the Kottayam town. Thirunakkara Srikrishna temple, Pallipurathukavu Devi Temple are another important temples located in the town. Kidangoor Subramanyaswamy Temple and Vaikom Mahadevar temple are other famous Hindu temples near Kottayam.

Kottayam has a rich Christian tradition. Malankara Orthodox Church (Indian Orthodox Church), under the Catholicos of the East is administered from Kottayam.

Other Christian denominations who have a strong presence throught the district are, the Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church, the Church of South India and the Catholic Church with five dioceses representing the Syriac, Knanaya and Latin traditions, and the Knanaya Jacobite Church with its headquarters in Chingavanam near Kottayam town.

A number of old and sacred Christian churches are also located in Kottayam. Old Seminary, a prominent religions teaching institution belonging to the Malankara Orthodox Church and a seminary for aspiring priests for Syrian Christians in Kerala, is also located in Chungam, Kottayam. The Cheria Pally an ancient Church belonging to the Malankara Orthodox Church is a well preserved church with wall murals dating back to ancient times. These unique wall murals have been painted using vegetable dyes. The Valia Palli has Persian inscriptions and a stone cross and belongs to the Knanaya Jacobite Church. St. George Church, Puthupally and the Vakathanam Palli ([3]) are two renowned and ancient churches frequented by pilgrims.

St Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Manarkadu is another very important and famous Christian church in Kottayam. This church is located at Manarcadu, near Kottayam.

[edit] Towns in Kottayam District

Athirampuzha, Aymanam, Ayarkunnam, Chungam, Changanassery, Cherpunkal, Ettumanoor, Erumely, Erattupetta, Kaipuzha, Kallara, Kanjirappally, Karukachal, Kothanalloor, Kozhuvanal, Kumarakom, Kumaranalloor, Malloossery, Manarkadu, Mundakkayam, Neendoor, Palai, Pallickathode, Pampady, Ponkunnam, Poovarany, Puthupally, Puthuvely, Vaikom, Vazhoor, Kidangoor, Villoonni, Vakathanam, Parampuzha and Thiruvanchoor.

[edit] Educational Institutions

C.M.S College , Kottayam
College of Engineering Kidangoor
Baselius College, Kottayam
B.C.M College for Women, Kottayam
S.B College, Changanassery
K.E College , Mannanam
K.G College, Pampady
Government College, Nattakom

[edit] External links

	State of Kerala Kerala Topics \| History \| Economy \| Geography \| Flora and Fauna \| Culture \| Arts \| Tourism
Capital	Thiruvananthapuram
Districts	Alappuzha • Ernakulam • Idukki • Kannur • Kasaragod • Kollam • Kottayam • Kozhikode • Malappuram • Palakkad • Pathanamthitta • Thiruvananthapuram • Thrissur • Wayanad
Major cities	Kochi • Kollam • Kozhikode • Thiruvananthapuram • Thrissur