Kottayam tourism

Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in  Kerala and is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam (pop. 60, 725 according to the 2001 census) is located in south-central Kerala and is approximately 150 km (93.2 mi) from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram.
The town is an important trading center of spices and commercial crops, especially rubber. Major Kerala print media such as Malayala Manorama, Deepika and Mangalam are headquartered in the city. Also a pioneering center 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  which means the "City of Letters" considering its contribution to print media and literature.
Kumarakom

Kumarakom is situated 12 km away from Kottayam, on the banks of Lake Vembanad. A Bird Sanctury is located at Kavanattinkara near Kumarakom. The Bird Sanctuary is now a major tourist attraction and has been bought under the jurisdiction of KTDC (Kerala Tourism Development Corporation). Kumarakom is not entirely a tourist dependent town but also derives a reasonable income from agriculture. The area is populated by mangrove forests, paddy fields and coconut groves. Furthermore Kumarakom's perfectly balanced tropical climate poses an advantage to the growth of plants and trees. There are several Tourist Resorts and Hotels for tourist accomodation. House Boats and other boating facilities are also available at Kumarakom
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Bharanamganam
Bharanamganam, a small village town in Meenachal Taluk of Kottayam District, has been famous for long as one of the hallowed places in Kerala. St. Mary's Church, Bharanamganam is a 1000 year old church and a famous pilgrimage centre. The Tomb of the Saint .Alphonsa is placed in a chapel beside this church. The important annual festivals of this church are the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated on the 9th of November, and the Feast of St. Sebastian on the 20th of January.
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Wagamon
Wagamon is a hill top resort near Palai,in Kottayam District. Vagamon, situated 60 km away from Kottayam, at a height of 1100 m above sea level. It is a suitable place for mountaineering. The Kurisumala and Kurisumala Hermitage here are famous pilgrim centres. The area is full of Tea estates.The breeding centre of the Kerala Live Stock Board is located here.
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Elaveezhapoonchira
Elaveezhapoonchira , a hill station near Melukavu Mattom, 60 kms. from Kottayam is gaining tourist importance. Located among three beautiful hillocks Mankunnu,Kudayathoormala and Thonippara, Poonchira is a place of picturesque charm. During the monsoons when the valley fillup to form a scenic lake, this place unveils yet another beautiful slice of nature. This place is about 3000 m above sea level is a suitable place for mountaineering.
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