| GENERAL
INFORMATION |
|
| Area |
2204
square kilometers |
| Altitude |
Sea
Level |
| Temperature |
Summer
Max. 35 Deg.C. Min. 22.5 Deg.C.
Winter Max. 32 Deg.C. Min. 22.0
Deg.C. |
| Rainfall |
176
cms |
| Season |
October
- March |
| Area
code |
0481 |
| State |
Kerala |
| GETTING
THERE |
|
| By
Air |
The
nearest airport is at Cochin, 76 km away. |
| By
Rail |
The
railway station is 2 km from the central bus station. |
| By
Road |
Buses
to major cities operate from the central bus station. |
| ACCOMMODATION |
Hotel
Green Park, Nagampadom Tel: 563311, 563331.
Hotel Aiswarya (KTDC), Thirunakkara Tel: 581250, 5131257.
Hotel Anjali, K.K. Road Tel: 563661.
Taj Garden Retreat, 1/404, Kumarakom Tel: 524377.
Kettuvallom Houseboats, KTDC, Kumarakom Tel: 0481-92-258.
Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom Tel: 92491 Fax: 92495.
Govt.Guest
House, PWD Rest House, YMCA and YWCA are other alternatives. |
| SIGHTSEEING |
|
| Thirunakkara
Shiva Temple |
It
is built in the indigenous Kerala style. The Dancing Hall here is
one of the best in the state and the temple also has a wealth of
paintings on its walls. The main festival, Phalguna Utsav is celebrated
during March. |
| St.
Mary's Church (Valiyapalli) |
It
is believed to have been built in 1515 and is famous for the Persian
Cross and Pahalavi inscriptions. |
| St.
Mary's Church (Cheriyapally) |
It
houses exquisite murals and paintings of Biblical themes. |
| EXCURSIONS |
|
| Ettumanoor
(12 km) |
The
Shiva Temple here is a good specimen of Kerala temple architecture.
The annual festival of the temple falls in February/March and lasts
for 10 days. |
| Erumeli
(60 km) |
It
is an important pilgrim centre for Hindus and the Muslims. The Dharma
Sastha temple here is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Pilgrims going
to Sabarimala alight here. The Petta Thullal of Kanni Ayyappas is
an important festival, held in December/January. |
| Kumarakom
Bird Sanctuary (10 km) |
On
the banks of Vembanad Lake, it is an ideal place for backwater cruises.
The sanctuary sprawls over 14 acres. KeralaTourism Development Corporation
rents boats for backwater cruises in the surrounding lake. The charge
is Rs. 60 per hour for a maximum capacity of ten persons. KTDC also
provides accommodation. |
| Mannanam
(8 km) |
This
is an important centre for Christians. St. Joseph's monastery here
is an old institution and is associated with Fr. Kuriakose Elias
of Chavara (1805-71), who has been recently pronounced "blessed
". |
| Sabarimala
(135 km) |
It
is famous for its temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa which attracts
a large number of pilgrims every year during Mandala Pooja. The
temple is opened for dardshan for 41 days during November/December
and for 18 days in January. |
| Thrikkodithanam
Temple (23 km) |
It
is believed that this is one of the five temples where the original
Vishnu image worshipped by the Pandvas is kept. The 'Deepam' festival
celebrated in November-December is its most important festival. |
| Vaikom
(40 km) |
The
famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva here is believed to have been
constructed by Parasurama, the mythical sage founder of Kerala.
The festival in November-December lasts for 12 days and the 'Panchavadyam'
is an important musical performance. A temple dedicated to Lord
Subramanya at Udayanapuram, 3 km north of Vaikom, is noted for its
interesting wood carvings and stone sculptures. |
