Hotels in Kottayam: Literary Culture and Temple History

Kottayam brings together a strong literary culture, historic sites, and temple architecture. If you are looking for hotels in Kottayam, these different themes can help you shape your trip around your own interests: you can explore the history of the city itself as well as other cultural and natural destinations in Kottayam district.

Literary Culture and History in Kottayam

Kottayam is known as the “City of Letters.” Leading newspapers, weeklies, and magazines in Kerala are published there. The town is also associated with several literary milestones: the seminary in Kottayam was founded in 1830. In 1870, the first autobiography in Malayalam, written by Vaikom Pachu Moothathu, was published here. In 1887, Kerala’s first daily newspaper, Deepika, began publication in Mannanam in Kottayam district. These milestones provide a historical context for the literary identity of the city and its surroundings.

Thazhathangadi and Its Architecture

Trade flourished in nearby Thazhathangadi during the 17th and 18th centuries, and the area was once Kerala’s trading center. Thazhathangadi is two kilometers from Kottayam. The Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid stands on the banks of the Meenachil River. Its features include a traditional ablution area and latticed windows that evoke those of a temple or royal palace. When planning a visit, note the explicit entry rule: only men are permitted to enter this historic site.

Temple Culture and Campus Architecture

The Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple is one of Kerala’s 108 Shivalayas and is designed in traditional Kerala architecture. The annual, ten-day Arattu Utsavam takes place around mid-March. If you are interested in religious architecture, the temple offers a different focus from Kottayam’s literary sites. The CMS College Kottayam campus also has its own architectural character: the chapel and classrooms combine colonial and Kerala architecture.

More to Explore in Kottayam District

In Kottayam district, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary covers 14 acres on the banks of Vembanad Lake. It is home to 91 native bird species and 50 migratory species. Houseboats and motorboats can be hired for birdwatching trips on the lake. Traditional Kettuvallam cargo boats on Vembanad Lake have been converted into cruise boats and houseboats equipped with kitchens, toilets, bathrooms, and seating areas. Numerous rivers and canals in the district flow into the lake, which is a developing destination for backwater tourism.

Another historic site in the district is Poonjar Palace. This 600-year-old structure, built predominantly of wood, features traditional Kerala architecture with royal influences and served as the seat of the Kingdom of Poonjar. It was built by the Poonjar Rajas, an ancient dynasty connected to the royal family of Travancore. The palace museum displays antiques, rock-cut lamps, and sculptures from the past. The palace can be reached by traveling along the Erattupetta–Pala route and explored along the way.

If your trip is planned around the Arattu Utsavam, take into account its approximate mid-March date.

Discover more destinations: Vaikom, Kanjirappally, Anthinad, Manimala, Thiruvarpu, Kumarakom, Arpookara, Puthuppally.

For the broader travel overview: Kottayam.