Kottayam District
Pioneer district in literacy and education, famous for rubber plantations and pristine hill stations. Known as the first fully literate district in India with rich Christian heritage and beautiful backwater destinations.
Area
2,203 sq km
Population
1.9 million
Headquarters
Kottayam
Economy
Rubber plantations, spice cultivation, backwater tourism, printing industry
Climate
Tropical climate with moderate rainfall, cooler in hill station areas
Best Time to Visit
October to March for backwaters, September to May for hill stations
History
Kottayam's name derives from "kotta" (fort) and "akam" (interior), relating to the medieval kingdoms of Thekkumkur (1102–1749) and Vadakkumkur (1102–1750) that together constitute the modern district, with rulers of Munjanad and Thekkumkur maintaining headquarters at Thazhathangadi before Marthanda Varma of Travancore destroyed the palace and Thaliyil fort. The district holds immense significance as the center of Syrian Christian heritage, tracing its origins to the arrival of St. Thomas the Apostle in 52 CE who established seven churches in ancient Malankara, with the community maintaining canonical traditions for nearly two millennia and making Kottayam the headquarters for multiple denominations including the Indian Orthodox Church and Knanaya Christians. Educational pioneering began here with English education starting at the Old Seminary in 1813, the first printing press (CMS Press) established in 1821 by Rev. Benjamin Bailey, and the first college (CMS College) in 1840, leading to Kottayam becoming India's first fully literate town in 1989 and later achieving a 97.2% literacy rate, earning the title "Land of Letters."
Geography
Uniquely positioned as the only Kerala district that borders neither the Arabian Sea nor another Indian state, Kottayam spans 2,208 square kilometers in south-central Kerala, sharing borders with Ernakulam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha districts. The terrain naturally divides into highland, midland and lowland regions with hills in the east and Vembanad Lake with paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west, creating diverse ecosystems from backwater regions to Western Ghats foothills and fertile plains blessed with extensive waterways. The district is traversed by important rivers including the 78-kilometer Meenachil River flowing through Meenachil, Vaikom and Kottayam taluks, the Muvattupuzha River, and the Manimala River, while the famous Vembanad Lake serves as a major recreational locale and venue for traditional boat races each August and September, contributing to the district's recognition as a prime backwater tourism destination with moderate climate perfect for year-round activities.
Culture
Kottayam stands as the "Land of Letters, Legends, Latex and Lakes," with the distinction of being India's first fully literate district and the center of Kerala's publishing industry, producing an estimated 70% of all books published in the state and housing headquarters of leading newspapers and publications. The Syrian Christian heritage forms the cultural backbone, with ancient churches displaying unique Persian crosses, particularly the scholarly investigated crosses in Kottayam Valiapally and Knanaya Valia Palli, while St. Ephrem Ecumenical Research Institute stands as one of the world's most renowned centers for Syriac studies and education. Traditional arts flourish through folk dances like Margamkali popular among Syrian Christians featuring group performances and martial arts like Parichamuttukali, with songs revolving around the life of St. Thomas, while the district also celebrates classical temple festivals and maintains strong rubber plantation culture that originated here and spread throughout Kerala. The harmonious coexistence of religious communities manifests in numerous ancient temples, historic churches, and cultural institutions, while the district's economic prosperity from rubber trading, spice cultivation, and educational excellence has created a unique cultural landscape where traditional values blend with modern educational achievements.