Located near Kochi, Kottayam is a large town in the state of Kerala.Kottayam is 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).
Popular tourist attractions in Kottayam include an ancient temple of Thirunakkara Mahadeva, which was built here in the 16th century by Raja of Thekkumkur.
Kottayam also houses one of the oldest Mosques of India, the Thazhathangady Juma Masjid, located near Meenachil River.
