Kottayam

Kottayam is a municipal town and the administrative headquarters of Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located in central Kerala, on the banks of the Meenachil River, and forms part of the region known as the Central Travancore.

The town has a long tradition of education and publishing; it is often referred to as the “land of letters” because of its high literacy rate and the presence of several publishing houses.

Kottayam hosts several higher education institutions, including Government Medical College, Kottayam, and colleges affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University. The district is a major center for Malayalam-language publishing, contributing to the state’s literary and academic landscape.

The economy includes education, publishing, healthcare, rubber and other agricultural products. The city is home to Hindu temples and Christian churches, reflecting Kerala’s religious diversity; local culture features festivals and traditional art forms that are common in the region.

Kottayam is connected by road and rail to major cities in Kerala. The Kottayam railway station lies on routes to Ernakulam and other centers; the nearest international airport is Cochin International Airport. The surrounding district is known for backwaters near Kumarakom and the hill areas of the Western Ghats, which contribute to the area’s tourism and natural appeal.