Kottayam

This article is about the municipality in Kerala, India. For its namesake district, see Kottayam district.

For Pazhassi Raja's Kottayam see Kottayam (Malabar) and Kottayam-Malabar

Kottayam കോട്ടയം Land of Letters, Lakes , Latex and Mural
City
clockwise from top: Seemati Roundabout, War Memorial Kottayam, Municipal Jubilee Park and Central Junction clockwise from top: Seemati Roundabout, War Memorial Kottayam, Municipal Jubilee Park and Central Junction
Nickname:  Akshara Nagari (City of Alphabets) Chuvar Chitra Nagaram (City of Mural)
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Kottayam
Government
• Municipal Chairman	MP Santhosh Kumar
Area
• Total	2,208 km2 (853 sq mi)
Elevation	3 m (10 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	357,533
• Density	160/km2 (420/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	686 001
Telephone code	Kottayam: 0481, Pala: 04822, Kanjirappally: 04828, Vaikom: 04829
Vehicle registration	Kottayam: KL-05, Changanassery: KL-33, Kanjirappally: KL-34, Pala:KL-35, Vaikom:KL-36, Uzhavoor:KL-67
Sex ratio	1025 female(s)/1000 male(s)/ ♂/♀
Literacy	100%
Website	kottayam.nic.in

Kottayam (koʊttɑːjəm) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala covering an area of 55.40 square kilometres (21.39 sq mi). It is the administrative capital of Kottayam district and is located in south-central Kerala with a population of 357,533 according to the 2011 census.

The city is an important trading centre for spices and commercial crops, especially rubber. Major Kerala print media such as Malayala Manorama, Deepika and Mangalam are headquartered in the town. Also a pioneering center of modern education in Kerala, Kottayam became India's first city to achieve 100% literacy in 1989 while the district became the first tobacco free district in India on September 28, 2008. The city is also widely known as Akshara Nagari (അക്ഷര നഗരി) (City of Alphabets) in honour of its contributions to print media and literature. It is known as the "Land of Letters, Lakes and Latex" on account of the upsurge in literacy, the presence of a vast network of rivers and canals, which empty into the great expanse of Vembanad and the sizable volume of natural rubber produced here.

Apart from being the educational hub of Kerala, Kottayam is also home to central and state government organisations including Mahatma Gandhi University, the Rubber Board, and India's Rubber Research Institute along with the Government Medical College, Kottayam. MRF Limited, the leading tire manufacturer in India has its original roots in the city and has a hi-tech manufacturing facility located at Vadavathoor. Kottayam. D.C. Books, the largest publisher and a leading bookseller in Kerala, is also headquartered in Kottayam.

Etymology

Kottayam district acquired its name from the town of Kottayam, which is the headquarters of the district. It is believed that the name Kottayam is derived from a combination of the Malayalam words kott (fort) and akammm (inside), which can be translated as "the interior of the fort".

History

The kings of the small independent kingdom of Thekkumkoor ruled Kottayam from Thazhathangady until the mid-18th century. Later, Marthanda Varma, ruler of Travancore, annexed Thekkumcore and the surrounding areas of Kottayam to the Kingdom of Travancore. During British rule in India, Kottayam remained part of the Princely State of Travancore.

Slave traders prevailed at Thirunakkara, Kottayam in the 17th Century.

Earlier, the state of Travancore consisted of two revenue divisions: southern and northern, under the administrative control of a 'Diwan Peshkar' for each. Later, in 1868, Kottayam was also formed as a revenue division in Travancore. A fifth division, Devikulam, existed for a short period but was then added to Kottayam. At the time of the integration of the State of Travancore and Cochin in 1949, these revenue divisions were renamed as districts and the Diwan Peshkars gave way to District Collectors. As a result, in July 1949, Kottayam came into being as a district. Later, it became a part of the state of Kerala, and the headquarters of the district bearing the same name when the state was formed in 1957.

The citizens of Kottayam played an important in the early social struggles in Kerala. In 1891, a protest movement known as the Malayali Memorial Agitation, originated in Kottayam in order to seek better representation for the local people of Travancore in the Travancore civil service sector, against outsiders. Later, the movement spread to other parts of Travancore and had a major influence on the beginnings of modern political movements of Kerala. The people of Kottayam played a major role during the Abstention Movement in the 1930s, which aimed at the representation of Hindus of the lower castes, Christians and Muslims in the Travancore Legislature. The Vaikom Satyagraha of 1924 against untouchability, led by Mahatma Gandhi, took place in Vaikom near Kottayam. It was the first systematically organized agitation in Kerala against caste system and primitive customs to secure the rights of the depressed classes.

Geography and Climate

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) photographed in Vembanad Lake, Kottayam

Early morning in Kottayam

Kottayam has an average elevation of 3 metres (9.8 ft) above sea level. and is situated in the basin of the Meenachil River and in the basin of the Vembanad backwaters, which are formed from several streams in the Western Ghats in Idukki district. According to the division of places in Kerala based on altitudes, Kottayam is classified as being a midland area. The general soil type is alluvial soil. The vegetation is mainly tropical evergreen and moist deciduous type.

The climate in this district is moderate and pleasant. Kottayam's proximity to the equator results in little seasonal temperature variation, with moderate to high levels of humidity. Annual temperatures range between 20 to 35 °C (68 to 95 °F). From June through September, the south-west monsoon brings in heavy rains, as Kottayam lies on the windward side of the Western Ghats. From October to December, Kottayam receives light rain from the northwest monsoon. The average annual rainfall is 3,200 millimetres (130 in).

Kottayam is bordered by Pathanamthitta district on the south, Alappuzha district on the west, Ernakulam district on the north and Idukki district on the east.

Climate data for Kottayam
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	32 (90)	32 (90)	33 (91)	33 (91)	32 (90)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	31 (88)	31 (88)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	22 (72)	23 (73)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	23 (73)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	24 (75)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	22 (0.9)	39 (1.5)	60 (2.4)	155 (6.1)	320 (12.6)	636 (25.0)	596 (23.5)	397 (15.6)	292 (11.5)	326 (12.8)	210 (8.3)	52 (2.0)	3,105 (122.2)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm)	1	2	3	7	10	21	20	17	13	12	8	3	117
Source: Weather2Travel

Transport

Autorickshaw in a road in Kottayam. They are a major form of hired transport as in the rest of India. Another form of transportation in Kerala is motorcycle.

Shasthri Road

Roadways

Kottayam lies on the National Highway 183 (Old NH 220) connecting the City of Kollam and Theni. The NH183 connects Kottayam to the state of Tamil Nadu and the tourist destinations of Thekkady and Kuttikanam, as well as the agricultural towns of Kanjirapally and Mundakayam and State Highways SH1 or Main Central (MC) road,SH 9, SH11, SH13, SH14, SH15 and SH32 pass through Kottayam.

Public transport in the town is largely dependent on buses, run by both private operators and the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). There are three bus stations serving Kottayam, two of which cater to private buses and one exclusively for KSRTC buses. The bigger of the two private bus stations is located at Nagampadam, close to the railway station and the other is located in the heart of the town. Besides local bus services for, traveling within the town, Kottayam is well-connected to the rest of Kerala through inter-state bus services run by KSRTC. Hired forms of transport include metered taxis and auto-rickshaws.

The major port city of Kochi (70 kilometres (43 mi)) can be reached by the Changanassery-Alappuzha road and also via Ettumanoor and Kumarakom.

Railway

Kottayam railway station (Station Code:KTYM) is situated in the heart of the town and is under the administration of the Southern Railway. Kottayam lies on the busy rail route between Thiruvananthapuram - Kollam - Ernakulam and is served by several long distance trains connecting most major cities in the country, like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai and Ahmedabad.all

Air

The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, 90 km to the north.

Ferry & Port

Kottayam Port, India's first multi-modal Inland Container Depot (ICD) and a minor port using inland water way, is situated at Nattakom (near Kodimatha), on the banks of Kothoor river.

The Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) operates ferry services through the backwaters in and around Kottayam city. Ferries are a major mode of transport to the town connect to the tourist destination of Kumarakom and Alappuzha, as well as several smaller destinations. There are two major ferry jetties in the city - Town Jetty and Kodimatha Jetty. In recent years, the boat jetty at Kumarakom has acquired international fame as a launch point for the backwater rides on Vembabad lake, which has virtually become a poster image for tourism in Kerala.

Aerial View of the southern entrance of Kottayam Town

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Kottayam Urban Agglomeration had a population of 172,878, while Kottayam district had a population of 19,52,901. Males constitute 62% of the population and females make up 38%. Population growth in the district is in a diminishing trend and it had a decadal population growth rate of 6.5 per cent compared to 9.35 per cent for Kerala during 1991-2001 period.

Kottayam District is ranked 1st in literacy with a percentage of 95.9 compared to 90.92% for Kerala State and 65.38% for India (2001 census). It is ranked 10th in population, as well as in area among the districts in Kerala.

Economy

Kottayam is a major trading center of natural rubber in India. Rubber trees are extensively cultivated in central Kerala, on plantations, both large and small especially in vast areas of Kottayam District, . The Rubber Board, a body set up by the Government of India for the development of the rubber industry, is located at Kottayam. A number of small and medium-sized enterprises in and around the town are engaged in the processing of rubber latex and manufacturing of rubber products. Besides rubber, Kottayam is a trading place of other commercial crops like spices cultivated widely in the surrounding areas. The Plantation Corporation of Kerala has its headquarters at Kottayam.

Rubber Tree

Kottayam is also known as a business centre. The stretch of Kottayam–Kumily Road (KK road) that passes through the town is a major shopping centre. Sastri Road, one of the broadest roads in kottayam, is also popular for shopping and has outlets of many national and international product brands. Baker Junction and Kanjikuzhy are also considered as commercial and residential hubs of the town. Kottayam district has industries like Hindustan Newsprint Limited, Kottayam Spinning Mills and KSE factory.

Tourism is a major contributor to the economy as many tourism related businesses thrive in the town. Kumarakom, a popular tourist destination in Kerala, is located 14 km from the town. Wagamon, another tourist destination is located on the borders of the districts of Kottayam and Idukki.

Kottayam is known for religious tourism. St. Alphonsa, the first woman to be canonized as a saint by the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church was born and raised in Kottayam.

Sub Divisions

Parakkakadav

Kottayam district consists of 5 taluks:

1. Kottayam
2. Changanassery
3. Vaikom
4. Kanjirappally
5. Meenachil

The four municipalities in the district are Kottayam, Changanassery, Pala and Vaikom. Kanjirappally is the only taluk which is not a municipality in Kottayam district is situated 38 km away in NH 220. Kottayam has 11 development blocks and 73 Panchayats. Administratively, Kottayam district consists of two Revenue divisions - Kottayam and Pala - each under the control of a Revenue Divisional Officer. There is a demand to upgrade Kottayam as a City Corporation.

Culture

Template:Manin The culture of Kottayam is influenced mainly by the large Syrian Christian community. The cuisine of Kottayam is the same as rest of Kerala, but with a distinct Syrian Christian influence seen in the use of coconut and spices, as well as beef, pork and sea food in Kerala cuisine.

Restaurants in the city also serve Kerala, Tamil and Northern cuisines. Kumarakom, the major backwater tourism destination on the outskirts of the city, has several luxury hotels and resorts including those of reputed hotel chains such as Taj, Zuri and Casino.

Margamkali and Arjuna Nritham are popular dance forms. Margamkali and martial arts such as Parichamuttukali are popular among the Syrian Christian community. It is performed by men and women separately. In the past, it was performed during Syrian Christian weddings. Arjuna Nritham, also known as Mayilpeeli Thookkam is a popular dance form performed by men. Besides these, other South Indian dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattom, and Kuchipudi and classical Carnatic music are also practiced by a large number of young people.

Literature

The Public Library in Kottayam is located at Sastri Road, which is a frequent happening place with art exhibitions.

Kottayam has produced many well-known writers, journalists and artists. Muttathu Varkey, a novelist and Pala Narayanan Nair, a poet, both have their footing in Kottayam. Kottayam Pushpanath, a writer of crime thrillers lives in Kottayam. The famous Indian-English novelist Arundhati Roy is a native of Kottayam and her semi-autobiographical Booker Prize–winning novel, The God of Small Things contains her childhood experiences in Aymanam, Kottayam. Padmabushan D. C. Kizhakemuri established his flagship DC Books in Kottayam. DC Books along with its retail arm Current Books is the leading publisher of Malayalam and English works in Kerala. D. C. Kizhakemuri died on January 26, 1999.

Sport

Cricket, basketball and football are among the most popular sports in Kottayam. Kottayam is also famous for athletics, as the place has produced several athletes who represented India in various international tournaments. Nehru stadium, Kottayam|Nehru Stadium which is Kottayam's main stadium is located at the entrance of the town. A number of popular basketball tournaments including the Marian Trophy, Girideepam Trophy, Lourdes Trophy and Virginia Memorial Tournament are conducted every year. A municipal park is located by Sastri road.

Entertainment

There are several movie halls which screen Malayalam, English, Tamil and Hindi movies. Kottayam have 7 theaters where movies are released periodically. They are Abhilash, Anupama, Anaswara, Anand cinemax,dhanya,ramya and Asha. Recently Anand Theatre is awarded the best theatre in the state. Most of these theaters lie close to the K.S.R.T.C bus stand apart from Anaswara which is closer towards Thirunakkara bus stand (Private Bus Stand). Dhanya and Remya are the two newly built theatres which started working from 2011 onwards.

Religion

The population in Kottayam practices Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.

Reflecting the religious constitution of the population, a large number of Hindu temples and Christian churches dot the townscape. Some of them are the Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple, Kumaranalloor Devi temple, Thiruvarrpu Sri Krishna Temple, Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple, Pallippurathukavu Bhagavathi Temple, Elia Cathedral (thronal Cathedral of the Catholicos of the East), Kottayam Valiya Pally, Manarcad Cathedral, Cheriya Palli, CSI Holy Trinity cathedral, Puthuppally St. George Church and Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid.

All the temples of Kottayam were also built under royal patronage of Hinduism during the 2nd millennium.Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple, at the heart of the town, is a Shiva temple built in the Kerala style of temple architecture, with interior murals depicting themes from the Hindu epics. It was built at the beginning of the 16th century by the then Raja of Thekkumkur. The annual temple festival that culminates in a ceremony called the Aaraattu, attracts large number of devotees. The other famous temples include the Ettumanoor and Vaikom temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi at Panachikkad(also known as Dakshina-Mookaambika). All these temples are rich in lore and festivities and attract a large number of pilgrims from all over the country. Kumaranalloor Devi temple, located near the banks of Meenachil River is famous for its cultural heritage. The sreekovil is beautifully illustrated with Mural Paintings. Karthika, the birth star of Devi is celebrated in the ninth day of the 10 Day long temple festival attracts lot of pilgrims from all over the country. Kumaranallor and nearby place Kudamaloor is also famous in the name of artists. Great Kathakali artists like Kudamaloor Karunakaran Nair, Kuroor Vasudevan Nampoothiry (Vesham), Mathoor Govindankutty, Kuroor Cheriya Vasudevan Nampoothiry (Chenda), famous flute maestro Kudamaloor Janardhanan etc. to name a few.

Thirunakkara in the heart of Kottayam is the cultural center of Kottayam. The town itself is developed around the Sri Mahadeva temple at Thirunakkara. The 'Koothambalam', which is the dance hall in the temple is one of the rare ones in Kerala. The ornate walls of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is worth mentioning. There are many small temples nearby - namely the Thirunakkara Sri Krishna Temple, Thirunakkara Puthiyathrikkovil Mahavishnu Temple, Thirunakkara Cheruvallikkavu Devi Temple, Thirunakkara Swamiyar Madom and the adjoining Sri Rama-Hanuman temple, Thirunakkara Brahamana Samooha Madom Aiyappa temple etc.

Other temples located in the city or close to the city are Nagampadom Mahadeva Temple, Pandavam Dharma Shastha temple, Pandavam Subrahmnaya swami temple, Vedagairi Sri Rama-Laxmna temple, Pakkil Sri Dharmashatha temple, Manganam Sri Narasimha Swami Temple, Aymanam Sri Narasimha Swami temple etc.

Kottayam is a major center for Syrian Christians in Kerala. Kottayam is the headquarters of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Their Pazhaya (old)seminary was founded in Kottayam in the year CE 1811, after the destruction of centuries old seminary (priest training centre)at Ankamaly by Tipu sultan on his military raids. The Mar Thoma Theological Seminary of Marthoma Syrian Christians is functioning at Kottayam along with Marthoma School popularly known as MT School. Anglican Church of India headquarters is in Kurichi, near Kottayam.

Kottayam Valiya Palli of Knanaya Community(Kottayam Big Church) was built in 1550 by Knanaya Syrian Christians who immigrated from Kaduthuruthy, and is considered the first Christian church in Kottayam town. This church is famous for its two Persian crosses made of granite. There are rare antique carvings and mural paintings behind the main altar and on the ceiling of the church. Another St. Mary's Church known as Cheria Palli (the Little Church), belonging to the Malankara Orthodox Church was built in 1579 by the Raja of Thekkumkur for his Christian subjects. These churches feature temple architectural influences. The interior murals, painted using vegetable dyes, depict Biblical themes.

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church has an archeparchy based in Kottayam. Some of the important Syrian Catholic churches in Kottayam include Christ the King Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral of Kottayam Knanaya Archdiocese and Lourde's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church. Important Latin Catholic churches are Good Shepherd Church and Vimalagiri Cathedral. Pope John Paul II visited Kottayam and met Catholicose of the East at Eliya Cathedral during his visit to India in 1986. In Kottayam he announced the beatification of Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Alphonsa, who hail from Kottayam district.

Thazhathangady Juma Masjid, situated in the banks of river Meenachil, in Kummanam, is one of the oldest mosques in India and is more than 1,000 years old, famous for its architectural beauty, and richness in wood carvings. This mosque was constructed by the followers of the Islamic prophet Muhammad during one of their first voyages to Kerala.

Media

Kottayam is considered as the nerve center of Malayalam literature and publishing media. Unnuneeli Sandesam, a beautiful and a famous work of poetry, is supposed to have been written by one of the Rajas of Vadakkumkur. In 1821, Benjamin Bailey, a British missionary, established C.M.S. Press, the first printing press in Kerala, in Kottayam. The town has been in the forefront of newspaper and book publishing in the state ever since.

The famous literary work named 'Aithihyamala' was penned by Kottarathil Sankunni who lived in the present day Kodimatha in the city of Kottayam.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Malayalam literature was enriched by the works of Christian missionaries. Varthamana Pusthakam (1778), written by Parammekkal Thoma Kathanar on a visit to Rome, is the first travelogue in Malayalam. The first Malayalam English dictionary and Malayalam dictionary were published in Kottayam in the years 1846 and 1865 respectively. The first autobiography in Malayalam by Vaikom Pachu Moothathu was published in Kottayam in 1870. The first Malayalam Bible was also published in Kottayam.

Jnananikshepam was the first newspaper published by the natives of Kerala, and it was brought out from CMS press at Kottayam in 1848. Nasrani Deepika was started in 1887 by the Carmelities of Mary Immaculate (CMI) missionaries at Mannanam near Kottayam. The newspaper still continues to be published under the name Deepika and is a leading Malayalam daily. Malayala Manorama, India's largest circulating regional daily, was founded here by K.C. Mammen Mapila in 1890. The part played by newspapers published from Kottayam, like Malayala Manorama, Deepika and Bhashaposhini, a literary magazine from Malayala Manorama Group in the cultural and literary development of Kerala is immense.

Today, seven major Malayalam newspapers – Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhoomi, Deshabhimani, Deepika, Madhyamam , Thejus and Mangalam – and around thirty periodicals are published from Kottayam. Kottayam is also home to several book publishers in Malayalam such as D. C. Books, Labour India Publications and Current Books. Almost 70 percent of books published in Kerala are from Kottayam. In 1945, a group of writers set up Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangam, which means for Literary Workers' Co-operative Society in Malayalam. It was the first co-operative enterprise of writers, novelists and poets.

St Joseph College of Communication, Changanassery, Kerala is the First University Affiliated Media College in South India.

Education and research

According to a journal published in 2010, Kottayam has 478 Lower Primary schools, 208 Upper Primary schools and 258 High Schools in the district. Also there are 24 Arts and Science colleges, 4 Training colleges, 3 co-operative colleges, 7 Teachers Training institutes, 2 industrial training institutes, and many Engineering colleges in the district. Only university affiliated Media College in south India (SJCC) situated in Kottayam District. Mahatma Gandhi University, one of six universities in Kerala, is located at Kottayam. Medical College, Kottayam is located about 8 km from the town.

List of Government aided Arts & Science Colleges in and around Kottayam

• ST:Xavier's College Vaikom
• C.M.S. College, Kottayam - The first ever college in South India (Estd. 1817).
• Baselius College, Kottayam
• Government College, Kottayam
• BCM College, Kottayam
• Kuriakose Elias College, Mannanam, Kottayam
• Bishop Kurialacherry College, Amalagiri, Kottayam
• SN College, Kumarakom, Kottayam
• St. Marys College, Manarcad, Kottayam
• Ettumanoorappan College, Ettumanoor, Kottayam
• K.G.College, Pampady, Kottayam

List of Engineering Colleges

Government Engineering Colleges

• Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Kottayam
• College of Engineering, Kidangoor
• Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kottayam

Self-financed Engineering Colleges

• Saintgits College of Engineering, Pathamuttom
• St.Joseph's College of Engineering & Technology, Pala
• Amal Jyothi College of Engineering,Kanjirappally
• Gurudeva Institute of Science And Technology (GISAT)
• Mangalam College of Engineering
• Kottayam Institute of Technology and Science, Pampady

List of Mass Media Institutes

• Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam
• KR Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts
• Manorama School of Communication

List of Polytechnics

• Model Polytechnic College, Mattakkara
• Govt. Polytechnic, Pala and Govt.Polytechnic, Nattakom

List of Higher Secondary Schools

• Lourdes Public School and Junior College Lourdes Public School and Junior College, Collectorate P.O., Kottayam-2

List of Research Institutes

• Central Research Institute of Homeopathy - Kottayam, Kurichy
• Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute for Basic Sciences, Pampady
• Rubber Research Institute of India, Thalappady
• Institute For Climate Change Studies

Other institutes include the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES); an autonomous, affiliated research center of Mahatma Gandhi University for Environmental Sciences, Centre for Rural Management (CRM), Kottayam (an autonomous research organizations for rural development), Central Research Institute for Homoeopathy, Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Sreenivasa Ramanujam Institute of Basic Sciences, KR Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts and Rubber Research Institute of India (RRI).

Indian Institute of Information Technology - Kottayam (IIIT-K), is one of the premier information technology institutes in the country. it is started in the year 2015. The institute will be located about 30 Km north-east of Kottayam Town, at Valavoor, near Pala. The institute is set up on PPP mode, involving investments from the Government of India, Government of Kerala, and industry partners (Rolta, Lulu group and Cochin International Airport).

The famous entrance coaching centre, Brilliant, is also situated in Kottayam (Mutholy, Pala).

Hospitals and Health Care

Kottayam Medical College Hospital is a prominent hospital in Kottayam. Apart from the Medical College, there is one District Hospital and one District T.B. Centre. There is also one Children's Hospital, four Taluk Hospitals, six Community Health Centres, 11 Block Health Centres, 51 Primary Health Centres and seven Government Hospitals under the Health Department. Most of the modern treatment facilities are available both in the government and private sectors. A disease surveillance programme has been undertaken in the district.

Politics

The Kottayam assembly constituency is part of the Kottayam (Lok Sabha constituency).

The district has 09 Assembly constituencies - Kottayam, Changanassery, Pala, Ettumanoor, Kaduthuruthy, Kanjirappally, Puthuppally, Poonjar and Vaikom. The only parliamentary constituency within the district is Kottayam. Kanjirapplly and Poonjar Assembly constituencies are included in the Pathanamthitta Parliamentary constituency and Changanassery is included in the Mavelikkara Parliamentary constituency. Kerala's present Chief Minister of Kerala is Oommen Chandy who is an MLA from Puthuppally.

Year	A C No.	Constituency Name	Category	Winner	Sex	Party	Votes	Runner Up	Sex	Party	Votes
1957	41	Kottayam	GEN	Bhaskaran Nair P.	M	CPI	23021	Govindhan Nair M. P.	M	INC	20750
1960	41	Kottayam	GEN	M. P. Govindan Nair	M	INC	29020	N. Raghava Kurup	M	CPI	27863
1965	84	Kottayam	GEN	M. K. George	M	CPI(M)	17880	M. P. Govindan Nair	M	INC	14396
1967	84	Kottayam	GEN	M. K. George	M	CPM	25298	M. P. Govindan Nair	M	INC	16188
1970	84	Kottayam	GEN	M. Thomas	M	CPM	26147	K. George Thomas	M	NCO	14190
1977	90	Kottayam	GEN	P. P. George	M	CPI	35683	M. Thomas	M	CPM	32107
1980	90	Kottayam	GEN	K. M. Abraham	M	CPM	37588	P. B. R. Pillai	M	JNP	25624
1982	90	Kottayam	GEN	N. Srinivasan	M	IND	38886	K. M. Abraham	M	CPM	33548
1987	90	Kottayam	GEN	T. K. Ramakrishanan	M	CPM	55422	Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan	M	INC	45896
1991	90	Kottayam	GEN	T. K. Ramakrishanan	M	CPM	54182	Cherian Philip	M	INC	51500
1996	90	Kottayam	GEN	T. K. Ramakrishanan	M	CPM	52609	Mohan Sankar	M	INC	45545
2001	90	Kottayam	GEN	Mercy Ravi	F	INC	57795	Vaikom Viswan	M	CPM	45954
2006	90	Kottayam	GEN	V N Vasavan	M	CPI(M)	47731	Ajay Tharayil	M	INC	47249
2011	97	Kottayam	GEN	Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan	M	INC	53825	V.N.Vasavan	M	CPM	53114

• Kottayam (Lok Sabha constituency)

External links

• Official website of Kottayam District
• Official website from Gov. of Kerala
• Britannica Reference on Kottayam
• Kottayam District Map, MapsOfIndia.com