Kottayam

Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala covering an area of 57.40 square kilometres (22.16 sq mi). It is the administrative capital of Kottayam district and is located in south-west Kerala.This place is also known as "Aksharanagri".[1] UA population of 357,302 according to the 2011 census.[2] It is 146 km North of Thiruvananthapuram capital the city of state of Kerala . Kottayam was also known as ‘Cotym’ and ‘Cottayam’ during the British Raj.

It was one of the main centres of literature and hence was called Akshara Nagari or Land of Letters. Many of the first Malayalam dailies like Deepika, Malayala Manorama, Mangalam were started and are headquartered in Kottayam. During the British period, various missionaries, the Christian churches and St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara himself established many schools, colleges and other educational institutions in and around the town. Kottayam town is also known as Chuvarchithra Nagari (City of Murals). Kottayam is also known as the city of Letters , Lakes and Latex.