Kottayam, Publishing center in Kerala, India
Kottayam is a municipal city in Kerala, India, spreading along the Meenachil River basin near the Vembanad backwaters. Rubber plantations and green landscapes define the surroundings of the settlement.
The settlement developed from a fortified area under Thekkumkur rule between 1103 and 1753. The Thaliyilkotta fort protected the royal residence during these centuries.
The relationship between high literacy and the printed word shapes the cityscape, where many bookshops and publishing houses circulate Malayalam literature. Reading habits form part of daily life, and libraries draw people of all ages.
The city connects through National Highway 183 and Kottayam Railway Station, which offers regular services to Kerala's main cities. Many travelers use this location as a starting point for trips to the surrounding backwaters and plantations.
The name comes from the Malayalam words 'kotta' and 'akam', indicating its origin as an internally fortified settlement. This linguistic connection recalls the former strategic position near the waterways.
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