Aymanam
Grama Panchayat

IMPORTANT TOURIST PLACES IN AYMANAM GRAMAPANCHAYAT

Aymanam Grama Panchayat is rich in natural beauty, lake views, heritage centers, religious places, and rural life experiences. Aymanam village is the background and character of the story of the world-famous writer Arundhati Roy, who won the Booker Prize for “The God of Small Things”. Aymanam is a water-rich and agriculturally rich village with the vast Vembanad Lake, 4000 acres of paddy fields that are green in 36 paddy fields, and 6 large rivers and 64 small streams that flow into Vembanad Lake as tributaries of the Meenachil River. This village, which is a testament to natural beauty with its lakes, streams, rivers, and fields, is also a place of artistic and cultural heritage. Arundhati Roy and drama teacher N.N. Pillai, Kathakali teachers Kudamaloor Karunakaran Nair, Mathur Govindankutty Asan, and Professor Aymanam Krishna Kaimal are among the heritage villages that have combined literature, art, and culture. Kudamaloor Church, a pilgrimage center honoring the memory of Saint Alphonsamma, Pandavam Temple, where centuries-old murals are adorned with tilak, and Aymanam Narasimha Swamy Temple, which marks the beginning of the Thiruvutsavams of Central Travancore, are spiritual pilgrimage centers. The main centers that tourists can enjoy are given below.

 

Backwater Canal Tourism

Aymanam Grama Panchayat is a place in Kottayam district that is notable for its natural beauty and waterway network. The waterways formed by the Vembanad Lake, the Meenachil River and numerous canals play an important role in Aymanam's tourism sector. Shikara boats, tourist boats and houseboats operate through the canals and backwaters of Aymanam. The inland canal network and backwater views of Aymanam have made the village a favorite destination for tourists. Numerous Shikara boats and houseboats strengthen tourism activities in this area.

 Puthukkari Water Lily Spring

The Puthukkari water lily spring is a natural spectacle of thousands of ambal flowers blooming in the Puthukkari area of ​​Aymanam gram panchayat during the monsoon and the subsequent months. The pink and white ambal flowers blooming in the water bodies adjacent to the paddy fields and canals turn the area into a natural garden. The ambal flowers bloom most beautifully between 6 am and 9 am. The flowers blooming in the water bodies and their reflections attract nature lovers and photographers.

 

Valiyamadakulam Tourism Project

Valiyamadakulam Tourism Project is one of the notable tourist destinations in Aymanam Grama Panchayat. Located near Kumarakom and Aymanam, this water tourism center has been developed by combining natural beauty with modern recreational facilities. This project, which has been developed around the water body, includes boating, tourist facilities, relaxation centers, and open spaces suitable for spending time with the family. In the evenings, the beautiful views of the water body and its surroundings attract visitors. As part of the project, facilities such as a floating restaurant, pedal boats, music fountain, and decorative lighting have been arranged. At night, the water body and music fountain, decorated with colorful lights, offer a different experience to the visitors.

 

Pandavam Sri Dharmashasta Temple

Pandavam Sri Dharmasastha Temple is an ancient and famous Shastha temple located in Pandavam area of ​​Aymanam grama panchayat in Kottayam district. Legend has it that the name "Pandavam" comes from the belief that the Pandavas of the Mahabharata lived here during their exile. The main deity of the temple is Sri Dharmasastha (Ayyappa). A rare Shastha form is seen here, enshrined on the same pedestal along with Purna and Pushkala. This temple, a beautiful example of Kerala temple art, is also famous for its rare wall paintings (murals). Many divine scenes such as Sri Krishna Leela, Shiva Thandavam, Ganapathi Puja, Yoga Narasimha, Parvati Parinayam, and Shastha riding an elephant are inscribed on the temple walls.

St. Mary's Forona Church, Kudamaloor

St. Mary's Forona Church is one of the oldest Syrian Catholic churches in Kerala, located in Kudamaloor in Kottayam district. This church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, is known as a major pilgrimage center for believers and a place of historical importance. Kudamalur Church is also famous as the birthplace of the first saint, Saint Alphonsamma. The holy stone manger where Saint Alphonsamma was baptized is preserved here even today. Therefore, pilgrims from different parts of the country visit here. The ancient stone cross, historically important relics, an old baptismal font, and ancient church ruins enhance the heritage value of this church. It is an important place to visit for those interested in studying the Christian history and architecture of Kerala.

 

Arundhati Roy's birthplace

Aymenem village gained world attention through the famous novel The God of Small Things by Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy. The village "Ayemenem" in the novel is actually based on Aymenem. The novel reflects the writer's childhood experiences and the natural beauty of the village.