Pulamon, Kottarakara - 691531
Kottarakkara (IAST: Koṭṭārakkara) is a town located in Kollam District (formerly known as Quilon), in Kerala state, India. It is 72 km to the north of the State Capital, Thiruvananthapuram, on the Main Central Road and 78 km to the south of Kottayam. The town lies 25 km to the east of the District headquarters city of Kollam and 15 km to the west of Punalur on National Highway 208/220.For many centuries, the city served as a place of residence for kings, hence the name "Kottarakara", which means "the land of the palaces". (Kottaram means palace and Kara means land) The "Elayidath Swaroopam", a branch of the Travancore Royal family, was the last ruling family of the area. The last queen of the dynasty was defeated by King Marthanda Varma (a distant cousin of hers), in the 18th century and she fled to Cochin to seekt asylum with her allies, the Dutch. They pensioned her with 2 rupees and 5 annas. Later, during Tipu Sultan's invasion of Malabar, a Royal family from North Malabar was settled in Kottarakara by Dharma Raja. This family line became extinct in the mid 19th century.
Important Places
Ganapati Temple
Kottarakkara is place of pilgrimage as the seat of the famous Ganapati Temple. It is believed that the idol was sculptured by Perumthachan from the root of the jack tree. This temple is famous for its Unniappom. The temple festival is the largest in Kottarakara. The Mahadeva temple is almost equally famous.
Kottarakara Railway Station
Kottarakara Railway Station is served by the Southern Railways in Kerala. Quilon Express, Nagore Express, Rajapalayam-Quilon Passenger and Nellai Link Express pass through this station. Computerized reservation facility provided. Traveling west, Kollam Junction Railway Station is the major railhead next to Kottarakara.
Just half a kilometer from the station is the Kottarakara Ganapathi Temple. At a short distance from the station is the Highland Hotel and Resort providing lodging facilities. Kottarakara Central Bus Station is about 1 km from the railway station.
Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport, 78 km.
Station Code: KKZ
Kottarakkara Thampuran
Kottarakkara Thampuran (the King of Kottarakkara in the sixteenth century) was the father of the classical art form of Kathakali. This form of dance drama (which was originally based on stories from the Ramayana and was called Ramanattam), was developed by him to complement Krishnanattam, which had its origin under the Zamorins of Kozhikode.
Local Discussion Board
