KOTTAYAM

city, southern Kerala state, southwestern India, near Vembanad Lake at the mouth of the Minachil River south-southeast of Cochin. The city is a centre of the Syrian Christian community, which traces its origin to the apostle Saint Thomas, who is believed to have visited Kerala in AD 53 and to have established seven churches on the Malabar coast. Kottayam developed into an important market centre in the early 20th century after tea and rubber plantations were established in the nearby Anaimalai Hills. It is also an educational and cultural centre, with several schools, including three Christian colleges (two of which are for women) and several professional colleges, all affiliated with the University of Kerala. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 62,829.