Mannanam is an important religious site in Kerala, primarily famous because it is here that the first house of the CMI Congregation had its foundation stone laid on 11 May 1831 by Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara. The Chavara Art Museum at Mannanam preserves a brilliant
repertory of church history.
Located in Kottayam district, the first Catholic Sanskrit School came up in Mannanam in 1846. It is also known for having the first private printing press (CMS Press by Rev. Benjamin Bailey) and the first daily newspaper in Malayalam, Deepika in 1887. Apart from its historical significance, people also love going on boat rides in the Pennar Canal that leads to the beautiful backwaters of Alappuzha and Ernakulam.
Getting there
Nearest railway station: Kottayam, about 11 km
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 83 km