It is located about 8 km from the town of Kottayam and is on the way to tourist town of Thekkady. Driving directions(may vary with new traffic configurations):
Head southwest on MC Road/SH 1
Pass by HSS Hospital (on the right)
( 0.2 km 1 min)
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit( 1.1 km 3 mins)
Turn left at Railway Rd( 0.2 km 1 min)
Turn right at Mother Teresa Rd( 0.4 km 1 min)
Turn lef
t onto NH 220
Pass by Petrol Bunk (on the right in 750 m)
Destination will be on the left
( 5.8 km 9 mins)
People:
The majority of the population depends on agriculture, but recently there is not much agricultural land. Manarcad has now became a satellite of Kottayam town, and a good residential area. Manarcad is one of the most densely populated villages in Kerala. Manarcad perunal rasa which is held on September 6 of every year is known as the biggest rasa in south Asia. Agriculture:
Rubber, pineapple, pepper and coconut plantations contribute to the agricultural income. Main attractions:
St.Marys Church, Manarcad Devi Temple, Vijayapuram SriKrishna Temple, Vennimala, Paalamuri bridge. Festivals:
Main festivals in this area are Manarcad palli perunnal (Manarcad church). Pathamudayam (a ten day festivity at Bhagavathi temple), Nadathurakkal (Manarcad church), Pattukalam Koodicha (a 41 day festival at Bhagavathi temple), Kumbha Bharani ( a one day festival at Bhagavathi temple) and Meena Bharani (a one-day festival at bhagavathi temple). Other attractions are procession during Sreekrishna Jayanthi at vijayapuram sreekrishna swamy temple, where people from all walks of life participate in the festival activities. The bhagavathi temple is believed to be older than 2000 years. People from all religions take part in church and temple events with harmony. Other attractions is a procession by the church, which is considered to be one of the longest and heavily packed religious processions in the world. On seventh day of the feast a very old image of Mary unveiled for devotees and this known as nadathurakkal. The latest attraction in this town is 'Evening Breeze'. In the evening, most of the people in this town wishes to spent some time at this place. The old food items are available at this place. AMMAVEEDU a charitable organisation is also very near to this Pilgrim center .This organisation includes many inmates who are lonely in life . This organisation has 35 inmates now . Most of them are very aged and sick .