Erattupetta

Erattupetta is a Municipality town in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.It is 38 km east of Kottayam, the district Centre. Erattupetta was known as Erappili and Erappuzha before. The "Eraaru" part in all the variation of the names arose from the geographical location, where the two rivers (aru) merges as single one. Erattupetta is situated in the foothills of High Ranges. It was the commercial capital of the Poonjar principality until 1949. Erattupetta lies in an ancient route from Athirampuzha to Tamil Nadu. Hill produces from the Cardamom hills were brought down by the Muthuvans for trade. Erattupetta's current economy is primarily rubber and scores of large and small estates dot the landscape.Wagamon, a Hill Station lies some 22 km east of Eruttupetta.

St.George's Church is an old famous pilgrimage centre, is situated in the suburbs of Erattupetta. The Church, is believed to be the oldest Church in eastern Kerala, and is the mother church of the ancient Syrian Christian community of both the Meenachil and the Kanjirapally Taluks. It is believed to be built by an early wave of migrant Christians from Nilackal (Chayal), who settled in the region for trade, commerce and agriculture. Nilackal, located in the Sabarimala hills miles Southeast of Erattupetta, is known to be one of the 7 centers in Kerala, where Saint Thomas founded Christian communities and established Churches. There's also a popular belief that the St.George's Church was established by Saint Thomas the apostle himself.