Chingavanam is located in Nattkom, in Kottayam Municipality, Kottayam District. It is situated between Kottayam and Changanacherry, it is about 9 km from both Changanacherry and Kottayam. The Main Central road passes through the middle of Chingavanam. Legend has it that the name Chingavanam is derived from Simhavanam, meaning "forest with lions". The nearest Panchayats are Panachikkadu, Kurichy, and Neelamperoor, Vakathanam. The main institution in Chingavanam is Mor Aprem Seminary, the head office of Knanaya Syrian Jacobite Church and home to the Chief Metropolitan of Knanaya Syrian Jacobite Church, Mor Severios Kuriakose. There are 3 Knanaya churches in Chingavanam; St.John’s Dayara Church, St. John's Puthenpally and St. Mary's Salem Church. In addition to this, there is also St John'sKnanaya Catholic Church and St. John's Cheramer Orthodox Church. SNDP, Karimbil Temple and Parambath Siva Temple are also situated there. Chingavanam is a centre of many small scale businesses including rubber, plywood, workshops and machinery. The railway station and FCI godown of the Central government institutions are in Chingavanam. The area is also home to several noted schools including Clemis School, St. Thomas LP & High School, as well as the Government UP school.
Transportation
Chingavanam is well connected to the rest of Kerala by the M C Road, connecting Thrivananthapuram to Muvattupuzha, in Ernakulam District. Chingavanam is connected to Alleppey from Changanessery through Alleppey Chnaganassery Road. Kottayam and Changanassery Railway Stations are major railway stations near Chingavanam. Chingavanam Railway Station is being developed and will be a future satellite to Kottayam Railway Station. Chingavanam Railway Station is on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam rail route. All major KSRTC buses from Kottayam to Thiruvananthapuram pass through Chingavanam. All KSRCT Buses including express buses stop in Chingavanam.
Nearby cities
Kottayam and Changanacherry are the major towns near Chingavanam. Chingavanam is the main junction for nearby areas such as Panachikad, Neelamperoor, Era, Pallom, Kurichy, Vakathanam, Njaliakuzhy, Pathamuttom, Nattkom.
