Kollam

Thenmala Ecotourism Ashtamudi Backwaters Palaruvi Waterfalls Jatayupara Thirumullavaram Beach

MUST SEE

Area: 2579 sq kms Population (2001): 25,84,118 Altitude: Sea level Clothing: Tropical Tourist Season: August to March

Kollam is a charming old seaport town in Kerala, on the shores of the Arabian Sea, renowned for the natural beauty of its Backwaters, Beaches, places of historical importance and the tempting tastes of its much sought after hygienically processed Cashew Nuts. From the sandy beaches, along the tranquil backwaters, across the emerald green mid-lands, through the grandeur of tropical wet ever green forests to the top of gorgeous lofty mountains. A lively and peaceful culture evolved through centuries and matured through generation with a bit of Austroloid to Aryan from Semitic to Dravidian etc blended together and harmoniously woven with threads of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christian, to form a myriad hued cultural fabric. A tour through the picturesque landscape and a journey into the vibrant cultural life of the people offer a vivid but unique experience. Attracted by her bounties many travelers and traders from different corners of the world have been visiting Kollam from time immemorial. If Sulaiman (851 A.D), Marco Polo (13th Century A.D) and Ibn Batuta (14th Century) had been attracted by the prosperity and glory of Kollam, traders and merchants from China, Persia and later Europe were lured by the rich spices of Kollam.

Telephone Access Codes

Chavara ++ 91 476 Karunagapally ++ 91 476 Kollam ++ 91 474 Kottarakkara ++ 91 474 Punalur ++ 91 475

Transport and Communication

Air - Nearest airport - Trivandrum international airport (71 kms). International and domestic flights of major companies operate to cities and countries from here. Airport International Ph: 0471 2500140, Domestic - 0471 2702311. Rail - Kollam is an important railhead of Southern Railways, Ph: 0474 2746194. Railway enquiry - Ph: 139, 1397. Road - Kollam is connected by road with major centres and cities in India. Long distance buses operate from KSRTC Bus Station. Local Transport - Buses, Taxis and Autorikshaws. Ferry Services - The ferry station is adjacent to the central bus station (3 km from the railway station). Tourist Information Offices - DTPC office KSWTD boat jetty, Ph: 0474 2745625, 2750170, info@dtpckollam.com, www.dtpckollam.com. DTPC tourist information centre, KSRTC bus station, Ph: 0474 2745625. DTPC house boat booking office KSWTD boat jetty, Ph: 0474 2750170.

Places Interested

Picnic Village: The main centre of recreational activities in Kollam, this village located along the backwater front attracts a large crowd. The government guest house over two centuries old, the Adventure Park, the Tourist Boat Club, the Children Traffic Park and the Yatri Nivas are housed in the vast Picnic Village. Thirumullavaram Beach: (6 km north of Kollam town) This secluded beach is a beautiful picnic spot with panaromic views. Mayyanad: (10 km south of Kollam town) Mayyanad is known for its temples and shrines. Umayanalloor Subrah-manya Temple is the most famous one. Sree Sankaracharya the Advaita (non-duality) philosopher is said to have consecrated this temple. Kathakali Museum: An educative display of Kathakali articles at Kottarakkara 28Kms east of Kollam.

Sasthamkotta: (29 km from Kollam town) The ancient Sastha Temple that lends its name to the town, is an important pilgrim centre. The vast fresh water lake surrounded by hills on three sides is the largest of its kind in Kerala.

Fascinating Destinations

Achancoil | Alumkadavu boat building yard | Anchal | Ariankavu | Ashtamudi | Ayiramthengu Mangroves | Jatayu Earth Center | Kulathupuzha | Kottarakkara Kathakali Museum | Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple | Matha Amrithanathamayi Asram | Mayyanad | Munroe Island | Oachira Parabrahma Temple | Palaruvi Water Falls | Paravoor | Picnic Village | Rameswaram Temple | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Museum | Sasthamkotta Temple | Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary | Thangasserry | Thenmala | Thevally Palace | Thirumullavaram Beach

Oachira This Temple is dedicated to the universal supreme power

Oachira: (34 km north of Kollam town) On the side of Alappuzha-Kollam route 34 kms from Kollam town. Dedicated to the universal supreme power, this temple has no particular idol or deity. Yet it is a famous pilgrim centre. Oachira Kali in June and the twelve day Panthrandu Vilakku Ulsavam (twelve lamp festival) in November-December are the two annual festivals. Oachira Kali is a mock festival enacted between two groups of men dressed as fighters on the padanilam (battle field). They perform a martial art dance standing in knee-deep water, brandishing swords and shields and splashing water in every direction.

Mata Amritanandamayi Asram: Nestled on an island between the Arabian sea and the Kayamkulam backwaters, stands the Amritapuri ashram, the head-quarters of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, which has been made sacred by the holy presence of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), Divine Mother and most revered Satguru to millions all around the world.

Thevally Palace: Built between 1811 and 1819 during the reign of Gauri Parvathy Bai, this palace enjoys great significance in the history. The erstwhile Maharaja used this palace during his visit to Kollam in order to meet the British Resident. Ariankavu: (70 km from Kollam town) Yet another famous Sastha temple, situated at Kollam-Chenkotta route. Mandala Pooja and Thrikalyanam celebrated in the month of December are the main festivals. Anchal: The cattle market, twice a month, is very famous. In the Bhagavathi temple here, there is a mudi festival which is used to conduct once every 12 years and it brings I huge gatherings.

Thenmala India’s first planned eco-tourism project

Thenmala: (66 km east of Kollam town) Thenmala is India’s first planned eco-tourism project and it includes trekking and one day at Palaruvi. National Adventure Foundation Organizes one day to three days soft trekking programmes at Thenmala. World Tourism Organisation declared Thenmala as one of the world’s best eco-friendly projects and it includes Cultural Zone, Leisure Zone, Adventure Zone, one hour boating in the reservoir of the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary and Deer Rehabilitation Centre. Cultural zone contains an amphitheatre, shop court, musical fountain. Leisure zone gives the expereince of pathways, board walk, sway bridge, sculpture garden, resting points, sculpture lighting etc. Adventure Zone challenges with nature trial, elevated walkway, lotus pond, mountain biking, recreational rock climbing & rappelling, river crosing etc. Conducted Tours to Thenmala: DTPC, Kollam, Ph: 0474 2745625, 2750170.

Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary: It is the only wildlfe sanctuary in Kollam district. It is rich with biodiversity lying on either side of Shanduruney river.

Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple: Situated on the Thiruvanant-hpuram-Kottayam M.C.Road, this temple is an example for rock-cut cave temple architecture.

Kollam Beach: A full range of lives and activities and some of the most beautiful sceneries attract thousands to this beautiful beach. Kollam (Quilon) is a charming old port city on the banks of the picturesque Ashtamudi Lake. It is also known as the center of cashew industry.

Neendakara: (8 km from Kollam) A famous fishing harbour, you can see the Ashtamudi Lake joining the sea from the Neendakara Bridge and also the Chinese fishing nets silhouetted against the sky. This is one of the major Harbours in Kerala and second largest busiest fishing harbour in the world.

Rameswaram Temple: The temple, which shows Pandyan influence in its design has inscriptions in Tamil dating from 12th to the 16th centuries. The Vyala monster sculptures in this temple give one the impression that the creatures are animate and actually climbing up the stairs with their outstretched paws.

Thagasseri Lighthouse which is 144 feet high and was built by the British in 1519

Thagasseri: (5 km from Kollam town) This seaside village of historic importance has the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches built in the 18th century. The Thenagsseri lighthouse which is 144 feet high and was built by the British in 1519 is open to visitors from 1530 – 1730 hrs.

Achancoil and Kottavasal: Achancoil and Kottavasal ranges, beautifully clad with dense tropical evergreen forest, shola forest and sub-tropical grass lands are truly an awe inspiring sight to any nature lover. At Achencoil one can go for a soft trek to Khumbhavurutty waterfalls through the forest tract enjoying the chirps of birds. On your way back pick-up a drift-wood of your choice or a cute pebble as a souvenir. If you are in for greater excitement, the denizens of Achencoil forest will show you the way to the birth place of Achencoil River high up in the misty mountains. The Sree Sastha temple on the banks of the Achencoil river and surrounded by the woods is visited by thousands of pilgrims from far and near places.

Alumkadavu Boat Building Yard: This boat building yard located near Karunagapilly on the northern backwaters of Kollam. It is famous for building house boats with all modern facilities.

Kulathupuzha: (64 Kms from Kollam town) Another famous Sastha temple on a forest range on the Thiruvanan-thapuram-Chenkotta route. The Vishu Mahotsavam in April is a very import festival. Thenmala railway station is 10 kms away.

Jatayu Earth Center Spread over 65 acres of multi terrain landscape

Jatayu Earth Center: The first major BOT tourism in Kerala, India Jatayu Earths Center is a unique combination of all aspects of tourism and offers a complete Kerala, God’s own Country experience to every tourist. The concept is the brain child of renowned film director, art director and sculptor Mr Rajiv Anchal and his team took ten years to meticulously design and complete this monumental project. Jatayu Earths Center tourism project is spread over 65 acres of multi terrain landscape at Jatayupara near Chadayamangalam town in Kollam district of Kerala. The terrain is 1000 feet above sea level and has diverse geographic features ranging from hills, valleys, rugged rocks, caves to cultivable lands. The giant concrete statue of Jatayu is built on a mighty rock named Jatayupara (para means rock in Malayalam). The colossal statue is 200 feet long, 150 feet wide and 70 feet making is the largest functional bird sculpture in the world with an enter into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Paravoor: Safely perched on the back of an elephant, have a ride through the verdant country, Paravoor to the South of Kollam. A little bit of boating in the Paravoor backwaters to meet the native inland fishermen and to gain first hand information on the flourishing cottage industry of coir making is worth while. Palaruvi Waterfalls: (75 km from Kollam town) This cascade, which falls from a height of 300 feet, is so fascinating that inspired people to name it Palaruvi (the stream of milk). The Palaruvi wood is a beautiful picnic spot.

Ashtamudi Backwaters Spread across a large area of Kollam

Ashtamudi: Much have been said and volumes have been written about the beauty of the world renowned Ashtamudi Back water system, a placid waterscape spread across a large area of Kollam and literally means 8 locks of hair for its eight branches extending deep into the country side making the land very fertile with the aluvial soil and easily accessible by inland water ways besides gifting an abundance of tasty fresh water fishes. It is never out of place or superfluous to reiterate the magnetic charm and charisma of the Ashtamudi Backwaters that draws thousands of tourists year after year to this gifted land from all corners of the world; she relaxes you deeply from within, exhilarates your senses and fills your heart with tranquility, certainly a delightful experience by itself, never affordable to miss.

Backwater Tours: Kollam on the banks of enchanting Ashtamudi Lake makes the gateway to the georgeous back waters of Kerala. The 8 hours boat trip which passes through lakes, canals and waterbound villages from Kollam to Alappuzha is the longest and the most enchanting experience through the backwaters of Kerala. Cheenavala or Chinese fishing net can also be seen. DTPC operates boat cruises.

Munroe Island: Munroe Island is a hidden pearl in the backwaters which is composed of a cluster of 8 islands. Each of them is separated by small water channels and lakes. Munroe Island is located about 27 km from Kollam. The place is named in honour of Resident Colonel John Munroe, of the former princely state of Travancore.