Kollam
: Places of Interest
Kollam town, the headquarters of Kollam district and Kollam taluk, has a hoary
past. It was an international emporium of trade and even now it is a prosperous
commercial centre. It is situated about 71 Kms. north of Thiruvavanathapuram
and is linked by rail, road and backwater transport.
The town edges with the famous Ashtamudi lake. Many a foreign traveler has visited
Kollam in early medieval period. It was one of the early centres of Christian
activity in Kerala. It is said that the present town of Kollam was built by
the Syrian Merchant; Sapir Iso, in the 9th Century A.D. The popularity of Kollam
has been established by the time honoured proverb once you see Kollam, you will
not need home any more. Kollam is an important commercial, industrial and trading
centre. It is also the headquarters of Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation.
» Achencoil
Situated about 80 kms from Punalur is an important pilgrim center. The Sastha
temple here, situated amidst dense forest. The idol of Sastha is supposed to
have been installed several centuries before the Christian Era. The two important
festivals of this temple are Mandala Pooja (December-January) and the festival
held at 'Revathi'(January-February). The two notable features of the festival
are the Therotam (chariot festival) and Pushpabhishekam (offering of flowers).
In no other temple of the South India are flowers offered to the deity so lavishly
as at Achencoil.
» Alumkadavu
Alumkadavu located at 26 Kms from Kollam City and on the lakeside of Kollam-Alappuzha
National Water Way. The "Green Channel Back Water Resort" at Alumkadavu
makes itself a tranquil location for both foreign and Indian Tourists. The scenic
beauty of blue green stretches of serene back water and rambling gardens of
hundreds of coconut palms give the Green Channel Resort an incomparable beauty.
Apart from providing tasty Kerala/North Indian/Chinese dishes the resort offers
excellent facilities like comfortable accommodation, Back Water Cruise, visit
to Matha Amritanandamayi Asramam, which is only 4 KM away, House Boats, Ayurvedic
treatment for rejuvenation of body by qualified and experienced Ayurvedic Practioner,
canal tour with the unique opportunities to experience the true village life
and do fishing leisurely.
» Amritapuri
Amritapuri located at 110 kms from capital of Kerala. Amritapuri is the realisation
of the ancient Indian ideal "the whole world is one family" (vasudhaiva
kutumbakam). By bus or train: Kayamkulam (12 km north of Amritapuri) and Karunagappally
(10 km south) are the major cities to reach. By air and taxi: The two closest
airports are in Trivandrum (110 km south of Amritapuri) and in Cochin (140 km
north).
» Anchal
Situated 13 kms south of Punalur, Anchal is known for its cattle market held
twice a month. The Mudi festival of the Bhagavathy temple here, conducted once
every 12 years, attract huge gatherings.
» Aryankavu
Situated about 73 kms east of Kollam is one of the important pilgrim centers
of the district. From very early days, it was an important trade route for merchants
from either sides of western Ghats. The chief attraction of Aryankavu is the
shrine dedication of Lord Sastha. The temple has some fine sculptures and mural
paintings. Thousands of pilgrims flocks of this temple during the Mandala Pooja
in December. All trains towards Shencottah have a stop at Aryankavu. About 5
kms away from Aryankavu there is a big waterfall known as Palaravi meaning river
of milk. It is one of the well-known waterfalls in the south India, falling
from a height of 300 feet. It is situated 66kms from Kollam on Kollam-Shencottah
road.
» Chavara
Chavara is situated 14 kms north of Kollam on the Kollam-Alappuzha road. Thousands
of tonnes of mineral sand are exported from Chavara to various countries. The
Kovilthottam port is situated within the limits of Chavara Panchayat. Four major
industrial establishments 1.Indian Rare Earths 2.The kerala Premo Pipe factory
3.Kerala Mineral and Metal factory 4.Titanium Complex are in Chavara.
» Jetayu Para
Jetayu Para, a huge rock, is another attraction in Kollam district. This huge
rock is in the Chadayamangalam village on the M.C road. The name comes from
the epic Ramayana. It is believed that Jatayu, the giant bird in the epic, fell
after failing in its attempt to spot Ravana from taking sita away. The rock
is ideal for trekking by the lovers of adventure. The rock can be seen from
the Chadayamangalam junction. itself.
» Karunagappally
Karunagappally is situated 27 kms north of Kollam. It is linked with Kollam
by rail and road. There is a mini civil station at Karunagappally .Padanayarkulangara,
which forms part of the town, was once the military station at Kayamkulam Rajas.
An idol of Buddha, recovered from a local tank here, is now preserved in the
Krishnapuram palace the headquarters of Kayamkulam Rajas situated north of Oachira.
The town has a temple dedicated to Lord Siva, two old mosques and a mar Thomas
Church.
» Kottarakkara
Kottarakkara is the headquarters of Kottarakkara Taluk. It is linked by both
rail and road, a distance of 27 kms. It was once the capital of Elayadathu Swarupam,
a principality ruled by a branch of the Travancore Royal Family. The internationally
famous dance drama-Kath kali had its small beginning in this town and it flourished
under the patronage of Raja of Kottarakkara.
» Kulathupuzha
Kulathupuzha is situated on the Thiruvannathapuram - Sencottah road and is 10
kms south of Tenmala railway station. It is and important forest range, well
known for its elephants. Reed, an essential raw materials for paper manufacture
at Punalur Paper mill, is partly supplied from Kulathupuzha valley.
Kerala Must See › Alappuzha
› Ernakulam › Idukki
› Kannur › Kasaragod
› Kollam › Kottayam
› Kovalam › Kozhikode
› Malappuram › Palakkad
› Pathanamthitta › Periyar
› Thiruvananthapuram ›
Thrissur › Wayanad
