Tourism
in Kerala
Kollam
Tour Guide
Kollam
or Quilon, an old sea port town on the Arabian coast , stands on the Ashtamudi
lake. Kollam, the erstwhile Desinganadu, had a sustained commercial reputation
from the days of the Phoenicians and the Romans. Fed by the Chinese trade, it
was regarded by Ibn Batuta, as one of the five ports , which he had seen in
the course of his travels during a period of twenty four years, in the 14th
century.
Kollam District which is a
veritable Kerala in miniature is gifted with unique representative features
- sea, lakes, plains, mountains, rivers, streams, backwaters, forest, vast
green fields and tropical crop of every variety both food crop and cash
crop, so called The Gods Own Capital.
The rulers of Kollam
(Desinganadu) and China , exchange embassies and there was flourishing
Chinese settlement at Kollam. Merchant Sulaiman of Siraf in Persia ( 9th
Century) found Kollam to be the only port in India , touched by the huge
Chinese junks , on his way from Carton of Persian Gulf. Marco Polo, the
great Venician traveller, who was in Chinese service under Kublahan in 1275,
visited Kollam and other towns on the west coast, in his capacity as a
Chinese mandarin.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to
establish a trading center at Kollam in 1502. Then came the Dutch followed
by the British in 1795. A British garrison was stationed at Kollam in
pursuance of a treaty between Travancore and the British.
Velu
Thampi Dalawa of Travancore, did much for the improvement of the Kollam town.
He build new bazaars and invited merchants from Madras and Thirunelveli to settle
here. Kollam later became the capital of the enlightened and liberal rulers
of Desinganad.
Once a city of
palaces, Kollam has been known to the outside world, by the time honoured
proverb, "Once you have seen Kollam you would no more need your illam
(Home)"
The history of the district as an administrative unit
can be traced back to 1835, when the Travancore state consisted of two
revenue divisions with headquarters at Kollam and Kottayam. At the time of
the integrating of Travancore and Cochin in 1949, Kollam was one of the
three revenue divisions in the state. These three revenue divisions were
converted into districts. Shencottah taluk was merged with Madras state
consequent on the implementation of the state Reorganisation Act of 1956.
When
Alappuzha district was formed in 1957, Cherthala, Ambalapuzha, Mavelikkara,
Karthikappally. Chenganuur and Thiruvalla Taluks were united to the new
district. When Pathanamthitta district was formed on 1st July 1983, the
entire Pathanamthitta Taluk and nine villages of Kunnathur Taluk of the
district were also removed. Now the district has a single revenue division
with headquarters at Kollam. Pathanapuram, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara,
Karunagappally and Kollam are the five taluks in the district.
PLACES
OF INTEREST IN AND AROUND KOLLAMKollam 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.
The 144 ft.
Thangassery Light House, built in 1902, is a centre of attraction. The
Ananda Valleswaram Temple here, attracts people on almost all days. There
are several Churches and Mosques in and around Kollam. The Pullichira Church
was established in 1700 A.D. One of the oldest and most important Mosques in
the Chinnakkada Palli. The Thangal Kunju Musliar College of Engineering, the
first of its kind in the private sector in the state, is at Kilikolloor,
about 7 Kms. east of Kollam town.
Mahatma
Gandhi beach & park at Kochupilamoodu, Thirumullavaram beach and Ashramam
picnic Village, are some of the important spots of local sight seeing, Mahatma
Gandhi beach lies just 2 Kms. from the town. It is fascinating place for an
evening. Thirumullawaram Beach is 5 kms. from the town. The sea here is ideal
for swimming and bathing. Asramam picnic village is located in the 48 acre Guest
House Complex. This is the centre of various tourism development activities
of the district.
The Government
Guest House here is 200 years old. It stands along Ashtamudi lake and is a
major attraction for its elegance rates. The adventure park, located in the
shores of the Ashtamudi backwaters, is a novel experiment in the country.
Different types of boats, including luxury cruise boats, power boats and
motor boats, are available on hire from the boat jetty near to the Adventure
Park. A budget hotel for tourists, Yatri Nivas, run by Kerala Tourism
Development Corporation, is also located in this village. The village is
just 2 kms. away from the town.
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.
Kundara
Kundara is linked with Kollam by rail and road, a distance of 18
kms. Large deposit of china clay discovered here, helped in the
establishment of the Government Ceramics.
Kunnicode
The main attraction of Kunnicode, situated 10 kms west pf Punalur
,is Pachilakunnu a small hillock where a Muslim saint is said to have
breathed his last.
Mayyanad
Mayyanadu,10 kms south of Kollam is noted for its shrines and
temples. The most important temple is the one at Umayanallor, dedicated to
Lord Subramanian. The shrine is said to have been consecrated by Shri.
Sankaracharya of Kaladi. Besides the temples, there are three churches and a
Mosque. Cotton weaving and oil pressing are the main occupation in the
village.
Neendakara
Situated about 8 kms north of Kollam , Neendakara is the
Headquarters of the Indo-Norwegian Fisheries Community project, which was
established in 1953.The important institutions under this project are the
boat building yard at Sakthikulangara the Fisherman's Training Institute,
the ice factory and the refrigeration Plant. Neendakara Port, the hub of
fishing activities is here.
Oachira
Situated ,32 kms north of Kollam on the Kollam Alappuzha National
Highway and on the boundary of Kollam district, Oachira is a unique pilgrim
center. The peculiarity of the temple here is that there is no temple
building as such nor is there any idol. All classes of people workship the
presiding deity the parabrahmam. Oachira draws thousands of Pilgrims for
Oachirakkali, a festival held annually in June. It is also an important
handicraft center where fancy articles of screw pine mats are manufactured.
Palaruvi
Water Falls The famous waterfall in Kollam District is situated at
Palaruvi near Aryankavu, Kollam - Sencottah NH 208. Season to visit the
places is from June to January.
Paravur
Paravur is an important fishing and coir production center. It is
situated 13 kms south of Kollam and is connected with Kollam town by rail
and road. It is the birth place of K.C.Kesavan Pillai(1865-1913) and Kesava
Asan(1869-1917) ,two leading literary men of eminence.
Pathanapuram
An important trading center on the banks of the Kallada river,
Pathanapuram is 13 kms away from Punalur. The Chandanakkudam mahotsavam of
the mosque there, celebrated every year in February-March atrtacts thousands
of devotees.
Pattazhi
Pattazi is the seat of an ancient temple, dedicated to Bhagavathy.
The Mudi is the major festival of this temple.
Punalur
Punalur is one of the important industrial centers of kerala. It is
45 kms from Kollam on the Kollam-Shencotta railway line and is also linked
with Kollam by road. The Suspension bridge accross the Kallada river erected
in 1877,is the only one of its kind in south India and it is 400 ft long. A
concrete bridge has been constructed near by and now the suspension bridge
is only of archaeological interest. Punalur is the head Quarters of
Pathanapuram Taluk.
Sasthamcotta
Sasthamcottah is an attractive village situated about 19 kms. from
Kollam Town. It is a beauty spot, a health resort and a centre of
pilgrimage. The extensive freshwater lake here, is said to be the biggest of
its kind in Kerala. Water supply to the Kollam town is met by purifying the
water from this lake. Buses are frequently operated to Sasthamcottah, which
can truly be called as Queen of Lakes.
Thangassery
Thangassery is a place of historical importance situated 5 kms.
away from Kollam town. The churches here are pretty old, having been
established in the 18th century. The chief attraction of the place is the
light house, built in 1902. The 144 ft. light house stands as a sentinel,
warning seamen of the treacherous reefs of Thangassery. The construction of
a fishing harbour is in progress. Thangassery was an enclave of the
Portuguese, Dutch and British in succession. The remnants of the Portuguese
and Dutch forts still exits.
Thazhava
Thazhava in Oachira block is an important center of screw pine mat
industry. An Image of Buddha, discovered from a tank known as Pallikkulam
near Maruthoorkulangra is one of the interesting archaeological relics,
associated with Kollam district
Thenmala
Thenmala is the meeting point of Kollam-Shencottah road and
Trivandrum-Shencottah road, surrounded by dense forest, 66 kms east of
Kollam. There are a large number of rubber and tea plantations in Thenmala.
Timber of all varieties are exported from here to all parts of the country.
Themala Dam site is open for tourists. Eco tourists center is situated at
Thenmala. All buses passing through Kollam-Shencottah road stop at Tenmala.
There is also a Railway Station here.
