Kollam

Kollam, 71 km from trivandrum is fairly important for the State's trade and commerce and is the centre of the country's cashew trading and processing industry. It is also an important hub for the State's marine products industry, with the port of Neendakara being the centre for trawlers and ice plants.

For all its natural gifts of widerevers,dominant hills and forest,lakes and plains,there is the throb of a vibrant industrial activity that combined with equanimity the wonders of the modern age with traces of a bygone era.

Kolam which is the veritable Kerala in miniature is gifted as it is with kerala's very representative features-sea,lakes,plains,mountains,rivers,streams,backwaters,forest, vast green fields and tropical crops of every variety,both food crop and cash crop.

Fact Sheet

Access

Air: The nearest airport,thiruvananthapuram is 71km away

Rail: Kollam is connected by rail with several important cities.

Road: Kollam is connected by roads with many tourist centres in india

Local Transport: Taxis, City Buses and Autorickshaws.

Places of Attractions in and around Kollam

• Achencoil
• Alumkadavu
• Aryankavu
• Chavara
• Jetayu Para
• Karunagappally
• Oachira
• Palaruvi Water Falls
• Sasthamcotta
• Thangassery
• Thenmala

Kollam at a Glance

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. [Back]

Alumkadavu

Alumkadavu located at 26 Kms from Kollam City and on the lakeside of Kollam-Alappuzha National Water Way. The scenic beauty of blue green stretches of serene back water and rambling gardens of hundreds of coconut palms give the the place an incomparable beauty. [Back]

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. [Back]

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. [Back]

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. [Back]

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. [Back]

Oachira

Situated ,32 kms north of Kollam on the Kollam Alappuzha National Highway and on the boundary of Kollam district, 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. It is also an important handicraft center where fancy articles of screw pine mats are manufactured. [Back]

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. [Back]

Sasthamcotta

Sasthamcottah is an attractive village situated about 19 kms. from Kollam Town. It is a beauty spot 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. [Back]

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. Thangassery was an enclave of the Portuguese, Dutch and British in succession. The remnants of the Portuguese and Dutch forts still exits. [Back]

Thenmala

Thenmala is the meeting point of Kollam-Shencottah road and Trivandrum-Shencottah road, surrounded by dense forest, 66 kms east of Kollam. 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. [Back]