Kollam - Gods Own Country - Explore with Keralatraveller.org

Kollam

Situated at the edge of the Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam or Quilon, has been an important spot on the ancient international trade route. Getting its name from the Sanskrit word kollam meaning pepper. This historic port town is the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala. It is 71 Km north of Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital.

By far the most important activity in Kollam is the backwater cruises and houseboat trips. The eight hour boat ride from Kollam to Alappuzha is the longest and the most enthralling backwater experience in Kerala. Other cruises include the Kayal Pradakshina Cruise, Sayanthanam Sunset Cruise and the boat trip to Munroe Islands. Thirumullavaram Beach is ideal for swimming and sub-bathing. Visits to cashew gardens are a must in Kollam. Chinnakada has a number of shops from where you can buy handicraft items, spices and cashew products.

Thangasseri is an important historical place, just 5 Km from the town. Its major attraction is a 144 ft lighthouse built by the British in 1902. There are the old ruins of Portuguese and Dutch forts close by. Thevalli Palace on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake is another attraction and has interesting architecture. Mayyand, 10 Km from Kollam, is noted for its shrines and temples such as Lord Subramanya and Shri Shankaracharya Temple. The scenic Thirumullavaram Beach is a popular spot among tourists. The Maha Vishnu Temple on the beach is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Pullichira Church was built in 1700 A.D and Chinnakkada Palli is one of the oldest and most important mosques in Kollam.

Thenmala EcoTourism

Thenmala is located about 72kms from Thiruvananthapuram, the State Capital of Kerala, .Thenmala is a small village at the foothills of Western Ghats and predominantly a forest area. The famous Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary is the most important ecotourism resource of Thenmala Ecotourism. This Wildlife Sanctuary is of about 100 sq. km. and harbors large varieties of flora and fauna.

Thenmala - "Then + Mala" , i.e. in local parlance "Then" means honey and "Mala" means hillock i.e. it mean honey hills. The honey collected from Thenmala forest region is of good quality and of high medicinal value because of the unique floristic composition of the forests. Some of the major attraction of Thenmala is the Nakshatravanam - a garden comprising of 27 trees associated with the 27 birth stars as per the Kerala astrology and Butterfly Safari - an abode of the butterflies in an open ambience.

honey and "Mala" means hillock i.e. it mean honey hills. The honey collected from Thenmala forest region is of good quality and of high medicinal value because of the unique floristic composition of the forests. Some of the major attraction of Thenmala is the Nakshatravanam - a garden comprising of 27 trees associated with the 27 birth stars as per the Kerala astrology and Butterfly Safari - an abode of the butterflies in an open ambience.

Thangasseri

Thangasseri was once a favourite settlement of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English in succession, as Kollam was one of the oldest and most important port for international cashew trade on the Malabar coast. Today, it showcases a few ruined forts built by the Portuguese, and the Dutch and some 18th century churches.

Thangasseri, the picturesque seaside village has a three kilometre long beach on which stands a 144 feet tall lighthouse which is a major attraction of this place.

Thirumullavaram Beach is a popular picnic spot which is located at a distance of 6kms North of Kollam town. There are frequent buses plying between the beach and the city. The serene environs beckon you to come and have a whale of a time here. It is unadulterated, untouched by time, clean and unpolluted, ideal for anyone who is looking for a quite time. You can take a walk along the sparkling a stretch or just lie down on the sand and soak up the sun. Just unwind in the lap of nature. The waves here are so beautiful and inviting that you can quietly wade into the water. It is also on a low tide and therefore pretty much safe to venture into the sea.

unwind in the lap of nature. The waves here are so beautiful and inviting that you can quietly wade into the water. It is also on a low tide and therefore pretty much safe to venture into the sea.

Palaruvi waterfall

One of the most popular waterfalls located in eco tourism location in Kollam District, the Palaruvi waterfall is managed by the Palaruvi Vana Samrakhana Samithi (VSS) under the Thenmala Forest Development Agency. The falls, which is a memorable experience, is visited by one lakh people every year. The VSS provides typical Kerala food using spices of Arienkavu valley. Facilities for trekking to evergreen forests and to sandal trees bearing forests are also available.

Shasthamcotta Lake

Shasthamcotta Lake, the fresh water lake set in picturesque surroundings and surrounded by hillocks on three sides is the largest of its kind in Kerala. An ancient Sastha Temple on its shores, with resident tribes of monkeys, adds sanctity to the waters.The majestic size of the lake is by itself a spectacular sight. The ancient Sastha Temple, which lends its name to the town, is an important pilgrim centre.Covering an area of approximately 375 hectares, Shasthamcotta Lake does not get frozen in winter and fresh water is available 365 days a year. This large lake is totally devoid of any flora and there is no plant growth in the waters of the lake.

Shasthamcotta Lake does not get frozen in winter and fresh water is available 365 days a year. This large lake is totally devoid of any flora and there is no plant growth in the waters of the lake.

Varkala

Varkala is a coastal and pilgrim town located 51 km north of Thiruvananthapuram. The place is a natural paradise for tourists.It is an attraction for its unlimited potential and infinite charm where tourists enjoy a wide range of pursuits like boat riding, sun bath and ayurveda. Varkala is also an important religious place for the Hindus.The Papanasam Beach at Varkala is a quiet, secluded beach known for its white, silvery stretch of sand, mineral springs and rocky cliffs. The final resting place of Sree Narayana Guru, the great social reformer of Kerala, is near Varkala, atop a hill named Sivagiri. High cliffs with mineral springs is a scene typical of Varkala.