Kollam

Beaches in Kollam

Thirumullavaram beach resort is the famous beach resort in Kollam. It situates 5kms west from Kollam. The sea here is ideal for swimming and bathing. Mahatma Gandhi Beach & Park and Kochupilamoodu, Paravur beach are the other important beaches. Mahatma Gandhi beach lies just 2kms from the town. It is a fascinating place for an evening. Paravur situates 13 kms south of Kollam and is connected with Kollam town by road and rail.


Kollam Town

Kollam Town is the head quarters 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 Thiruvananthapuram and is linked by rail, road and backwater transport. The town edges with the famous Ashtamudi Lake. It is said that the present town of Kollam was built by the Syrian merchant ,Sapir Iso in the 9th century  A.D.  Kollam is also the head quarters of Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation.



Ashramam Picnic Village

Ashramam picnic village is located in the 48acre Guest House complex. The children's traffic and entertainment park, designed by NATPAC is also located  in this village. It is the largest traffic park in Kerala. The adventure park located in the village along the shores of the Ashtamudi back waters , 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, Yathrinivas, run by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, is also located in this village. The Govt. Guest House here is 200 years old . It stands alone  Ashtamudi Lake and is a major attraction for its elegance and architectural beauty. Tourists can stay here at economical rates. The village is just 2kms away from the town.


Sasthamcottah

Sasthamcottah is an attractive village situated about 19kms from Kollam town. It is a beauty spot , a health resort and a centre of pilgrimage. The extensive fresh water lake here is said to be the biggest of its kin d in Kerala. Water supply to the Kollam town is met by purifying the water from this lake. Sasthamkottah lake is called the queen of lakes.



Thangassery

Thangassery is a place of historical importance a situated 5kms away from the Kollam town. The churches here are pretty old, having been established in the 18th century. The chief attraction of the place is light house, built in 1902. The 144ft high light house stands as a sentinel, warning seamen of the treacherous reefs of Thangassery.



Thazhava

Thazhava in Oachria block is an important centre of screw-pine mat industry. An image of the Buddha, discovered from the tank known as Pallikkulam near Maruthookulangara is one of the interesting archaeological relics.


Thenmala

Thenmala is the meeting point of Kollam- Shencottah road and Thiruvananthapuram-Shencottah road, surrounded by dense forests, 66kms east of Kollam. There are a large number of rubber and tea plantations in Thenmala. Thenmala dam site is open for tourists.



Jatayu  Para

Jatayu  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 here after falling in its attempt to stop Ravana from taking Sita away. The rock is ideal for trekking by the lovers of adventure.


Courtalam Waterfalls

Though the famous waterfall at Courtalam is situated in Tamil Nadu, it shares the boundary of Kollam also. Season to visit the place is from June to January.

The District Tourism Promotion Council offers tourists information and assistance. The office of the council is situated at Ashramam Government Guest House complex. There are tourist information centre at the Railway station, Kollam and Kerala State Road Transport Corporation central bus station, Kollam.



Around Kollam

Krishnapuram Palace Museum

The Krishnapuram Palace is fully restored in March 1999, is a fine example of Keralan Architecture. The palace is well worth a visit . The palace is open 10am to 5pm  every day except Monday.



Alumkadavu

Just near the Krishnapuram palace , Alumkadavu has long been a boat building centre. The traditional kettuvalams are still constructed here- no longer for rice transportation, but as luxury houseboats for tourists.


Mannarsala

15 kms north of Krishnapuram Palace, and 32 km before Alappuzha, Mannarsala , on National Highway 47, is the site of the Nagaraja  (serpent king) Temple, and the most  significant site for snake worship in Kerala. According to the Mahabharatha, snakes fled from the fire started by Arjuna in the Khandava forest (believed to be an area near Alappuzha). They prayed for protection and the area around Mannarsala cooled down providing them a refuge.

Local legend relates that subsequently a Namboodiri woman developed sacred groves for the  snakes and dedicated the land to the snake dieties , Nagaraja and Sarpayakshi. Today the tradition continues and the oldest female member (known as valiama) of the illam (women's section of the Namboodiri house hold), has the role of priestess and conducts rituals at the temple. On accepting the role she relinquishes her earthly marital status  and assumes a spiritual one- that of wife of the serpent king deity. She lives alone in premises  within the temple complex.

The temple is in typical Keralan architectural style, with the larger central shrine surrounded by many smaller ones . Infinite number of cobra  idols encompass the complex, it's said that many of their earthly cousins are there as well. The two main idols are those of the serpent king and queen.

The annual festival is in the month of Thulam (October/ November) . At this time the main idols are taken in procession by the priestess and offerings of milk, turmeric and rice are made.

As with Keralan temples generally, this is a peaceful place, apart from vedis (Explosive devotional sounds). Visitors who respect the rituals and the serenity of the temple are welcome. Men must remove their shirts, women must wear saris  or similar clothing.