Kollam
Nickname(s): Prince of Arabian sea
Cashew Capital of the World
Kollam is a coastal city in Kerala, on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake that took the title God’s Own Country without much demur. The braids of Ashtamudi Lake lie about 71 kilometres (44 mi) north of the state capital, Thiruvanathapuram. The city hosts the administrative offices of Kollam district and is a prominent trading city for the state. The proportion of females to males in Kollam city is second highest among the 500 most populous cities in India. Kollam is the least polluted city in India. Four major trading centers/towns around Kollam are Kottarakara, Punalur, Paravur and Karunagapally.
The city of Kollam borders Ashtamudi Lake. Many a foreign traveller visited Kollam in the 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. The popularity of Kollam is illustrated in the time-honoured proverb, Once you see Kollam, you will not need your home any more. Kollam is an important commercial, industrial and trading centre. It is also the headquarters of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation.
Source : Wikipedia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkwIw3u9xpQ
Air
The nearest international airport is Trivandrum International Airport, 56 kms from Kollam
Rail
Kollam Junction (Code: QLN) is the second largest railway station in Kerala in area, after Shornur Junction, with a total of 6 platforms. Kollam also boasts the longest railway platform in Kerala (second longest in India), which is more than 1 km long. The Thiruvanthapuram – Ernakulam (via Kottayam and Alappuzha) line passes through Kollam. Kollam has completely electrified railway tracks.
Climate
The climate of Kollam is essentially tropical. It is characterized by hot and humid summers and plenty of seasonal rainfall. The Arabian Sea, located to the west ofKollam influences the weather of Kollam. It moderates the disparities between the extreme summer and winter temperatures.The maximum summer temperature recorded in Kollam is 34°C and the minimum temperature recorded during the winters is 21°C.
According to the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) study on ambient air quality among 123 Indian cities, two out of three least polluted cities in India are from Kerala, Kollam being second least polluted.
Map of Kollam
http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/kerala/districts/kollam.htm
Places Of Interest
Alumkadavu
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Alumkadavu Alumkadavu is where the first houseboats in India were built. Located north of Kollam district, the waft of coir and wood is always in the air of this village. And the reason: It is a major centre for the construction of kettuvalloms (traditional rice barges) which are later modified into houseboats for travelers The houseboats eventually … Continue reading Alumkadavu →
Amritapuri
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Amritapuri Amritapuri.PO,Kollam,Kerala – 690525 Phone : +91 476 2897578 Located about 33 kms from KollamThe Mata Amritanandamayi Math is the ashram in Amritapuri of the world-renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (known to most people simply as “Amma”). Amritapuri Ashram is the headquarters of Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM), Amma’s India-based spiritual and … Continue reading Amritapuri →
Ashtamudi Lake
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Ashtamudi Lake Phone : Ph: +91 474 2745625, 2750170 So called because of its 8 arms or channels, Ashtamudi Lake is the gateway to the backwaters. This 16 km long lake is the second largest in Kerala, finding its way into the sea through the Neendakara estuary. The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) Kollam provides … Continue reading Ashtamudi Lake →
Azheekal Beach
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Azheekal Beach It is one of the most unknown and untouched beaches on the coast of Arabian Sea.In Malayalam, Aazhee means place where the Back Waters and the Sea confluence. Azheekal is located at the northern end of the land mass of Alappad peninsula in the district of Kollam, Kerala. The Beach is conveniently located 12 Km away from Karunagappally Town. It can be accessed through Panikkar Kadavu Bridge … Continue reading Azheekal Beach →
Clock Tower
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Clock Tower Kollam Clock Tower is a landmark in Kollam City in the Indian state of Kerala. Situated in the city center at Chinnakada, the tower lies in the heart of the city, close to Kollam Junction Railway Station. As the first clock tower in the erstwhile Travancore state, it has now become a non-official emblem of the entire city and the major landmark of … Continue reading Clock Tower →
Jatayu Nature Park
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Jatayu Nature Park Jatayu Junction, , Chadayamangalam, Kerala 691534 Jatayu Nature Park is a park and tourism centre under construction at Chadayamangalam in Kollam district of Kerala. Designed by Rajiv Anchal, This rock-theme nature park is about 38 km (24 mi) away from Kollam and 46 km (29 mi) away from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. … Continue reading Jatayu Nature Park →
Kottukkal Cave Temple
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Kottukkal Cave Temple Vayala – Manjappara Rd, Kottukkal, Kerala 691306 Kottukkal cave temple, also known as Kaltrikkovil in Malayalam, is an existing example of rock cut architecture, built between 6th and 8th centuries CE. It is situated in the village of Kottukkal, near Anchal, Kollam district, Kerala, India. The name Kottukkal (which means Kottiya Kallu- carved rock) is a … Continue reading Kottukkal Cave Temple →
Munroe Island
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Munroe Island Munroe Island or Mundrothuruthu is located at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River, in Kollam district, Kerala, South India. The island, accessible by road, rail and inland water navigation, is about 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Kollam by road, 38 kilometres (24 mi) north from Paravur, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) … Continue reading Munroe Island →
Neendakara Port
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Neendakara Port Neendakara is a famous fishing harbour located around 8 km from Kollam district of Kerala, India. When Portuguese traders settled in Kollam (then Quilon) in the early 16th century, their ships passed through the Neenadakara bar, now the site of Neendakara Bridge, part of National Highway 47, which connects the village to Sakthikulangara across Ashtamudi lake. In Malayalam, Neendakara means “a … Continue reading Neendakara Port →
Ochira Parabrahma Temple
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Ochira Parabrahma Temple Oachira, Kerala 690533 The Oachira Temple is an extremely ancient temple located in Oachira in Kollam district in the South Indian state of Kerala. According to the Puranas, this temple is one of the famous sacred places of Kerala and India. Oachira is on the border of Kollam and Alappuzha districts, next to the National Highway 47. This very ancient pilgrimage center is centered on the Parabrahma temple (that is dedicated … Continue reading Ochira Parabrahma Temple →
Palaruvi falls
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Palaruvi falls Aryankavu, Kollam, Kerala 691316 Phone:0475 221 1200, +91 495 2211200 Palaruvi which means stream of milk makes its way down the rocks, from a height of 300 feet. It is a beautiful picnic spot. The PWD Inspection Bungalow and the KTDC Motel here offer comfortable accommodation. The surrounding mist-clad blue hills and green valleys … Continue reading Palaruvi falls →
Presidents Trophy Boat Race
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Presidents Trophy Boat Race The President’s Trophy Boat Race is a popular Vallam Kali held on the Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam on November 1 every year. The day marks the birth of the Indian state of Kerala known as Kerala Piravi. This is the most popular of the races to be held during the season of the harvest festival Onam in Autumn on ashtamudi lake … Continue reading Presidents Trophy Boat Race →
Punalur Suspension Bridge
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Punalur Suspension Bridge The Punalur suspension bridge crossing the river is the only suspended-deck type in south India. Built in 1877 by Albert Henry across the Kallada River, this huge bridge was suspended by two spans and was used for vehicular movement. Construction took more than six years. It is said that after completion of the bridge people … Continue reading Punalur Suspension Bridge →
Sasthamcotta Lake
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Sasthamcotta Lake Sasthamkotta, situated about 29 km from Kollam town, can be rightly called the ‘Queen of Lakes’. This vast fresh water lake flanked by hills on three sides is the largest of its kind in Kerala. The ancient Sastha Temple, which lends its name to the town, is an important pilgrim centre. This temple … Continue reading Sasthamcotta Lake →
Sencottai Railway Bridge
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Sencottai Railway Bridge Sencottai railway bridge known as pathimoonnu Kannara Palam (13 Arch Bridge) is on the Kollam–Sengottai branch line, a railway line in South India which connects Kollam Junction in Kerala state and Sengottai in Tamil Nadu. The Quilon–Shencottah railway line was the first railway line in the erstwhile Travancore state and is more than a century old. The Kollam–Sengottai section is part of the Kollam–Chennai meter gauge rail route commissioned … Continue reading Sencottai Railway Bridge →
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
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Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Western Ghats, India. It is located in Kollam district, Kerala and comes under the control of Agasthyamalai Biosphere. It was established in 1984 and comprises 171 square kilometres (66 sq mi). The name is a corruption of the Chengurinji, a tree endemic to the region (Gluta travancorica). The sanctuary surrounds the reservoir … Continue reading Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary →
Thangasseri Beach and Lighthouse
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Thangasseri Beach and Lighthouse Thangasseri or ‘Dutch Quilon’ as it was called, was once a British enclave. Meaning ‘gold village’ in local parlance, this was the hub of a flourishing trade that used gold as currency. This seaside village of historic importance shelters the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches built during the … Continue reading Thangasseri Beach and Lighthouse →
Thenmala
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Thenmala Thenmala is a tourist place near Punalur town, Kollam district in Kerala. It is the first planned eco-tourism destination in India. The Thenmala dam was built across Kallada River. It is famous for being the shooting location in Malayalam and Tamil movies. The place attracts foreign and domestic tourists with a host of attractions. Boating on the lake, a rope bridge, trekking, mountaineering, … Continue reading Thenmala →
Thevally Palace
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Thevally Palace Thevally Palace is a popular heritage Palace situated at the banks of Ashtamudi Lake, inThevally, , Kollam city. It is an important historic monument in the state of Kerala in India. It was built in between 1811 and 1819 the reign of Gowri Parvati Bayi. The Kings of Travancore had used Thevally Palace during their visits to Kollam in order to meet the British Residents … Continue reading Thevally Palace →
Thirumullavaram Beach
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Thirumullavaram Beach The beach is situated at 6 km away from the heart of Kollam city. Thirumullavaram Beach is one of the popular twin beaches in the city of Kollam and a beautiful tourism destination in the state of Kerala. The beach is situated at Thirumullavaram, an important neighbourhood of Kollam city. The beach is very famous for conducting the Karkidaka Vavubali rituals. Thousands of devotees … Continue reading Thirumullavaram Beach →