KOLLAM (Quilon)

Kollam town, the headquarters of Kollam district  situated about 71 Km north of Thiruvavanathapuram,  has many unique places that are worth visiting and and is linked by rail, road and backwater transport.

Kollam District which is a veritable Kerala in miniature is gifted with unique representative features - sea, lakes, plains, mountains, rivers, streams, backwaters, forest and vast green fields. The district is a leading center for fishing in Kerala and is home to the largest fresh water lake in Kerala – Sasthamcotta and is also the headquarters of Kerala Cashew Development Corporation.

The backwater tour from Kollam to Alappuzha is the longest cruise in Kerala. This boat ride from Kollam to Alappuzha takes 8 hours and is a delightful ride, with lotuses and water lilies growing in the water, water birds calling from the banks and otters splashing and playing in the water.

How to reach Kollam?

By Air
The nearest airport from Kollam is Thiruvananthapuram, which is 72km away from Kollam/Quilon. Kochi Airport is at a distance of 150kms.

By Rail
Kollam is an important railway station and is connected to the rest of Kerala and India through a wide network of railways. Chinnakkada junction is a major stop for all express, superfast and passenger trains.

By Road
Kollam is also connected through a well laid out network of roads making it accessible from anywhere in Kerala.
 

Distance from Kollam

Kollam to Alleppey - 87 km                      Kollam to Varkala - 38 km

Kollam to Trichur - 229 km                      Kollam to Thekkady - 219 km

Kollam to Kochi - 150 km                        Kollam to Ernakumal - 150 km

Kollam to Sabrimala - 177 km                   Kollam to Silent Valley - 387 km

Kollam to Thiruvanthapuram - 72 km         Kollam to Kovalam - 85 km

Kollam to Wayanad  - 485 km                  Kollam to Kottayam - 107 km

Kollam to Kapad Beach  - 388 km             Kollam to Kottayam - 107 km

Kollam to Wayanad  - 485 km                  Kollam to Kalady - 187 km

Kollam to Anamudi  - 293 km                   Kollam to Bekal - 543 km

Kollam to Madurai  - 258km    

Sightseeing in and around Kollam

Ariankavu Pilgrimage - This popular pilgrim center is located at a distance of 73 km from Kollam and holds its annual festival in December in a grand spectacular manner. The Aryankavu presiding diety is Lord Sastha and the temple has some fine sculptures and mural paintings.

Mahatma Gandhi Beach - This beautiful beach is located just 2 kilometers from Kollam and is a one of the famous beaches of Kerala. Here the Sea is calm which makes it ideal for  swimming.

Thangassery Beach - Located at a distance of 5 kilometers from Kollam, this seaside village of historic importance has the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and Churches built in the 18th century. The Thangasseri lighthouse which is 144 feet high and built in 1902 is also a major attraction here.

Palaruvi Waterfalls - The Palaruvi waterfalls are a series of beautiful rapids, cascading through steep heights and falling down below to make a shallow pool. The water over here is absolutely white and milky in color. 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.

Alumkadavu - Alumkadavu is located at 26 Kms from Kollam City and on the lakeside of Kollam-Alappuzha National Water Way.  A overnight houseboat cruise can be taken from either Alleppey or Kumarakom to Alumkadavu and back.

Mayyand - 10 kms south of kollam mayyanad is noted for its shrines and temples. The most important of the nine temples here is the subramanya temple at Umayanallor  dedicated to Lord Subramanian. The shrine is said to have been consecrated by Shri. Sankaracharya of Kaladi.

Kottarakkara - Kottarakkara is the headquarters of Kottarakkara Taluk at 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- Kathakali had its small beginning in this town and it flourished under the patronage of Raja of Kottarakkara.

Matha Amrithanandamayi Ashram, Vallikavu - The residence and headquarters of Matha Amrithanandamayi Devi, is situated at Amrithapuri near Vallikavu at a distance of 110 KM from Thiruvanthapuram Airport and about 140 km from Cochin (Kochi) Airport. More about the ashram at  www.amritapuri.org

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.

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.

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.

Kulathupuzha - Kulathupuzha is situated at a distance o f 64 km from Kollam towns and 10 km North of Tenmala Railway station on a forest range on the Thiruvananthapuram - Shenkottai road. Kulathupuzha is known for the Sastha Temple. The Vishu Mahotsavam in April/May is the most important festival.

Chavara - Chavara is situated 14 kms. The Thalappoli Mahotsavom- offerings of lighted lamps in decorated small pans - in the Kottamkulangara temple here is very famous which falls in the month of March - April. The interesting features of the festival is that men dress themselves as women and carry lamps. This is a an age old custom being practiced here.

Sasthamcotta Lake - The Sasthamkotta lake the largest freshwater lake in Kerala is surrounded by hills on all sides except south where a bund has been constructed separating the lake from the neighbouring rice fields. A large part of the lake has been reclaimed for agriculture. The source of water is from the underground sprouts.

 
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 and the Fisherman's Training Institute.

Ochiara - Oachiara is situated at 32 kms north of Kollam-Alappuzha National Highway and on the boundary of Kollam district. The unique feature of this pilgrim centre is that there is no deity or idol at the Parabrahma Temple dedicated to the Universal Consciousness. Ochira Kali in mid of June and the twelve day Panthrandu Vilakku in November/December are the two main annual festivals. Ochira Kali is a mock fight enacted between groups of men dressed as warriors on the padanilam (battle field). They perform a martial dance standing in knee-deep water, brandishing swords and shields, and splashing water in every direction.

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

Rameshwara Temple - This temple which shows Pandyan influence in its design has inscriptions in Tamil, dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries.
 

Punalur - Punalur is one of the important centres of Kerala at a distance of 45 kms from Kollam on the Kollam-Shencotta railway line and is also linked with Kollam by road. The temple here, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, Lord Krishna, Lord Siva and Goddess Bhagavathy, attract huge gatherings during festival season.

Jatayupara - A huge rock at Chadayayamangalam takes its name from yhe Mythical bird Jatayu in the epic Ramayana, who is believed to collapsed on the rock after failing in his attempts to thwart Ravana's kidnapping of Sita. The rock can be seen from the Chadayamangalam Jn. itself.
 

Ananda Valleeswaram Temple - The Ananda Valleeswaram Temple of Kollam attracts people on almost all days.

Rajasthan Holiday Packages

Royal Rajasthan (14 days)	Forts and Palaces tour (21 days)
Rajasthan with Golden triangle (16 days)	Rajasthan Cultural Tours (16 days)
Pushkar Fair Tours (19 days)	Rural Rajasthan Tour (12 days)