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| Kollam |
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Kollam is the capital of the Cashew trading and processing industry of the state, known as Quilon in English. Kollam was one of the important ports in southern Kerala, which indulged in the space trading with Arabs and other people over the globe. The traditional Malayalam calendar starts with 825 AD, known as 'Kollavarsham' (Quilon year). This was the time; the Kayamkulam King Udayamarthanda Varma founded this city for trading. Thus Kollam played an important role in the regions trade relationships with the rest of the world. The main economy of Kollam is dependent on the Cashew industry. The largest cashew industry of the world is located here at Kollam, The Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation. It is believed that the Portuguese Missionaries brought the crop in Kerala. Other important industries in Kollam are Backwater tourism and Fisheries. The Ashtamudi Lake covers more than 30 percentage of the Kollam town. The town is very famous for cashew processing and coir manufacturing. It is the southern gateway to the backwaters of Kerala and thats why an important tourist destination. The 8 hour long backwater trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is a lifetime pleasure. Neendakara harbor in Kollam is the largest fishing harbor in Kerala. Kollam is now a major commercial center in Kerala. Bedsides of Cashew and Fishing industry, Kollam includes coir carpet trading, chemical and ceramics, minerals and seafood are the other industries that run Kollam. Kollam is the center of the Indo-Norwegian fisheries project.
The district is also contains some historical places. Kollam came to be known in history by the famous 'Kundara Vilambaram' (Kundara proclamation) by Velu Thampi Dalwa of Travancore in 1809 AD. The proclamation was against the British for the emancipation of the land from them. This was observed as the part of the first phase freedom struggle in India. The proclamations lead to a tremendous war and the death of Dalwa. The district Kollam is also a religious center. The district contains temples, which were constructed strictly on the basis of traditional Kerala temple architecture.
The town Kollam is located on NH 47, which connects Salem to Kanyakumari through Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Alappuzha. KSRTC operates bus services to these destinations frequently The Kollam railway station lies 3 kilometers from the bus stand and is connected to all major cities. All trains starts from Trivandrum pass through Kollam. The nearest airport to Kollam is Trivandrum international airport lies 70 kilometers away. Kollam is also connected to Alappuzh and Kumarakom through water.
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Places of Attraction
1. Thangassery Fort
The Thangassery village and fort lies along the seaside and 5 kilometers from Kollam town. The fort is said to be built by the Portuguese in the 18th century. The old lighthouse here is a major attraction. The lighthouse is 144 feet high. The village has a three-kilometre long beach. The lighthouse is open to visitors from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm everyday.
2. Thirumullavaram Beach
The Thirumullavaram Beach located 6 kilometers north to the Kollam town and can easily accessible. Thirumullavaram beach is filled with coconut palms, and its a suitable place for early morning walk lovers.
3. Mayyanad
Mayyanad is situated on the banks of the Paravur Lake. The place having Arabian Sea at the coastal line and therefore the land is famous for its fishing. The place Mayyanad is famous for the nine temples located here. The important most of them is Sree Subramanya Swami temple at Umayanellur. It is believed that Sankaracharya, a great philosopher who derived Advaitha Vedantha philosophy, constructed the temple. Mayyanad lies 10 kilometers south of Kollam town and there are frequent buses from Kollam to Mayyanad.
4. Sasthamkotta
Sasthamkotta is the largest fresh water lake in Kerala and the lake is surrounded by three hills on three sides. A bund is there on the fourth side, which separates the lake from nearby paddy fields. This lake produces drinking water to the whole district. The lake is special because the water in the lake does not contain common salt or other minerals and metals. Several variety of fresh water fishes are can be seen in the lake and several rare plants also there. Boating is possible there on the lake. The ancient Dharma Sastha Temple, which lends its name to the town, is an important pilgrim center in this region. The presiding deity here is Swami Ayyappa and the temple is said to have powers equals Sabarimala. The temple yard is filled with a lot of monkeys. It is said that they are the guardians of the temple. The ritual of feeding these monkeys at 10.00 in the morning is a good tourist attraction. The temple permits only Hindus. The temple opens from 5.30 am to 11.00 am and from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm. The place Sasthamkotta lies 30 kilometers from the Kollam town and can be easily reaches through road.
5. Ochira Parabrahma Temple
Ochira Parabrahma temple is famous because of the strange rituals and practices there. Unlike other temples, this temple dont has any idol to worship. The temple is dedicated to the formless, infinite Parabrahmam, The 'Om', or the absolute supreme power, the universal consciousness. There is also no 'Pujari' in the temple. Unlike other temples, this temple has a different architectural style too. The temple is also known as 'Dakshina Kashi' (Varanasi of South). The annual festival of this temple falls on June - July. The famous 'Ochirakali' is performed at this time. The ritual is in remembrance of the historic battle fought between Kayamkulam and Chempakassery, two feudal principalities of the region. In the play a huge number of people step into waterlogged paddy fields and indulge in mock fights, involving physical skills of the participants. The performers dress like warriors and enact the fight with wooden sticks. The play lasts for two days. Besides this festival, there is also a 12-day festival in this temple known as 'Panthrandu vilakku' (12 lamps) falls on November-December. The temple permits all. The temple lies 35 kilometers north of Kollam town and can be easily accessible by road.
6. The Sardar Vallabhai Patel Police Museum
The museum depicts the history and development of the police force. The museum displays different types of Guns, heavy and light weapons, Charts and diagrams detailing fingerprinting, DNA tests, Photos of Police dogs, Medals and arms of the 19th century etc. The museum opens all days from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. A cheap rate will be asked for entry. The museum situated near to the Kollam railway station.
7. Thevally Palace
Thevally palace was built during the reign of Gauri Parvathy Bai of Travancore in the early 19th century. This was the residence of the erstwhile Travancore King. The palace is located on the banks of Ashtamudi Kayal and attracts a lot because of the architectural beauty of the palace. The palace is constructed in the European hybrid architecture. So you can find some Dutch mode of construction, English Style, French mode of construction etc. The palace is at present the Kollam/Alleppey headquarters of the N.C.C. (National Cadet Corps).
8. Sree Venkatachalapathy Temple
Sree Venkatachalapathy temple is an important temple in this region. It is the southernmost temple for Saraswatha Brahmins (Originally these people from Karnataka) in Kerala. The temple was built in 1822. The presiding deity here is Sri Venkatachalapathy (Lord Maha Vishnu). The temple has a beautiful idol of the lord with Laxmi Devi and Bhoomi Devi on either side. Other deities here are Maha Ganapathi and Dharma Devas. The temple is situated near to the Kollam district Collectorate and is 4 kilometers from Kollam railway station. Non-Hindus are not permitted here. The temple opens from 6.00 pm to 8.30 pm.
9. Alumkadavu
The tourist Point of Alumkadavu is in the Kollam-Alleppey National Water way is just 3 km from the center. The place is famous because of the boat-building yard here. Every day except Sundays you can watch the 'kettuvalloms' (house boats) being constructed here from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. Coir-making units here are also a main attraction. The place lies near to Karunagappilly on NH 47 and can easily reached through road too.
10. Thenmala
Thenmala is one of the most famous tourist destinations in India. It is the first eco tourism project in India. The place lies near to the Punalur town. Covered by dense forests and tea plantations, this misty place invites tourist from all over the world. There is a cluster of attractions in Thenmala. The name 'Thenmala' has the meaning 'Honey hill' in local language. Boating on the lake, a rope bridge, trekking, mountaineering, biking and a musical fountain are the main attractions in Thenmala. You can see lot of tree houses here. The Thenmala Canopy Walk attracts a lot of people who loves the silent music of woods. Here you can walk to the treetops through an elevated bridge. Thenmala dam is built across the Kallada River and boating is possible here. Being a cultural zone Thenmala includes an amphitheater and a musical fountain. The open-air musical dance fountain is popularly known as 'Nature dance fountain'. A Butterfly park is also there behind the fountain. The place is located 65 kilometers east of Kollam and 70 kilometers from Trivandrum. The place is accessible through road.
11. Palaruvi waterfalls
The Palaruvi waterfall is located near to the Thenmala Eco tourism project. In local language 'Palaruvi' means the 'stream of milk'. Here water stream falls from a height of 300 feet through rocks. The Palaruvi wood is also a picnic spot. Trekking to the waterfall and bating in the stream are the main attractions here. The waterfall lies 75 kilometers from the Kollam town.
12. Rameshwara Temple
This rock cut cave temple is a good example of Pandyan influence on Kerala traditional architecture. The temple is attractive because of the Vyala monster sculptures here. The peculiarity of these creations is that a spectacle may feel that these creations are alive. It is believed that the temple is been built on 12th or 13th century. There are inscriptions in ancient Tamil manual about this temple. The presiding deity here is Lord Siva in the form of 'Siva Lingam'. The other deities in the temple are Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganapathy. Kerala is a land of temple, but its very rare to see a rock cut cave temple. Thats why this temple attracts a lot of tourist across the world. The place is accessible through road. It lies10 km East of MC Road from Chadayamangalam.
13. Amrithapuri
Amrithapuri is the residence and headquarters of Matha Amrithananda Mayi, a living Goddess in Kerala. The 'asramam' (monastery) is located near Vallikavu. The monastery is built up on the very property where Matha was born. Amritapuri is the living example of the ancient Indian philosophy "Vasudhaiva kutumbakam" (the whole world is one family). Here you will find people from all parts of the world, speaking different languages and having different customs and religions. All living here under one roof. Matha Amrithananda Mayi's dream is a non-violent world having no poverty. The place Vallikavu lies 12 kilometers from Kayamkulam and 10 kilometers from Karunagappilly. The place is easily accessible.
14. Picnic Village
The picnic village is located at Ashramam. It is one of the main centers of recreational activities in Kollam. A 200 year old Government Guest House, an adventure park, a Tourist Boat Club, a Children's Traffic Park and a Yatri Nivas are there on the park. The village is situated on the backwater front. The 'Paaramparya Museum' (Ancestral museum in local language) is situated in the same compound is stored with paintings from different parts of the country including Warli, Kalamkari and Madhubani as well as Kerala mural art. The picnic village lies 3 kilometers from the Kollam town.
15. Anchal
Anchal is situated 13 kilometers south of Punalur and is known for the cattle market held here twice a month. The ‘Mudi’ festival of the Bhagavathy temple here attracts huge people. The festival is conducted once in a 12-year period. The place is accessible by road.
16. Ariankavu
Ariankavu is famous for the temple here dedicated to Sree Sastha. 'Mandala pooja' and 'Thrikalyanam' are the main festivals here, which fall on December. The place lies 70 kilometers from Kollam and there are frequent buses to reach there.
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