Kollam is located at a distance of about 71 kms to the north of Thiruvananthapuram, forming an important center of trade and processing industry. It is popularly known as an old seaport town situated on the Arabian Coast. The town is in close proximity to the Ashtamudi Lake and offers you an opportunity to take an eight-hour boat trip between Kollam and Allappuzha.


Major Attractions Of Kollam

Kollam Backwaters : Cruising down the backwaters in Ashtamudi, housing in a boat and living life at ease ... Kollam is the ultimate place to be. Apart from the immaculate backwaters, there are several other interesting places on land worth a visit in Kollam.

Thirumullavaram : Thirumullavaram, 5 kilometres from Kollam, is the best beach spot. The calm Arabian Sea stretches a long way and the tourists can bask in the cool breeze pervading the place. This expansive beach is an ideal spot for swimming and bathing as well.

Thankassery : 5 kilometres from Kollam, treasures the awesome remnants of the Portuguese and Dutch forts. Legend has it that the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British ruled this place in succession. A 45 metre high lighthouse is an added attraction to this place.

Paravoor : Paravoor, 20 kilometres from Kollam, is a narrow skirt of land stretching in between the backwaters and the sea. A beach resort by KTDC and a major water sports complex by Kollam DTPC will adorn this place very soon. The famous Varkala beach is a mere 15 kilometres drive from here. Paravoor is well connected by road and rail.

Jatayu Rock : The Jatayu Rock is a huge rock situated in the Chadaya Mangalam village on MC Road. The name 'Jatayu', a giant bird, comes from the epic - Ramayana. For the adventurous at heart, the place is ideal for trekking.

Thenmala : Thenmala, 68 kilometres East of Kollam, is a traveller's delight surrounded by dense forests in the Eastern ranges. The Thenmala Dam and pleasure boating along Senthurini Wild Life Sanctuary, organised by Kollam DTPC, is a visual treat to the tourists.

Sasthamkotta : Sasthamkotta, the 'Queen of Lakes', is situated 27 kilometres from Kollam. The tourists can make use of the Pleasure Boating Facility at Sasthamkotta to take a cruise through the freshwater lake stretching over valleys of imposing hills.


Places To Visit In Kollam

Alumkadavu : Alumkadavu forms an ideal location at 26 Kms from Kollam City and on the lakeside of Kollam-Alappuzha National Water Way. The "Green Channel Back Water Resort" at Alumkadavu makes itself a tranquil location for both foreign and Indian Tourists. The scenic beauty of blue green stretches of serene backwater and rambling gardens of hundreds of coconut palms give the Green Channel Resort an incomparable beauty.

Aryankavu : It is situated at a distance of about 73 kms east of Kollam and forms an important pilgrim center of the district. The chief attraction of Aryankavu is the shrine dedication of Lord Sastha. The temple has some fine sculptures and mural paintings. Thousands of pilgrims visit this temple during the Mandala Pooja in December.

Chavara : Chavara is situated 14 kms north of Kollam on the Kollam-Alappuzha road. Thousands of tonnes of mineral sand are exported from Chavara to various countries. The Kovilthottam port is situated within the limits of Chavara Panchayat.

Palaruvi Water Falls : The famous waterfall in Kollam District is situated at Palaruvi near Aryankavu, Kollam.

Achencoil : This is an important pilgrimage center, situated about 80 kms from Punalur. The main attraction here is the Sastha temple situated amidst dense forest. The idol of Sastha is supposed to have been installed several centuries before the Christian Era. The two important festivals of this temple are Mandala Pooja and the festival held at 'Revathi'. The two notable features of the festival are the 'Chariot Festival' and 'Pushpabhishekam'.

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.


How To Reach There

Nearest airport thiruvananthapuram (71 km).Kollam is an important railhead of the southern railways.An excellent road network links kollam to all major towns & cities.