Kollam District - Place of Interest

Kollam town

Kollam town, the headquarters of Kollam district and Kollam taluk, has a hoary past. It was a 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 Astamudi lake. Many a foreign traveller has visited Kollam in the early midieval 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 A.D. The popularity of Kollam has been established by 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.

The 144 ft. Thangassery Light house, built in 1902, is a centre of attraction. The Ananda Valleeswaram Temple here, attracts people on almost all days. There are several Churches and Mosques is not around Kollam. The Pullichira Church was established in 1700 A.D. One of the oldest and most important Mosques in the town is the Chinnakkada Palli. The Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering, the first of its king in the state, is at Kilikolloor, about 7 kms. east of Kollam town.
Mahatma Gandhi beach & park at Kochupilamoodu, Thirumullavaram beach and Ashramam picnic village, are some of the important sopts of local sight seeing. Mahatma Gandhi beach lies just 2 kms. from the town. It is facinating place for an evening. Thirumullavaram Beach is 5 kms. from the town. The sea here is ideal for swimming and bathing. Ashramam picnic village is located in the 48 acre Guest House Complex. This is the centre of various tourism development activities of the district. The setting up of a picnic village here, is progressing under the supervision of the District Tourism Promotion Council. The Government Guest House here, is 200 years old.

It stands along Ashtamudi lake and is a major attraction for its elegance and architectural beauty. Tourists can stay here at economical rates. The children's Traffic & 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 Astamudi backwaters, is a novel experiment in the country. Different types fo 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. Yatrinivas, run by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation is also located in this village. The village is just 2 kms. away from the town.

Situated about 80 kms. from Punalur, Achencoil is an important pilgrim centre. The Sastha temple here, is situated amidst dense forests. 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 (December-January) and the festival held at 'Ravathi' (January-February). The two notable features of the festival are the Therotam (Chariot festival) and Pushpabhishekam (offering of flowers). In no other temple of South India are flowers offered to the deity so lavishly as at Achencoil.

Situated 13 kms. south of Punalur, Anchal is known for its cattle market twice a month. The Mudi festival of the Bhagavathy temple here, conducted once every 12 years, attract huge gatherings.

Chavara is situated 14 kms. north of Kollam om the Kollam-Alappuzha road. Thousands of tonnes of mineral sand are exported from Chavara to various countries. The Koilthottam port is situated within the limits of Chavara panchayat. Four major industrial establishments - Indian Rare Earths, The Kerala Premopipe factory, Kerala Minerals and Metals and the Titanium complex - are at Chavara. The Thalappoli Mahotsavom- offerings of lighted lamps in decorated small pans - in the Kottamkulangara temple here is very famous. It falls in March - April. The interesting features of the festival is that men dress themselves as women and carry lamps. This is a time-honoured custom.

Karunagappally is situated 27 kms. north of Kollam. It is linked with Kollam by rail and road. There is a mini civil station at Karunagappally. Padayanarkulangara, which forms part of the town, was once the military station of the Kayamkulam Rajas. An idol of Buddha, recovered from a local tank here, is now preserved in the Krishnapuram Palace, situated north of Oachira. The town has a temple dedicated to Lord Siva, two old mosques and a Mar Thoma Church.

Kottarakkara is the headquarters of Kottarakkara Taluk. It is linked with Kollam, both by road and rail, 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 who lived in the first half of the 19th century. Kottarakkara has a very old temple dedicated to Lord Ganapathy and a church belonging to Mar Thomas. This church is 700 years old.

Situated about 8 kms. north of Kollam, Neendakara is the headquarters of the Indo-Norweigian Fisheries Community Project, which was established in 1953. The important institutions under this project are the boat building yard at Sakthikulangara, the Fisherman's Training Institute, the ice factory and the refrigeration plant. Improvements have been made to Neendakara Port, which has been thrown open to traffic.