Kollam Tourism Places

destinations

• Standing high in the heart of the town, the Clock tower is a landmark of Kollam city. Located at Chinnakada, close to the Kollam Junction Railway Station, this quadrangular tower was constructed in the year 1944 by the natives as a tribute to the former chairman of Kollam municipality, Unichakam Veedu K G Parameshwaran Pillai. Being the first clock tower of the erstwhile Travancore state, it has now become a sort of non- official emblem of Kollam District. Though the four big clocks that is placed on the sides of the tower were brought from Kolkata, its origin can be traced to Britain.
  
  Ashtamudi backwaters
  Astamudi Lake, renowned for its panoramic views is the second largest lake in Kerala, stretching a length of 16kms that sharing 30% of Kollam town,
  Astamudi Lake is named so because of its eight channels- in the local language “Ashtamudi” means eight branches (Ashta = eight; mudi = hair or branch) These channels converge into a single outlet at Neendakara estuary to enter the Arabian sea. The major river discharging into the Ashtamudi is the Kallada river, formed by the confluence of three rivers, which are Kulathupuzha, Chenduruni and Kalthuruthy, these rivers are originates from the Western Ghats.
  The numerous coconut groves and palm trees that dot the lakeside add to its scenic beauty. The famous Chinese fishing nets laid on its waters give the landscape an oriental look.
  
  Ashramam Picnic village
  Located in the sprawling 200-year old Guest house campus, this tourist village at ashramam along the backwater front, is the main centre for recreational activities. The place has a boat club, an adventure park, a children’s park etc…. The paramparya museum in the same premises has on display painting from different parts of the country.
  
  Matha Amrithanandamayi Ashram, Vallikavu
  Mata Amritanandamayi Math, is situated at Amritapuri in Vallickavu, a small fishing village at a distance of about 30 km from Kollam town. The ashram which houses more than 2,500 disciples and householders as full-time residents is located at the site of the birth place and childhood home of Mata Amrithanandamayi or Amma or Ammichi as she is popularly known. Thousands of people around the world come to experience her unique 'darshan', in which she holds each devotee in her arms like a mother embracing a child. There are frequent buses from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to Kayamkulam from where there are local buses to Vallikavu.

  Thangasseri
  Thangasseri, situated 5kms from Kollam town was once a favourite settlement of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English. Literally meaning 'gold village', this seaside village sprawling over an area of 99 acres, has the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches belonging to the 18th century. The Portuguese fort is believed to be built in 1517 and only one wall of this fort remains now. The major attraction of Thangasseri is the lighthouse, built in the year 1902. The 144 ft. lighthouse stands as a sentinel, warning seamen of the treacherous reefs of Thangassery. Tourist are permitted to visit the lighthouse between 3.30pm and 5.30pm and one could have a picturesque view of the sea from there. February to November is the best time to visit Thangasseri. Kollam railway station is the nearest station to Thangasseri village and it is well connected to town by road also.
  
  Kollam Beach & Thirumullavaram Beach
  These secluded beaches are beautiful picnic spots. One can watch and experience the sunset from here. You can’t swim in Kollam beach because of big waves. Thirumullavaram beach is suitable for swimming here you can walk nearly half kilometer into the sea.
  
  Munroe Island
  Formed by the backwaters of Ashtamudi Lake and Kallada river, this island is named after Colonel Munroe, the British resident of erstwhile Travancore state. He is credited with having integrated several backwater regions by digging canals. This discovery of Stone Age tools and megaliths stand testimony to the antiquity of this islet which shelters a quaint little village. is a beautiful small village is surrounding by Ashtamudi Lake and Kallada River Blessed with a number of criss-cross canals and zig-zagging water channels; this Island plays a host to so many migratory birds. There is yet another rare chance to see the traditional Indian spice plants. Coir making is a home industry to almost all the village people.
  
  Puthenkulam Elephant Village
  The road to this village is not less traveled. But, it is a beaten track traveled by majestic elephants along with human beings. Bhoothakulam Panchayat in Kollam district has the largest number of captive elephants in Kerala and most of them are from the Puthenkulam village has roughly around 50 elephants in whole.. It is situated around 25 kms away from Kollam. Every Year this place attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world, more than 10000 tourists visit here.

  The activities available here is Elephant riding- trekking, Elephant feeding and bathing. Elephant rides are available from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM every day. The whole premise is spanned over 3.5 acres. The tuskers are also sending for festivals all over South Kerala. Most of the tourists are coming here for spending a day with an elephant and its mahout. There is also a collection of elephant ornaments like gold plated caparisons, umbrellas, Alavattom, Venchamaram, Necklace etc .Here the relationship between elephants and their trainers and handlers is one based on mutual trust and respect, rather than on dominance and breaking of the animal's spirit.
  
  Sasthamkotta (29 km from Kollam town)
  Situated 19 km from the Kollam town, the Sasthamkotta Lake is one of its kind in the state of Kerala. It is a freshwater lake spread over a huge area of 375 hectares. The highlight of this lake is that it neither gets frozen during the winter season nor does it dries up in the summers. Throughout the year, the freshwater of this lake provides clean drinking water for around 10 million people.

  For tourists, it is not just the scenic beauty and tranquility of the lake that is attractive; rather there is something else as well. An ancient Sastha temple stands on its shore which is major draw for pilgrims to Kerala. The Monkeys of sasthamkotta that colonize the towering trees are believed to be the loyal followers of the ruling deity, the Dharma sastha. Mechanized Boating in the Sasthamkotta Lake prohibited because of pollution
  The hanging bridge at Punalur Is the only one of its kind in south India. The 400ft long suspension bridge built in 1877 by Albert Henry across the Kallada River, this huge bridge was suspended by three spans and was used for vehicular movement, Now only of archaeological interest.
  
  Thenmala
  means ‘honey hills’, It is India's first planned eco-tourism destination, which is gaining popularity due to its unique vistas, bio-diversity and functioning. Situated about 65kms from Kollam, the Thenmala Eco-Tourism shares its resources with the famous Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary at the foothills of the Western Ghats.
  To explore the tourist destination, the region has been divided into culture, leisure and adventure zones. Musical dancing fountain along with amphitheatre, shop court and restaurants are the main attractions of the culture zone. In the leisure zone, sculpture garden, sway bridge, broad walk etc offers amazing view to the tourists. Besides the sculptures of father and child, some of the charecters of Indian myths such as Ekalavya, Vikramadithya and Vethalam are there in the sculpture garden. Adventure zone comprises of Elevated Walkway, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, River Crossing, Nature Trails, Resting Spots, and Lotus Pond etc.

  Thenmala Eco-Tourism also offer other attractions, like an invigorating boat ride in the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary, a visit to the Deer Rehabilitation Centre, where one can have a look at Spotted deer, the Sambar deer and the Barking deer, children's eco-park, trekking, Butterfly park, etc…

  Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
  This is one of the semi-evergreen forest of Kerala. You can see Elephants, tigers, leopards, bison, samba, wild boar, lion tailed macaques, languors, deer and most of the other wild animals at their natural inhibits. This is declared as wildlife sanctuary in 1984. According to some recent studies reviled, The Shenduruny was the cradle of one of the oldest river valley civilizations of India, which dated from 4400 BC to 3700 BC, unbelievable!!! Older than the Indus Valley Civilization.
  
  Palaruvi Waterfalls(75 km from Kollam town)
  Water Fall, Kollam Travel VacationsPalaruvi which means "milky stream" makes its `milky way' down the rocks, falling from a height of 300 feet. The Palaruvi woods is a beautiful picnic spot. There are frequent buses to Ariankavu from Kollam. The PWD Inspection Bungalow and the KTDC Motel offer comfortable accommodation.
  
  Jatayupara
  The huge, rocky hillock Jatayupara is located at Chadayamangalam, 30 kms from Kollam, Legends goes that the name is derived from the mythical bird Jatayu in the epic Ramayana who is believed to have collapsed on the rock after failing in his attempts to prevent Ravanna’s kidnapping of Sita. There is a small temple atop of the hill that can be reached only by climbing steep steps

  Ochira (34 km north of Kollam town)
  Kollam Holidays VacationsThe unique feature of this famous pilgrim centre is that there is no deity or idol at the famous Parabrahma temple dedicated to universal consciousness. Ochira Kali in mid 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 (fighting spot). They perform a martial dance standing in knee-deep water, brandishing swords and shields and splashing water in every direction. There are frequent buses from Kollam and Alappuzha.
  
  Rameshwara Temple
  This temple which shows Pandyan influence in its design has inscriptions in Tamil, dating from the 12th to the 16th century. The Vyala monster sculptures in this temple are carvings which give one the impression that the creatures are animate and are actually climbing upstairs with their outstretched paws.