Kollam

Kollam

“Once you have seen Kollam you would no more need your illam (home)”

There is a unmistakable fragrance of spices in her name, a hint of pride in a legacy that she flaunts ever so graciously. Kollam, Quilon, Desinganadu..call her what you will, and she will answer in the only way she knows; with a appealing wave of coconut palms, the mesmerizing sound of backwaters setting a soothing background score. People come, people see and eventually people fall in love with the lustre of her historic tapestry. Situated to the north of Thiruvananthapuram, between the eight-cornered Ashtamudi Lake and the Lakshadweep Sea, this district takes the credit for being the hub of the country’s cashew trading and processing industry. And though the cashewnut trade traces a different graph, Kollam rewards you in more ways than one. The sight of white egrets dipping into the clear waters of the Ashtamudi Lake on a moonlit night, is simply stunning. At the many temples, mosques and churches of this trivial town, you will meet people eager to share their stories and monuments. The tsunami of December 2004 did affect Kollam, and the indignant waters snatched 131 lives, but it is a measure of the town’s resilence that it is already looking ahead. With so much to do, feel and taste in Kollam, one surely cannot forget the undeniable charm of this town throughout his life.

Chapters of Antiquity

The official name, Kollam, is thought to be a derivative of ‘kolam’, the Sanskrit word for pepper. But the tourists who visit this part of Kerala, love to call her ‘swapna desham’, or dreamland. Even Marco Polo, who dropped by in the 13th century, could only describe her in glowing terms. The old sea port town of Kollam on the Arabian coast, has always enjoyed a commercial reputation since the days of the Phoenicians and the Romans. Nurtured by the Chinese trade, it was regarded by Ibn Batuta in the 14th century, as one of the most bustling ports, which he had seen in the course of his travels during a period of twenty four years.

Things You Would Never Want To Miss

Most of the sights in Kollam are contoured within a radius of 8-10 km from the city centre. One can start a tour from the Residency Guest House and the Adventure Park, shop at Chinnakada and then go to Thirumullavaram and Thangasseri beaches. Spend the next morning at the cashewnut farms. Keep half a day for backwater cruise and wind up the day with a perfect dinner at one of the lakeside resorts. On the third day, visit Neenadakara Port.

Area : 2579 sq. Kms

Population : 2,398285 (1991 census)

Location : Tucked between the eight cornered Ashtamudi Lake and Lakshadweep Sea.

Std Code : 04936

To see : Ashtamudi, Thangassery lighthouse, Ananda
Valleeswaram temple

Excusions : Karunagappally, Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple, Kulathupuzha, Ochira Temple

How to reach : Nearest Railway Station – Kollam is an important railhead of the southern railways. and the nearest airport – Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

Best Time to Visit : August to April

Kollam is one of the exotic backwater destination of God’s Own Country. It is located at the distance of 4 km northwest of Thiruvananthapuram and 85 km south of Alapuzzha, between the eight cornered Ashtamudi Lake and Lakshadweep Sea. Previously known as Quilon, Kollam is now one of the entry and exists point to the backwaters of Kerala. Duarte Barbossa, a 16th century Portuguese writer described it as a ‘very great city with right good haven’, which was visited by by Moors Heathen and Christians in large numbers. It is one of the oldest port on the Malabar Coast, which was once the center of international spice trade. In the earlier times, it also served as the major trading center for the Romans, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese and later on for the Dutch traders. Britishers also set up the factories here to export spices, sandalwood, cashew nuts, pottery, aluminum, ivory and coir. Kollam boosts of many popular historical places to explore.

Kollam Hotels,  Hotels in Kollam,  Kollam Resorts,  Book Budget Hotels in Kollam,  Kerala Hotels,  Hotel Packages Kerala