Where is Kollam?
Kollam (71 km north of Thiruvananthapuram) is located on the Malabar Coast
in the bewitching state of Kerala. The famous Ashtamudi Lake covers 30% of
the Kollam.
What is the city famous for?
Kollam is the centre of country's cashew trading and processing industry.
Lying on the Ashtamudi lake, it is also one's gateway to the mesmerising
backwaters of Kerala.
How will you gain access?
Thiruvanathapuram (74 km) is the closest airport. Kollam is an important
railway junction with the Trivandrum-Ernakulum line passing through it. It
is the terminal junction Madras-Egmore-Kollam metre gauge line. NH 47, NH
206 and NH 101 connect Kollam to the other parts of Kerala and India.
What does the climate say?
Kollam experiences a tropical humid type of climate. Summer extends from
March to May followed by the southwest monsoon from June to September. It
remains dry for the remaining part of the year.
What magnetises people?
» Ashtamudi Lake
The Ashtamudi Lake is located in the Kollam district of Kerala. It provides
the entrance to the splendid backwaters of Kerala. The lake is wonderfully
fringed with coconut groves and palm trees. A cruise along the lake will
definitely have an unfailing effect on the visitors. Special Chinese fishing
nets can be observed along the waterline. Boats can be hired from the Kollam
Boat Club.
» Rameshwara Temple
The Rameshwara Temple is yet another attraction at Kollam. The Pandyas
influence can be felt in its design. There are inscriptions in Tamil dating
back between 12th and the 16th century. The Vyala monster sculptures are
created in such a way that they seem to be climbing up the stairs with their
extended paws.
» Thangassery Lighthouse
The
Thangassery Lighthouse was built in the year 1902. The lighthouse reaches up
to a height of 144 feet. One never misses the lighthouse while at Kollam. It
is also an important attraction of the place.
» Chinnakkada Palli
The Chinnakkada Palli is yet another attraction in Kollam. The mosque is
one of the oldest and the most important mosque in the district.
» Picnic Village
Picnic Village is located at Ashramam. Lying along the waterline, Picnic
Village invites hordes of people form far and wide. It is the main centre of
recreational activities in the district. The complex houses a 200-year old
Government Guest House, a Tourist Boat Club, a Children's Traffic Park and
the Yatri Niwas.
Which are the nearby hotels?
Aquaserene (65 km from Trivandrum International Airport) is a 3-star
Government Approved hotel. The hotel offers facilities like banquet,
restaurant, telephone, TV, channel music, shopping arcade, health club,
swimming pool, laundry, banking, money exchange, safe deposit etc. Hotel
Sudarshan (70 km from Trivandrum International Airport) is a 2-star
Government Approved hotel in Kollam.
Where should you shop?
One can buy the typical south Indian textiles, jewellery, hand loom fabrics
and several handicraft items. Municipal Shopping Complex, Chinnakkada is a
popular shopping destination. Shops along the Main Road are also very good
for buying Keralan handicrafts and traditional fabrics. Kollam serves as a
fabulous market for coconut products, spices, tea, coffee and rice.
