Kollam
Travel Guide
Thangasseri
(5 km from Kollam town): This seaside village of historic
importance has the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches built in the
18th century. The Thangasseri Lighthouse is open to visitors from 3:30 pm to
5:30 pm. There are buses at 15 minute intervals from Kollam town.
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.
Mayyanad (10 km south of Kollam town):
Mayyanad is noted for its shrines and temples. The most important of
the nine temples here is the Subramanya temple at Umayanallor. This shrine
is said to have been consecrated by the great Hindu philosopher Sree
Sankaracharya. There are frequent buses from Kollam to Mayyanad.
Sasthamkotta
(29 km from Kollam town): The vast fresh water lake here is the
largest of its kind in Kerala. The ancient Sastha temple which lends its
name to the town, is an important pilgrim centre. There are frequent bus
services from Kollam. Accommodation is available at the PWD Rest House.
Ochira (34 km north of Kollam town): The 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.
Kulathupuzha (64 km from Kollam
town): Situated on a forest range on the Thiruvananthapuram -
Shenkottai road, Kulathupuzha is known for the Sastha temple. The Vishu
Mahotsavam in April/May is the most important festival. There are frequent
buses from Kollam to Kulathupuzha. The Thenmala railway station is just 10
km from here.
Thenmala (66 km east of Kollam): The
area is covered by dense forest, rubber and tea plantations. An Eco Tourism
Development Project is under implementation here. Thenmala is also a dam
site.
Ariankavu (70 km from Kollam town): Situated on
the Kollam - Shenkottai road, Ariankavu is famous for the shrine dedicated
to Lord Sastha. Mandala Pooja and Trikalyanam celebrated in the month of
December are the main festivals here.
Palaruvi Waterfalls(75
km from Kollam town): Palaruvi 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.
Thirumullavaram Beach (6 km north
of Kollam town): This secluded beach is a beautiful picnic centre
and has frequent bus connections to the town.
Matha
Amrithanandamayi Ashram, Vallikavu : The residence and the
headquarters of Matha Amrithanandamayi Devi, one of India's female gurus, is
situated at Amrithapuri near Vallikavu. The ashram is accessible both by
road and boat.
Picnic Village: This village is
located at Ashramam, along the backwater front, is the main centre of
recreational activities in Kollam. The 200 year old Government Guest House,
an Adventure Park, the Tourist Boat Club, the Children's Traffic Park and
the Yatrinivas are situated in this vast tourist complex.
Kottukal
Rock Cut Cave Temple (11 km from Chadayamangalam): This temple
situated on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam MC Road is an idyllic example of
rock cut temple architecture.
Jatayupara: A huge rock
at Chadayamangalam takes its name from the mythical bird `Jatayu' in the
epic Ramayana, who is believed to have collapsed on the rock after failing
in his attempts to thwart Ravana's kidnapping of Sita.
