Kollam is the centre of the nation’s cashew processing industry. It was one of the oldest ports on the Malabar Coast and famous for spice trade. Kollam was second to Kodungallore in historic antiquity. In the earliest days Phoenicians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs and the Chinese traded through the port. The descriptions of world famous travellers like Marco Polo and Ibn Batuta painted the historical importance of Kollam as a commercial town. It was the capital of the erstwhile kingdom Venad. It is believed that the Malayalam Era which was also known as  Kolla Varsham was established by King Udaya Marthanda Varma, King of Kollam in 825 AD.

 The Kollam district is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the West and is the gateway to the spectacular backwaters of Kerala. The district has a number of historic remnants and temples built in the traditionally architectural style.

ACCESSING KOLLAM

Air: Nearest Airport is Thiruvananthapuram (71 km)

Rail: Kollam is a rail junction. All the trains bound to Thiruvananthapuram touch Kollam, except Rajadhani Express (New Delhi-Thiruvananthapuram). There is another Meter gauge rail between Kollam and Chennai-Egmore and traveling through this line is an exciting experience  

Road: Kollam is connected by road to Thiruvananthapuram in the south, Chenkotta (Tamil Nadu) in the east and Alappuzha in the north. 

Telephone access code : +91-474

Tourist Information Centres:

DTPC Tourist Information Centre. Phone:2745625

TOURIST DESTINATIONS

Thenmala: Thenmala is the India’s first eco-tourism project .Now it is recognised by the World Tourism Organisation as one the best eco-friendly projects. Thenmala is covered by dense forest.  It has a leisure zone, which includes pathways; sway bridge, an amphitheatre, musical fountain, adventure zone etc. 

Palaruvi Water Falls: Palaruvi (means river of milk) falls down from the rocks of 300 feet high. This is one of the finest waterfalls in south India. Situated 66 km away from Kollam, Palaruvi is surrounded with spectacular scenic beauty and covered with dense tropical forests. 

Shastamkotta: Sasthamkotta, situated 29 km from Kollam . The largest fresh water lake in Kerala is surrounded by hills on threes sides. Also famous for its ayurveda treatment.

Krishnapuram Palace Museum: It is one of the monuments that can rightfully be called the pride of Kerala. The building has been carefully restored to give visitors the feel of how it looked during the early days.

Backwater Cruise: A full day onboard journey through the backwaters from Kollam to Alappuzha offers a unique experience and reveals the natural life and the scenic beauty of Kerala. Usually the trip starts at 10.30 AM from Kollam Boat Jetty and reaches Alappuzha at 6.00 PM

Thangasseri (built in 1902 by Portugese),  Oachira, unique pilgrim centre situated 32 kms from Kollam on the national high way;  and Jatayupapra in Chadayamangalam on the M.C. road, a huge rock that attracts adventure-lovers, are some other important spots.

PHOTO ALBUM