The
district is located between eight-cornered Lakes and Lakshadweep Sea, at the
Southern extremity of network of backwaters. Known as God's Own Capital,
Kollam's specialty constitutes of spices, sea, lakes, plains, mountains,
rivers, streams, backwaters, forest, vast green fields known to attract a
large mass of tourists since ages. Kollam -a famous port of yesteryears- the
city is described to be a 'dreamland' or 'paradise' in India. The beach city
welcomes you in its world of green and water, and of course you will be
greeted by heady swish of coconuts palm, the backwaters and verdure and
fauna of the city.
Popular
Tourist Attractions in Kollam
In Kollam you do not struggle and travel a lot to find places. Most of the
sights are within a radius of 8-10km from the heart of town. It is advisable
that you begin your tour from the residency guest house and adventure park,
shop at Chinnakada and then go to Thirumullavaram and Thangasseri beaches.
Keep half a day for backwater cruises and wind up the dinner at one of the
lake side resorts.
Collonial
Relics
The square shaped clock tower, which you can see from any part of historic
Chinnakada market, is the best place to lead off your trip in Kollam. A
Roman Catholic Velankanni Church is also located here. Amidst the newer
places are English Church and Cementry, you will find intact 19th century
tombstone.
Adventure Park
After
Colonial Relics Adventure park becomes your second stoppage. Located at
Ashraman, run by district promotion council, is a bit of letdown, but with a
view of Asthamudi Lake.
Residency Bungalow
Also known as government guesthouse, the spacious rooms and Verandah speak
of the bygone era. Long back the edifice served the purpose of being a home
to British Residents.
Thangasseri
Thangasseri or Dutch Quilon was once a British Enclave. The beauty of the
place here lies in setting sun or the moon that you can view from here. The
Lighthouse here is greatest contribution of the British to Kollam. Built in
1902, its light can be seen 13 miles out into the sea. For a more pleasant
view drive down to feel sea and its view.
Portugese Fort
Just 4 kms from Lighthouse, Portugese Fort at Thangasseri beach is now a
protected monument, dates back to 1517.
Victoria
Memorial
Book your day for beach views. Keeping this in mind you can make use of
waterways in Kollam. The Water Transport Department operates boat services
to Muthiraparamb (West Kallada), Guhanandapuram, Ayiramthengu, Munrothuruthu
and Alappuzha. Luxury boats, both of the Government and private parties,
operate from the main boat jetty during the season. The Trivandrum canals
run along 62 kms of distance and the transport runs 70, 000 passengers.
Thevally Palace
The
Thevally Palace currently used by the army and Public Work Department can be
ideally viewed from the Lake. Linked with an interesting Legend of a
Britisher the palace is whitewashed and painted for most part of it. Inside
a palace relics of the monument can be found that was erected for master's
dog that was a medium between the Britisher and his beloved.
Asthamudi Backwaters
A houseboat trip is a must in your Kollam itinerary. DTPC Kollam offers a
number of rides along Ashtamudi Lake and its offshoot canals. The Kayal
Pradkashina Cruise takes you to Munroe Islands, formed by the number of
backwaters of Ashtamudi and Kallada River. The Sayathanam Sunset Cruise is
just that, an unhurried ride towards the sea as the sun goes down. DTPC also
offers Kairali Darshan Tour which takes you to a village by bus.
Explore the
Neendakara
Neendakara 8 kms from Kollam, on NH47 on the Alleppey route, Neendakara was
developed as a fishing harbour under a Indo-Norwegian project. Today it is
more famous for a post monsoon phenomenon called Chaakra, which occurs just
off the Needakara coast. Then the mus banks are formed under the sea,
creating a lagoon with millions of fish, especially prawns, sardines and
shrimps.
Eating Out/
Restaurants in Kollam
This
is a cashew country, so try the nuts and the delicately flavoured cashews
biscuits. You can buy these and grapes or green pepper pickle at Supreme
Bakery. At hotel Sudarshan, you will get Cheemeen(prawns), and erachi
(beef), have fish Biryanis at Chillies. The Coffee Bar serves good appam and
egg curry. Their meat cutlets should be washed down with home-made ginger
lime. The oldest toddy shop around these parts is on Thirumulluvaram Beach.
The shop, a simple thatched hut, has changed hands over the years but the
menu remains unchanged-toddy and crabs.
How to Reach Kollam
(Air/Rail/Road)
Kollam is accessible by all means of transport therefore reaching there is
hassle- free. The nearest airport is Thiruvananathapuram International
Airport, 67 kms and a taxi to Kollam will cost you between Rs. 500-800. On
the rail route Kollam is headed by Kollam junction and Trivandrum Central.
The city is served by three national highways. It is on NH47 that links
Salem to Kanyakumari via Palakkad, NH 220 to Theni and NH 208 to
Thirumangalam. Seeking refuge in Kollam's hotels gives you extraordinary
experience. You have number of choices to pick up from. So, just go on
exploring Kollam.
Kollam Hotel Information
A nice option of stay would be the backwater resorts and the eco-friendly
resorts of Kollam. However, you can also choose to stay at 3 star hotels in
Kollam. But, wherever you choose to stay, you will surely get closer to
nature and spend some quality time. Tourist preferred hotels in Kollam are
as follows.
» Hotel Aquaserene
» Hotel Nila Palace
» Fragrant Nature Resort
» Hotel Sea Bee
» Ashtamudi Resort
