Tourist places in and around Kollam
Ashtamudi Lake
The scenic lake amidst red cliffs and swaying palms, stretches northwards from Kollam town. The huge lake is named ‘Ashtamudi' as it branches off into 8 creeks. The eight hour trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest and most enchanting experience on the back waters of Kerala. It also provides extensive facilities for retting coconut husks which makes the district a hub of coir industry. Chinese fishing nets add to the spectacular scenic beauty of the lake.Kochupilamodu Beach
The model park at the beach is worth a visit.Thangasseri (5 km)
This seaside village of historic importance has the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches built in the 18th century. The village has a 3 km long beach on which stands a 144 feet tall lighthouse.Thirumullavaram Beach (6 km)
This scheduled beach is a beautiful picnic center and has frequent bus connections to the town.
It is known for the churches and bungalows built during the colonial era. The 44 metre high light house is the special attraction of the town.
Thangassery is a place of historical importance situated 5 kms. away from Kollam town. The churches here are pretty old, having been established in the 18th century. The chief attraction of the place is the lighthouse, built in 1902. The 144 ft lighthouse stands as a sentinel, warning seamen of the treacherous reefs of Thangassery. The construction of a fishing harbour is in progress. Thangassery was an enclave of the Portuguese, Dutch and British in succession. The remnants of the Portuguese and Dutch forts still exits.
Mayyanad (10 km)
Mayyanad is noted for its shrines and temple. The most important of the nine temples here is the Subramanya Temple t Umayanallor. The shrine is said to have been consecrated by the great Hindu philosopher Sree Sankaracharya.Mayyanadu, 10 km south of Kollam is noted for its shrines and temples. The most important temple is the one at Umayanallor, dedicated to Lord Subramanian. The shrine is said to have been consecrated by Shri.Adi Sankaracharya of Kaladi. Besides the temples, there are three churches and a Mosque. Cotton weaving and oil pressing are the main occupation in the village.
Ochira (34 km)
The unique feature of this famous pilgrim center is that there is no deity or idol at the famous Parabrahma Temple dedicated to the Universal Consciousness. Ochira Kali in mid June and the twelve day Panthrandu Vilakku (twelve lamp festival) 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 (battle field). They perform a material dance standing in knee-deep water, brandishing swords and shields, and splashing water in every direction.Situated, 32 km north of Kollam on the Kollam Alappuzha National Highway and on the boundary of Kollam district, Oachira is a unique pilgrim center. The peculiarity of the temple here is that there is no temple building as such nor is there any idol. All classes of people worship the presiding deity the Parabrahmam (the eternal soul). Oachira draws thousands of Pilgrims for Oachirakkali, a festival held annually in June. It is also an important handicraft center where fancy articles of screw pine mats are manufactured.
Sasthamkotta (29 km)
This vast fresh water lake surrounded by hills on three sides is the largest of its kind in Kerala. The ancient Sastha Temple which lends its name to the town, is an important pilgrim center.Sastham cottah is an attractive village situated about 19 kms. from Kollam Town. It is a beauty spot, a health resort and a centre of pilgrimage. The extensive freshwater lake here, is said to be the biggest of its kind in Kerala. Water supply to the Kollam town is met by purifying the water from this lake. Buses are frequently operated to Sasthamcottah, which can truly be called as Queen of Lakes.
Kulathupuzha (64 km)
Situated on a forest range on the Thiruvananthapuram Shenkottai raod, Kulathupuzha is known for the Sastha Temple. The Vishu Mahotsavam in April/May is the most important festival.Kulathupuzha is situated on the Thiruvannathapuram - Sencottah road and is 10 kms south of Tenmala railway station. It is an important forest range, well known for its elephants. Reed, an essential raw material for paper manufacture at the nearby Punalur Paper mill, is partly supplied from Kulathupuzha valley.
Thenmala (66 km)
Covered by dense forest, rubber and tea plantations this is home to India's first planned eco-tourism project. Thenmala is also a domsite.Thenmala is the meeting point of Kollam-Shencottah road and Trivandrum-Shencottah road, surrounded by dense forest, 66 kms east of Kollam. There are a large number of rubber and tea plantations in Thenmala. Timber of all varieties are exported from here to all parts of the country. Themala Dam site is open for tourists. Eco tourists center is situated at Thenmala. All buses passing through Kollam-Shencottah road stop at Tenmala. There is also a Railway Station here.
Thazhava
Thazhava in Oachira block is an important center of screw pine mat industry. An Image of Buddha, discovered from a tank known as Pallikkulam near Maruthoorkulangra is one of the interesting archaeological relics, associated with Kollam districtAriankavu (70 km)
Situated on the Kolam Shenkottai road, Ariankavu is famous for the shrine dedicated to Sree Sastha. Mandala Pooja and Trikalyanam celebrated in the month of December are the main festivals here.Palaruvi Waterfalls (75 km)
Palaruvi which means stream of milk makes its way down the rocks, from the height of 300 feet. The Palaruvi wood is a beautiful picnic spot.The famous waterfall in Kollam District is situated at Palaruvi near Aryankavu, Kollam - Sencottah NH 208. Season to visit the places is from June to January.
Paravur
Paravur is an important fishing and coir production center. It is situated 13 kms south of Kollam and is connected with Kollam town by rail and road. It is the birth place of K.C.Kesavan Pillai(1865-1913) and Kesava Asan(1869-1917) ,two leading literary men of eminence.Pathanapuram
An important trading center on the banks of the Kallada River, Pathanapuram is 13 kms away from Punalur. The Chandanakkudam mahotsavam of the mosque celebrated every year in February-March attracts thousands of devotees.Pattazhi
Pattazi is the seat of an ancient temple, dedicated to Bhagavathy. The Mudi is the major festival of this temple.Punalur
Punalur is one of the important industrial centers of Kerala. It is 45 kms from Kollam on the Kollam-Shencotta railway line and is also linked with Kollam by road. The Suspension bridge accross the Kallada river erected in 1877,is the only one of its kind in south India and it is 400 ft long. A concrete bridge has been constructed near by and now the suspension bridge is only of archaeological interest. Punalur is the head Quarters of Pathanapuram Taluk.Rameshwara Temple
This temple which shows Pandyan influence in its design has inscriptions in Tamil, dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries. The Vyala monster sculptures in this temple give one the impression that the creatures are animate and actually climbing up the stairs with their oustretched paws.Matha Amrithanandamayi Ashram, Vallikavu
The residence and headquarters of Matha Amrithanandamayi Devi, is situated at Amrithapuri near Vallikavu. The ashram is accessible both by road and boat.Tirumullavaram Beach (6 m)
It is yet another attraction of Kollam.Picnic Village
This centre of recreational activities is located at Ashramam, along the backwater front. The tourist complex has a 200 year old Govt. Guest House, Adventure Park, tourist Boat Club, Children's Traffic Park and Yatri Nivas.This village located at Ashramam, along the backwater front, is the main center for recreational activities in Kollam. A 200 year old Government Guest House, and Adventure Park, a Tourist Boat Club, a Children's Traffic Park and a Yatri Nivas are all housed 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.Kundara
Kundara is linked with Kollam by rail and road, a distance of 18 kms. Large deposit of china clay discovered here, helped in the establishment of the Government Ceramics factory.Kunnicode
The main attraction of Kunnicode, situated 10 kms west pf Punalur, is Pachilakunnu a small hillock where a Muslim saint is said to have breathed his last.Jatayupara
A huge rock at Chadayamangalam takes its name from the mythical bird Jatayu in epic Ramayana, who is believed to have collapsed on the rock after failing in his attempts to thwart Ravana's kidnapping of Sita.Jetayu Para, a huge rock, is another attraction in Kollam district. This huge rock is in the Chadayamangalam village on the M.C road. The name comes from the epic Ramayana. It is believed that Jatayu, the giant bird in the epic, fell after failing in its attempt to prevent the demon Ravana from taking Sita (wife of Lord Ram, hero of the epic) away. The rock is ideal for trekking by lovers of adventure.