Kollam Travel Guide

Kollam is the land of cashew nuts and lush greens. Travel Kollam and explore the wonders of this ancient port town that is a delightful network of sea, rivers, backwaters, mountains, paddy fields and lush forests. Kollam or Quilon in Kerala, South India has a glorious history, famous tour attractions, mesmeric natural beauty and unlimited excitement. Apart from its natural beauty, you are sure to feel overwhelmed by the colorful cultural traditions in the forms of fairs, festivals, religious occasions and even in the day-to-day lives of the locals.
The city of Kollam is situated about 71 kms. north of Thiruvananthapuram and is linked by rail, road and backwater transport. Kollam has a tropical humid climate, with an oppressive summer and plentiful seasonal rainfall. As is the case with other places of Kerala, winter is the best time to visit the place. Today, Kollam is an important commercial, industrial and trading centre. It has a large marine products industry and also houses the headquarters of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation. Must Visit Places in Kollam Backwater Cruise: The eight hour trip between Kollam and Alleppey is the longest backwater cruise in Kerala and is the main attraction on a tour to Kollam. You will be mesmerized as you pass through lakes with lotuses and water lilies growing in the water, water birds chirping from the banks of the canals, water-bound villages, and the famous Chinese fishing nets.
Mata Amrithanandamayi Ashram: This international pilgrimage destination is known for its educational and medical institutes.
Thangasseri Fort: This historic 18th century fort was constructed by the Portuguese.
Thangasseri Lighthouse: This 144 feet high lighthouse offers amazing views of the sea and the coast of Kollam.

Festivals
Kollam has some several amusements and festivities, which are unique to Kollam. They are held in connection with festivals in temples. The mock swork-fight - Oachirakkali, is one of the most important of such festivals in Kollam. Oachira has been famous for long as one of the sacred places of Kerala. The Kollam Pooram festival that is celebrated in the month of April every year is a feast for the culture enthusiast. The other interesting events that mark the glorious Kollam Kerala culture are the 5-day Ashtami Rohini festival that is celebrated at the Vadayattukotta Temple, the backwater boat races held in January.

Shopping Galore at Kollam Visitors can find many places like markets and malls in Kollam for shopping. Some of the most popular items for shopping in this city are jewelry, products of handloom, handicrafts and the textiles. Kollam is also a place of Ayurvedic center as it has a good collection of medicinal herbs grown in the forests of this place. Visitors can also make purchase for Ayurvedic products.

Accommodation
The city of Kollam boasts of a number of quality hotels and resorts. The hotels are equipped with all the necessary amenities that ensure your comfortable and enjoyable stay at the place. Houseboats, which are truly an unmatched experience, can be chosen to spend a day or two. Besides hotels, a number of good quality restaurants and eateries can also be found here which serve tasty and hygienic food.

Excursions from Kollam
There are many places to see near Kollam and the best way to explore these places are by going on excursions from Kollam. These places are definitely worth a visit and a must if you are interested in the history and cultural heritage of the place.

Karunagappally
Located at a distance of 27 kilometers from Kollam, this town has an ancient idol of Buddha that was recovered from a local tank. This idol is now preserved in the Krishnapuram Palace. The town also has an ancient temple, mosque and a church, thus setting a perfect example of communal harmony.

Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple
A beautiful temple that has been carved out of rocks, this magnificent temple is a must see for all those who like unique architecture.

Kulathupuzha
This place is located at a distance of 64 kilometers from Kollam, on the way to Trivandrum. The place is known for Sastha Temple and every year Vishu festival is celebrated in a grand manner here.

Shendurni Wildlife Sanctuary
Located at a distance of 70 kilometers from Kollam, this beautiful wildlife sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Shendurny River. It a splendid green valley and is home to diverse flora and fauna.
Things to see