Tourism Places in Kollam
- Ashtamudi Lake
- Thenmala Ecotourism Centre
- Palaruvi Waterfall
- Thirumullavaram Beach
- Alumkadavu Village
Kollam is located 71 kms the north of thiruvananthapuram,Kollam is the centre of the country’s cashew trading and processing industry.One of the oldest ports on the malabar coast,kollam was once the port of international spice trade.thirty per cent of this historic town is covered by the renowed Ashtamudi Lake,making it gate way to the magnificent backwaters of kerala.The eight hour boat trip betwen Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest and most enchanting experience on the backwaters of Kerala.The district also has some intersting historic remnants and a number of temples built in the trditional ornate architectural style…
Places to visit in Kollam are:
Thangasseri:This seaside village of historic importance has the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches built in the 18 th century.The Thangasser light house which is 144 feet high,is open to visitors from 1530-1730 hrs.
Thirumullavarm Beach:This secluded beach is a beautiful picinic centre and has frequent bus connections to town.
Mayyanad:Mayyanad is noted for its shrines and temples.The most important of the nine temples here is the Subramanya temple at Umayanallor.
Sasthamkota: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 centre.
Ochira:The unique feature of this famous pilgrim centre is that there is no deity or idol at the famous Parabrahma Temple dedicated to the Universal Consciousness.
Thenmala:The area is covered by dense forest,rubber and tea plantations.India’s first planned ecotourism project is situated here and is now open for visitors.Thenmala is also a damsite.
Palaruvi Waterfalls:Palaruvi which means stream of milk makes its way down the rocks,from a height of 300 feet.The Palaruvi woods is a beautiful picnic spot.
Ashtamudi Lake
Lakes are the most attractive part of Kerala tourism. The Kerala tourism is best known for its houseboat travels, especially in the Ashtamudi Lake. The channels of the Ashtamudi Lake are the gate way to the backwaters. Kollam district is famous for the coconut groves and palm trees and even palm toddy. We can have a long backwaters journey from Kollam to Alappey.
Ashtamudi Lake is the deepest lake of Kerala with the depth of 6.4m in certain areas. The river Kallada is the major river joining Ashtamudi Lake. The vegetation here is plenty and this is the second biggest trading spot of fish. We get all the fresh and delicious fish fries and fish curries here in Ashtamudi. The cooking of the natives is appreciable. They have their own way of cooking fish differently with special masala too. But beware while having it with great appetite. If you forget the maximum capacity of your stomach you will have to meet a doctor and he will tease you for eating more.
The dangers Ashtamudi lake faces are the pollution caused by the house and fishing boats, pollution from paper mills, aluminum and ceramic industries.
The boating here is an 8 hour trip which is so attractive and fabulous with the greenery at 3 sides and blue on top – the sky. The journey is through lakes, canals, water bound villages and so we can enjoy the beauty of backwaters completely. There are also many waterfront hotels, home stays, hotels, etc. at the bank of the lake of Ashtamudi. By seeing so many fishing nets on the sides of the lake we can understand that fishing is the main occupation of the natives and also understand that many do find livelihood from the Ashtamudi Lake. The beauty of the Ashtamudi Lake has inspired many artists to write poems and stories. You can also become great poets or script writer on the bank of Ashtamudi Lake. This place has become the shooting location for many movies of almost all the film industries too.
The city of Kollam could be reached via road from the Trivandrum airport which 76kms away. Since it is one of the main cities of Kerala, the railway is very active with great services.
Thenmala Ecotourism Centre
I with my friends last month visited Thenmala Ecotourism Centre which is the best unforgettable event in my life so far. Thenmala Ecotourism Centre is a 72kms drive from Trivandrum, on the Shencottai road. Thenmala Ecotourism Centre got its name because of its acres of evergreen forest.
The climatic conditions of the place and geography is very much suit for tourism as it is 500m above the see level. The diverse flora and fauna is unique feature of the Thenmala Ecotourism Centre. Being youngsters we have so many chances of adventurous activities. The waterfalls are delightful and altogether Thenmala Ecotourism Centre is an enchanting experience.
In my personal opinion it Thenmala Ecotourism Centre attract all the conservationists, naturalists and adventure seekers equally. It can also entertain people of any age and attitude. Therefore it is the best place for family picnics too.
This is also one of the best places to take students for study tours. The school and college teachers will have so much of aspects to teach the students while visiting the Thenmala Ecotourism Centre.
You can also buy many different forest products which are manufactured by the poor women and children of the place. You are availed with both decorative and useful articles. The musical dancing fountain amazed me with its great beauty. A rare combination of water, sound, light and forest never goes out of my mind.
The adventurous walk through the unleveled areas of the green forest makes us more courageous. Moreover, this travel through Thenmala Ecotourism Centre will make one have psychological growth and develop mental strength and it is a refreshment to bored minds. The lotus pond which is water body exhibiting many different forms of plants. Here I could see so many plants that I hade seen only in pictures or even heard.
Being good at stunting with bikes me and friends tried the mountain biking which is just a 2m wide and 1km lengthy. It has various tough levels to cover up and it is the fact that I could not reach the destiny very easily.
Another adventurous thing I liked in Thenmala Ecotourism Centre is the rock climbing. Even pioneers can try the rock climbing as it is made safe with ropes to help out the climbers. Though I am an adventure lover I did not dare to walk upon the rope tied across the river. The pedal boating was the thing I enjoyed a lot. It does not mean that the valley crossing, shot range, trust fall and spider net did not entertain me. And there are cool resting places amidst the wilderness though we don’t feel like resting.
The sculpture garden of Thenmala Ecotourism Centre reveals us the relation between man and nature beautifully. It is beyond wordy expression.
The deer rehabilitation centre at Thenmala Ecotourism Centre gives us a life time opportunity to be one with the cute deers. The Thenmala Ecotourism Centre also has a spot to entertain children and so it is best for the family tourists too.
We need at least three days to cover up all these places and I am 100% sure that you will come back here again the next time you think of a picnic. The trekking and bird watching are the other attractions when you come to Thenmala Ecotourism Centre, Trivandrum. All I have to say about the Thenmala Ecotourism Centre is the exciting adventure and natural beauty will never go off my mind. I now feel very much relaxed by visiting the place and I can concentrate on my duties perfectly. I think it is a good place for students and all kinds of professionals to have a trip to Thenmala Ecotourism Centre to get rid of all the tensions. The tension free ones will give better result in work and study.
Palaruvi Waterfall
I went to visit Palaruvi Waterfall which is 75kms from Kollam on the Shenkottai road with relatives. One of my relative is a good psychotherapist and the commend he make at the Palaruvi Waterfall still sounds in my ears. He said that seeing the Palaruvi Waterfall even one who thinks of committing suicide will change his mind to live a fresh life in this beautiful nature. He says that those who find no happiness in this world will only think of committing suicide. But when and if we have something to love on earth we will feel like living with greater enthusiasm. He has mentioned to bring his patients here for a refreshment of mind. I say this not to mean that the Palaruvi Waterfall is for psychologically retarded ones. I was only saying my experience of visiting Palaruvi Waterfall with a psychiatrist.
The Malayalam term Palaruvi literally means stream of milk. The milk white foam the Palaruvi Waterfall creates is pure and clean even to drink at once. The Palaruvi Waterfall seems to be a stream of milk with a hight of 300ft. It is one of the favourit tourist spot of south India. The journey to Palaruvi Waterfall is splendid with greenery and shade.
The Palaruvi waterfall is amidst the forest and therefore is not polluted with human intervention. Since it is near the boarder of the state Tamil Nadu, many tourists from Tamil Nadu regularly visit the waterfall. Since it is not danger it is ideal for swimming too. In the raining season more tourists come to Palaruvi waterfall as it gets more beautiful in the raining season with thick water flow.
The Palaruvi waterfall gives us a great site for capturing good snaps and an opportunity to have a great and funny bath too. Anybody including children and women can have safe bath here since the waterfall is safe.
Thirumullavaram Beach
The popular wide Thirumullavaram Beach is 6kms from Kollam or Quilon, Kerala. It is filled with coconut and palm trees and is best for jogging. The fisher folk live on fishing here. There is a good collection of various fish items on the Thirumullavaram Beach hotels and Thirumullavaram Beach resorts. This beach has kept up its original natural beauty and is not spoiled by so much of sophistication. Thirumullavaram Beach gives us a peace of mind. It is far away from the city life of Kollam.
The Thirumullavaram Beach is the best place for relaxation from all kinds of tensions, worries and even frustration. The calm isolated Thirumullavaram Beach is good for bathing as it is danger free. The locality makes it easily accessible. The Thirumullavaram Beach is 76kms from the Trivandrum airport and can be reached by road or train easily from there. It is the best place to spend your happy holidays and be cheered up of all your worries.
There are a good number of star hotels where you can stay in and have even homely food in home stays too. The home stay atmosphere is created in the resorts of Thirumullavaram. The fish fry prepared by the chefs of the native place are so delicious. You will feel like migrating into Quilon as to have a regular visit to Thirumullavaram Beach and dump all your tensions on the calm beach. There are many other tourist spots and beaches near Thirumullavaram Beach and you can visit all these at a time if you plan the trip well.
Alumkadavu Village
Alumkadavu Village is a little village near Karunagappally, Quilon. I had gone to visit the place to see and get to know about ship building. When I say ship building please don’t take it as building a huge ship like the world famous ship Titanic. Instead it is only boat building. Nowadays many of the boat owners are converting and modifying their boats into house boats to welcome and treat the tourist from both abroad and India.
Alumkadavu Village backwaters are famous today which is on the bank of the Ashtamudi. The growing Kerala tourism especially in Alumkadavu forces the villagers to build up more number of house boats. It is mainly for their livelihood. It is merely business for them. The traditional roofed boats were meant to carry luggage. Now Alumkadavu tourism has found and given a fresh view to the roofed boats and call it house boats. It the house boats of Alumkadavu Village we will have all the security, comfort and freedom of our own house.
After returning home from my memorable time in the Alumkadavu backwaters, I felt a homely sickness for the Alumkadavu Village. It is true that we feel like one with people and culture of Alumkadavu Village.
The interior of the house boats in the backwaters of Alumkadavu Village are more luxurious than the 5 star hotels. You will never feel that you are in a boat. The five star facilities and services are provided in the Alumkadavu house boats. We can find even 3 bath attached bedrooms, a modern kitchen and a wide sit out in the house boats. It is the best place to enjoy all kinds of tours including family tour, honeymoon tours, business executive tours, etc.
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