Kollam - more important destinations

• Palaruvi
  

Located about 75 km from Kollam on the Kollam - Shencottah road,Palaruvi ( literally, 'stream of milk') is one of Kerala's most picturesque waterfalls, cascading down a height of 300 feet. It is a favourite picnic spot for visitors from all over south India. The journey to Palaruvi through the dense tropical forest is a spellbinding experience.The surrounding mist-clad blue hills and green valleys form a stunning backdrop to the milk-white burst of foam, whose muffled roar echoes across the otherwise tranquil virgin forest.

• Picnic Village
  

The Picnic Village is located at Ashramom,a backwater-front about 3 km from Kollam town and is one of the main centres of recreational activities in Kollam. A 200 year old Government Guest House, an adventure park, a Tourist Boat Club, a Children's Traffic Park and a Yatri Nivas provide accomodation and entertainment facilities in the village.The District Tourism Promotion Council conducts regular backwater cruises in houseboats, luxury boats and speedboats from the Boat Club.

• Rameshwara Temple
  

This temple which shows a strong 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 outstretched paws !

• Sasthamkotta lake
  

Sasthamkotta, situated about 29 kms from Kollam town, can be rightly called the 'Queen of Lakes'. This vast fresh water lake, flanked by hills on three sides, is the largest of its kind in Kerala. The ancient Sastha Temple on its shores, which lends its name to the town, is an important pilgrim centre. This temple, dedicated to both Lord Ganesha and Lord Ayyappa, is surrounded by hills and forests, and the monkeys inhabiting the premises are considered holy. The monkeys of Sasthamkotta are believed to be the faithful entourage of the ruling deity, t'he Dharmasastha' and therefore have a spiritual ambience about them. The monkeys are devotee-friendly, and the thousands of devotees visiting the temple take pleasure in feeding them with nuts and fruits.

* Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary

The Shenduruny forest, declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1984 , gets its name from an endemic species of tree called Chenkuruny (Gluta travancoria). This tropical, semi evergreen forest is home for elephants, tigers, leopards, bisons, sambar, wild boar, lion-tailed macaques, langurs, deer - and most other regular inhabitants of a wild, West Coast tropical forest!

In the central region of this moist, mixed deciduous forest, spread over hilly terrain of over 100 sq km, is the 26 sq km artificial lake formed by the Parappar dam built across the Shenduruny and Kulathupuzha rivers.

According to some recent archaeological studies, Shenduruny was the cradle of one of the oldest river valley civilizations in India - older than even the Indus Valley which dates from 4400 - 3700 BC! Paintings similar to those of the Mesolithic period (5210 - 4420 BC) found in the caves of central India, have been excavated from a cave, large enough to hold 20 people, in the northwestern part of the river.

* Thangasseri

Located about 5 km from Kollam town, Thangasseri is a picturesque seaside village with a three kilometre long beach on which stands a 144 feet tall lighthouse - a silent sentinel warning seamen of the treacherous reefs of the Thangasseri, since 1902.

Thangasseri was once a favourite settlement of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English in succession, as Kollam was one of the oldest and most important port for international cashew trade on the Malabar coast. Today, it showcases a few ruined forts built by the Portuguese and the Dutch, and some 18th century churches.

* Alumkadavu (Backwaters)

Located 23 km from Kollam, Alumkadavu is half way enroute to Alappuzha from Kollam. This quiet little backwater village in Karunagapally town is famed for its boat building yard. It is here that the gigantic kettuvallams (cargo crafts of rural Kerala) were built. Today the kettuvallams,long replaced by modern means of transport, have been converted into houseboats.

* Matha Amrithanandamayi Ashram

The residence and headquarters of Matha Amrithanandamayi Devi, is situated at Amrithapuri near Vallikavu. The ashram is accessible both by road and boat.

* Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple

A rare entity among the temple architecture of Kerala, cave temples are few and arouses great curiosity. The one at Ittiva at Chadayamangalam in Kollam district is one such temple, virtually carved out from a gigantic piece of rock, lying in the middle of a paddy field. From a distance this architectural wonder gives the impression of a sleeping elephant.

This rock cut temple, represents the remnants of an ancient culture and also the traditional artistic excellence prevalent at that time. The temple has two square rooms with the main deity of Lord Ganapathy in between. The other deities include Lord Siva( in the form of Siva Lingam), Hanuman and Nandikeswara. A 'Mandapam' in front of one of the rooms stands testimony to the skill of those who carved out this temple from a single piece of rock. The temple premises also contain an open well that never dries up.

* Thenmala

It is India's first planned eco-tourism destination, which is gaining popularity due to its unique vistas, bio-diversity and functioning. Situated about 72 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, the Thenmala Eco-Tourism shares its resources with the famous Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary at the foothills of the Western Ghats.

The word Thenmala in the local language Malayalam has an interesting meaning. 'Then'means honey and 'Mala'means hill;and they combine to mean Honey Hill'. It is believed that the honey collected from this region is of unbelievable quality, owing to its unique biological settings. Managed by Thenmala Eco-Tourism Promotional Society, which is an undertaking of the Government of Kerala, Thenmala Eco-tourism is a unique destination from a tourists' point of view. It provides equal opportunities for fun, adventure, leisure and for learning the significance and necessity of eco-friendly measures in the promotion of tourism related activities.

At the Culture Zone one can indulge in a variety of activities like trying a few traditional Kerala dishes at the restaurant there, a bit of shopping for momentos, a peep on Kerala's art and culture, an amphitheatre etc. But the highlight is the open air Musical Dancing Fountain, which is a big attraction among the tourists.

The Leisure Zone provides a feel of different elevations and vantage viewpoints. Adding to one's pleasure are the boardwalk and the sway bridge here, which are exciting propositions, especially for children. Adding more variety and elegance to the landscape here is the 'Sculpture Garden', which has Man & Nature as its theme.

For tourists with an overdose of adrenalin, the Adventure Zone provides quite a thrilling experience. There is an elevated walkway for a journey that winds through the canopy of trees and goes over rocky terrains, bringing one very close to Mother Nature at varying elevations. And for tourists who wouldn't mind giving their body muscles a real work out, there is mountain biking, rock climbing and river crossing. Other less physically demanding options are the nature trails, resting spots, lotus pond, etc.

Besides the zone-based activities for a visitor, Thenmala Eco-Tourism also offers other attractions, like an invigorating boat ride in the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary;a visit to the Deer Rehabilitation Centre, where one can have a look at Spotted deer, the Sambar deer and the Barking deer. The project area also has tree top huts and children's eco-park, riverside treks, and battery powered vehicle rides through the forest, enabling one to sight wildlife from close proximity

* Thirumullavaram beach

Located 6 km north of Kollam town, the secluded Thirumullavaram Beach is a beautiful picnic spot that has been a favourite haunt of locals and tourists alike.

Kollam - travel and sightseeing

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