| Kollam is a name that can
also be substituted by cashew, the reason being that India's
cashew trading and processing industry is located in Kollam.
Quilon is the other name by which Kollam is known. The
place also has a large marine products industry. It is
one of the rare places of India that is an industrial
hub and yet has an abundance of natural beauty.
It 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 is also the headquarters
of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation.
Accommodation and Connectivity :
The nearest airport from Kollam is Thiruvananthapuram
at a distance of 72 kms. However, Kollam is connected
by both rail and road with most towns and cities of
Kerala and outside. To cash in on the tourism boom,
hotel infrastructure is fast developing in the place.
The most popular activity in Kollam is a cruise in
her magnificent backwaters. One can experience the picturesque
backwaters and village life of the place from close
circles. An eight hour boat ride from Kollam to Alappuzha
is the longest and the most thrilling backwater cruise
amongst all the backwater destinations in Kerala.
Tourist Attractions
Fortunately or unfortunately, most of the tourism attractions
here are located some distance away from the place.
Thangassery
Thangassery, some five kilometers away from Kollam
has the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and also a few
churches built in the 18th century. The Thangasseri
lighthouse is another major attraction here.
Thirumullavaram
Thirumullavaram on the outskirts of Kollam has a beautiful
beach filled with coconut palms. The beach has very
good bathing facilities.
Oachira
Oachira at a distance of 32 kms from Quilon can be
regarded as an unique pilgrim centre as there are no
temple buildings or idols here. People worship the presiding
deity- Parabrahmam. Thousands of pilgrims come to Oachirakkali
for a festival held annually in June.
Mayyanad
Mayyanad is a place popular for its shrines and temples.
The most important of the temples is Subramanya Temple.
Rameshwara Temple with its magnificent architecture
is another big hit among the tourists.
Jatayupara
Jatayupara is another nearby place where Jatayu,the
mythical bird in the epic Ramayana is believed to have
collapsed. There is a large rock here. Sasthamkotta,
29 kms from Kollam is the largest fresh water lake in
Kerala.
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