Kollam

In the ninth century, it was the capital of a powerful kingdom of Venad. But Kollam’s importance came not from its political importance, more for its strategic location with regard to trade. Eulogized by writers like Marco Polo and Ibn Batuta, who termed it once of the leading trade capitals of the Old World, Kollam in Kerala is where it all starts. The Ashtamudi Lake, known as the gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala, covers about 30 percent of Kollam. From here, a 130 kilometre long spread of interlinked canals and lakes snakes up, all the way North.

Best time to visit

Summers are rather hot. However, the monsoon cools things down. The south west monsoon is from June to August. August to February end is the best time to go for tours to Kollam. If you want a monsoon break, June and July would be ideal.

Getting There

By Air

The nearest Airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport that is 70 km away.

By Rail

Kollam railway station junction is about 3 km east of the boat jetty and bus stations. Trains connect all major towns and cities in the region. All trains starting from Thiruvananthapuram pass through Kollam.

By Road

Kollam in Kerala is on NH 47 and links Salem to Kanyakumari via Palakkad, Ernakullam and Alappuzha. KRTC bus stand has buses which ply from Thiruvananthapuram in the South to Kochi in the north.

Ferry Services

The boat jetty is located near the bus station, 3 km from the railway station. A government ferry service is available.

Sights and Attractions

Adventure park

Located amidst the backwaters of Kerala in Ashramam, this village has an adventure park, a boat club, a children’s traffic park and a Yatri Niwas, all housed in a sprawling campus. You can also see the stately 200 year old guest house where Lord Munroe once stayed. The Paaramparya Museum in the same premises is worth visiting on tours to Kollam. It has on display paintings from different parts of the country including Warli, kalamkari, Madhubani and Kerala mural art.

Sree Venkatachalapathy Temple

One of the most famous temples in Kerala, Kollam, it was established in 1822. What makes it unique is that it is the southernmost temple of the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins originally from Karnataka, these Brahmins, who came to the region long ago, form a sizeable community, which is largely clustered around this temple in Kerala. Unlike in other temples in Kerala, the deities in the sanctum sanctorum here are placed on three steps. The principal deity, Venkatachalapathy, is on the first step. The temple also has two ponds, a large one and a smaller one inside. A notable aspect of the temple is the large aviary constructed near the smaller pond, home to numerous pigeons.

Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram

This is where the internationally known spiritual guru was born- on a narrow strip of land between the sea and the backwaters. The original hamlet of Vallikavu in its new avatar, Anritapuri has become a beehive of activity; it is an ashram that is the headquarters of the Mata Amritanandamayi trust.

Alumkadavu

You can spend the entire day at Alumkadavu, on the northern backwaters of Kollam, where you will see the crafting of kettuvallom at the houseboat building yard. For long, Alumkadavu has been a boat building centre. Traditional houseboats are still built and repaired here. You can also visit coir making units and learn how rope is made.

Activities

Trip to Munroe Island

A 40 minute drive past cashew factories will take you to Munroe Island, with its village, a quaint little place tucked away in the backwaters of Kerala in Kollam. The discovery of Stone Age tools and megaliths stand testimony to the antiquity of this islet or thuruthu. Formed by the backwaters of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada Rive, the island is named after Colonel Munroe, the British Resident of erstwhile Travancore state. Cruise in a typical country craft for the 3 hrs crisscrossing the intricate canals, drinking in the scenic charm and experience the simple lives of the villagers.

Book DTPC canal cruise package for the trip. These are twice a day trips at 9 am and 2 pm, at Rs 300 per person

Backwater cruise to Alappuzha

The trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is one of the most popular backwaters cruises in Kerala as the 8 hr tripgive you an intimate experience of the famed waterways. You leave Kollam at 10:30 am and end journey in Alappuzha by 6:30 pm. There are only two major stops along the way- a halt for lunch and a brief tea stop at a wayside chayakada.

Aside from these stops for meals, it is sightseeing all the way. At Alumkadavu, you will stop to see artisans fabricate kettuvalloms at the boat building yard. You will also see Amritanandamayi' Ashram, an enormous 12 storied pink edifice, looms into view. At two in the afternoon, you enter Alappuzha where you will travel through the picturesque Kuttanad region and the coir village of Thrikkunnapuzha, where you will find a locking system below the bridge, to separate fresh water and salt water. At Karumadi, you will get a view of the black granite 11th century Buddha image. After which, at Punnamada, the venue of the Nehru Trophy boat race, you’ll find a array of anchored houseboats. Before the trips ends, you are treated to a spectacular view of the sunset on Vembanad Lake.

Make 85 km trip back to Kollam by bus or stay overnight in Alappuzha and take the return ferry trip next day for Rs 300 per person.

Houseboat Cruise

Avail of the many cruises organized by DTPC. DTPC organizes a one day Kerala houseboat cruises in Ashtamudi Lake. The highlights of this backwaters trip are a visit to Panmana beach, coir making unit, Alumkadavu houseboat construction yard, and black to Kollam. Kerala Houseboat cruise and night stay in Ashtamudi backwaters is also organized by them. Along with DTPC, private operators too organize trips to different backwater towns and villages like Kayamkulam, Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Thottapally, Alumkadavu, Amritapuri. The charges for these trips lasting one or two days, range from Rs 4000 to Rs 16, 350 for two, including all meals.

Kathakali and Houseboat cruise

An overnight stay in houseboat with a Kathakali performance en route at an art centre. The cost is Rs 6, 000 for a family.

What to buy

Kollam in Kerala is the best place to buy cashew nuts available in shops, hotels and also with street vendors. Drop in at Vijayalakshmi Cashew, VLC sales depot on main road for quality cashew. Apart from this, it is also a good place to shop for textiles and handicrafts.

Where to eat

Hotel Aariyas is reputed to have the best vegetarian food; they also serve the best Masala dosas in town. Guruprasad a meals and tiffin hotel, is known for its garlic free South Indian vegetarian food while the KTDC Restaurant & Bar is a popular place for snacks. If you are carving for burgers, pizzas, hot dogs and ice cream head to All Spice, a café style restaurant just above Supreme Bakery. For homely food Mother’s Kitchen in Karunagapally is the best. At Chillies you can tuck into a variety of chicken items- grilled chicken, chutta kozhi and chicken Shavarama.

Other Famous Tourist Destination In Kerala Are

Kottaya || Kozhikode