Kollam
Cashew capital of the world

Situated within the small fishing village of Parayakadavu, the ashram of world-famous social reformer Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, in Amritapuri, witnesses an outsized number of tourists per annum . The township, home to over 3,000 people from India and abroad, is that the perfect example of ancient Indian ideal of ‘vasudhaivakutumbakam’, meaning the entire world is one family. One can find a various sort of people speaking different languages and wearing a plethora of costumes, all living under one roof. This place located on alittle island cradled between the backwaters and therefore the Arabian Sea has become a hotspot for a silent spiritual revolution. The prayers begin a touch before seven within the evening and end at eight. this is often followed by dinner then an hour-long meditation session.

Fringed by swaying coconut palms and plush foliage, the Ashtamudi Lake is one among the foremost gorgeous landmarks in Kollam. This pristine lake is an idyllic site to enjoy serene houseboat cruises and boat rides. The cruise takes you from Kollam to Alappuzha in over eight hours and provides them a singular and out-of-the-world experience. The boat ride not only offers you glimpses of abundant flora because it takes you thru coconut groves, red cliffs and palms, but also introduces you to the village lifetime of locals residing by the lake. This tranquil lake gets its name from its eight arms or channels (ashta means eight). About 16 km long, this lake finds its thanks to the ocean through the picturesque Neendakara estuary.

One of the foremost glorious waterfalls of the state, the Palaruvi Waterfalls, meaning a stream of milk, cascades down from a height of 300 ft amidst a dense and green forest. Locals believe that the water here has Ayurvedic properties and taking a shower in it can benefit one’s body to an excellent extent. This falls is popularly mentioned as ‘white horse’s tail’ because it is narrow at the highest but widens because it reaches rock bottom . The waterfalls makes for a shocking backdrop because it flows through emerald foliage and plummets during a gush of foamy streams of water. Tourists can swim within the falls or picnic on the spot. For adventure enthusiasts, hiking to the falls are often a challenging and thrilling experience.

Nestled within the beautiful backwaters of Kollam, Munroe Island may be a hidden gem of Kerala that leaves tourists enchanted with its unparalleled beauty. Surrounded by the serene Ashtamudi Lake and Kallada river, the island offers amazing views of verdant coconut plantations. the simplest thanks to enjoy the tranquillity of the island is to require a canoe ride through the narrow canals of the backwaters. The ride takes you thru tiny hamlets located along the backwaters and provides a glimpse of the lifestyle of villagers. the simplest rides are those taken during early morning and evening because they provide you an opportunity to witness ethereal sunrises and sunsets. The authentic food joints located at the island provide tempting delicacies made up of copra oil . The island is additionally famous for hosting the Kallada race , which is held here during the 10-day long Onam festival. The island has been named after Resident Colonel John Munroe of the previous princely state of Travancore who is credited for integrating several backwater regions by digging canals. The island is found on the outskirts of the town and makes for an excellent at some point trip.

If you’re visiting Thenmala, a ship ride through the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary tops the list of things to try to to . Home to variety of species like elephants, tigers, bison, leopards, lion-tailed macaques, Nilgiri langurs, sambar, wild boar, deer et al. , the sanctuary is found at a distance of 66 km from Kollam. the simplest thanks to explore the sanctuary is thru a jungle safari. you’ll also trek along designated paths within the sanctuary and camp near the reservoir. you’ll also head to the Kurumthotti Top Hut, from where you’ll spot wildlife easily. Staying overnight are often an exciting experience together can sleep to the sounds of nocturnals in the dark .

An artificial lake formed by Parappar Dam over Kulathupuzha, Kazhuthurutty and Shendurney rivers is additionally worth a visit together can get sweeping and scenic views of the environment . The sanctuary has also gained archeological importance in recent times after a cave dating back to the Mesolithic Age was discovered within the forest. cover a neighborhood of 172 sq km, the Shendurney forest was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1984.

Shendurney was the cradle of 1 of the oldest river valley civilisations in India – one older than even the Indus Valley, which dates from 4400 – 3700 BC. Paintings, almost like those of the Mesolithic period (5210 – 4420 BC) found within the caves of Central India, are excavated from a cave, large enough to carry 20 people, situated at the north-western a part of the Shendurney river.

With Sree Venkatachalapathy because the presiding deity, the temple was built by Gowda Saraswat Brahmins who hailed from the state of Karnataka but had settled in Kerala. However, the temple’s architecture has similarity with those in Tamil Nadu , and not Kerala. The deities within the temple are placed on three steps. On either side of the principle deity, Sree Venkatachalapathy, are placed the idols of Goddess Laxmi Devi and Goddess Bhumi Devi on the primary step. The second step is graced with the Utsav moorthy of Varadaraja with Laxmi Devi and Bhumi Devi on either sides. The third step has two samputas containing salagramas. Inside the temple are smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman, Guru Swamy and Naga devta. inbuilt 1822 AD, the temple is found near the District Collectorate.

Thangassery is drenched colonial charm with its narrow streets lined with gorgeous churches, forts and lighthouses. Its serene beaches and swaying grooves of palm and coconut trees lend this tiny port town a scenic beauty that draws tourists from all parts of the country. the long-lasting Thangassery lighthouse standing 144 ft tall is that the most prominent structure of the town and may be seen over 13 miles stumped . The Thangassery Beach is roofed with silver sand and stretches up to three km. The beach is dotted with tall palm trees and popular tourist activities include deep sea fishing, surfing, speedboat riding and catamaran riding. Tourists should also head to St Thomas Fort, which was built by the Portuguese in 1518. The remains of the fort leave tourists fascinated with colonial architecture and rustic charm. Tourists should also visit the historic Infant Jesus Cathedral, which was built by the Portuguese in 1614 and still stands as a testament to the colonial past of Thangassery. The port city was once a British enclave referred to as Dutch Quilon and served as a crucial trade centre. During British era, the village used gold as its currency giving it the name Thangassery, which suggests gold village in local parlance. Thangassery is found at a distance of 5 km from Kollam.

Thenmala prides itself as India’s first planned eco-tourism site. it’s 10 eco-tourism spots that cover the good hill ranges of Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta and Kollam districts. Home to a spread of deer like spotted deer, lawn deer and sambar, it’s a well-liked picnic spot. A rehearse the forest isn’t only a peaceful experience but also introduces you to an enormous sort of trees present within the region. the gorgeous statue of a deer named Krishna makes for a pleasant photography spot. The park also houses a couple of tree top huts and a Deer Rehabilitation Centre, where various species of deer are bred. There’s also a recreational area with various swings and slides for youngsters . The word ‘thenmala’ translates into a honey hill and it’s believed that honey collected here is of premium quality thanks to the region’s biological composition. the simplest time to go to Thenmala is between the months of December and February.

A stunning houseboat tour through the calm waters of the Ashtamudi Lake takes you to the majestic Thevally Palace, which was once the residence of the king of Travancore. a mix of Portuguese, British and Dutch architecture, the palace speaks volumes about the fantastic past of the princely reign. Nestled amidst coconut groove and palm trees, it boasts picturesque surroundings which will be enjoyed from the highest of the building. it’s also an engineering marvel and has been plastered using laterite and lime to stay the interiors cool during the summer season. The palace was constructed between 1811 and 1819 during the rule of Gauri Parvathy Bai, queen of Travancore. it had been used for conducting meetings of the rulers with British officials. Legend has it that the palace was witness to the gorgeous romance of a British official and an area woman. While British man lived across the palace, the lady resided within the palace. it’s believed that the 2 lovers communicated through a dog, in whose memory, a monument was raised within the Thevally Palace.

The crystal clear waters and golden sand of this unspoilt beach draw tourists trying to find a peaceful and refreshing experience. Undoubtedly, Kollam’s hottest beach, Thirumullavaram is your best bet to witness breathtaking views of sunrise and sunset. Around one-and-a-half kilometre into the ocean is Nyarazhcha Para or the Sunday Rock, which may be a rock floating on water, and may be seen from the beach when water recedes during low water . Not-to-be-missed is that the Mahavishnu Temple where Lord Vishnu is worshipped because the presiding deity. Located on the outskirts of Kollam, this secluded beach is one among the safest beaches. The low tides at the beach allow children to swim and fiddle the water making it a perfect place to enjoy a vacation.