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Kollam or Quilon, an old sea
port town on the Arabian coast , stands on the Ashtamudi lake. Kollam , the erstwhile Desinganadu, had a sustained commercial
reputation from the days of the Phoenicians and the Romans. Fed by the Chinese trade, it was regarded by Ibn Batuta, as one
of the five ports , which he had seen in the course of his travels during a period of twenty four years, in the 14th century.
 The rulers of Kollam (Desinganadu) and China , exchange embassies and there was flourishing Chinese settlement at Kollam.
Merchant Sulaiman of Siraf in Persia ( 9th Century) found Kollam to be the only port in India , touched by the huge Chinese
junks , on his way from Carton of Persian Gulf. Marco Polo, the great Venician traveller, who was in Chinese service under
Kublahan in 1275, visited Kollam and other towns on the west coast, in his capacity as a Chinese mandarin.
The Portuguese
were the first Europeans to establish a trading center at Kollam in 1502. Then came the Dutch followed by the British in 1795.
A British garrison was stationed at Kollam in pursuance of a treaty between Travancore and the British.
Velu Thampi
Dalawa of Travancore, did much for the improvement of the Kollam town. He build new bazaars and invited merchants from
Madras and Thirunelveli to settle here. Kollam later became the capital of the enlightened and liberal rulers of Desinganad.
Once a city of palaces, Kollam has been known to the outside world, by the time honoured proverb, "Once you have seen
Kollam you would no more need your illam (Home)"
The history of the district as an administrative unit can be traced
back to 1835,when the Travancore state consisted of two revenue divisions with headquarters at Kollam and Kottayam. At the
time of the integrating of Travancore and Cochin in 1949,Kollam was one of the three revenue divisions in the state. These
three revenue divisions were converted into districts. Shencottah taluk was merged with Madras state consequent on the implementation
of the state Reorganisation Act of 1956.
When Alappuzha district was formed in 1957, Cherthala, Ambalapuzha, Mavelikkara,
Karthikappally. Chenganuur and Thiruvalla Taluks were united to the new district. When Pathanamthitta district was formed
on 1st July 1983, the entire Pathanamthitta Taluk and nine villages of Kunnathur Taluk of the district were also removed.
Now the district has a single revenue division with headquarters at Kollam. Pathanapuram, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara, Karunagappally
and Kollam are the five taluks in the district.
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 K ollam town, the headquarters of Kollam district and Kollam taluk, has a hoary past. It was an
international emporium of trade and even now it is a prosperous commercial centre. It is situated about 71 Kms. north
of Thiruvavanathapuram and is linked by rail, road and backwater transport.
 The town edges with the famous Ashtamudi lake. Many a foreign traveler has visited Kollam in early medieval period.
It was one of the early centres of Christian activity in Kerala. It is said that the present town of Kollam was built
by the Syrian Merchant; Sapir Iso, in the 9th Century A.D. The popularity of Kollam has been established by the time
honoured proverb once you see Kollam, you will not need home any more. Kollam is an important commercial, industrial and trading
centre. It is also the headquarters of Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation.
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 The 144 ft. Thangassery Light House, built in 1902, is a centre of attraction. The Ananda Valleswaram Temple here, attracts
people on almost all days. There are several Churches and Mosques in and around Kollam. The Pullichira Church
was established in 1700 A.D. One of the oldest and most important Mosques in the Chinnakkada Palli. The Thangal
Kunju Musliar College of Engineering, the first of its kind in the private sector in the state, is at Kilikolloor, about
7 Kms. east of Kollam town.
Mahatma Gandhi beach & park at Kochupilamoodu, Thirumullavaram beach and Ashramam picnic
Village, are some of the important spots of local sight seeing, Mahatma Gandhi beach lies just 2 Kms. from the town.
It is fascinating place for an evening.  Thirumullawaram Beach is 5 kms. from the town. The sea here is ideal for swimming and bathing. Asramam picnic
village is located in the 48 acre Guest House Complex. This is the centre of various tourism development activities
of the district.
The Government Guest House here is 200 years old. It stands along Ashtamudi lake and is a major attraction for its
elegance rates. The adventure park, located in the shores of the Ashtamudi backwaters, is a novel experiment in the country.
Different types of boats, including luxury cruise boats, power boats and motor boats, are available on hire from the boat
jetty near to the Adventure Park. A budget hotel for tourists, Yatri Nivas, run by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation,
is also located in this village. The village is just 2 kms. away from the town.
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Achankovil |
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Situated about 80 kms from Punalur is an important pilgrim center. The Sastha temple
here, situated amidst dense forest. The idol of Sastha is supposed to have been installed several centuries before the Christian
Era. The two important festivals of this temple are Mandala Pooja (December-January) and the festival held at 'Revathi'(January-February).
The two notable features of the festival are the Therotam (chariot festival) and Pushpabhishekam (offering of flowers). In
no other temple of the South India are flowers offered to the deity so lavishly as at Achencoil.
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Alumkadavu located at 26 Kms from Kollam City and on the lakeside of Kollam-Alappuzha
National Water Way. The "Green Channel Back Water Resort" at Alumkadavu makes itself a tranquil location for both foreign
and Indian Tourists. The scenic beauty of blue green stretches of serene back water and rambling gardens of hundreds of coconut
palms give the Green Channel Resort an incomparable beauty.
Apart from providing tasty Kerala/North Indian/Chinese dishes the resort offers excellent facilities
like comfortable accommodation, Back Water Cruise, visit to Matha Amritanandamayi Asramam, which is only 4 KM away, House
Boats, Ayurvedic treatment for rejuvenation of body by qualified and experienced Ayurvedic Practioner, canal tour with the
unique opportunities to experience the true village life and do fishing leisurely. |
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AMRITAPURI |
  Amritapuri located at 110 kms from capital of Kerala. Amritapuri is the realisation of the
ancient Indian ideal "the whole world is one family" (vasudhaiva kutumbakam). By bus or train: Kayamkulam (12 km north of
Amritapuri) and Karunagappally (10 km south) are the major cities to reach. By air and taxi: The two closest airports are
in Trivandrum (110 km south of Amritapuri) and in Cochin (140 km north).
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Situated 13 kms south of Punalur, Anchal is known for its cattle market held twice
a month. The Mudi festival of the Bhagavathy temple here, conducted once every 12 years, attract huge gatherings.
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Situated about 73 kms east of Kollam is one of the important pilgrim centers of the district.
From very early days, it was an important trade route for merchants from either sides of western Ghats. The chief attraction
of Aryankavu is the shrine dedication of Lord Sastha. The temple has some fine sculptures and mural paintings. Thousands of
pilgrims flocks of this temple during the Mandala Pooja in December. All trains towards Shencottah have a stop at Aryankavu.
About 5 kms away from Aryankavu there is a big waterfall known as Palaravi meaning river of milk. It is one of the well-known
waterfalls in the south India, falling from a height of 300 feet. It is situated 66kms from Kollam on Kollam-Shencottah road.
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Chavara is situated 14 kms north of Kollam on the Kollam-Alappuzha road. Thousands of tonnes of mineral sand are exported
from Chavara to various countries. The Kovilthottam port is situated within the limits of Chavara Panchayat. Four major industrial
establishments 1.Indian Rare Earths 2.The kerala Premo Pipe factory 3.Kerala Mineral and Metal factory 4.Titanium Complex
are in Chavara.
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Jetayu Para, a huge rock, is another attraction in Kollam district. This huge rock is
in the Chadayamangalam village on the M.C road. The name comes from the epic Ramayana. It is believed that Jatayu, the giant
bird in the epic, fell after failing in its attempt to spot Ravana from taking sita away. The rock is ideal for trekking by
the lovers of adventure. The rock can be seen from the Chadayamangalam junction. itself.
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Karunagappally is situated 27 kms north of Kollam. It is linked with Kollam by
rail and road. There is a mini civil station at Karunagappally .Padanayarkulangara, which forms part of the town, was once
the military station at Kayamkulam Rajas. An idol of Buddha, recovered from a local tank here, is now preserved in the Krishnapuram
palace the headquarters of Kayamkulam Rajas situated north of Oachira. The town has a temple dedicated to Lord Siva, two old
mosques and a mar Thomas Church.
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Kottarakkara is the headquarters of Kottarakkara Taluk. It is linked by both rail and
road, a distance of 27 kms. It was once the capital of Elayadathu Swarupam, a principality ruled by a branch of the Travancore
Royal Family. The internationally famous dance drama-Kath kali had its small beginning in this town and it flourished under
the patronage of Raja of Kottarakkara.
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Kulathupuzha is situated on the Thiruvannathapuram - Sencottah road and is 10 kms south
of Tenmala railway station. It is and important forest range, well known for its elephants. Reed, an essential raw materials
for paper manufacture at Punalur Paper mill, is partly supplied from Kulathupuzha valley.
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Kundara is linked with Kollam by rail and road, a distance of 18 kms. Large deposit
of china clay discovered here, helped in the establishment of the Government Ceramics.
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The main attraction of Kunnicode, situated 10 kms west pf Punalur ,is Pachilakunnu a
small hillock where a Muslim saint is said to have breathed his last.
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Mayyanadu,10 kms south of Kollam is noted for its shrines and temples. The most important
temple is the one at Umayanallor, dedicated to Lord Subramanian. The shrine is said to have been consecrated by Shri. Sankaracharya
of Kaladi. Besides the temples, there are three churches and a Mosque. Cotton weaving and oil pressing are the main occupation
in the village.
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Situated about 8 kms north of Kollam , Neendakara is the Headquarters of the Indo-Norwegian Fisheries Community project,
which was established in 1953.The important institutions under this project are the boat building yard at Sakthikulangara
the Fisherman's Training Institute, the ice factory and the refrigeration Plant. Neendakara Port, the hub of fishing activities
is here.
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Situated ,32 kms north of Kollam on the Kollam Alappuzha National Highway and on the boundary of Kollam district, Oachira
is a unique pilgrim center. The peculiarity of the temple here is that there is no temple building as such nor is there any
idol. All classes of people workship the presiding deity the parabrahmam. Oachira draws thousands of Pilgrims for Oachirakkali,
a festival held annually in June. It is also an important handicraft center where fancy articles of screw pine mats are manufactured.
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The famous waterfall in Kollam District is situated at Palaruvi near Aryankavu, Kollam - Sencottah NH 208. Season
to visit the places is from June to January.
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Paravur is an important fishing and coir production center. It is situated 13 kms south of Kollam and is connected
with Kollam town by rail and road. It is the birth place of K.C.Kesavan Pillai(1865-1913) and Kesava Asan(1869-1917) ,two
leading literary men of eminence.
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An important trading center on the banks of the Kallada river, Pathanapuram is 13 kms
away from Punalur. The Chandanakkudam mahotsavam of the mosque there, celebrated every year in February-March atrtacts thousands
of devotees.
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Pattazi is the seat of an ancient temple, dedicated to Bhagavathy. The Mudi is the major
festival of this temple.
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Punalur is one of the important industrial centers of kerala. It is 45 kms from Kollam on the Kollam-Shencotta railway
line and is also linked with Kollam by road. The Suspension bridge accross the Kallada river erected in 1877,is the only one
of its kind in south India and it is 400 ft long. A concrete bridge has been constructed near by and now the suspension
bridge is only of archaeological interest. Punalur is the head Quarters of Pathanapuram Taluk.
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Sasthamcottah is an attractive village situated about 19 kms. from Kollam Town.
It is a beauty spot, a health resort and a centre of pilgrimage. The extensive freshwater lake here, is said to be the
biggest of its kind in Kerala. Water supply to the Kollam town is met by purifying the water from this lake. Buses
are frequently operated to Sasthamcottah, which can truly be called as Queen of Lakes.
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 Thangassery is a place of historical importance situated 5 kms. away from Kollam town. The churches here are pretty
old, having been established in the 18th century. The chief attraction of the place is the light house, built in 1902.
The 144 ft. light house stands as a sentinel, warning seamen of the treacherous reefs of Thangassery. The construction
of a fishing harbour is in progress. Thangassery was an enclave of the Portuguese, Dutch and British in succession.
The remnants of the Portuguese and Dutch forts still exits.
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Thazhava in Oachira block is an important center of screw pine mat industry. An
Image of Buddha, discovered from a tank known as Pallikkulam near Maruthoorkulangra is one of the interesting archaeological
relics, associated with Kollam district
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Thenmala is the meeting point of Kollam-Shencottah road and Trivandrum-Shencottah road,
surrounded by dense forest, 66 kms east of Kollam. There are a large number of rubber and tea plantations in Thenmala. Timber
of all varieties are exported from here to all parts of the country. Themala Dam site is open for tourists. Eco tourists center
is situated at Thenmala. All buses passing through Kollam-Shencottah road stop at Tenmala. There is also a Railway Station
here.
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Kollam district has
a number of pilgrim centers. The temples dedicated to the Sastha at Achencoil, Aryankavu and Kulathupuzha are visited by a
large number of pilgrims. The festivals, Therottam and pushpabhishekam of Achenciol Temple fall during December - January
and January - February respectively. The Mandala Pooja of Aryankavu Temple, is in December and the Vishumahotsavam of Kulathupuzha
in April.
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Temples |
The Oachira Temple, dedicated to Parabrahamam attracts a large number of pilgrims, particularly during the festival called
Oachirakkali in June-July. The Panthranduvilakku Mhotsavam (November-December) of this temple is also very famous, Vishu Mahotsavam
(April) of SreeKrishna Swami Temple, Ashramam, Navarathri Mahostsavam (October) of Mahadeva Temple, Mukhathala, Ustavam of
Mahadeva Temple, Thrikkadavur and Bhagavathi Temp-le, Kottamkulangara, Sivarathri Festival (March) of Shiva Temple, Chittadeeswaram
and Chenamathu Temple, Chathannoor, Festival (September-October) of Veera Bhadra Nada, Astamudi, renowned for the 'Urul Nercha',
Sivarathri Mahotsavam (March) of Kashi Viswanathan at Cheriazheekal (Karunagappally Taluk) Thiruvathira Mahotsavam (April)
of Shri. Mahaganapathi Temple, Kottarakkara Attam Mahotsavam (March) of SreeBhoothanada Temple, Chathannoor are some of the
important festivals connected with temples.
The Ashtami Rohini Festival at Vadayattukotta Sree Krishna Temple also attracts huge
crowds from neighbouring places. In addition to these temples, there are Churches and Mosques which have their own festivals
attracting huge crowds, irrespective of their religious affiliation.
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Churches |
Some of the important Churches are St. Casmir's
church, Kadavur, Velankanni Matha Shrine, Tuyyam; St. Francis Church, Koduvila (kallada), Amalotbhava
Matha Church, Pullichira (Kottiyam), St. John Brotto Church, Sakthikulangara; St. Sebastian Church, Needakkara: St. Thomas
C.S.I. Church, Pattathanam and St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Sastri Junction.
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Mosques |
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Valiyapalli, Janakappuram, Juma-Atrh-Palli, Kolluvila,
Jumma-Ath-Masjid, Thattamala, NMuslim Jumma-Ath-Palli, Karuva: Kalamala Palli, Kalamala: Muthirapparambu Palli, Muthirapparambu
and Siyavathummodu Palli, Kilikolloor are the most important mosques. "
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Asramam |
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Amritapuri located at 110 kms from capital of Kerala. By bus or train: Kayamkulam (12 km north of Amritapuri) and
Karunagappally (10 km south) are the major cities to reach. By air and taxi: The two closest airports are in Trivandrum (110
km south of Amritapuri) and in Cochin (140 km north).
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