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Tourist Attractions in Kollam |
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Tourist
Attractions in Kollam
The major tourist attraction in Kollam are the Thangasseri
Beach, the Thirumullavaram Beach, Ariankavu, Palaruvi
waterfall, Sasthamkotta, Kulathupuzha, Ochira and Mayyanad. |
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Ariankavu
Ariankavu is situated about 70 kms from Kollam on the Kollam –
Shenkottai road. Ariankavu is famous for the shrine dedicated
to Lord Sastha. The main festivals which are celebrated in the
month of December are Mandala Pooja and Trikalyanam. |
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Thenmala
Thenmala is situated about 66 kms. east of Kollam. The
area is covered by the dense forest, rubber and tea
plantations. An ecotourism development project is under
implementation here. Thenmala is also a dam site.
Picnic
Village |
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The Picnic Village is located at
Ashramam, along the backwater front and is the main centre of
recreational activities in Kollam. The tourist complex has a
200 year old Government Guest House, an Adventure Park, a
Tourist Boat Club, a Children’s Traffic Park and a Yatri Niwas. |
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Palaruvi Waterfalls
Palaruvi means the milky stream. The Palaruvi waterfalls makes
its way down the rocks, from a height of 300 feet. The
Palaruvi wood is a beautiful picnic spot.
Kulathupuzha
Kulathupuzha is situated on a forest range on the
Thiruvananthapuram – Shenkottai road. Kulathupuzha is known
for the Sastha temple. The most important festival is the
Vishnu Mahotsavam which is celebrated in the month of April
and May.
Thirumullavaram Beach
Thirumullavaram Beach is situated about 6 kms from Kollam.
This secluded beach is a beautiful picnic centre and has
frequent bus connections to the town.
Sasthamkotta
The ancient Sastha temple which lends its name to the
Sasthamkotta town, is an important pilgrim centre. The vast
fresh water lake in Sasthamkotta is surrounded by the hills on
three sides and the largest of its kind in Kerala. |
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Thangasseri Beach |
Thangasseri Beach
The Thangasseri beach is situated about 5 kms from Kollam.
This seaside village of historic importance has the ruins of
an old Portuguese fort, churches and bungalows built in the
18th century. This beach also has a Thangasseri lighthouse
which is 144 feet high. Its power light is visible upto 29 km. |
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Ochira
Ochira is the famous pilgrim centre located about 34 kms. from
the Kollam town. The unique feature of this famous pilgrim
centre is that there is no deity or idol at the famous
Parabrahma temple dedicated to universal consciousness. The
two main annual festivals are Ochira Kali which is celebrated
in mid June and the twelve day Pantharandu Vilakku which is
celebrated in November and December. Ochira Kali is a mock
fight enacted between groups of men dressed like warriors on
the battle field. They perform a martial dance, standing in
knee-deep water, with swords and shields and water in every
direction.
Mayyanad
Mayyanad is known for its shrines and temples. The Subramanya
temple at Umayanallor is the most important temple among the
nine temples. This shrine is said to have been consecrated by
the great Hindu philosopher Sree Sankaracharya. |
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Rameshwara Temple
The Rameshwara temple shows Pandyan influence in its
designs and has inscriptions in Tamil, belonging from
12th to 16th centuries. The Vyala monster sculptures in
the temple gives one the impression that the creatures
are animated and
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actually climbing up the stairs
with their outstretched paws. |
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Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple
Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple is situated on the
Thiruvananthapuram - Kottayam MC Road. This temple is an
excellent example of the rock cut temple architecture. |
