Kollam

Travel to Kollam: History, Geography and Attractions

Kollam (Quilon) is the headquarters of Kollam district and one of the most picturesque cities in Kerala. The city is known for cashew processing and coir manufacturing. It is the southern gateway to the backwaters of Kerala and is therefore an important tourist destination.

History of Kollam

The city of Kollam has been known by many different names that have changed frequently over time. It is associated with names such as Desinganadu, Kollam and Quilon. Since the time of the Phoenicians and Romans, this port city has maintained an important reputation as a centre of trade.

Ibn Battuta considered Kollam one of the five major ports involved in trade with China. From ancient times, the rulers of Kollam and China exchanged embassies, which helped the city flourish as a settlement with strong commercial links with China.

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a trading centre in Kollam in 1502. They were followed by the Dutch and then the British in 1795. A British garrison was stationed in Kollam under a treaty between Travancore and the British.

During the rule of Velu Thampi Dalawa of Travancore, the city underwent many changes. New bazaars were constructed and merchants from Madras and Thirunelveli were invited to settle here. Later, Kollam became the capital of the enlightened and liberal rulers of Desinganad.

As an administrative unit, the city flourished in 1835, when the state of Travancore consisted of two revenue divisions headquartered at Kollam and Kottayam. In 1949, when Travancore and Cochin were integrated, Kollam was one of the three revenue divisions of the state. These three revenue divisions were later converted into districts.

The later history of Kollam is intertwined with the rivalry between the Portuguese, Dutch and British for control over the trade routes of the Indian Ocean and the region's raw materials. The Malayalam era is calculated from the foundation of Kollam in the ninth century.

Geography of Kollam

The geographical coordinates of Kollam are 9°28′45″N and 76°28′0″E. The district covers an area of 2,492 km² and ranks seventh in the state in terms of area.

The district is bounded by Alappuzha district to the north, Pathanamthitta district to the northeast, Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu to the east, Thiruvananthapuram district to the south and the Arabian Sea to the west.

The Kallada and Ithikkara rivers flow through the district. Shasthamkotta Lake is the only major freshwater lake in the state. The other two important lakes are Ashtamudi Lake and Paravur Kayal. Edava and Nadayara lakes are partly located within this district.

The district has a tropical and humid climate, with hot summers and abundant seasonal rainfall. The summer season, from March to May, is followed by the southwest monsoon from June to September.

Tourist Attractions in Kollam

Kollam was once an important centre of international trade and remains a thriving commercial centre today. The city lies on the banks of the famous Ashtamudi Lake.

Kollam was one of the earliest centres of Christian activity in Kerala. Its popularity is reflected in the traditional proverb: “Once you see Kollam, you will never need to return home.”

The Thangassery Lighthouse, built in 1902, is one of the major attractions in Kollam. The Ananda Valleeswaram Temple attracts visitors almost every day. There are also several churches and mosques around Kollam.

Pullichira Church was established in 1700 AD. One of the oldest and most important mosques in Kollam is Chinnakkada Palli.

Mahatma Gandhi Beach and the park at Kochupilamoodu, Thirumullavaram Beach and the Ashramam picnic village are some of the important local tourist attractions in Kollam.

Mahatma Gandhi Beach is only 2 km from Kollam. It is a fascinating place for an evening walk. Thirumullavaram Beach is located about 5 km from Kollam. The sea is suitable for swimming and bathing.

Kollam is located along Ashtamudi Lake, which is a major tourist attraction. The Traffic Children's Park, designed by NATPAC, is also worth visiting. It is the largest traffic park in Kerala.

The Adventure Park, located in Kollam town along the banks of the Ashtamudi backwaters, is another interesting place to visit.

How to Reach Kollam

By Air

The nearest airport to Kollam is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, which is approximately 72 km from Kollam / Quilon.

By Train

Kollam is connected by rail with several major cities in Kerala as well as other parts of India.

By Road

Kollam / Quilon is well connected by road with many tourist centres in Kerala as well as other parts of India.

Food in Kollam

The food available in Kollam is quite similar to what you would find in other cities of Kerala. Hotels and restaurants in Kollam generally serve traditional South Indian meals, Chinese food, Italian food and sometimes regional dishes from other states of India.

Chicken and mutton are popular choices for non-vegetarian visitors to Kollam. Seafood such as cooked sea fish, fried sea fish and crab curry are also highly popular dishes in local restaurants.

Rice and dal, roti and sabji, various types of dosa, sambar and idli are some of the commonly available vegetarian dishes in Kollam restaurants.

Hotels in Kollam

• Fragrant Nature Resort, Kollam
• The Beach Orchid, Kollam