Travel and Tourism of Kollam District

About Travel and Tourism of Kollam District

Achencoil

Situated about 80 kms from Punalur, Achencoil has the famous Sastha temple amidst dense forests. The idol of Sastha is supposed to have been installed several centuries before the Christian era. The Mandala Pooja (December-January) and the Ravathi festival (January-February) are the two important festivals of the temple. The Therotam (Chariot festival) and the Pushpabhishekam (offering of flowers) are the special features of the festivals.

Anchal

Anchal is known for its cattle market twice a month. The Mudi festival of the Bhagavathy temple here is conducted once every 12 years.

Aryankavu

Being an important trade route for merchants from either side of the Western Ghats, Aryankavu is one of the important pilgrim centres of the district. It has a Shrine dedicated to Lord Sastha. The temple has some fine sculptures and mural paintings. Palaruvi meaning the river of milk is situated near Aryankavu. It is one of the well-known waterfalls in south India, falling from a height of 300 feet.

Chavara

Chavara boasts of exporting thousands of tonnes of mineral sand to various countries. The Koilthottam port is situated within the limits of Chavara panchayat. There are four major industrial establishments such as the Indian Rare Earths, the Kerala Premopipe factory, the Kerala Minerals and Metals and the Titanium complex. In Kottamkulangara temple, Thalappoli Mahotsavom is celebrated which involves offerings of lighted lamps in decorated small pans. The interesting feature of the festival is that men dress themselves as women and carry lamps.

Karunagappally

Situated at 27 kms north of Kollam, the Karunagappally has a mini civil station. The Padayanarkulangara, which forms part of the town, was once the military station of the Kayamkulam Rajas. The Krishnapuram Palace has an idol of Buddha, recovered from a local tank here. There are also a temple dedicated to Lord Siva, two old mosques and a Church.

Kottarakkara

Being the capital of Elayadathu Swarupam of the Travancore Royal Family, Kottarakkara is the headquarters of Kottarakkara Taluk. The town also boasts of the birth of the internationally famous dance drama Kathakali. It flourished under the patronage of Raja of Kottarakkara who lived in the first half of the 19th century. Kottarakkara also has a very old temple dedicated to Lord Ganapathy and a church.

Neendakara

Neendakara is the headquarters of the Indo-Norweigian 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.