KOLLAM

THE CASHEW CAPITAL

Kollam is the
nerve-centre of the
country’s cashew trading and
processing industry. The cashew
industry in Kollam boasts of a legacy of a
century of cashew nut export. It was in 1920 that the
first batch of cashews was exported from the country, from
Kollam to the USA. History has it that it was in the same year that
the first factory was set up in Kollam to start the commercial processing of
cashew nuts. What began as a small scale industry grew in leaps and bounds and
Kollam is now a major trade centre for cashew in the country. Cashew continues to be
exported to countries such as the USA, the UK, Netherlands, the UAE, France, Canada,
Italy, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Japan and so on. Kollam is the ideal place to see the
cashew industry at close quarters and take home good quality dry fruit.

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Contents
KOLLAM BEACH 01 - 03

3600 VIDEOS 31
VIDEO GALLERY 32 - 35
PHOTO GALLERY 36 - 45
 KOLLAM
1

KOLLAM BEACH
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 KOLLAM
2
With its glorious stretch of gold-
en sand and azure waters, Kollam
beach is the quintessential beach des-
tination for travellers. The magnificent
Arabian Sea that stretches unendingly to
the horizon makes for a beautiful, dreamy
sight. Aesthetics apart, this beach has its
share of archaic grandeur too.

It was once a major centre of trade when it was a busy, active harbour that attracted Chinese
ships. You can see remnants of the glorious past in the form of Chinese fishing nets, Chinese
water pots, and sampans. The place is important considering the maritime history of Kerala,
and once you are here, you can embark on a cultural and historical journey into the past.

If, on the other hand, observing and understanding the local lifestyle is your choice, walk along
the coast and explore the nearby fishing hamlets for a taste of the present. If entertainment is
your priority, Kollam beach is rich in that department too. An array of beach activities are on
offer here. The park near the beach offers many thrilling rides for kids. Also known as Mahat-
ma Gandhi Beach, it is frequented by locals and foreigners alike

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KOLLAM BEACH

KOLLAM
3
Getting there: The nearest railway station is Kollam, about 3 km away.
The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 70 km away.

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 KOLLAM
4

PUNALUR
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Punalur is located near the
eastern border of Kollam district
and the banks of the Kallada River. It
is also the largest hill city in India. Situated
on the Kollam – Shencottah - Thenkasi
highway near the state border, this town
is the main transit point for goods from
South Kerala to Tamil Nadu.

The highlight of Punalur’s tourism is the hanging bridge, the only one-of-its-kind in South
India, which is also called the London Bridge of Kerala. The picturesque Kallada River in
Punalur also draws many visitors. As Punalur is a stopover for Sabarimala pilgrims, the
Department of Tourism has constructed a bathing ghat on the shores of the Kallada to
provide food and accommodation facilities to the pilgrims.

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PUNALUR

KOLLAM
6
Getting there: Punalur railway station is located on the Kollam-Madurai railway
route, and is well connected to Kollam.
The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, located about 75 km away.

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 KOLLAM
7

SHENDURNEY
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY www.keralatourism.org
 KOLLAM
8
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary,
the only wildlife sanctuary in
Kollam, is part of the Agasthyamala
Biosphere Reserve. The sanctuary owes
its name to the endemic plant species,
Gluta travancorica, locally known as
Cherukurinji. Situated on the southern part
of the Western Ghats, this sanctuary is set amidst luxurious greenery, and is acclaimed
for its rich biodiversity. The terrain is mostly covered by tropical evergreen and semi-
evergreen forests. The endangered Lion-tailed Macaque can be seen in these
forests. The rare Great Eared Nightjar has also been spotted here. Idimuzhanganpara,
Pallivasal, Rockwood, Kurunthottivalavu, and Lake View and Kalamkunnu are the five
camping sites in the sanctuary.

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SHENDURNEY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

KOLLAM
9
Getting there: The nearest railway station to the sanctuary is Shencottah (Tamil
Nadu), about 15 km away.
The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, which is about 53 km away.

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 KOLLAM 10

THENMALA
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 KOLLAM 11
Thenmala (view video) is another
attraction for those who love to ex-
plore Nature. This is the first planned
eco-tourism destination in India. The
lush green terrain of Thenmala, dotted
with forests and rubber plantations, was
selected by the World Tourism Organisation
as one of the best eco-friendly tourism proj-
ects. It spreads over ten eco-tourism spots that cover the hill ranges of Thiruvanantha-
puram, Pathanamthitta and Kollam districts.

Eco-tourism programmes are developed through the combined efforts of Kerala Forest
Department and a committee of local communities who are dependent on forests.

Trekking, boating, tenting, bird watching, mountain biking, rock climbing, rappelling
and river crossing are some of the activities in store for adventure enthusiasts. Apart
from these, Thenmala also has a leisure zone with winding pathways, a sway bridge, a
sculpture garden, a boardwalk, a culture zone with an amphitheatre, and a musical
fountain. There is also a deer rehabilitation centre nearby, which is ideal for informational
and recreational tours.

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THENMALA

KOLLAM 12
Getting there: The nearest railway station is Shencottah, which is about 29 km
from Thenmala.
The nearest airport, Trivandrum International Airport, is about 72 km away.

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 KOLLAM 13

ALUMKADAVU
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 KOLLAM 14
When the smell of fresh coir
seeps into your nostrils, you can be
sure you have entered a quaint little
village named Alumkadavu in Karunag-
apally, Kerala. The place is famous as the
birthplace of Kettuvallam (traditional barge
with overarching roof) that adorns the languid
backwaters of God’s Own Country. If you are in luck, you can see Kettuvallams being
constructed using wood and coir fibers. The boat manufacturing unit is believed to have
been set up here 18 years ago. To spend an idyllic holiday, head to Alumkadavu, a perfect
spot to relax in the splendour of backwaters in Kerala.

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ALUMKADAVU

KOLLAM 15
Getting there: Alight at Karunagapally, the nearest railway station, about 5 km
away.
The nearest airport is the Trivandrum International Airport, about 95 km away.

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 KOLLAM 16

AYIRAMTHENGU
MANGROVE FOREST www.keralatourism.org
 KOLLAM 17
The Ayiramthengu Mangrove
forest is a lush green haven that
supports a diverse variety of aquatic
and terrestrial creatures. It is situat-
ed in Kollam district in Kerala. The State
Fisheries Department maintains this
dynamic ecosystem which was restored from
the brink of extinction a few years ago. Amidst the abundant red mangroves, the rare
Lumnitzera Racemosa species of mangroves can also be found here. The forest also
serves as a nesting ground for a variety of migratory birds.

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 KOLLAM 18
18
Getting there: Oachira and Kayamkulam junction are the nearest railway stations,
about 7 and 11 km away, respectively.
The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 104 km away.

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 KOLLAM 19

JATAYUPARA
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 KOLLAM 20
Jatayupara is a hillock in
Chadayamangalam, Kollam that
features a stunningly colossal statue
of Jatayu. Popular belief has it that the
vulture-king mentioned in the epic
Ramayana fell on this rocky hill when Ravana
sliced off its wing during an aerial combat as
Jatayu tried to prevent the abduction of Sita. Considered the world’s largest bird sculp-
ture, it has a rock theme park and an adventure centre for sports enthusiasts. The 60 ft.
tall, 150 ft. broad and 200 ft. long figure of the fallen bird stands as a symbol of valour
and sacrifice. The Jatayu Earth’s Center offers a bird’s eye view from 1000 ft. above sea
level.

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JATAYUPARA

KOLLAM 21
Getting there: The nearest railway station is Kollam, about 38 km away.
The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 51 km away.

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 KOLLAM 22

MUNROE
ISLAND www.keralatourism.org
 KOLLAM 23
Munroe Island is located about
27 km from Kollam town. The
island, formed by the backwaters of
the Ashtamudi Lake and Kallada River,
is known for its mangrove forests and
lagoons. The place is named in honour
of Resident Colonel John Munroe, a native
of Scotland, who served as the Diwan of Travancore. Munroe Island is composed of a
cluster of eight islands, each of them separated by small water channels and lakes. This
quaint island offers a tranquil setting where you can spend a relaxed and idyllic holiday.

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MUNROE ISLAND

KOLLAM 24
Getting there: The nearest railway station is Munroturuttu, about 3 km away.
The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 84 km away.

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 KOLLAM 25

PALARUVI
WATERFALL www.keralatourism.org
 KOLLAM 26
The picturesque Palaruvi Waterfall
is situated amidst a dense patch
of tropical forest in Kollam. As its
name suggests, the waterfall resembles
a milky stream gushing down a rocky
terrain. The stream traces its course through
a range of medicinal plants and herbs in the
forest that are known to have therapeutic properties. The site of the waterfall serves as a
perfect picnic spot with the surrounding lush green forest. It offers a view of the pictorial
hazy blue mountains, and provides a chance for a refreshing dip in the waters.

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PALARUVI WATERFALL

KOLLAM 27
Getting there: The nearest railway station is Kollam, about 75 km away.
The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 72 km from Kollam
town.

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 KOLLAM 28

THANGASSERI
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 KOLLAM 29
Thangasseri, locally known as
‘gold village,’ was once a flourish-
ing trade centre. Vestiges of many
old European influences can still be
seen in many parts of the area. This sea-
side town was called ‘Dutch Quilon’ by the
British. It is a historically significant location
that now shelters the remnants of an old Portuguese fort and churches. The famed
lighthouse here, which was built in 1902, stands 144 ft. high. The top of the lighthouse
offers a breathtaking view of the entire town and the adjacent sea.

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THANGASSERI

KOLLAM 30
Getting there: The nearest railway station is Kollam junction, about 3 km away.
The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 59 km away.

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3600 videos

KOLLAM 31
MUNROE ISLAND

KAPPIL BEACH

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 video GALLERY

KOLLAM 32
EXPLORE KOLLAM

PRESIDENT’S TROPHY
BOAT RACE @ KOLLAM

SAGA OF KOLLAM

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 KOLLAM 33
KOLLAM -
HOME OF CELEBRATED
ASHTAMUDI LAKE

TOP 5 PLACES TO
VISIT IN KOLLAM

ASRAMAM
ADVENTURE PARK,
KOLLAM

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 KOLLAM 34
THRIKADAVOOR
KETTUKAZHCHA

WATERSPORTS AT
ASHTAMUDI
BACKWATERS

A DAY @
THENMALA
ECOTOURISM

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 KOLLAM 35
THANGASSERI

AYIRAMTHENGU

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PHOTO GALLERY

KOLLAM 36

Thangasseri www.keralatourism.org
PHOTO GALLERY

KOLLAM 37

Punalur www.keralatourism.org
PHOTO GALLERY

KOLLAM 38

Asramam
Adventure Park www.keralatourism.org
PHOTO GALLERY

KOLLAM 39

Shendurney Wildlife
Sanctuary www.keralatourism.org
PHOTO GALLERY

KOLLAM 40

Thenmala www.keralatourism.org
PHOTO GALLERY

KOLLAM 41

Alumkadavu www.keralatourism.org
PHOTO GALLERY

KOLLAM 42

Ayiramthengu
Mangrove Forest www.keralatourism.org
PHOTO GALLERY

KOLLAM 43

Jatayupara www.keralatourism.org
PHOTO GALLERY

KOLLAM 44

Munroe
Island www.keralatourism.org
PHOTO GALLERY

KOLLAM 45

Palaruvi
Waterfall www.keralatourism.org
THANK
YOU

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