Discover 20 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Kollam (India). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Ashtamudi Lake, Tangasseri Lighthouse, and Thevally Palace. Also, be sure to include Bishop Jerome Nagar in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Kollam (Kerala).
Table of Contents
Ashtamudi Lake
Also known as: अष्टमुडी झील
Peaceful backwater lake with houseboats. Ashtamudi Lake, in the Kollam District of the Indian state of Kerala, is the most visited backwater and lake in the state. It possesses a unique wetland ecosystem and a large palm-shaped water body, second only in size to the Vembanad estuary ecosystem of the state. Ashtamudi means 'eight braids' in the local Malayalam language. The name is indicative of the lake's topography with its multiple branches. The lake is also called the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala and is well known for its houseboat and backwater resorts. Ashtamudi Wetland was included in the list of wetlands of international importance, as defined by the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands.
Along both banks of the lake and its backwater canals, coconut groves and palm trees interspersed with towns and villages are seen. Kollam, (formerly Quilon) is an important historic port city located on the right bank of the lake. Boat cruises are operated by the Kollam Boat Club from Kollam to Alappuzha providing transport access to many other towns and villages along this route. Luxury houseboats also operate on the lake. The boat journey is an 8-hour trip, winding through lakes, canals and water bound villages. Chinese fishing nets, called cheena vala in Malayalam, are used by local fisherman and are a common sight along the waterway.
The lake and the city of Kollam on its banks and the Neendakara port at the confluence offer a means of transport for the state's trade and commerce in the cashew trading and processing industry as well as the marine products industry.
The lake is the source of livelihood of many people living close by. Fishing, coconut husk retting for coir production and inland navigation services are the prominent businesses.
In 2014, the Clam Governing Council of Ashtamudi lake became the first Marine Stewardship Council certified fishery in India for their sustainable clam fishing.
The lake and the life on its shores have inspired many artists and writers. It has been the subject of many poems by the renowned poet Thirunalloor Karunakaran who was born and brought up on its banks.[1]
Tangasseri Lighthouse
Lighthouse in Kollam, India. Tangasseri Lighthouse or Thangassery Lighthouse is situated at Tangasseri in Kollam city of the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of the two lighthouses in the Kollam Metropolitan Area and is maintained by the Cochin Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships. In operation since 1902, the cylindrical lighthouse tower painted with white and red oblique bands has a height of 41 metres, making it the second tallest lighthouse in Kerala coast. Tangasseri Lighthouse is one of the most visited lighthouses in Kerala.[2]
Thevally Palace
Museum in Kollam, India. Thevally Palace or Thevalli Palace is a popular heritage Palace situated at the banks of Ashtamudi lake, in Thevally, Kollam city. It is an important historic monument in the state of Kerala in India. Thevally Palace was built in between 1811 and 1819 the reign of Gowri Parvati Bayi. It is considered as a Hallmark of Kollam City. Now the palace is used as the NCC Group Headquarters of Kollam district. The palace and its premises are now owned by PWD[3]
Bishop Jerome Nagar
Bishop Jerome Nagar is one of the largest shopping complexes in the city of Kollam in the Indian state of Kerala. It is owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon, the first Catholic Diocese in India. Bishop Jerome Nagar is one of the main centres for shopping and related activities in Kollam city. A three screen multiplex, run by G-Max Cinemas, is also there at Bishop Jerome Nagar.[4]
Address: Kollam, Downtown Kollam – 691001
Mahatma Gandhi Park
Park in Kollam, India. Mahatma Gandhi Park is a public park situated near Kollam Beach in the city of Kollam, Kerala, India. It is about 2 km away from Chinnakada - The city centre of 'Cashew Capital of the World'. It is one of the main centres of recreational activities in Kollam city. The park is owned by Kollam Municipal Corporation and is operated by Rural Tourism Development Company, a private firm, on contract for a period of five years for maintenance. 'The Quilon Beach' five star hotel is located near to this park.[5]
Address: Beach Road, Kollam
Asramam
Historical landmark in Kollam, India. The Asramam Maidanam or Ashramam Maithanam is an urban park, or maidhanam, in the city of Kollam, in Kerala, India. At 72 acres, it is the largest open space within Kerala Municipal Corporation limits. The maidan is considered one of the green lungs of the city and regularly hosts the city's main cultural and sports events. It holds an adventure park children's park, picnic village, British Residency and mangrove forests making it an important tourism spot in the city.
The Asramam maidan is the major training hub of all the driving school operators in Kollam city.[6]
Infant Jesus Cathedral
Church in Kollam, India. The Infant Jesus Cathedral is a historic Roman Catholic church established by Portuguese during 1614, situated at Tangasseri in the city of Quilon, India. It is now the cathedral i.e the Seat of the Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon, the ancient and first catholic diocese of India. The Church remains as a memento of the Portuguese rule of old Quilon city.[7]
Adventure Park
Park in Kollam, India. Asramam Adventure Park is an urban park in the core Kollam city of Kerala state. It was opened after 1980, on 48 acres of city-owned land. Located beside the Kerala's pride, backwaters of Ashtamudi, this place popularly known as Asramam Picnic Village. It is the main centre of recreational activities in Kollam city. The Kollam District Tourism Promotion Council conducts regular backwater cruises in houseboats, luxury boats and speedboats from the Boat Club. The mangroves near this park is very famous in all over India. So many endangered species of trees are surviving in the park.[8]
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Police Museum
Museum in Kollam, India. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Police Museum is a museum that traces the history and growth of the police force in India. It is located just opposite the Kollam Junction Railway Station in Kollam, India. The museum is dedicated to barrister and statesman, Vallabhbhai Patel.[9]
St Thomas Fort
Fortress in Kollam, India. Fort Thomas or St. Thomas Fort or Fortaleza da São Tomé, also known as Tangasseri Fort, is a ruined fort located in the beach town of Tangasseri on the shores of the Arabian Sea in the city of Kollam, Kerala, India. It is located around 5 kilometres from the city center of Kollam and 71 kilometres from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.[10]
Cantonment Maidan
Playground in Kollam, India. Cantonment Maidan or Peeranki Maidan or Peeringee Maidan is a historical ground in the eastern portion of Old Quilon town, near S.N College, in Kerala, India. It is closely associated with the social and political history of Kerala. It hosts the main exhibitions, party meetings and city's main cultural and sports events regularly. Vanitha Fest, Mango Fest, Kollam Bible Convention, Kerala Kaumudi Centenary Expo, various political party meets, Rallies, Cricket & Football Tournaments and other public functions are regularly taking place at Cantonment Maidan.[11]
Asramam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple
Hindu temple in Kollam, India. Asramam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is a Sreekrishna temple in the district of Kollam, Kerala, South India located on the shores of Ashtamudi Lake. Lord Krishna in the form of Navaneet Krishnan or Krishna with Butter is worshiped here. The temple sits on the top of a mount created by digging earth from a nearby place, which now forms the temple pond.
Sub-deities include Swamy Ayyappan (a separate temple building with the 18 holy steps of Sabarimala present), Naga Devatas and Navagrahas.
Kollam pooram is the culmination of a ten-day festival, normally in mid April, of Ashramam sreekrishna swamy temple[12]
Kollam Rameswaram Mahadeva Temple
Kollam Rameswaram Mahadeva Temple is located in the city of Kollam City in Kollam district. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Rameswara facing west. It is believed that Kollam Rameswaram Mahadeva Temple is one of the 108 Shiva temples of Kerala and is installed by sage Parasurama dedicated to Shiva It is one of the two Rameswaram temples in 108 Shivalaya Sothram. The Amaravila Rameshwaram Sri Mahadeva Temple is the second Rameshwaram Temple. The temple is located in the village of Amaravila in Thiruvananthapuram District.
There are two small towers in the west and north sides of the temple. There is a Copper flag mast in front of Balikkal pura at west. The main sanctum sanitorium is in rectangular shape and the shrine is decorated with beautiful stone and wood carvings. Valiyambalam and Balakalpura are common in Kerala-Dravidian style.[13]
Chinnakada Clock Tower
Historical landmark in Kollam, India. Chinnakada Clock Tower is a landmark in Kollam City in the Indian state of Kerala. In Chinnakada, the tower lies in the heart of the city, close to Kollam Junction Railway Station. As the first clock tower in the erstwhile Travancore state, it has become a non-official emblem of the city and the major landmark of Kollam.[14]
Kollam Beach
Beach in India. Kollam Beach, also known as Mahatma Gandhi Beach, is a beach at Kollam city in the Indian state of Kerala. Kollam Beach is the first 'Beach Wedding Destination' in Kerala.
The beach also features a park of international standard, the Mahatma Gandhi Park, which was inaugurated on 1 January 1961 by the then Vice President of India, Zakir Hussain. Kollam beach is one among the few beaches in Kerala with a lifeguard outpost. Lifeguards were stationed at the beach from 2005. As of July 2015 Kovalam, Kollam is one among the three beaches in south Kerala with lifeguard outposts.[15]
8 Point Art Cafe
Art gallery in Kollam, India. The Eight-point Gallery Cafe or 8 Point Art Cafe is an art gallery and cafe situated in Kollam city of Kerala, India. This is the first international standard art cafe in the city of Kollam. Eight-Point is established in a renovated heritage building, ‘Parambarya,’ inside the Asramam Picnic Village campus. Famous muralist and art director Mr. Shenley had taken the Parambarya building from Kollam DTPC for five years to set-up this art cafe. The Kollam DTPC has spent nearly 2 million Indian Rupee for the renovation and setting up of properties in the museum/Paramparya building.
Now the art cafe is home for various exhibitions, performing arts and other events.
The gallery has held an exhibition on paintings by Arjun Maroli that depicts Kollam district on canvas 'KL02'. The exhibition was inaugurated by artist Anavadya.[16]
Address: Guest House Road, 691001, Kollam, Kollam
Mundakkal Beach
Tourist attraction in Kollam, India. Mundakkal Beach, is a beach in the city of Kollam, Kerala. The beach is situated at Mundakkal, a neighbourhood that is a local cashew processing hub. On 21 June 2016 the dredger ship Hansitha washed up on the shore. Scrapping of the dredger ship started on 18 October 2017. The beach is also known as 'Mundakkal Papanasham Beach'. Devotees believe that a dip in the waters of Mundakkal Papanasham Beach will wash off all the sins in one's life.[17]
British Residency
Palace in Kollam, India. The British Residency, also known as the Government Guest House or Residency Bungalow, is a two-storeyed palace situated at Asramam in the city of Kollam in the Indian state of Kerala. It lies close to the site of the old Kollam Airport situated at Asramam in the city and was built by Colonel John Munro between 1811 and 1819. It is a noted Kollam landmark like the Chinnakada Clock Tower.[18]
SMP
Palace. Sri Moolam Thirunal Palace or SMP Palace or SMT Palace is a palace situated near the heart of the city of Kollam, in the state of Kerala, India. It was constructed in 1936 as a commemorate for the shashtabda poorthi of the then ruler of erstwhile Travancore, Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma.[19]
Tangasseri
Tangasseri or Thangassery is a heavily populated beach area on the shores of the Arabian Sea in Kollam city, Kerala, India.[20]