Kollam - Facts & Figures

Area :2,579 sq km
Population :2,398,285
Best time to visit :October to March
Languages :Malayalam, English, and Hindi
STD Code :0474

Kollam - Location

Kollam Quilon Located 71 km to the north of Thiruvanathapuram, Kollam is the centre of the country's cashew trading and processing industry. Once of the oldest ports on the Malabar coast, Kollam was once the port of international spice trade. The renowned Ashtamudi Lake covers Thirty percent of Kollam. This makes Kollam a gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala. The eight-hour boat trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is a most enchanting experience on the backwaters of Kerala. Kollam also has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional ornate architectural style.

Kollam - Climate
The climate is of tropical humid type with an oppressive summer and plenty of seasonal rainfall. The summer, lasting from March to May, is followed by the southwest monsoon from June to September. The northeast monsoon occurs from October to November. The rest of the year is generally dry.

Kollam– History

Quilon or Kollam, an old seaport town on the Arabian coast, stands on the Ashtamudi Lake. Kollam, the erstwhile Desinganadu, had a sustained commercial reputation from the days of the Phoenicians and the Romans. Fed by the Chinese trade, it was regarded by Ibn Batuta, as one of the five ports, which he had seen in the course of his travels during a period of twenty-four years, in the 14th century. The rulers of kollam (Desinganadu) and China, exchange embassies and there was flourishing Chinese settlement at Kollam. Merchant Sulaiman of Siraf in Persia (9th Century) found Kollam to be the only port in India, touched by the huge Chinese junks, on his way from Carton of Persian Gulf. Marco Polo, the great Venician traveller, who was in Chinese service under Kublahan in 1275, visited Kollam and other towns on the west coast, in his capacity as a Chinese mandarin.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a trading center at Kollam in 1502. Then came the Dutch followed by the British in 1795. A British garrison was stationed at Kollam in pursuance of a treaty between Travancore and the British. Velu Thampi Dalawa of Travancore did much for the improvement of the Kollam town. He built new bazaars and invited merchants from Madras and Thirunelveli to settle here. Kollam later became the capital of the enlightened and liberal rulers of Desinganad. It was also the nerve center for the rebellion organized by Velu Thampi against the British. Once a city of palaces, Kollam has been known to the outside world, by the time-honoured proverb, "Once you have seen Kollam you would no more need your illam (Home)"

Tourist Attractions in Kollam

Kollam was an international emporium of trade and even now it is a prosperous commercial centre. Kollam edges with the famous Astamudi lake. Many a foreign traveller has visited Kollam in the early midieval period. Kollam was one of the early centres of Christian activity in Kerala. The popularity of Kollam has been established by the time-honoured proverb once you see Kollam, you will not need your home any more. Kollam has several tourist attractions. The 144 ft. Thangassery Light house, built in 1902, is a centre of attraction in Kollam. The Ananda Valleeswaram Temple of Kollam attracts people on almost all days. There are several Churches and Mosques around Kollam. The Pullichira Church was established in 1700 A.D. One of the oldest and most important Mosques in Kollam is the Chinnakkada Palli. The Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering, the first of its king in the state, is at Kilikolloor, about 7 kms. east of Kollam town. Mahatma Gandhi beach & park at Kochupilamoodu, Thirumullavaram beach and Ashramam picnic village, are some of the important spots of local sight seeing. Mahatma Gandhi beach lies just 2 kms. from Kollam. It is fascinating place for an evening. Thirumullavaram Beach is 5 kms. from Kollam. The sea here is ideal for swimming and bathing. Ashramam picnic village is located in the 48-acre Guest House Complex. Kollam stands along Ashtamudi Lake and is a major attraction for its elegance and architectural beauty. Tourists can stay here at economical rates. The children's Traffic & Entertainment Park, designed by NATPAC, is also worth visiting in Kollam. It is the largest traffic park in Kerala. The Adventure Park, located in Kollam village along the shores of the Astamudi backwaters, is a novel experiment in the country. Different types of boats, including luxury cruise boats, powerboats and motorboats, are available on hire from the boat jetty near to the Adventure Park.

Festivals of Kollam

In addition to the traditional past times like Kathakali, Koothu, Ottamthullal, Pattakam, Harikatha, Kaikottikkali, Thiruvathirakkali, Kolattam etc., there are certain amusements and festivities, which are unique to Kollam. They are held in connection with festivals in temples. The mock swork-fight - Oachirakkali, is one of the most important of such festivals in Kollam. Oachira has been famous for long as one of the sacred places of Kerala. Historically too this place is very famous, for, it was on the plains of Oachira that the much famed battle in the history of Travancore, the battle of Kayamkulam, was fought between Marthandavarma, the Maharaja of Travancore and the Raja of Kayamkulam. In commemoration of this historic battle Ochirakkali is conducted on the first and second of Mithunam (June-July) every year. On this occasion, the young and the old, drawn from the two Karas lying east and west of Oachira, from themselves into two groups, reach the Padanilam (the place for fighting) and conduct the age-old fencing exercise under the leadership of the elder kalari asan. In Kottamkulangara Temple in Chavara, there is a peculiar custom of men dressing up as women and carry lighted lamps (Thalappoli). The Uriati is a typical festival of Kollam associated with Krishna Temple. The annual Uriati festival held at Vadayattukotta temple in connection with Ashtami Rohini deserves mention. The Kettukazhcha (exhibition of effigies) festival held at Mahadevar Temple, Thrikkadavur in February-March every year is one of the colorful festivals of Kollam. There are similar festivals in the temples of Sasthamcotta, Velinallur, Chathannur, Chirakkara etc.