The land of Cashews
Achencoil
Kollam( The Portuguese called it Quilon) is a mixture of hills,backwaters, religion and culture.The Ashtamudi lake is the largest in Kerala and boating in the lake is a tranquil experience.The Thankasseri lighthouse built by the Portuguese is a famous historical monument.The Thenmala hills on the farside hosts the first ecotourism project in Kerala and the butterfly part is just awesome.Palaruvi falls near Thenmala is believed to have herbal ingredients mixed with the water.The place also has an adventure zone offering rock climbing and mountain biking.For the traveller seeking religious refuge,the Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram in Vallikkavu is world famous.
Situated about 80 kms from Punalur is an important pilgrim center. The Sastha temple here, situated amidst dense forest. The idol of Sastha is supposed to have been installed several centuries before the Christian Era. The two important festivals of this temple are Mandala Pooja (December-January) and the festival held at 'Revathi'(January-February). The two notable features of the festival are the Therotam (chariot festival) and Pushpabhishekam (offering of flowers). In no other temple of the South India are flowers offered to the deity so lavishly as at Achencoil.Alumkadavu
Alumkadavu is a famous village located in north of Kollam district, Kerala. The waft of coir and wood is always in the air of this village. And the reason: It is a major centre for the construction ofkettuvalloms (traditional rice barges) which are later modified intohouseboats for travelers.
The houseboats eventually take shape at the hands of skilled craftsmen of the village, who make sue of local and eco-friendly materials like wood, bamboo poles and coconut fibre.
Houseboats plying on the backwaters of Kerala are about 65 feet long and a maximum width of around 13 feet.
At Alumkadavu, one may also visit the coir-making units to understand the process of making coir ropes.
Amritapuri located at 110 kms from capital of Kerala. Amritapuri is the realisation of the ancient Indian ideal "the whole world is one family" (vasudhaiva kutumbakam). By bus or train: Kayamkulam (12 km north of Amritapuri) and Karunagappally (10 km south) are the major cities to reach. By air and taxi: The two closest airports are in Trivandrum (110 km south of Amritapuri) and in Cochin (140 km north).
Situated about 73 kms east of Kollam is one of the important pilgrim centers of the district. From very early days, it was an important trade route for merchants from either sides of western Ghats. The chief attraction of Aryankavu is the shrine dedication of Lord Sastha. The temple has some fine sculptures and mural paintings. Thousands of pilgrims flocks of this temple during the Mandala Pooja in December. All trains towards Shencottah have a stop at Aryankavu. About 5 kms away from Aryankavu there is a big waterfall known as Palaravi meaning river of milk. It is one of the well-known waterfalls in the south India, falling from a height of 300 feet. It is situated 66kms from Kollam on Kollam-Shencottah road.Chavara
Chavara is situated 14 kms north of Kollam on the Kollam-Alappuzha road. Thousands of tonnes of mineral sand are exported from Chavara to various countries. The Kovilthottam port is situated within the limits of Chavara Panchayat. Four major industrial establishments 1.Indian Rare Earths 2.The kerala Premo Pipe factory 3.Kerala Mineral and Metal factory 4.Titanium Complex are in Chavara.
Major Pilgrim Centers at chavara
Panmana Asramam.
("Sree Chattambi Swami").
Panmana Murugan Temple.
Kattil Mekkathil Devi Temple.
Kannankulagara Devi Temple.
Kaman Kulagara Mahadevar Temple.
Kottam Kulagara Devi Temple. ("Famous For Chamaya Vilakku").
Jetayu Para
Jetayu Para, a huge rock, is another attraction in Kollam district. This huge rock is in the Chadayamangalam village on the M.C road. The name comes from the epic Ramayana. It is believed that Jatayu, the giant bird in the epic, fell after failing in its attempt to spot Ravana from taking sita away. The rock is ideal for trekking by the lovers of adventure. The rock can be seen from the Chadayamangalam junction. itself.
Karunagappally
Karunagappally is situated 27 kms north of Kollam. It is linked with Kollam by rail and road. There is a mini civil station at Karunagappally .Padanayarkulangara, which forms part of the town, was once the military station at Kayamkulam Rajas. An idol of Buddha, recovered from a local tank here, is now preserved in the Krishnapuram palace the headquarters of Kayamkulam Rajas situated north of Oachira. The town has a temple dedicated to Lord Siva, two old mosques and a mar Thomas Church.
Kottarakkara
Kottarakkara is the headquarters of Kottarakkara Taluk. It is linked by both rail and road, a distance of 27 kms. It was once the capital of Elayadathu Swarupam, a principality ruled by a branch of the Travancore Royal Family. The internationally famous dance drama-Kath kali had its small beginning in this town and it flourished under the patronage of Raja of Kottarakkara.
Kulathupuzha
Kulathupuzha is situated on the Thiruvannathapuram - Sencottah road and is 10 kms south of Tenmala railway station. It is and important forest range, well known for its elephants. Reed, an essential raw materials for paper manufacture at Punalur Paper mill, is partly supplied from Kulathupuzha valley.
Kundara
Kundara is linked with Kollam by rail and road, a distance of 18 kms. Large deposit of china clay discovered here, helped in the establishment of the Government Ceramics.
Kunnicode
The main attraction of Kunnicode, situated 10 kms west pf Punalur ,is Pachilakunnu a small hillock where a Muslim saint is said to have breathed his last.
Mayyanad
Mayyanadu,10 kms south of Kollam is noted for its shrines and temples. The most important temple is the one at Umayanallor, dedicated to Lord Subramanian. The shrine is said to have been consecrated by Shri. Sankaracharya of Kaladi. Besides the temples, there are three churches and a Mosque. Cotton weaving and oil pressing are the main occupation in the village.
Neendakara
Situated about 8 kms north of Kollam , Neendakara is the Headquarters of the Indo-Norwegian 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. Neendakara Port, the hub of fishing activities is here.
Oachira
Situated ,32 kms north of Kollam on the Kollam Alappuzha National Highway and on the boundary of Kollam district, Oachira is a unique pilgrim center. The peculiarity of the temple here is that there is no temple building as such nor is there any idol. All classes of people workship the presiding deity the parabrahmam. Oachira draws thousands of Pilgrims for Oachirakkali, a festival held annually in June. It is also an important handicraft center where fancy articles of screw pine mats are manufactured.
Palaruvi Water Falls
The famous waterfall in Kollam District is situated at Palaruvi near Aryankavu, Kollam - Sencottah NH 208. Season to visit the places is from June to January.One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Kerala, falling from a height of some 300 feet. It is a favourite tourist spot of South India. The waterfall can be reached by walking tropical forestland. The name Palaruvi means - stream of milk.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Kollam, about 75 km.
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 80 km.
Paravur
Paravur is an important fishing and coir production center. It is situated 13 kms south of Kollam and is connected with Kollam town by rail and road. It is the birth place of K.C.Kesavan Pillai(1865-1913) and Kesava Asan(1869-1917) ,two leading literary men of eminence.
Pathanapuram
An important trading center on the banks of the Kallada river, Pathanapuram is 13 kms away from Punalur. The Chandanakkudam mahotsavam of the mosque there, celebrated every year in February-March atrtacts thousands of devotees.
Pattazhi
Pattazi is the seat of an ancient temple, dedicated to Bhagavathy. The Mudi is the major festival of this temple.
Punalur
Punalur is one of the important industrial centers of kerala. It is 45 kms from Kollam on the Kollam-Shencotta railway line and is also linked with Kollam by road. The Suspension bridge accross the Kallada river erected in 1877,is the only one of its kind in south India and it is 400 ft long. A concrete bridge has been constructed near by and now the suspension bridge is only of archaeological interest. Punalur is the head Quarters of Pathanapuram Taluk.
Sasthamcotta
Sasthamcottah is an attractive village situated about 19 kms. from Kollam Town. It is a beauty spot, a health resort and a centre of pilgrimage. The extensive freshwater lake here, is said to be the biggest of its kind in Kerala. Water supply to the Kollam town is met by purifying the water from this lake. Buses are frequently operated to Sasthamcottah, which can truly be called as Queen of Lakes.
Thangassery
Thangassery is a place of historical importance situated 5 kms. away from Kollam town. The churches here are pretty old, having been established in the 18th century. The chief attraction of the place is the light house, built in 1902. The 144 ft. light house stands as a sentinel, warning seamen of the treacherous reefs of Thangassery. The construction of a fishing harbour is in progress. Thangassery was an enclave of the Portuguese, Dutch and British in succession. The remnants of the Portuguese and Dutch forts still exits.
Thazhava
Thazhava in Oachira block is an important center of screw pine mat industry. An Image of Buddha, discovered from a tank known as Pallikkulam near Maruthoorkulangra is one of the interesting archaeological relics, associated with Kollam district
Thenmala
Thenmala, an ecotourism centre, is located in Kollam District in the state of Kerala at an altitude of 1,640 ft. Situated in the Kollam - Shencottai Road about 72 km from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, it is adjacent to the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary and is a short distance away from the Courtallam Falls in Tamil Nadu. Often called as the hills that flow with honey, Thenmala is India’s first planned eco-tourism project which is spread over acres of evergreen forest.Things to do in Thenmala
This unique eco-tourism habitat lies 500 m above sea level. It offers plenty of adventure and leisure activities with waterfalls, canopy walkway, mountain biking, rock climbing and river crossing, nature trails and picnic spots attracting naturalists, conservationists and adventure seekers.
The major attractions are the amphitheatre where local art forms and other cultural programs are performed. The Musical Dancing Fountain – a rhythmic ballet of water, sound and light makes for a beautiful sight. The Lotus Pond has various aquatic plants while the Shop Court is used by local women for selling forest produce and local handicrafts.
There is also a deer rehabilitation centre where spotted deer and sambar are the main inhabitants. The centre also has a children's eco-park with treetop huts and swings. The sculpture garden here depicts the relationship between Man and Nature.
The eco-trip to the 300 ft waterfall at Palaruvi is managed by the local community. Hanging Bridge, Punalur (22 km) is on the way to Thenmala from Kottarakkara. The waterfall in Manalar on the way to Achankovil is a natural beauty. The Kumbavurutty Falls has a nature interaction centre. It also has tree houses for children. Boating and bird watching are major activities at the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary.
Travelling to Thenmala
Thenmala is located on NH-208, on the way from Thirumangalam to Kollam. By bus, Thenmala can be reached from Thiruvananthapuram. Buses are operated by the State Government and are available from the Central bus station every hour.
The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram, over 70 km away, which has flight connections to the rest of the country. The nearest rail head is at Kollam, over 60 km away, which is well connected to different parts of the state. Taxis are available from the railway station to reach Thenmala. Transport arrangements can also be made through the hotel of stay.
Travel tips for Thenmala
The four zones of the Thenmala eco-tourism project have separate tickets which should be collected from the tourism facilitation centre. In addition, there are separate tickets for individual activities which need to be bought on the spot.
Accommodation options in Thenmala
Tents and dormitories are among the Thenmala popular hotels. Sleeping bags are provided for these types of accommodation. Apart from these there are jungle camps, an inspection bungalow at Ottakkal and motels run by the KTDC. While accommodation options can be booked separately, they can also be combined with other activities as part of Thenmala packages.
The best time to visit Thenmala is during the winter season, from December to February. The temperature during this time ranges from 16⁰ Celsius to 30⁰ Celsius. In the summer months (March – May), the temperature goes over 35⁰ Celsius at times during the day time. However, after sunset, there’s a fall in the barometric readings. The rainy season, from June to September, is best avoided as the region receives heavy rainfall.
Travel tips, How to reach
From Trivandrum Trivandrum -> Kowdiar -> Peroorkada -> Vazhayila -> Azhikode -> Valicode -> Nedumangad -> Pazhakutty -> Anad -> Chullimanoor -> Nanniyode -> Palode -> Irimpupalam -> Madathara -> Kulathupuzha -> Thenmala Read
How to reach?
Kollam town is well connected by road and rail to all major cities.
Nearest Airport-Trivandrum-70Kms
Distance to Cochin-120Kms
