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Kerala Quilon - Kollam
Kollam (earlier Quilon), 72 km off Thiruvananthapuram, is a trade-nerve in Southern Kerala. Its trading-tradition dates back to early centuries when Chinese, Greeks, Arabs and Romans haunted the shore for ship-loading Kerala spices and produces.
Today Kollam is the major cashew trading and processing centre in the country. Also a hub of marine industry.
Kollam, where past rubs shoulder with present, is a Kerala-in-miniature with its all features; sea, lakes, plains, mountains, rivers, streams, backwaters, forest and vast green fields.
District Area - 2491 sq.km.
District population - 24,07,566 sq km.
Climate - Tropical
Rainfall - 270 cm. (Annual)
Temperature - Mean Max. 36.0 deg.C, Mean Min. 22.4 deg.C
Tourist Season - August to March
Sights & Attractions
• Thangasseri (5 km from Kollam town): This seaside village of historic importance has the ruins of an Old Portuguese fort and churches built in the 18th century. The Thangasseri lighthouse, which is 144 feet high, is open to visitors from 1530 - 1730 hrs. There are buses at 15-minute intervals from Quilon town.
• Mayyanad (10 km south of Quilon town): Mayyanad is noted for its shrines and temples. The most important of the nine temples here is the Subrahmanya Temple at 
Umayanallor. The shrine is said to have been consecrated by the great Hindu philosopher Sree Sankaracharya. There are frequent buses from Quilon to Mayyanad.
• Sasthamkotta (29 km from Quilon town): This vast fresh water lake surrounded by hills on three sides is the largest of its kind in Kerala. The ancient Shastha Temple, which lends its name to the town, is an important pilgrim center. There are frequent bus services from Quilon. Accommodation is available at the PWD Rest House.
• Ochira (34 km north of Quilon town): The unique feature of this famous pilgrim center is that there is no deity or idol at the famous Parabrahma Temple dedicated to the Universal Consciousness. Ochirakali in mid June and the twelve-day Panthrandu Vilakku (twelve lamp festival) in November/December are the two main annual festivals. Ochira Kali is a mock fight enacted between groups of men dressed as warriors on the padanilam (battle field). They perform a martial dance standing in knee-deep water, brandishing swords and shields, and splashing water in every direction. There are frequent buses from Quilon and Alappuzha.
• Kulathupuzha (64 km from Quilon town): Situated on a forest range on the Thiruvananthapuram - Shenkottai road, Kulathupuzha is known for the Shastha temple. The Vishu Mahotsavam in April/May is the most important festival. There are frequent buses from Quilon to Kulathupuzha. The Thenmala railway station is just 10 km from here.
• Thenmala (66 km east of Quilon): The area is covered by dense forest, rubber and tea plantations. An Eco Tourism Development Project is under implementation here. Thenmala is also a dam site.
• Ariankavu (70 km from Quilon town): Situated on the Quilon - Shenkottai road, Ariankavu is famous for the shrine dedicated to Sree Sastha. Mandala Pooja and Trikalyanam celebrated in the month of December are the main festivals here. There are frequent buses to Ariankavu from Quilon.
• Palaruvi Waterfalls (75 km from Quilon town): Palaruvi, which means stream of milk makes its way down the rocks, from a height of 300 feet. Amidst the Palaruvi woods is a beautiful picnic spot. The PWD Inspection Bungalow and the KTDC Motel offer comfortable accommodation.
• Rameshwara Temple: This temple, which shows Pandyan influence in its design has inscriptions in Tamil, dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries. The Vyala monster sculptures in this temple give one the impression that the creatures are animate and actually climbing up the stairs with their outstretched paws.
• Matha Amrithanandamayi Ashram, Vallikavu: The residence and headquarters of Matha Amrithanandamayi Devi, is situated at Amrithapuri near Vallikavu. The ashram is accessible both by road and boat.
• Thirumullavaram Beach (6 km north of Quilon town): This secluded beach is a beautiful picnic center and has frequent bus connections to the town.
• Picnic Village: This village located at Ashramam, along the backwater front, is the main center of recreational activities in Quilon. A 200-year-old Government Guest House, an Adventure Park, a Tourist Boat Club, a Children's Traffic Park and a Yatri Nivas are all housed in this vast tourist complex.
• Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple (11 km from Chadayamangalam): This temple situated on the Trivandrum - Kottayam MC Road is an idyllic example of rock cut temple architecture.
• Jatayupara: A huge rock at Chadayamangalam takes its name from the mythical bird Jatayu in the epic Ramayana, who is believed to have collapsed on the rock after failing in his attempts to thwart Ravana's kidnapping of Sita.
Festivals
• Crafts Festival: Held annually during December-January, this festival features the work of craftsmen from all over the country.
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