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 into houseboats 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
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
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
