Kollam Tourism

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Police Museum, standing just opposite the Kollam Railway station, is the only museum in Kollam. It demonstrates the gradual development of the policing system In India. Here you will get the opportunity to witness various arms and ammunitions of the 18th and the 19th century. The museum also features important documents such as fingerprints, DNA tests, human bones as well as medals rewarded to different policemen. 

This temple is 1800 years old and built opposite the twin temples. The present temple is 10 years old as the original one was washed away by the sea. The deity of this temple is Kannagi.

This church is located 30 kms away from town at Kallada. At lease a several hundred years old, this church has a Hindu symbol and an Islamic crescent along with its cross. It is dedicated to Mar Andrews.

This temple, 14 kms away from Alumkadavu, is around 100 years old. Legend has it that the Portuguese tried to loot the temple but in vain. When they returned to their ships to leave, their ships wouldn’t move. So they they came back to the temple to apologise.

Colonial relics in Kollam include a square clock tower built in 1944. This is visible from any part of the Chinnakada market. The British Residency is a mansion from British India that is 250 years old, it is presently used as a Government Guest House. 

Some of the popular restaurants of Kollam are The Riverside, Hotel Mr. John, Binu Restaurant, Aariyas Veg Restaurant, Hot Spot, Fayalwan Hotel etc. The restaurants serve all kinds of cuisine including local delicacies. 

Being a place of tradition and heritage Kollam serves the traditional Keralite cuisine consisting of Puttu, Dosa, Idly, Rice, seafood etc. There are also some typical food items of Kollam such as Arikkadukka and Stuffed Mussels which are to be found anywhere in Kollam. However, you can easily get other kinds of cuisine such as Chinese, Mughlai, continental etc. if you want.

As mentioned earlier, many cultural programmes with music and dance are held throughout the year. If you are lucky enough you will find one of them when you visit Kollam and hopefully you will like it.

Kavand is the most important market area situated in the north of Kollam. The place is still developing as a reliable shopping destination of Kollam. Here you will find shops open for 24 hours which are generally quite rare in this city. There is also a seafood processing and export industry in Kavand.

K Mall is a modern and standard shopping mall in the city of Kollam. It has garment stores, household articles, jewellery stores, entertainment zones, a food court, crockery shops and many more. K.C. Center is another shopping plaza where you will get fashionable modern garments, high class fabrics as well as household items. Another large departmental store is H&J Complex.

In Kollam street market you will mostly find different kinds of cashew nuts and coir which are produced here in great abundance.

A unique and pleasant ride on the houseboats also called kuvuvalloms, in the local language, is a nice form of relaxation in Kollam tour. It is also an ideal way to explore the Kollam backwaters and the beautiful surroundings. The boat is composed of simple and environment friendly materials like bamboo poles and mats, woods, coir etc. But the supplement of modern facilities turns them into a sophisticated and cosy place. The amenities in the boat house includes Cosy bed, AC, Television, modern kitchen etc. You will also be provided with a cook to make delicious dishes for you and also an all-time guide. While cruising on the boat you can look at the abundance of the green and colourful migratory birds. Also do not forget to visit the cashew or the industries falling on the way. Actually there are various houseboats tours depending on the route chosen. The routes of Kollam to Alleppey, Kollam to Kumarakom and Kollam to Thanneermukkom are most popular choices.

Staying in a tree house is a unique and thrilling experience which you can greatly enjoy in Kollam. There are various tree houses at different heights varying size, décor and comfort level depending on the budget. These are made of eco friendly materials like bamboos, coir mats, straws branches of trees etc. They also come with modern amenities such as toilets with shower and flush, basins, telephones, comfortable beds etc. Sitting at the carpeted balcony you can relish the splendid view of the soothing sights. The lights that are illuminated after dark are powered either by solar system or by kerosene. What is more is that some of the houses in addition to the stairs have cane made lifts which functions making use of an exclusive counter weight system with water. You will be provided with food made from fresh fruits and vegetables from the surrounding forest.

This palace was built between 1811 and 1819 under the rule of Gowri Parvati Bayi. Visible from Lake Ashatamudi, presently the palace is used by the army and the Public Works Department.

The nature of Kollam is adorned with fascinating backwaters, lush tropical green and famous Ashtamudi Lake taking up almost 30 percent of the entire district. In fact, it is called the gateway to the Kerala backwaters. Due to this wonderful natural phenomenon, Kollam attracts a huge number of tourists every year.

Kollam Pooram is a perhaps the most important religious as well as cultural celebration of Kollam. It is generally held either on 15th or on 16th April every year at the maidan of Ashram Sree Krishnaswamy Temple. Chittumala Theerthatanam is an organized march consisting of thousands of people to promote communal harmony. The President’s Trophy Boat Race on Asthamudi Lake, Kollam is perhaps the greatest events of the city. It is possibly the only athletic event where the prize is financed by the Indian President. All of these prominent events of Kollam are worth witnessing.

There are lots of cultural and religious festivals that are celebrated by the people of Kollam with great enthusiasm such as Kollam Pooram, Oachirakkali, Onam, Ashtami Rohini, and Kollam Crafts Festival. They also celebrate the festivals of other religion such as Christmas, Ramzan etc. as they are extremely secular. To experience the true festive culture of the place it is better to visit Kollam during any of the festivals.

Dance and music are the two chief ingredients of the Kollam culture and such events are organized throughout the year. Krishnanattam, Koothu, Kaikottikali, Ottamthullal, Kathakali are some of the popular dance forms of the place. Tourists can enjoy this nice dances as they are not generally to be seen elsewhere.  

The people living in Kollam are characterized by the simplicity in their lifestyle. Education is also taken very seriously by the people of Kollam It has always been their endeavour to advance their culture by transferring it to the next generation. The city has an amazing rate of literacy which is 100%. The native people who are generally very religious are also highly proud of their own culture and heritage. Kannikkar is the chief tribal group who has a great liking for dance and music in their own dialect.

The nature of Kollam is very pleasant and soothing to your eyes with greenery everywhere. The place is also surrounded by seas and lakes, making it all the more beautiful.

There are many places to go for in sight seeing such as Thangasseri, Thirumullavaram Beach, Sasthamkotta, Ochira, Thenmala, Ariankavu, The Ananda Valleswaram Temple, Asramam Adventure Park & Picnic Village etc.

The Mahatma Gandhi beach & park at Kochupilamoodu which is just 2 kms from Kollam is worth visiting.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Police Museum, standing just opposite the Kollam Railway station, is the only museum in Kollam. It demonstrates the gradual development of the policing system In India. Here you will get the opportunity to witness various arms and ammunitions of the 18th and the 19th century. The museum also features important documents such as fingerprints, DNA tests, human bones as well as medals rewarded to different policemen.