Whenever there is talk of natural beauty and beautiful environment, Kerala is mentioned and that is why it is also seen as a great tourist destination. There are many places in Kerala that attract people's attention. One of these places is Kollam of Kerala which is the district headquarters of the state and a famous city. Kollam was once so famous as a trade center that Roman, Arab, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders all wanted to try their hand at the spices and cashew crops of the region. Kollam is situated on the coast of the Arabian Sea, which is one of the main reasons for its beauty. Today in this episode, we are going to tell you about the important places of Kollam which become the main attraction here.

Asthmudi Lake
It is the second-largest lake in Kerala and also the gateway to backwater tourism in Kerala. This lake is famous for its beautiful views of coconut trees and palm trees on its banks. Boating facilities and houseboat rides are also available here. Several resorts along the coast offer a variety of water sports. This is a good attraction for photography lovers.

Palaruvi Falls
The English name of Palruvi Falls means “stream of milk”. The shape of the White Water Falls, which has a height of 300 feet and flows very fast, makes June to January the best time to visit this place. It is the 32nd-highest waterfall in India and is famous for providing Ayurvedic benefits. It is one of the most famous tourist places in Kollam as the tranquility of the surrounding forests and mist-covered mountains contrasts dramatically with the thunder of autumn.

Mayyanad
Home to many popular temples for Hindus and Muslims, Mayyanad is located about 10 km from Kollam city, housing some nine important temples. This city is situated on the banks of Paravur Lake and also on the coast of the Arabian Sea. The major attraction of this place is Lord Subramaniam Temple, the area also has an old mosque and many old churches which you can visit.

Rameshwar Temple
One of the religious places in Kollam, Rameswaram Temple is an ancient temple that dates back to the 12th century. It is believed to be built in the Pandyan style of architecture. It has several Tamil inscriptions from the same time. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is included among the 108 Shivalayams. The attractive feature of this temple is the huge statue of Vaila, the mythological demon. The temple provides an atmosphere of calmness and energy. Kollam is known as a main religious destination in tourism.

Kollam Beach
It is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Kollam and is located at Kochuppilamudu, at a distance of 2 km from Kollam city center. Kollam Beach is also known as Mahatma Gandhi Beach. Mahatma Gandhi Park, adjacent to the beach, is a favorite place for strolling and relaxing. The palm trees and white sand along the beach attract tourists. The surroundings of the beach are calm and serene, making it an ideal holiday destination. There are plenty of hotels and resorts in the region where you can stay during your trip.

Sasthamkotta Lake
The largest lake and the first in Kerala is called Sasthamkotta and a historic Sastha temple is believed to have given its name to the lake. The primary source of drinking water for the residents of Kollam is surrounded by hills on three sides. The water of the lake is a freshwater supply because the water contains the larvae of Choborus (insect), which are found in the lake. Is responsible for eliminating germs from water and making it safe to drink. 27 types of fish live in the lake. You can go swimming and boating in this lake.

Jatayu Earth Center
Jatayu Nature Park is a rock-themed park that was opened on November 25, 2017. The adventure park has a 6D theater an audio-visual digital room, a cable car, and an Ayurvedic cave resort. It is also home to many adventure activities including paintball, laser tag, archery, bouldering, rock climbing, air-rifle shooting, etc. There is a huge statue of Jatayu bird situated on the top of the hill, which is very unique.

Shri Mahaganpati Temple
Sri Mahaganapathi Temple is one of the famous pilgrimage sites in Kollam, popular among worshipers as a center of spirituality and devotion. The centuries-old architecture of this temple attracts tourists. People of all religions are allowed to visit this temple. The idol of Lord Ganapati symbolizes the presence of this temple. The temple also has idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees visiting the temple offer Unaniyappam Udayasthamanpooja, Maha Ganapathy Homam, and floral offerings to the Lord.

Thenmala
The foothills of the Western Ghats in Kollam district, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to Thenmala, India's first planned eco-tourism place. The name Thenmala is known as Honey Hill. Parapar Dam crosses the Kallada River and is located in Thenmala. Thenmala forest honey is famous for its medicinal benefits. The place offers attractions like winding pathways, sway bridges, a theatre, musical fountains, boats, and more. To the east is the 13-arched Pathimoonam Kannara Bridge over a hilly railway track. Thenmala also has a deer park as an attraction.

Karunagapalli
Karunagapalli town is located 23 km from Kollam district. It is a municipality of Kollam and includes resorts and beautiful beaches. Because of the beauty of this place, it is also called "God's own country". The main attraction for tourists visiting the town is the houseboat facility at Alumkadavu which is very close to Karunagappally town. If we talk about the history of this city, it is a Buddhist site, which is why you will see a beautiful place called Krishnapura Palace, which houses the deity of Lord Buddha.

Adventure Park
Adventure Park is one of the most visited picnic spots in Kollam. The park is located 3 km from the city center and is situated on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake. As an ideal place for walking and picnics, the park enjoys immense popularity among travelers visiting Kollam. One of the most favorite activities to do at this place is backwater cruising. The Tourism Promotion Council of Kollam District organizes houseboat tours along this backwater belt. Apart from houseboats, travelers can rent other types of boats like luxury boats, speed motor boats, and electric boats depending on their requirements. The adventure park is spread over an area of 48 acres and is located in the premises of the Government Guest House. The park complex includes a children's park, a boat club and a hotel under the administration of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.

Thevali Palace
One of the best places to visit in Kollam is Thevali Palace. The palace is situated on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake. The palace once served as the home of the Maharaja of Travancore, it was constructed between 1800 and 1819 during the rule of Gauri Parvati Bai. What is special about the palace is that it presents an interesting fusion of Dutch, English, and Portuguese styles of architecture. The structure fascinates every tourist, history lovers must visit this place once

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