Whenever it comes to natural beauty and beautiful environment, Kerala is mentioned and this is the reason why it is also seen as a great tourist destination. Many places in Kerala attract people's attention. One of these places is Kollam of Kerala, which is the district headquarters of the state and a famous city. At one time Kollam was so famous as a trade center that everyone from Roman, Arab, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders wanted to try their hand at the spices and cashew crops of this region. Kollam is situated on the coast of the Arabian Sea, which is a major reason 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.

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

Palaruvi Falls
The English name of Palaruvi Falls is “Stream of Milk”. The white stream-shaped waterfall, which has a height of 300 feet and flows very fast, is the best time to visit this place from June to January. It is the 32nd tallest waterfall in India and is famous for providing Ayurvedic benefits. It is one of the most famous tourist places in Kollam as the serenity of the surrounding forests and mist-clad 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, with some nine important temples present. The city is located on the banks of Paravur Lake and also on the coast of the Arabian Sea. The major attraction of this place is the Lord Subramaniam Temple, there is also an old mosque and many old churches in the area, which you can visit.

Rameshwara Temple

One of the religious places in Kollam, Rameshwara Temple is an ancient temple that dates back to the 12th century. It is believed to have been built in the Pandyan style of architecture. It has many Tamil inscriptions at the same time. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is included in the 108 Shivalayams. The attractive feature of this temple is the huge sculptures of Vaala, the mythological demon. The temple gives an atmosphere of calmness and energy. It is known as a major religious place in Kollam tourism.

Kollam Beach

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

Sasthamkotta Lake
The largest lake and the first in Kerala is called Sasthamkotta and a historic Sastha temple is believed to have given the lake its name. Hills surround the primary source of drinking water for the residents of Kollam on three sides. The water of the lake is one The water supply is safe as the water contains the larvae of Chaoborus (insect), which is responsible for eliminating germs from the lake water and making it safe to drink. The lake is home to 27 types of fish. You can go swimming and boating in this lake.

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

Sri Mahaganapathi Temple
Sri Mahaganapathi Temple is one of the famous pilgrimage places in Kollam, which is popular among worshippers 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 houses idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees visiting the temple offer Unniappam Udayasthamanapuja, Maha Ganapati Homam, and Pushpanjali to the Lord.

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

Karunagapally
The town of Karunagapally is located 23 km away from Kollam district. It is a municipality of Kollam and consists of resorts and beautiful beaches. The place is also known as "God's Own Country" because of the beauty of this place. The main attraction for tourists visiting the city is the houseboat facility at Alumkadavu which is very close to the town of Karunagapally. If we talk about the history of this city, it was originally a Buddhist site, which is why you will find 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 away from the city center and is situated on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake. As an ideal place to stroll and have a picnic, the park is quite popular 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 hire other types of boats such as 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 on the premises of the Government Guest House. The park premises include a children's adventure park, a boat club, and a hotel under the administration of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.

Thevalli Palace

One of the best places to visit in Kollam is Thevalli Palace. The palace is located on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake. The palace once served as the home of the Maharaja of Travancore, it was constructed between 1800 and 1819 under the rule of Gowri Parvati Bai. The special thing about the palace is that it houses a mix of Dutch, British, and Indian architecture. It presents an interesting fusion of Indian and Portuguese style architecture. Its structure captivates every tourist, history lovers must visit this place once.

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