Whenever it comes to natural beauty and beautiful environment, then Kerala is mentioned and this is the reason why it is also seen as a great tourist destination. There are more than one places in Kerala that attract the attention of the people. One of these places is Kollam in Kerala, which is the district headquarters of the state and a famous city. Such was Kollam's fame as a trading center at one time that Roman, Arab, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders all wanted to try their hand at the spice 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.

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

Palaruvi Waterfall
The English name of Palruvi Falls is "stream of milk". The shape of the White Jaldhara waterfall, which has a height of 300 feet and flows very fast, June to January is 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 popular tourist places in Kollam as the calmness of the surrounding forests and mist-capped mountains contrast dramatically with the rumble of autumn.

Mayonnaise
The center of many popular temples for Hindus and Muslims, Mayyanad is located about 10 km from Kollam town, which houses some nine important temples. The 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 the Lord Subramaniam Temple, the area also has an old mosque and several old churches that 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 have been built in the Pandyan style of architecture. It has several Tamil inscriptions at the same time. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is included in the 108 Shivalayams. The attractive feature of this temple is the colossal sculptures of Vala, the mythological demon. The temple provides an atmosphere of calmness and energy. And Kollam is known as a main religious place in tourism.

Kollam Beach
It is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Kollam and is located at Kochupilamudu 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 to stroll and relax. 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 area where you can stay during your trip.

Sasthamkotta Lake
The largest lake and the first one in Kerala is called Sasthamkotta and a historical 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 as the water contains chorus (insect) larvae. 27 types of fish live in the lake. You can do swimming and boating in this lake.

Jatayu Earth Center
Jatayu Nature Park is a rock-themed park that was opened on 25 November 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, and more. There is a huge Jatayu bird statue situated on the top of the hill, which is very unique.

Shri Mahaganapati Temple
Sri Mahaganapathi Temple, one of the famous pilgrimage sites in Kollam, is popular among worshipers as a center of spirituality and devotion. The architecture of this centuries-old temple attracts tourists. People of all religions are allowed to visit this temple. The idol of Lord Ganapati marks the presence of this temple. The temple also has idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees visiting the temple offer Unniappam Udayasthamaanapooja, Maha Ganapathy 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 Thenmala, India's first planned eco-tourism site. 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 such as winding walkways, sway bridges, a theatre, musical fountains, boats, and more. To the east is the 13-arched Pathimoonam Kannara Bridge over a hill railway track. Thenmala also has Deer Park as an attraction.

Karunagpally
Karunagapalli town is located 23 km away from Kollam district. It is the municipality of Kollam and consists of resorts and beautiful beaches. Because of the beauty of this place, it is also known as "God's Own Country". The main attraction for tourists visiting the town is the houseboat facility at Alumkadavu which is very close to Karunagapalli town. 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 from the city center and is situated on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake. As an ideal place for strolls and picnics, the park is quite popular among travelers visiting Kollam. One of the most preferred activities to do at this place is backwater cruising. The Kollam District Tourism Promotion Council organizes houseboat tours along this backwater belt. Apart from houseboats, travelers can also 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 complex includes a children's traffic park, a boat club, and a hotel under the administration of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.

Thevli Palace
The Thevli Palace is one of the best places to visit in Kollam. The palace is situated on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake. The palace, which once served as the home of the Maharaja of Travancore, was constructed between 1800 and 1819 under 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. Its structure fascinates every tourist, history lovers must visit this place once.

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