KOLLAM
The
delightful backwaters of Kerala begin from this picturesque town, which stands
on the shore of the Ashtamudi Lake. A boat trip to Alleppey through these
backwaters is exciting. Where the clock does not dictate the frenzied regimen
of life…where only the sun keeps time of your day's activities …
As you silently sway across the serene backwaters of Kollam…through a canopy of
trees, through coconut groves, islands and villages…you will be transported to
another world in the world of imagination and this is just one facet of Kollam.
To discover more… just move on.
Kollam is 75 km northwest of Thiruvanantha- puram and 85 km south of Alappuzha.
Kollam is one of the oldest ports on the Kerala coast and was one of the major
centre for the international spice trade. This trading of spices goes back many
centuries. The spice merchants had ties with the Romans, Greeks, Phoenicians,
Arabs and Chinese. A Boat Race is held on 19 January each year (17-20 January).
The Malayalam era (Kollam) is calculated from the date of the finding of this
place. Kollam's history is interwoven with the trade rivalries between the
Portuguese, the Dutch and the English. At Thangaserry, about three km away,
there is an ancient fort (now in ruins) built by the Portuguese and later
acquired by the Dutch. Chinese fishing nets and pagoda boats are a common sight
in the waterways.
The
Shrine of Our Lady of Velankanni,
near the KSRTC bus stand, is an interesting church.
BACKWATER CRUISES
The backwater cruise between Alappuzha and Kollam must be on your itinerary,
if you want to drink in the essence of nature. An area known as Kuttanda goes
from Kochi in the north to Kollam in the south. This area has connecting waterways
made up of rivers, lakes and canals. Boat cruises pass tropical forests, green
paddy fields, coconut groves, islands and rural villages and they give a view
of rural life not possible to see from the roads. Kettu vallams, traditional
Keralan boats pass by either powered by sails or by a person with a pole. It's
a cruise that will give you memories for a lifetime.