Thangasseri (5 km from Kollam town): This seaside village of
historic importance has the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches
built in the 18th century. The Thangasseri Lighthouse is open to visitors
from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. There are buses at 15 minute intervals from Kollam
town.
Rameshwara Temple: This temple which shows
Pandyan influence in its design has inscriptions in Tamil, dating from the
12th to the 16th century. The Vyala monster sculptures in this temple are
carvings which give one the impression that the creatures are animate and
are actually climbing upstairs with their outstretched paws.
Mayyanad (10 km south of Kollam town): Mayyanad is noted for
its shrines and temples. The most important of the nine temples here is the
Subramanya temple at Umayanallor. This shrine is said to have been
consecrated by the great Hindu philosopher Sree Sankaracharya. There are
frequent buses from Kollam to Mayyanad.
Sasthamkotta (29 km
from Kollam town): The vast fresh water lake here is the largest
of its kind in Kerala. The ancient Sastha temple which lends its name to the
town, is an important pilgrim centre. There are frequent bus services from
Kollam. Accommodation is available at the PWD Rest House.
Ochira (34 km north of Kollam town): The unique feature of
this famous pilgrim centre is that there is no deity or idol at the famous
Parabrahma temple dedicated to universal consciousness. Ochira Kali in mid
June and the twelve day Panthrandu Vilakku in November/December are the two
main annual festivals. Ochira Kali is a mock fight enacted between groups of
men dressed as warriors on the padanilam (fighting spot). They perform a
martial dance standing in knee-deep water, brandishing swords and shields
and splashing water in every direction. There are frequent buses from Kollam
and Alappuzha.
Kulathupuzha (64 km from Kollam town):
Situated on a forest range on the Thiruvananthapuram - Shenkottai
road, Kulathupuzha is known for the Sastha temple. The Vishu Mahotsavam in
April/May is the most important festival. There are frequent buses from
Kollam to Kulathupuzha. The Thenmala railway station is just 10 km from
here.
Thenmala (66 km east of Kollam): The area is
covered by dense forest, rubber and tea plantations. An Eco Tourism
Development Project is under implementation here. Thenmala is also a dam
site.
Ariankavu (70 km from Kollam town): Situated
on the Kollam - Shenkottai road, Ariankavu is famous for the shrine
dedicated to Lord Sastha. Mandala Pooja and Trikalyanam celebrated in the
month of December are the main festivals here.
Palaruvi
Waterfalls(75 km from Kollam town): Palaruvi which means "milky
stream" makes its `milky way' down the rocks, falling from a height of
300 feet. The Palaruvi woods is a beautiful picnic spot. There are frequent
buses to Ariankavu from Kollam. The PWD Inspection Bungalow and the KTDC
Motel offer comfortable accommodation.
Thirumullavaram Beach
(6 km north of Kollam town): This secluded beach is a beautiful
picnic centre and has frequent bus connections to the town.
Matha
Amrithanandamayi Ashram, Vallikavu : The residence and the
headquarters of Matha Amrithanandamayi Devi, one of India's female gurus, is
situated at Amrithapuri near Vallikavu. The ashram is accessible both by
road and boat.
Picnic Village: This village is
located at Ashramam, along the backwater front, is the main centre of
recreational activities in Kollam. The 200 year old Government Guest House,
an Adventure Park, the Tourist Boat Club, the Children's Traffic Park and
the Yatrinivas are situated in this vast tourist complex.
Kottukal
Rock Cut Cave Temple (11 km from Chadayamangalam): This temple
situated on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam MC Road is an idyllic example of
rock cut temple architecture.
Jatayupara: A huge
rock at Chadayamangalam takes its name from the mythical bird `Jatayu' in
the epic Ramayana, who is believed to have collapsed on the rock after
failing in his attempts to thwart Ravana's kidnapping of Sita.
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