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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