Asramam Adventure Park is an urban park in the core Kollam city of Kerala state. It was opened after 1980, on 48 acres (19 ha) of city-owned land. [2] Located beside the Kerala's pride, backwaters of Ashtamudi, this place popularly known as Asramam Picnic Village. It is the main centre of recreational activities in Kollam city. The Kollam District Tourism Promotion Council conducts regular backwater cruises in houseboats, luxury boats and speedboats from the Boat Club. The mangroves near this park is very famous in all over India. So many endangered species of trees are surviving in the park. [3] [4]
There are so many attractions in and around Asramam Adventure Park. They are,
In 2012, the then Tourism Minister of Kerala, A.P. Anil Kumar had inaugurated 10 sculptors at Asramam Adventure Park. This had happened as part of a 10-day State-level sculpture camp named ‘Monsoon Sculptures’ at an estimated expenditure of Rs. 8 lakh sponsored by various Kollam-based business groups. Aryanad Rajendran's Meditation, V. Satheesan's Story Teller, Sivan's Bundle of slogans, Shenlay's Do not disturb, Saju Mannathur's She, Guruprasad's Love without heart and brain, Chavara Vijayan's Buddha 99 and Biju Bharatan's Victim are the major sculptors that makes adventure park one of the major eye-catching attractions in Kollam city. [5]
The first open gym of the state is coming-up at Asramam Adventure park at a cost of Rs.15 lakh. Morning walkers in Kollam city, arriving at the Asramam Maidan area, will be the biggest beneficiaries of this facility. Former Kollam Rajyasabha M.P K.N. Balagopal allocated the money for it from his Local Area Development (LAD) Fund. 19 fitness equipments have been installed and it would be open for the people by October end. [6]
The thick mangroves that grow on the shore of Ashtamudi Lake along the side of Asramam Adventure Park is another significant attraction in this spot. The Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) has provided the Asramam mangrove forest with a biodiversity heritage tag. Asramam mangrove spread was habitat to the highly endangered Syzygium travancoricum species of mangroves. Several species of mangroves and mangrove associates thrived there. The belt had all the characteristics of a coastal rainforest and was habitat to several species of wild animals and diversified flora. In addition to being a major spawning ground for several edible marine species, the Asramam mangroves in the past was also home to otters and migratory birds. [7]
The boating program conducted by Kollam District Tourism Promotion Council from Asramam Adventure Park is one of the crowd pulling tourism programs in Kollam district. Regular backwater cruises in houseboats, luxury boats and speedboats are being operate from the Boat Club attached with the park. Different kinds of boats like luxury cruise boats, power boats and motor boats can be taken on hire from the boat jetty. [1]
The British Residency in Asramam is also known as Government Guest House and Residency Bungalow. It is a two-storeyed palace situated at the picnic village campus. It was actually built by Col. John Munro during 1811 and 1819. It is now known as Government Guest House. It stands as a Hallmark of Quilon, like Chinnakada Clock Tower. It is a famous cine location in Kerala. Almost 90% of the Malayalam movie Manu Uncle was shot at British Residency and Adventure Park campus.[ citation needed ]
Kollam, is an ancient seaport and the fourth largest city in the Indian state of Kerala. Located on the southern tip of the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea, the city is on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake and is 71 kilometers northwest of the Thiruvananthapuram. Kollam is one of India's oldest continuously inhabited cities, with evidence of habitation stretching back to the megalithic; the city has also been a maritime entrepôt millennia, the earliest attestation of which dates back to the Phoenicians and Romans. It is the southern gateway to the Backwaters of Kerala, and is known for its cashew processing, coir manufacturing, and tourism industries.
The Kerala backwaters are a network of brackish lagoons and canals lying parallel to the Arabian Sea of the Malabar coast of Kerala state in south-western India. It also includes interconnected lakes, rivers, and inlets, a labyrinthine system formed by more than 900 km (560 mi) of waterways, and sometimes compared to bayous. The network includes five large lakes linked by canals, both man made and natural, fed by 38 rivers, and extending virtually half the length of Kerala state. The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range. In the midst of this landscape there are a number of towns and cities, which serve as the starting and end points of backwater cruises. There are 34 backwaters in Kerala. Out of it, 27 are located either closer to Arabian Sea or parallel to the sea. The remaining 7 are inland navigation routes.
Ashtamudi Lake, in the Kollam District of the Indian state of Kerala is a unique wetland ecosystem and a large palm-shaped water body. It is second only in size to the Vembanad estuary ecosystem of the state. Ashtamudi means 'eight hills or peaks' in the local Malayalam language. The name is indicative of the lake's topography with its multiple branches. The lake is also called the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala and is well known for its houseboat and backwater resorts. Ashtamudi Wetland was included in the list of wetlands of international importance, as defined by the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands. Ashtamudi Estuary is the deepest among all the estuaries in Kerala, with a maximum depth of 6.4 meters at the confluence zone.
Kollam district, is one of 14 districts of the state of Kerala, India. The district has a cross-section of Kerala's natural attributes; it is endowed with a long coastline, a major Laccadive Sea seaport and an inland lake. The district has many water bodies. Kallada River is one among them, and land on the east bank of the river is East Kallada and that on the west bank is West Kallada.
Kerala, a state situated on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Named as one of the ten paradises of the world by National Geographic Traveler, Kerala is famous especially for its ecotourism initiatives and beautiful backwaters. Kerala has unique culture and traditions coupled with its varied demography. Several international agencies ranging from UNESCO to National Geographic have recognised the state's tourism potential. Kerala was named by TIME magazine in 2022 among the 50 extraordinary destinations to explore in its list of the World's Greatest Places. In 2023, Kerala was listed at the 13th spot in The New York Times' annual list of places to visit and was the only tourist destination listed from India.
Kureepuzha is a peninsula region in the city of Kollam, Kerala, India, located on the shore of Ashtamudi Lake. Kureepuzha is sharing borders with the village of Neeravil in the north. It is one among the 55 councils of Kollam Municipal Corporation(KMC). Kerala's only turkey farm and a regional poultry farm are at Kureepuazha. Kollam city's waste management plant is also situated at Kureepuzha.
The President's Trophy Boat Race is a popular boat race held on the Ashtamudi lake in Kollam city on 1 November every year. The day marks the birth of the Indian state of Kerala, known as Kerala Piravi. This is the most popular of the races to be held during the season of the harvest festival, Onam, in Autumn on Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam. There would be races in five categories, namely Chundan Vallam (snake-boats), two grades of Veppu Vallam, and two grades of Iruttukuthi Vallam. Sixteen snake-boats would compete in four heats. The trophy had been instituted in the name of the President of India. President of India will be present to witness the race and would also give away the trophy and cash prize to the winning team. The race will become a part of Kerala's IPL-model boat race league from 2019 onward. The Government of Kerala is planning to make President's Trophy Boat Race as the finishing event of Champions’ Boat League.
The Asramam Maidanam or Ashramam Maithanam is an urban park, or maidhanam, in the city of Kollam, in Kerala, India. At 72 acres (29 ha), it is the largest open space within Kerala Municipal Corporation limits. The maidan is considered one of the green lungs of the city and regularly hosts the city's main cultural and sports events. It holds an adventure park children's park, picnic village, British Residency and mangrove forests making it an important tourism spot in the city.
Asramam or Ashramam is one of the prime locations in Kollam city of Kerala, India. It is one among the 55 wards of Kollam Municipal Corporation. Asramam is a notable place in the city because of the presence of old airport, public/private institutions, tourism destinations, parks, hospitals, maidan etc. Asramam Maidan, the biggest open space now existing in any of the Kerala Municipal Corporation limits is situated at Asramam. The first airport in the state of Kerala, Kollam Airport, was functioned in this maidan. Asramam is the headquarters of the Kollam branches of Indian Medical Association and Sports Authority of India. Link Road, one of the important roads in the city, passing through Asramam. The one and only International Hockey Stadium in the state is at Asramam.
The British Residency, also known as the Government Guest House or Residency Bungalow, is a two-storeyed palace situated at Asramam in the city of Kollam in the Indian state of Kerala. It lies close to the site of the old Kollam Airport situated at Asramam in the city and was built by Colonel John Munro between 1811 and 1819. It is a noted Kollam landmark like the Chinnakada Clock Tower.
Munroturuttu railway station or Mundrothuruthu railway station(Code:MQO) is an 'HG 2 Category' halt railway station, situated between Perinad and Sasthamkotta railway stations of Kollam district in Kerala state, India. The station is coming under the Southern Railway zone of Indian Railways. The nearest major rail head of Munrothuruthu railway station is Kollam Junction railway station.
Thoppilkadavu or Thoppilkkadavu is one of the neighbourhoods of the city of Kollam, located on the shores of Ashtamudi Lake in Kerala, India. It is an integral part of Kollam city. Presence of Ashtamudi Lake is increasing the importance of Thoppilkadavu as one of the tourism hotspots in the city. Thoppilkadavu is the western endpoint of Asramam Link Road in the city.
Transport in Kollam includes various modes of road, rail and water transportation in the city and its suburbs. State-owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses, private buses, Indian Railways, state-owned Kerala State Water Transport Department boats & ferry, taxis and auto rickshaws are serving the city of Kollam. The city had a strong commercial reputation since the days of the Phoenicians and Romans. Ibn Battuta mentioned Kollam Port as one of the five Indian ports he had seen during the course of his twenty-four year travels.
Kollam KSWTD Boat Jetty or Kollam KSWTD Ferry Station is an transport hub in the city of Kollam in Kerala, India, one of 14 ferry stations owned by the Kerala State Water Transport Department.
Asramam Children's Park is a park for children, situated at Asramam in Kollam city, Kerala. The park is owned by Kollam Municipal Corporation, India. It is also called Children’s Traffic Park. This park is considered as a part of Asramam Picnic Village, main centre for recreational activities in Kollam city. A model Adventure Park and a 200-year-old British Residency are situated very close to this park.
City of Kollam or Quilon is known as Prince of Arabian Sea, situated on the banks of Arabian Sea and Ashtamudi Lake. A major portion of Kollam Municipal Corporation area is occupied by Ashtamudi Lake. It is the most visited backwater and lake of Kerala, with a unique wetland ecosystem, a palm-shaped large water body, next only to the Vembanad estuary ecosystem of the state. Ashtamudi means 'eight coned'(Ashta = 'eight'; mudi = 'coned') in the local language of Malayalam. This name is indicative of the lake's topography: a lake with multiple branches. The lake is also called the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala. This lake is extremely famous for House Boat and Backwater Resorts.
The Eight-point Gallery Cafe or 8 Point Art Cafe is an art gallery and cafe situated in Kollam (Quilon) city of Kerala, India. This is the first international standard art cafe in the city of Kollam. Eight-Point is established in a renovated heritage building, 'Parambarya,' inside the Asramam Picnic Village campus. Famous muralist and art director Mr. Shenley had taken the Parambarya building from Kollam DTPC(District Tourism promotion Council) for five years to set-up this art cafe. The Kollam DTPC has spent nearly 2 million Indian Rupee for the renovation and setting up of properties in the museum/Paramparya building.
City of Kollam or Quilon is a Port city in South India and was the commercial capital of erstwhile Kingdom of Travancore. It is situated on the Laccadive Sea coast of South Kerala. The city is known as the "Gateway to the backwaters of Kerala". The city lies on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala's second largest lake, on the Arabian sea coast. Major parts of Kollam city are covered by Ashtamudi Lake.
Waterways have always been an important mode of transport in Kerala. The total length of navigable route in Kerala was 1,900 kilometres and the navigable rivers constitute about 54 per cent of the waterways. The 41 West-flowing rivers together with the backwaters are an integrated part of the inland navigation system in Kerala. In Kerala water transportation through these channels are mainly small distant passenger services, informal country boats, freight transportation to PSU's such as Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore, Kochi etc.
Ashramam Biodiversity Heritage Site is the first Biodiversity Heritage Site in the Kerala state that came up at Asramam in Kollam city. This heritage site encompasses more than 50 hectares, including the Government Guest House complex, the mangrove area, and the creek of Ashtamudi Lake.