City of Kollam or Quilon is a Port city in South India and was the commercial capital of erstwhile Kingdom of Travancore. [1] It is situated on the Laccadive Sea coast of South Kerala. The city is known as the "Gateway to the backwaters of Kerala". [2] The city lies on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala's second largest lake, on the Arabian sea coast. [3] Major parts of Kollam city are covered by Ashtamudi Lake.
The city of Kollam lies at 8°53′13″N76°35′26″E / 8.887082°N 76.590691°E with an average altitude of 3 metres. The average rainfall is 270 cm yearly. [4] The city is surrounded by Arabian Sea in the west, Ashtamudi Lake and panchayats of Neendakara and Thrikkaruva in north, Mayyanad panchayat in the south and Thrikkovilvattom and Kottamkara panchayats in east. The Kollam coast is a blessed coastal belt with the best mineral sand deposit of the country. [5] The backwaters of Ashtamudi, thick mangroves on its coasts, beaches, estuaries, scattered islands and pleasant climate are making Kollam as one of the best sea side tourist destinations in Kerala. [6] [7]
The maximum average temperature of the city in the summer season is 31 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature recorded is 23 degrees Celsius. Under the Köppen climate classification, the city features a Tropical monsoon climate. [8]
| Climate data for Kollam | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 32 (90) | 32 (90) | 31 (88) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 30 (86) | 29 (84) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 25 (77) | 26 (79) | 25 (77) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 24 (75) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 18 (0.7) | 26 (1.0) | 53 (2.1) | 147 (5.8) | 268 (10.6) | 518 (20.4) | 381 (15.0) | 248 (9.8) | 209 (8.2) | 300 (11.8) | 208 (8.2) | 51 (2.0) | 2,427 (95.6) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 117 |
| Source: Weather2Travel | |||||||||||||
Kollam is known as the Prince of Arabian Sea. Several beaches, estuaries, backwaters and islands are there in the city. In 2015, Kollam got selected as the least polluted city in India. [9] The mineral sand deposit in Kollam coasts worth several thousand crores of Indian rupee. [10]
A good number of scattered islands are there in Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam. These islands are the real beauty of Kollam backwaters. Most of these islands are potential tourism spots in the state. Even Indian Railways also planning to develop one of the islands in Kollam for a tourism project. [11] There are big as well as small islands which are inhabited and uninhabited by human beings. The important islands in Kollam are: [12]
Kollam is land of serene beaches. The white sand beaches take the prime spot in Kollam’s tourism map. Popularly known Kollam Beach, Thirumullavaram Beach and Mundakkal Beach are the three important beaches in the city. Several other small beaches are there on the coastline of Kollam namely Tangasseri, Vaddy, Thanni etc. [14]
Kollam Beach is on the south-west area of the city. The beach also features a children's park, the Mahatma Gandhi Park and an under construction Marine Aquarium. [15] Kollam beach is one among the few beaches in Kerala with a lifeguard outpost. [16]
Thirumullavaram Beach is on the north-west coast of Kollam city. The beach is ideal for early morning walks [17] Thirumullavaram beach is very famous for conducting the Karkidaka Vavubali rituals. [17] Thousands of devotees arrive on the beach to perform the Vavubali Tharpanam every year.
Varkala is a major coastal municipality and a northern suburb of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of the Indian state of Kerala. In legends and myths related to Kerala, texts like the Kerala Mahatmyam describe the Varkala region as one of the sacred places of Kerala.
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 state capital, Thiruvanathapuram (Trivandrum). 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.
Munroe Island or Mundrothuruthu is an inland island group located at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River, in Kollam district, Kerala, South India. It is a group of eight small islets comprising a total area of about 13.4 km2. The island, accessible by road, rail and inland water navigation, is about 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Kollam by road, 38 kilometres (24 mi) north from Paravur, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) west from Kundara and about 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Karunagapally. As of the 2011 Indian census, the administrative village of Mundrothuruth has a total population of 9599, consisting of 4636 males and 4963 females. This island is also known as "Sinking Island of Kerala".
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.
Chavara is a village in Karunagappally taluk, Kollam district, Kerala, India. It is a part of Kollam Lok Sabha constituency.
Kundara is a census town in Kerala and is part of the Kollam Metropolitan Area, India. Kundara is situated 13 km east of Kollam city, 14 km west of Kottarakkara, and 24 km north of Paravur. Kundara is significant for its historic involvement in the Indian independence movement.
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.
Kollam Beach, also known as Mahatma Gandhi Beach, is a beach at Kollam city in the Indian state of Kerala. Kollam Beach is the first 'Beach Wedding Destination' in Kerala.
Sakthikulangara is a zone and neighbourhood situated at the coastal area of the city of Kollam in Kerala India. It is one among the 6 zonal headquarters of Kollam Municipal Corporation.
Chettuva Backwater or Lanchi Velayudhan's Chettuva is located in between Engandiyur Panchayat and Kadappuram Panchayat of Thrissur District in Kerala. The backwaters start at Enamakkal Lake and empties to Arabian Sea. The destination is blessed with mangroves, Chinese fishing nets, islands, migratory birds, estuary and a fort. The mangroves at Chettuva backwaters are famous around the world, it is also knows as Lanchi Velayudhan backwater, He have helped many to reach in Dubai in 90's with his boat. In 2010, Government of Kerala has declared Chettuva as heritage village.
Thekkumbhagam or Thekkumbhagom is the western coastal town of Paravur municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala, India. It is located at the South-western tip of Kollam's coastal area. It is in the Arabian Sea coast. Thekkumbhagam-Kappil estuary point in the Kollam-Thiruvananthapuram coastal border is one of the emerging tourism spots in the state. On 1936, during formation, Thekkumbhagam was one of the nine territories of Paravur Panchayath. Thekkumbhagam estuary is one among the twin estuary points in Paravur. The other one is Pozhikara estuary.
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. 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.
Kollam or Quilon is an old seaport and a city on the Laccadive Sea coast in Kerala, India, on Ashtamudi Lake. The city remains notable as the ancient commercial capital of Kerala and the southwestern Indian coast, in addition to its fame as the "Cashew Capital of the World". The Kollam Municipal Corporation has the second largest budget in Kerala in terms of revenue and expenditure.
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.
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 Paravur Estuaries are a group of estuaries in Paravur, India, near the South-Western coast of Kollam district, Kerala. Paravur is one among the 4 municipal towns in Kollam district, Kerala state. The place is known for its natural beauties, backwater locations, white-sand beaches and concentration of temples.
Sambranikodi Island is a landmass situated in the Ashtamudi backwaters of Kollam district, Kerala, India. The island is situated approximately 10 kilometers away from the main city of Kollam. The village falls in the area of ward 13 of Thrikkaruva grama panchayat and is at the southern tip of Prakkulam. The island in the lake can be accessed from Sambranikodi in mainland via boats services.
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