KOLLAM
Kollam district, earlier known as Quilon district, is one of the 14 districts of Kerala. Located to the north of Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital, the district of Kollam was a recognized international emporium of trade of the ancient world. It is also the southern gateway to the backwaters of Kerala. It was also the capital of the powerful kingdom called " VENAD". According to the historians, the Malayalam era known as the Kollam era is calculated from the founding of Kollam district. The “Kollam era” was established by the King of Kollam King Udaya Marthanda Varma in 825 A D.
The district of Kollam, a commercial town is one the major industrial and commercial centers of Kerala. It is also considered as the hub of Kerala's cashew industry. Kollam gifted with the mountains, lakes, lagoons and backwaters, is also known as the southern gateway to the backwaters of Kerala. The visit of several Phoenicians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs and the Chinese in the early days and the famous travelers like Marco Polo, Ibn Batuta and Sulyman of Siraf has enhanced the importance of the district as a major commercial town
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Borders : East - Sahya Mountain Ranges, West - Arabian Sea, South- TVM Dist.
North - Alapuzha & Pathanamthitta Dists.
Coastal Area: 37 km
Rivers: Kalladayar, Ithikarayar.
Backwaters: Ashtamudi, Paravur, Idava and Nadayar.
Lake: Sasthamcotta.
Interesting places:
Thirumullavaram sea shore, Park at Kochupilamoodu and Light house at Thankassery give enchanting sights. Thenmala reservoir, Jadayupara at Chadayamangalam, Palaruvi and Ashtamudi are other interesting places. Neendakara Fishing Harbour, Chavara Titanium Complex, Kundara Ceramic Industry are also important. Ochirakali, a traditional play, is famous.
History
Kollam, earlier known as Desinganadu was the hub of foreign trade. It was ruled by the rulers of Kollam and China flourishing Chinese settlement. In 1502, Portuguese became the first Europeans to establish a trading center at Kollam. The Dutch and the British followed them in 1795.
The district improved much with the reign of Velu Thampi Dalawa of Travancore who took initiative in constructing new bazaars and inviting merchants from Madras and Thirunelveli. These changes entitled Kollam to become the capital of the liberal rulers of Desinganad. The integration of Travancore and Cochin in 1949 made Kollam to be one of the three revenue divisions in the state. At present, the district of Kollam has a single revenue division with headquarters at Kollam. It also has five taluks namely Pathanapuram, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara, Karunagappally and Kollam
Area & Location
Kollam an old sea port town on the Arabian coast stands on the side of the Ashtamudi Lake to the north of Thiruvananthapuram. It covers an area of 2,491sq km and ranks seventh in the state for its large area. It lies 5km away from "THIRUMULLAVARAM", a wonderful tourist attracted place. Thankassery, the enclave of the Portuguese, Dutch and British lies five kilometres north of Kollam.
Kollam, a city and a municipal corporation in Kollam district lies 71 kms north of the state capital Thiruvanathapuram. It is bordered on the south by Thiruvananthapuram district, on the north by Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha, on the east by Tamil Nadu and on the west by the Arabian Sea. The district is surrounded by two rivers Kallada and Ithikkara and three lakes namely Shasthamkotta lake, Ashtamudi Lake and the Paravur Kayal.
The district has a tropical and humid climate, with an oppressive summer and plentiful seasonal rainfall. The summer season, from March to May, is followed by the south west monsoon from June to September. The north east monsoon lasts from October to November
Population
The district which ranks sixth in the state for its population is home to 25.84 lakh inhabitants. According to the census, the female population outnumbers the male population in the district.
Kollam Tour
Like Thiruvananthapuram, its neighboring city, it also attracts plenty of tourists from far and wide. Home to many backwaters, beaches, waterfalls and several famous monuments, Kollam has become a popular tourist destination.
Palaruvi waterfalls, the Thenmala forests and reservoir Ashtamudi backwaters, Kollam beaches and Chadayamangalam rock give a unique experience to the visitors. The suspension bridge (hanging bridge) at Thenmala and the famous Varkala Beach, which is 26kms south of Kollam are the other main attractions of Kollam. The remnants of the Portuguese and Dutch forts at "THANKASSERY" are the monuments that remind the earlier existence of Portuguese, Dutch and British. The 45 meter high light house is another main attraction of the district.
The "GUEST HOUSE COMPLEX" Asharam, the centre of various tourism development activities is the place where the tourists from various parts of the world gather while on their visit to Kollam. The main cultural and architectural beauty of the district lies on the walls of the Government Guest House built by the Divan of one-time Travancore State CI. Munroe in 1812 on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake. The largest Traffic Park in Kerala, the Children's Traffic Park and the Adventure Park in the district give a novel experience especially to the children.
Thirumullavaram Beach, Mayyanad known for shrines and temples and Sasthamkotta, the vast fresh water lake are some of the other main attractions that lure the tourists to the district.
Accessibility
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, which is around 71 km from Kollam is the nearest airport to the district. This provides easy accessibility to the district from all parts of the world. Trains are the other options to reach here. Being an important railhead of the Southern Railways, Kollam station operates train services to all parts of the state. The district is covered by 132 kms of railway line, of which 51 kms are broad gauge and 81 kms are meter gauge. Kollam also has a total 1552.096 kms of roads and the NH 47 covers a distance of 57.4 kms in the district.
Besides this, KSRTC buses, private owned buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and ferry services make the city easily accessible from many parts of the state. The boat services of the Water Transport Department operates services to Muthiraparamb (West Kallada), Guhanandapuram, Ayiramthengu, Munrothuruthu and Alappuzha. There are also luxury boats, both of the Government and private parties, operate from the main boat jetty during the season. Kollam also owns two ports Neendakara and Kollam.
Hotels:
Kollam has a number of hotels and restaurants that serve the taste buds of the people visiting here. It offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisines and a wonderful place to relax. Twins Ice Plant, Hotel Aramam, Hotel Mariyalayam, Hotel Lake View, Don Amar Restaurant are the famous hotels in the town.
Festivals
Crafts Festival
The district of Kollam observes Craft Festival every year during December-January. This festival features the work of craftsmen from the entire country.
Kerala Tourism Boat Races
The Boat Race held annually on the 19th of January coincides with the great elephant march conducted on 17-20 January is a major tourist attraction.
Kollam Pooram
The 10 day Vishnu festival that is held in Ashram temple every April is conducted with procession and fire works that makes it colorful.
Ashtami Rohini
The 5 day Ashtami Rohini festival celebrated at the Vadayattukotta Temple entertains the people with various amusements and festivities. It is held during the months of August-September.
Oachirakali
This mock sword-fight is one of the most important festivals in Kollam. It is conducted in commemoration with the historic battle Ochirakkali. Held on the first and second of Mithunam (June-July) every year it attracts people from all parts of the world.
Administrative Divisions
There are five administrative sub-divisions (talukas) in Kollam district such as Karunagappally, Kunnathur, Pathanapuram, Kottarakara and Kollam. The district is divided into Revenue Divisions, five Taluks and 104 Villages. The District Collector who plays the role of the agent of the government is responsible for the maintenance of the law and order of the district. He heads the Land Revenue Department in the District, along with other Revenue officers, Additional District Magistrate, Sub Collectors, Tahsildars and Special Tahsildars for five Taluks, Special Tahsildar in special offices, Deputy Tahsildars and village officers.
The tahsildar is the main revenue official in charge of each taluka.
The five taluks in the district are:
Kollam Taluk (Taluk headquarters: Kollam)
Adiichanellore, Cheerakkara, Eravipuram, Kalluvathukkal, Kilikolloor, Kizhakkke Kallada, Kollam East, Kollam West, Kottamkara, Kottappuram, Mangad, Manrothuruth, Mayyanad, Meenadu, Mulavana, Mundakkal, Nedumpana, Pallimon, Panayam, Parippally, Perinadu, Poothakulam, Paravur, Sakthikulangara, Thazhuthala, Thrikkadavoor, Thrikkaruva, Thrikovilvattom, Kundara and Vadekkevila.
Karunagappally Taluk (Taluk Headquarter: Karunagappally)
Adhinadu, Alappad, Ayanivelikulangara, Chavara, Clappana, Kallebhagam, Karunagappally, Kulasckharapuram, Needakara, Ochira, Paavumba, Pammana, Thazhava, Thekkumbhagam, Thevalakkara, Thodiyoor and Vadakkumthala.
Kottarakkara Taluk (Taluk Headquarter: Kottarakkara)
Chadayamangalam, Chakkuvarakkal, Chithara, Elamadu, Ezhukone, Ittiva, Kadakkal, Kalayapuram, Kareepra, Kottarakkara, Kottukkal, Kulakkada, Kummil, Mangodu, Melila, Mylam, Neduvathoor, Nilamel, Odanavattom, Pavithraswaram, Pooyapally, Puthoor, Ummannore, Valakom, Velinallore, Vettikavala, Veliam.
Pathanapuram Taluk (Taluk Headquarter: Punalur)
Alayamon, Anchal, Arackal, Arayankavu, Ayranallore, Channapeetah, Edamon, Edamulakkal, Eroor, Karavaloor, Kulathupuzha, Maloor, Pathanapuram, Pattazhi, Pidavoor, Piravanthoor, Punalur, Punnala, Thalavoor, Thenmala, Thinkalkarikkom, Vadakode and Vilakkudi.
Kunnathur Taluk (Taluk Headquarter: Kunnathur)
Kunnathur, Mynagappally, Padinjara Kallada, Poruvazhi, Sasthamcotta, Shuranadu north, Shuranadu south.
Economy
Kollam, known as a major commercial and industrial town receives its major part of the revenue from its various industries. There are central government, state government and private sector industries that contribute much to increase the revenue of the district. These companies also provide a number of job opportunities to the people from in and around the state. There are 17 large and one medium scale industries in the district. The two Central Government undertakings are the Indian Rare Earths, Chavara and Parvathi Mills Ltd. Kundara, Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company, Kundara, Kerala Premo Pipe factory Chavara, Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited, Chavara, United Electrical Industries Kollam and the Kerala Agro-Fruit Products, Punalur are the state government owned companies. Other major industries in private sector are Thomas Stephen & Co., Kollam, Floorco Paravur, Cooperative Spinning Mill, Chathannur and Punalur Paper Mills at Punalur. There are also around 1963 SSI units in the district.
Besides this, cashew processing and coir production are the other major industrial centers of the district. The district is also home to handloom industry, clay and wood based industries. Tourism is another sector that contributes much to enhance the revenue of Kollam. The various tourist attractive places such as backwaters, lakes and beaches entice plenty of tourists from far and wide. This in turn is a major source of revenue to the district
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