కొల్లాం జిల్లా

Kollam District കൊല്ലം ജില്ല Quilon District
District
From top: Paravur estuary, Light house and clock tower in Kollam city, 13 Ring bridge of Thenmala, Check dam across Kallada river
Nickname:  Cashew capital of the world
దస్త్రం:Kollamdistrict.png
Country	India
State	Kerala
Headquarters	Kollam
Government
• Collector	Pranab Jyothi Nath IAS
విస్తీర్ణం
• Total	2,491 కి.మీ2 (962 చ. మై)
• Rank	6th
జనాభా  (2011)
• Total	26,35,375
• జనసాంద్రత	1,058/కి.మీ2 (2,740/చ. మై.)
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English, Tamil
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
ISO 3166 code	IN-KL-02, KL-23, KL-24, KL-25, KL-61
Vehicle registration	Kollam, Paravur: KL-02, Karunagappally: KL-23, Kottarakkara: KL-24, Punalur: KL-25, Kunnathur: KL-61
Sex ratio	1112 ♂/♀
Literacy	93.77%
Website	,

Kollam district (formerly Quilon) 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 Arabian Sea seaport and an inland lake (Ashtamudi Lake). Kollam is the capital of Kerala's cashew industry. Plains, mountains, lakes, lagoons and backwaters, forests, farmland and rivers make up the topography of the district. The area had trading relationships with Phoenicia and Ancient Rome. About 30 percent of the district is covered by Ashtamudi Lake, making it a gateway to the Kerala backwaters. The Thevalakara and Thekkumbagam panchyaths established the ancient korekini ("sea pointed inland") port of Tarsish in 1500 BC. Kollam is also known as The God's Own Capital.

Geography

Kollam district is located on the southwest coast of India, bordering Laccadive Sea in the west, the state of Tamil Nadu in the east, Kerala district of Alappuzha in the north, Pathanamthitta in the northeast and Thiruvananthapuram in the south. It covers 2,492 చదరపు కిలోమీటర్లు (962 చ. మై.), is the seventh-largest district in Kerala and is densely populated. Kollam district is having the least coastal line among the Kerala districts(37 Kilometers).

Four Major Centers are Kottarakara(കൊട്ടാരക്കര), Punalur,Karunagapally and Paravur.

Sasthamkotta Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Kerala, is located in Kollam; this lake provides drinking water to the city of Kollam. Two major rivers (the Kallada and the Ithikkara) drain the district. Ashtamudi Lake and Paravur Lake are two important lakes in the district. Ashtamudi Lake covers 30 percent of total area of the district. Kollam is located on Ashtamudi Lake. Neendakara, a major fishing port in southern Kerala, is also located on this scenic lake. Edava and Nadayara Lakes are also partly located in Kollam district.Kollam sea port was founded by Mar Abo with sanction from Udayamarthandavarma the Tamil king from Venad otherwise called Ay kingdom in 825 AD instead of re opening the inland sea port(kore-ke-ni kollam) near Backare (Thevalakara) also known as Nelcynda and Tyndis to the Romans and The Greeks and Thondi to the Taamils and is also the foundation of the new city. It is also believed that Mar Abo actually volunteered to the Chera king to create a new sea port town near at Kollam instead of his request for renewing the almost vanishing Tyndis or Nelcynda inland sea port( kore-ke-ni) at Kollam, lying idle without trade for a few centuries because of the Cheras being overrun by Pallavas in the 6th century AD ending the spice trade from Malabar coast. This allowed Mar Abo to stay for many decades in Chera kingdom and streamline Christian faith among the Nampoothiri Vaishnavites & Nair sub castes in the St. Thomas tradition with Syrian liturgy as Reference for the Doctrine of Trinity without replacing the Sanskrit and Vedi) ))))..

Climate

Kollam
Climate chart (explanation)
జ ఫి మా ఏ మే జూ జు ఆ సె అ న డి     24   32 22     31   33 23     78   33 24     160   33 25     247   33 25     459   30 24     409   30 23     259   30 23     211   31 24     333   31 24     231   31 23     65   32 23 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm Source: Govt. of Kerala
Imperial conversion జ ఫి మా ఏ మే జూ జు ఆ సె అ న డి     1   90 72     1.2   91 73     3.1   91 75     6.3   91 77     9.7   91 77     18   86 75     16   86 73     10   86 73     8.3   88 75     13   88 75     9.1   88 73     2.6   90 73 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches

Kollam's temperature is almost steady throughout the year. The average temperature ranges from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius. Summer usually runs from March until May; the monsoon begins by June and ends by September. Kollam receives an annual average rainfall of around 2,700 మిల్లీమీటర్లు (110 అం.).Kollam receives both Southwest and Northeast Monsoons. Winter is from November to February; the temperature is moderately cool, ranging from 18 to 25 degrees Celsius.

శీతోష్ణస్థితి డేటా - Kollam (Quilon)
నెల	జన	ఫిబ్ర	మార్చి	ఏప్రి	మే	జూన్	జూలై	ఆగ	సెప్టెం	అక్టో	నవం	డిసెం	సంవత్సరం
సగటు అధిక °C (°F)	32 (90)	33 (91)	33 (91)	33 (91)	33 (91)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	31 (88)	31 (88)	31 (88)	32 (90)	33 (91)
సగటు అల్ప °C (°F)	22 (72)	23 (73)	24 (75)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	23 (73)	23 (73)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	23 (73)	22 (72)
సగటు అవపాతం mm (inches)	24.4 (0.96)	30.9 (1.22)	77.7 (3.06)	159.5 (6.28)	246.9 (9.72)	458.8 (18.06)	408.9 (16.10)	258.9 (10.19)	211.2 (8.31)	332.5 (13.09)	230.8 (9.09)	65.4 (2.57)	2,700 (106.30)
Source 1:
Source 2:

Demographics

According to the 2011 census Kollam district has a population of 2,629,703, roughly equal to the nation of Kuwait or the US state of Nevada. This gives it a ranking of 155th in India (out of a total of 640 districts). The district has a population density of 1,056 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,740/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 1.72 percent. Kollam has a sex ratio of 1113 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 93.77 percent.

In 2001 Indian Census Muslim Population is 4,74,071(18.34%), Hindu 16,85,044(65.18%), Christian 4,23,745(16.39%).

Urban Structure

The Kollam Urban Agglomeration(UA) is the 6th most populous UA in the state. Kollam is placed 49th in the list of most populous urban agglomerations in India. The total Urban population of the entire district is 11,87,158. The Metropolitan area of Kollam includes Adichanalloor, Adinad, Ayanivelikulangara, Chavara, Elampalloor, Eravipuram (Part), Kallelibhagom, Karunagappally, Kollam, Kottamkara, Kulasekharapuram, Mayyanad, Meenad, Nedumpana, Neendakara, Oachira, Panayam, Panmana, Paravur, Perinad, Poothakkulam, Thazhuthala, Thodiyoor, Thrikkadavoor, Thrikkaruva, Thrikkovilvattom, and Vadakkumthala

Administration

Lighthouse, Thangasseri, Kollam

The history of the district's administration can be traced back to 1835, when the Travancore state consisted of two revenue divisions with headquarters at Kollam and Kottayam. When Travancore and Cochin were combined into Travancore-Cochin, Kollam was one of the three revenue divisions. When the state of Kerala was formed in 1957, Chenkotta taluk was merged with the state of Madras. Later in 1957, the Cherthala, Ambalapuzha, Mavelikara, Karthikapalli, Chengannur and Thiruvalla taluks (formerly in Kollam district) were united to form the new district of Alappuzha. In 1983, Pathanamthitta taluk and nine villages of Kunnathur taluk were removed from Kollam district to form the new Pathanamthitta district.

District administration

Paravur estuary: Scenic beauty of backwaters and beaches

Kollam district has six administrative subdivisions (taluks): Pathanapuram(new taluk), Punalur, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara, Karunagappally and Kollam. The district collector, a key functionary of the government, heads the district administration. He or she plays a dual role: the agent of government and chief administrator of the district, reporting to the state government. Among other tasks, maintaning law and order is a priority for district collector. The district collector is also the head of the Land Revenue Department of the district. The district has one revenue division, with its headquarters at Quilon. For administrative purposes, Kollam district is divided into 5 taluks, 13 blocks, 69 Panchayats, 1 corporation, 3 municipalities and 104 villages. The Kollam Civil Station was built in 1956 to incorporate all government offices in one place.

Police administration

Police administration in Kollam is divided into two districts: urban and rural. The City Police is headed by a City Police Commissioner, an IPS (Indian Police Service) officer with the rank of SP; its headquarters is at Kollam. The rural police is headed by the Rural Superintendent of Police (SP), with its headquarters at Kottarakkara. Both heads report to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Thiruvananthapuram Range (Kerala).

The Kollam City Police is divided into three subdivisions, each under an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP): Karunagappally, Kollam and Chathannoor. Each subdivision is divided into circles, headed by the Circle Inspector of Police. Each circle is divided into a number of police stations, headed by a Sub-Inspector of Police. The Kollam Rural Police District is divided into two subdivisions, each under a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP): Kottarakkara and Punalur. There are a total of 29 police stations, in 13 circles. Kollam city traffic is controlled by the City Traffic Police, with a Traffic Police Station located near the Asramam Ground. Kerala's first coastal police station was established in Neendakara, Kollam.

The first police museum in India (the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Police Museum) has a large collection of police artifacts and rare photographs. The museum has a room dedicated to officers killed in the line of duty. The forensic section has a large collection of photographs. The museum is located at the Kollam East Police Station.

Taluks

Kollam is administratively divided into 6 taluks they are Kollam, Karunagappally, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara, Punalur and Pathanapuram, which are subdivided into 104 villages. The tahsildar is the revenue official in charge of each taluk.

Taluk	Headquarters
Kollam Taluk	Kollam
Karunagappally Taluk	Karunagappally
Kunnathur Taluk	Sasthamkotta
Kottarakkara Taluk	Kottarakkara
Punalur Taluk	Punalur
Pathanapuram Taluk	Pathanapuram

Municipalities

There are 3 municipalities in Kollam District. Punalur, Paravur and Karunagappally are the municipalities. There is a long standing demand for upgrading Kottarakkara & Anchal panchayaths into municipal status.

Lok Sabha constituencies

ప్రధాన వ్యాసం: Kollam (Lok Sabha constituency)

Three Lok Sabha (lower house) constituencies constitute Kollam district. They include the Chavara, Kundara, Eravipuram, Kollam, Chathannoor, Chadayamangalam and Punalur assembly constituencies. While the Kunnathur, Kottarakkara and Pathanapuram constituencies are in the Mavelikkara Lok Sabha constituency, the Karunagapally assembly constituency is in the Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency.

Politics

Kollam district elects 11 representatives (MLAs) to the Kerala Legislative Assembly. The district has a rich political history; the party receiving the majority of votes in Kollam has always gone on to form the government in Kerala. Kollam district has two ministers in the Kerala government. Kollam is a traditional stronghold for CPI(M) led left democratic front. Currently LDF has 9 seats and UDF has 2 seats in the assembly from Kollam district. CPI(M) PB member MA Baby and central committee member P K Gurudasan are elected MLA from Kollam.

Leaders like T.M.Varghese, C.Kesavan and Kumbalathu Sanku Pillai, were the architects of freedom movement in Kollam. R.Shanker, who played a prominent role as an educationalist and social reformist, hails from Kolam. The district gave birth to well known freedom fighters like Chandiran Kali ambi (Kadakkal Manthri) and Franco Raghavan Pillai.

Culture

Paravur K.C Kesava Pillai - Mahakavi

Kollam, the capital of the erstwhile Venad, was a great centre of learning and culture. It attracted distinguished scholars from all parts of south India. Leelethilakam and Unnuneeli Sandesam, two outstanding literacy works of historical importance, is contributions o0f 14th century Kollam. The dance from of Kathakali in its new version of Ramanattam was the creation of Kottarakkara Thampuran, who also improved Krishnanattam by substituting Malayalam for Sanskrit.

Music Director Paravur G.Devarajan

Mahakavi K.C.Kesava Pillai was born in Paravur, a gifted poet, prose writer, dramatist and Scholar, originated the musical play in Malayalam through his work Sadarama. His Kesaveeyam, a Mahakavyam, is of outstanding literary importance. In the history of Malayalam music, he has a prominent place as a gifted composer of songs. Paravoor Kesavan Asan, the founder editor of Sujananandini, another prominent literacy figure, was a journalist and a prose writer of eloquence. His Saratchadrika is a contribution to the study of Ayurvedic system of medicine. E.V.Krishna Pillai, another literacy celebrity has etched his name in the field of humor and satire. C.V.Kunjuraman, editor of Kerala Kaumudi and Malayalarajayam was a poet, literacy critic, prose writer and journalist of outstanding distinction.

Coming to modern times, Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai and Sooranadu Kunjan Pillai, noted literary luminaries hailing from this district. Oyoor Kochu Govinda Pillai, and Chavara Parukkutty the Katha Kali artists, Paris Viswanathan and Jayapala Panicker the renowned artists also belong to this district. Famous poets O. N. V. Kurup, Thirunalloor Karunakaran, Punaloor Balan, novelists K. Surendran and A.P.Kalakkad,journalist K. Balakrishnan and actors Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair and O. Madhavan, Kadhaprasangam artist V. Sambasivan are from Kollam.

Religion

ప్రధాన వ్యాసం: Religion in Kollam District

Hinduism, Islam and Christianity are the prominent religions in this district.

Kollam sea port was founded by Mar Abo with sanction from Udayamarthandavarma the Tamil king from Venad otherwise called Ay kingdom in 825 AD instead of re opening the inland sea port(kore-ke-ni kollam) near Backare (Thevalakara) also known as Nelcynda and Tyndis to the Romans and The Greeks and Thondi to the Tamils and is also the foundation of the new city. It is also believed that Mar Abo actually volunteered to the Chera king to create a new sea port town near at Kollam instead of his request for renewing the almost vanishing Tyndis or Nelcynda inland sea port( kore-ke-ni) at Kollam, lying idle without trade for a few centuries because of the Cheras being overrun by Pallavas in the 6th century AD ending the spice trade from Malabar coast. This allowed Mar Abo to stay for many decades in Chera kingdom and streamline Christian faith among the Nampoothiri Vaishnavites &Nair sub castes in the St. Thomas tradition with Syrian liturgy as Reference for the Doctrine of Trinity without replacing the Sanskrit and Vedic prayers.

Hindu worship

ప్రధాన వ్యాసాలు: Puttingal Temple, Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathi Kshethram, and List of Hindu temples in Kerala

Mukathala Murari (Sri Krishna) Temple

The Mukhathala Murari (Sri Krishna Swamy) Temple at Mukhathala is about 10 km from Kollam city.

The Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada (popularly known as Peruviruthy Malanada, or Malanada) is located at Edakkad Ward (Kara) in Poruvazhy Village, Kunnathoor Taluk. It is the northern border of Kollam district and includes Kadampnad in Pathanamthitta and the Alappuzha district. The temple is equidistant from Adoor (MC Road) on the northeast and Sasthamcottah on the southeast. It is also accessible from Kayamkulam and Karunagappally on NH 47 and Kottarakkara (via Puthoor or Enathu) on the MC road (approximately 25 km from each).

Oachira, located in the north of the district on National Highway 47, is known for its Oachira Parabrahma Temple. Oachirakali is an annual event at the padanilam (paddy fields) in the month of Vrichikam. The Oachira Town Masjid (mosque) and the Oachira Temple are situated close to one another, a symbol of communal harmony. This temple is also a Sabarimala edathavalam.

Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathi Kshethram

The Mahaganapathi (Ganesha) Temple at Kottarakara, famous for its Unniappom, is one of the most venerated Ganesha temples in Kerala. The major vazhipadu (offerings) of the Kottarakkara temple are the Udayasthamaya pooja. The main deity of this temple is Shiva, but it is now a Ganesha temple. Edakkidom Thettikkunil Sree Maha Devi Temple, The major "vazhipadu" of the Edakkidom temple are the Adamoodal, Kadumpayasam

Asramam Sreekrishna Swamy Temple, on the shore of Ashtamudi Lake, is one of the best-known temples in Kollam. The main deity is Krishna as a boy, with butter in both palms. The arattu mahotsavam (festival) of this temple is known as kollam pooram. The kollam pooram is held annually in Asramam maidan.

Kettu kala (an offering to God) from Kollam district

Ammachiveedu Temple is located in the town area. It was established by an aristocratic family, Ammachi Veedu. The annual festival falls on Dhanu every year, but it is to be done after the Mandala Pooja.

Anandavalleswaram is another major temple in Kollam near the District jail. Here both Mahadeva(facing west) and Devi(facing east) are worshipped. In addition to them, Ganesh, Ayyappa, SreeKrishna and also Muruga are worshiped. We could find Hanuman Swamy also being worshiped there.

The Edavanadu Bhagavathi Temple is the major Durga temple in Kollam district. It is situated in the Mathilil Town area, Kollam.

Varattuchira Devi Temple, keralapuram, Temple Dedicated to form of Bhadrakali in peace after "Dharika vadom" ( killing of Dharika a rakshasa), or other form of Mondaicaud Bhagavathi

The Anchal Agasthyakode Mahadeva Temple is another major Mahadeva temple in Kollam district. It is situated in Anchal Panchayath. Every year during Sivarathri, people from every caste and religious background come for the religious festivities (such as Jikku Krishnalayam).

The Thrikkadavoor Mahadeva Temple is the best-known Shiva Temple in the District. It is situated in the Thrikkadavoor Panchayath, on the banks of the Ashtamudi lake. The annual Srattu festival attracts thousands of people from around the world; the festival falls in the month of Kumbham (February). The eight artificial horses (which represent the eight areas (karas) around the temple) are a special attraction for tourists.

Kolloorvila Bharanikkavu Devi temple is located in Madannada, on National Highway 47. Its annual festival lasts 41 days, and is held on bharani nakshatra of meenam month (according to the Malayalam calendar, Kollavarsham).

The Veerabhadra Swamy Temple at Ashtamudi is the only temple in the southern part of the district with Veerabhadra as the presiding deity. The temple is woned by the Kuttiyazhikams in Karuva, a 250-year-old Ezhava family.

Umayanalloor Sri Balasubramania (Murugan) Swamy Temple is situated on NH-47, about 8 km from Kollam. The temple is visited by thousands of devotees. Its Aana Vaal Pidutham Mahotsavam (during the Malayalam month of Meenam (mid-March) attracts hundreds of worshipers from all over the state. Devotees run after an elephant and catch its tail, symbolising the childhood pranks between the deities Subramanyan (Murugan) and Ganesha. Thaipuyyam is also celebrated. Legend has it that the temple was built by the powerful female ruler Umayammarani of the Venad Kingdom about 500 years ago. Aryankavu, in the Western Ghats, is the easternmost point in the district on the National Highway. One of five ancient Ayyappa temples is situated here; two others are at Achankovil and Kulathupuzha in the district.

Shri Mahadevar Temple, Padinjattinkara, Sree Bhootha Natha Temple, Kulashekharanallor Srikrishnaswami, the Devi temple at Kottarakara, Chennamath Temple and Vilappuram Bhagavathy Temple at Chathannoor are other well-known temples. Polachira (near Vilappuram Temple) and Anathavalam (elephants' shelter) at Chirakkara are also scenic locations.

Pattazhy Devi Temple

Thalavoor Sri Durga Devi Temple, Thazhava Pulimukham Devi Temple, Peroor Karunalloor Bhagavathy Temple, Pattazhy Devi Temple, Pallimon Mahadeva Temple, Vadayattukotta Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Kundara Ilampalloor Devi Temple and Paravur Puttingal Devi Temple are other Hindu temples in the District.

Another important temple is the Kottamkulangara temple near Chavara, where there is a tradition of males participating in Vilakkeduppu wearing women's dresses.

The Koonambaikulam (మళయాళం: വലിയകൂനംബായ്കുളം) temple is also popular. Its deity is a goddess named Koonambaikulathu Amma. Other temples in Kollam include the Peroor Sree Meenakshi Temple at Punthalathazham and the Mangalathu Temple at Punthalathazham.

Vadakkevila Koonambaikulam Temple

The Kadaikodu Mahadeva Temple is the main attraction in the village of Kadaikodu near Edakkidom.

Name	Location	Deity
Subramanya Swamy Temple	Vilangara Kottarakara	Lord Subramanya
Sasthamcotta Sree Dharma Sastha Temple	Sasthamcotta	Shri Dharma Sastha
Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Temple	Poruvazhy	Duryodhana
Sree Puttingal Bhagavathi Temple	Paravur	Goddess Durga
Sree Ayiravilli Mahadeva Temple	Paravur	Lord Shiva
Sree Pozhikara Devi Temple	Paravur	Goddess Lakshmi
Kottekkunnil Subramanya Temple	Paravur	Lord Subramanya
Bhoothakulam Dharmasastha Temple	Paravur	Lord Ayyappan
Sri Vikundapuram Mahavishnu Kshethram	Bhoothakulam, Paravur	Lord Vishnu
Sree Bhoothanatha Temple	Chathannoor
Sree Chenamath Mahadeva Temple	Chathannoor	Lord Shiva
Sree Kalangara Bhagavathi Temple	Chathannoor
Sree Kanjiramvilla Bagathavi Temple	Chathannoor
Thazhava Sree Krishna Swamy Temple		Lord Krishna
Kariyappallil Sree Bhadrakali Temple	Thazhava	Goddess Bhadrakali
Vithoor Kizhakkathil Sree Durga-Bhadra Temple	Thazhava	Goddess Durga
Kalarivathukkal Devi Temple	Karunagappally
Kadakkal Devi Temple	Kadakkal
Magour Siva Temple	Kadakkal	Lord Shiva
Sree Mangalathu Mahalekshmi Temple	Punthalathazham, Kollam-kannanalloor	Goddess Lakshmi
Peroor Sree Meenakshi Temple	Punthalathazham
Pulimukham Devi Temple	Thazhava	Goddess Bhagavathi
Radha Madhava Temple	Allenchery
Sree Kuzhithrachalil Murugan Temple	Karingannor, Oyoor, Kollam	Lord Murugan
Sri Mahadevar Temple	Agastiacode, Anchal
Vayalil Thrikkovil Mahavishnu Temple	Ilamkulam, Kalluvathukkal	Lord Vishnu
Kodumootil Sree Badrakali Temple	Parippally	Sree badrakaali
Sree Chavambalam	Poovathoor, pulikuzi, parippally	Mahadevan, chavarappupan
Ammachiveedu Devi Temple		Lord Ganesha, Chamundi, Yogeshwaran
Ananthavalleeswaram Temple
Kottarakulam Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple	Kottarakulam	Lord Ganesh
Edakkidom ഇടയ്ക്കിടം Thettikkunil Sree Maha Devi Temple	Edakkidom,ഇടയ്ക്കിടം	Devi
Mukathala Murari Temple	Mukhathala
Rameshwaram Shiva Kshetram	Anchukallumoodu	Lord Shiva
Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Asramom		Lord Krishna
Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple	Thamarakulam	Lord Ganesh
Umikkicham Veedu Sree Krishna Swamy Temple		Lord Krishna
Oachira Parabrahma Ksetram	Oachira	Lord Parabrahman
Shree Subrahmania Swami Temple	Alappadu	Lord Subramanya
Sree Dharma Sastha Temple	Kulathupuzha	Lord Ayappan
Pavumba Vishnu And Shiva Temple	Pavumba	Lord Vishnu
Pavumba Kali Amma Temple	Pavumba	Goddess Kali
Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathi Kshethram	Kottarakara	Lord Ganesh
Sri Indilayappan Temple	Marayikkodu, Karickom, Kottarakara	Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Vishnu
Sri Dharma Shastha Temple	Achankovil	Lord Ayappan
Sri Dharma Shastha Temple	Aaryankavu	Lord Ayappan
Sri Dharma Shastha Temple	Kulathupuzha	Lord Ayappan
Sri Shankara Narayana Temple	Thenmala
Sri Mariyamman Kovil Devi Temple	Thenmala
Azhakiyakavu Devi Temple	Manapally
Kadaikodu Mahadeva Temple	Kadaikodu near Edakkidom	Lord Shiva
Koonambaikulam (വലിയകൂനംബായ്കുളം) )Temple
Chirakkidavu Sree Devi Temple	Neduvathur, Kottarakara
Sree Mahadevar Temple	Padinjattinkara, Kottarakara
Sree Muthumari Amman Kovil	Tb Junction, Kottarakara
Thiruvilangonappan Temple	Kamukum Cherry, Pathanapuram
Kulashekharanallur Sree Krishnaswami & Devi Temple	Kottarakara	Lord Krishna
Thrikkupaleswaram Devi Temple	Kalayapuram
Sri Durga Bhagavathi Temple	Uliyakovil	Goddess Durga
Sri Bhagavathy Temple	Kollavila Uloor
Poovattoor Bhagavathy Temple	Poovattoor
Kumaranchira Devi Temple	Soorandu South, Patharam	Goddess Durga
Mavelikkonam Devi Temple	Nagaroor Kilimanoor
Sri Pazhayidam Narasimha Swamy Temple	Anayadi, Sooranadu North	Lord Narasimha
Puthiyidam Sreekrishnaswamy Temple	Punaloor	Lord Krishna
Varattuchira Devi Temple	Keralapuram
Sri Mahavishnu Kshethram (Appooppan Kovil)	Cheiryaudeswaram, Palkulangara, Trivandrum	Lord Vishnu
Vadamon Sreekrishna Swamy Temple	Vadamon, Anchal	Lord Krishna
Sree Darma Sastha Temple	Sakthikulangara	Lord Ayappa
Thrikkadavoor Sree Mahadevar Temple	Kadavoor	Lord Shiva
Sree Mahadevar Temple	Manalil Mamuttilkadavu
Sree Mahathevar (Mahavishnu) Temple	Mamuttilkadavu	Lord Vishnu
Anoor Pattupurackal Devi Temple	Anoor, Kottarakkara
Ayyampally Devi Temple	Chanthoor, Kottarakkara
Sree Mahadeva Temple	Kakkakottoor, Kottarakkara	Lord Shiva
Vadamon Sree Dharma Sastha Temple (Kochambalam)	Vadamon, Anchal	Lord Ayappa
Kallada Thondickal Annapoorneswari Temple	West Kallada	Lord Yogeeswaran
Thenmala Sree Mahaganapathy Temple	Near Railway Station	Lord Mahaganapathy
Anasthanathu Kudumba Kshetram	Alumpeedika	Lord Shiva
Peroor Karinalloor Bhagavathy Temple	kollam
Thevalakara Devi Temple	Thevalakara	Goddess Durga
Thekkan Guruvayoor Sree Krishna swami Temple	Thevalakara	Lord Krishna
Indilayappan Kiratha Moorthi Temple	Thavalakara, Padinjattakara	Lord Siva
Ayyankoikkal Dharma Shastha Temple	Koivila,Thevalakara	Lord Ayyappa
Kanineezhuthe Muhoothi Temple	Thevalakara,Padinjattakara	Twin Goddess - Durga and Muhoorthi
Areekkave Bhagavathi Temple	Arinaloor, Thevalakara
Veluthanmmar kaave devi Temple	Thevalakara, Padinjattakara
velamannur Sri Devi Temple	Velamannur Durga
Varattuchira Devi Temple	Keralapuram	Bhadrakali
Mottotu Mahadevar Temple	Vayala, Anchal Shiva
kottankulangara Devi Temple	Chavara,kollam	Durga(Chamaya vilakku festival)
Mannorkave devi temple	Mynagappally, Durga

Ashram

ప్రధాన వ్యాసం: Mata Amritanandamayi

The guru Mata Amritanandamayi has her spiritual abode on the shores of the Laccadive Sea at Amritapuri, in the Karunagappalli taluk of Kollam district. Parayakadavu, a coastal village near Karunagapally, is the birthplace of Mata Amritanandamayi and her headquarters. The Thirumullavarom Temple is another well-known temple in Kollam, situated near the Laccadive Sea where thousands came annually for the Vavu Bali.

Christian worship

New cathedral in Thangassery, Kollam

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon or Kollam is the first Catholic diocese in India in the state of Kerala. First erected on 9 August 1329 and re-erected on 1 September 1886,The vibrant catholic community of Quilon (Kollam) cherishes its unique history of being founded by St. Thomas the Apostle of Jesus, nurtured by the great apostles St. Bartolommeo and St. Francis Xavier and fostered by the saintly martyrs like Archbishop Jordanus Catalani de Severac and Giovanni Marignoli. According to tradition, St. Thomas the Apostle established seven churches along the southern part of west coast of India, and Quilon (pronounced Koy-lon[1]) is the second in the list of the above seven churches.

400-year-Infant Jesus Cathedral at Quilon-Tangasseri. In 2006 it was demolished and replaced by a new building.

Since the latter half of the 12 th century, Quilon became the chief centre of missionary expeditions. Franciscan and Dominican Missionaries in the 13 th and 14 th centuries visited Quilon and their letters confirm the existence of a vibrant Christian community in Quilon.

In 1329 Pope John XXII, in captivity at Avignon, erected Quilon as the first Diocese in the whole of Indies as suffragan to the Archdiocese of Sultany in Persia through the decree "Romanus Pontifix" dated 9 th August 1329 . By a separate Bull "Venerabili Fratri Jordano", the same Pope, on 21 August 1329 appointed the French Dominican friar Jordanus Catalani de Severac as the first Bishop of Quilon. (Copies of the Orders and the related letters issued by His Holiness Pope John XXII to Bishop Jordanus Catalani and to the diocese of Quilon are documented and preserved in the diocesan archives). The ancient diocese of Quilon had extensive jurisdiction over modern nations of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma and SriLanka. Jordanus Catalani arrived in Surat in 1320. After his ministry in Gujarat he reached Quilon in 1323. He not only revived Christianity but also brought thousands to the Christian fold. He came again to Quilon as the bishop in 1330. He built a church at Quilon, known as St. George's Church . His book " Mirabilia Descripta " is a rare work on plants, animals and the people of India and of other countries in Asia and this is an authoritative work on India dating 800 years back. This book is considered to be a landmark chronicle of its time written around 1324 The first Bishop of Quilon was received with great jubilation by the faithful of Quilon. He brought a message of good wishes from the Pope to the local rulers. As the first bishop in India, he was also entrusted with the duty of spiritual nourishment of the Christian community in Calicut, Mangalore, Thane and 'Broach' (north of Thane). He was martyred by Muslims in Bombay in 1336. In the year 1348 John De Marignoli, the Papal Legate to China on his way back to Rome sojourned here for 14 months. With the martyrdom of the first Bishop, the See of Quilon remained vacant. There was a 'historic gap' with regard to ecclesiastical administration in India till the Portuguese landed here in 1498 AD. It follows from the Friar Jordanus tradition that Catholicism – not just Christianity – is deep rooted in Quilon. It is now settled that Latin Catholicism was brought to Kerala in the early fourteenth century by the French Dominicans. It is now evident that while Bishop Jordanus introduced Latin Catholicism, the Portuguese popularized it. The fact that Quilon is the founding seat of the Catholic Church in India is often found obscured in the midst of history. John De Marignolli (Giovanni de' Marignolli) of St. Lorenzo in Florence, joined the Franciscan order and was consecrated bishop in 1338 AD. He was chosen as legate to China by Pope Benedict XII (1334–1342). He preached in China and on his way back from China, he landed at Quilon and lived there for over a year, preaching in St. George's Church, which was founded by Jordanus. In 1338 during the Pontificate of Pope Benedict XII (1334–1342) the great Khan of Peking in China sent a great delegation of ambassadors to the Pope at Avignon and were given a royal reception by the Pope. They requested the Pope to send a legate who would be wise, capable and virtuous to care for their souls. Responding to their request the Pope chose John De Marignolli as his legate to China and he accompanied the ambassadors of Great Khan on their homeward journey. Marignolli departed with a great number of friars and precious gifts for Khan, princes and sovereigns. They departed in March 1339 and after a long and perilous journey reached their destination, Khanbalique in 1342 and were received by the Great Khan, who was the last of the Mongol dynasty in China.

Quilon bishop's chapel, memorial stone to commemorate the founding of the Syro-Malankara rite, 1930

After three years of mission Marignolli decided to return to Europe . On his departure on 26 December 1345 he set out for Quilon where he arrived on 23 March 1346 . The Christians of Quilon warmly welcomed him. He lived there for over a year, and preached in St. George's Church, founded by Jordanus. He concentrated himself in the Latin Church of St. George founded by Bishop Jordanus. He preached in this Church and adorned the Church with paintings. He could not do much of missionary activity here since he became sick with dysentery during his stay at Quilon. When he recovered he visited Cape Comorin the extremity of Indian Peninsula where he erected a marble pillar mounted by a cross in full view of Ceylon . It seems that he was an ambitious man and was desirous that the good people of Quilon should never forget him and that was the intention of the erection of the marble pillar. The column, which was to endure till the world's end soon crumbled under the corroding influence of the elements and the inscriptions, were destroyed. Later a wrong tradition developed, attributing this column to St. Thomas. Marignolli set for Sumatra and Ceylon in July 1347. In September 1348 he came back to India. He left India in 1350 AD.

It belongs to the ecclesiastical province of Trivandrum. As of 2013 the bishop is Most Rev Dr Stanley Roman.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Jerome M. Fernandez, the first native Bishop of Quilon, was the great visionary who founded the college for the educational upliftment of the Latin Catholics of the Diocese of Quilon. His Lordship believed that education was a means to enlightenment, social change and material prosperity. Thus, invoking the blessings of the heavenly patroness, our lady of Fatima, Bishop Jerome established Fatima Mata National College in 1951. Pullichira Our Lady of Immaculate conception is a very famous pilgrim centre in Kollam.

Muslim worship

sheikh-masjid-karunagapally' ochira-juma-ath-masjid' kottukadu-juma-masjid-chavara' Valiyapalli, Janakappuram, Juma-Masjid Kolloorvila, Jumma-Ath-Masjid, Thattamala, N-Muslim Jumma-Ath-Palli, Kalamala Palli (Karuva), Muthirapparambu Palli (Kalamala), Muthirapparambu and Siyavathummodu Palli (Kilikolloor) are the best-known mosques. KOLLOORVILA JAMA-ATH one of the large mahalla in Kerala. Kolloorvila is a historical place which is 4 kilometers away from Kollam city. Kolloorvila, where the poor, rich and people belonging to various religion lives in harmony is the second largest Muslim population in Kerala. Pallimukku is the headquarters of Kolloorvila where the Kolloorvila Juma Masjid is situated. Presence of Asayyid Kochu Koya Thangal's maqam is a blessing from Allah for the people of this region. Sayyid Kochu Koya Thangal Bafaqi was born in Halar town of Yemen. He was a great scholar and Humanitarian who spent most of his life for the spiritual and social uplift of Kolloorvila.

Kolloorvila Juma Masjid

The Kollorvila Juma Masjid is a well architectured and a beautifully constructed Mosque. It can accommodate a very large number of believers and more than 5000 can offer prayers at a time. This masjid is one of the biggest mosque in the region. There are more than 7000 families in Kollorvila Muslim Jamaath.

Maa'danul Uloom Arabic College

The Maa'dunal Uloom Arabic college is one of the famous colleges in Kerala. There are students from various part of Kerala pursuing Arabic courses here.

Bustanul Talibeen Madrasah

More than 1500 students are studying in BT Madrasah. The Madrasah runs in a beautiful two storeyed building which was constructed in 1988. KMJ Central School The Kolloorvila Muslim Jamaath established a school with the intend of providing good education. The school is located near the masjid and is easily accessible from the national highway.

Health

Kollam has a fairly-well-developed network of medical facilities. At the Foot of the mountains outside Kollam also believed to a supposed place for the fountain of youth according to The Travels of Sir John Mandeville.

Entrance of Paravur Taluk Hospital

The health care sector of Kollam has changed a lot in the past decade. Once there were no medical colleges in the district, but now having a total of 3 Medical Colleges. 2 is under consideration of the officials(One is a Kerala Government Medical College and the other one is Valiyath Institute of Medical Sciences, Karunagappally). The one and only ESI Medical College in Kerala is situated in the Kollam district. Azeezia Medical College and Dental College in Meeyannoor and Travancore Medicity Medical College in Mevaram bypass junction are the two other medical colleges in the district.

The famous Samad in Vitro Fertilization (IVF) hospital has a branch in Kollam. Padmavathi Medical Foundation and Hospital is a speciality heart hospital, situated in Sasthamkotta. A lot of Christian Missionary Hospitals are there in the district like Bishop Benziger Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital, Kollam, CSI Hospital and Christuraj Hospital, Kottarakkara etc. The district is having Government Taluk hospitals in every 30 Kilometer distance. The important Taluk Hospitals are situated in Kollam, Kottarakkara, Paravur, Punalur, Karunagappally and Sasthamkotta.

Azeezia Institute of Medical Science and Research, Kollam

Transportation

View of Kollam Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus station from Ashtamudi Lake

Road

Kollam is well-connected to all parts of the state by bus and train service. It is also connected to neighboring states by frequent bus service operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation(KSRTC) and Indian Railways. These are the KSRTC Depots & Sub Depots. & Operating Centres(OS) in the district in the district;

Kollam KSRTC Bus Station

• Kollam
• Chathannoor
• Karunagappally
• Ochira
• Punalur
• Kottarakkara
• Chadayamangalam
• Pathanapuram
• Sasthamkotta
• Aryankavu (OS)
• Kulathupuzha (OS)

The district is well-connected to other parts of Kerala and India through the National Highways – NH 66 (Earlier NH 47), NH 183 (Earlier NH 220), NH 744 (Earlier NH 208). The state highway - Main Central Road (MC Road) and Punalur-Pathanamthitta-Muvattupuzha Main Eastern Highway — connects Kollam with other districts. Intrastate road transportation is served by the KSRTC, Tamil Nadu State Transport and Karnataka State Transport Companies. KSRTC Interstate bus service operates from the Kollam Transport and Kottarakkara Transport bus stations.

Rail

Entrance of Kollam Junction railway station

Paravur Railway Station

Kollam Junction railway station(QLN) is the one and only rail head in the district. A total of 128 short & long distant services(including weekly) and 10 services of MEMU are running through Kollam Junction railway station. A most modern MEMU maintenance shed is working in the railway station premises of Kollam city. In addition to that, there are some other major railway stations in the district namely Paravur(PVU), Karunagappally(KPY), Punalur(PUU), Sasthamkotta(STKT), Kottarakkara(KKZ), Kundara(KUV) and Mayyanad(MYY). The district has a good railway network, with 25 stations and about 132 కిలోమీటర్లు (82 మై.) of track. Kollam district boasts the record of having most numbers of railway stations in the state.

Railway stations in Kollam District

Ochira	Karunagapally	Sasthamkotta
Mandrothuruthu	Perinad	Kollam Junction
Eravipuram	Mayyanad	Paravur
Kilikolloor	Chandanathoppe	Kundara
Kundara East	Ezhukone	Kottarakara
Kuri	Avaneeswaram	Punalur
Edamon	Ottakkal	Thenmala
Kazhuthurutty	Edappalayam	Aryankavu

Trains from here connect the city of Kollam to major cities of India, including New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Indore, Bhopal, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, Madurai, Vizag, Jammu, Howrah, Guwahati, Madgaon, Itarsi, Hubli, Ahmedabad, Kanyakumari, Gwalior, Nagpur, Pune, Kota, Bhubaneshwar, Gorakhpur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Amritsar, Vijayawada, Coimbatore, Chandigarh and Mangalore. There is also passenger services running in Kollam-Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam-Ernakulam and Kollam-Punalur routes.

Air

Asramam Airport in Kollam City was the first airport of Kerala. The first flight to Kerala landed in Kollam Asramam Airport. The first Amphibian Aircraft[Seaplane] of Kerala also landed in Kollam. However Kollam district has no airport right now. The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 65 కిలోమీటర్లు (40 మై.) away. Daily domestic flight services are available to major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore and Kochi. International flight services connecting to Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait, Muscat, Male, Doha, Singapore and Colombo are available from here. A project is under planning stage to build an airstrip in Pathanapuram area of Kollam district.

Water

Kollam-Dalavapuram boat service

The district is having a fairly good network of waterways. The State Water Transport Department operates boat services to West Kallada, Munroe Island and Alappuzha. Double decker luxury boats run between Kollam and Allepey daily. Luxury boats, operated by Government and private owners, operate from the main boat jetty during the tourist season. The West coast canal system, which starts from Thiruvananthapuram in the south and ends at Hosdurg in the north, passes through Paravur, the city of Kollam and Karunagappally taluk. The Thiruvananthapuram-Shornur canal, which forms a part of the Thiruvananthapuram-Hosdurg system, runs a distance of about 62 km. The other canal systems include the Paravur Kayal, Kollam canal and Chavara canal. The waterways are popular attractions and scenic tourist destinations in the area. The Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) has an operating centre near the KSRTC bus stand. Tourists may hire motorised country boats and Houseboats with amenities (kettavulam in Malayalam)to cruise along the waterways.

Sports

Kollam district is very famous because of its interest to Hockey. The district is giving maximum importanace to hockey, cricket and football. Kollam is home to a number of local cricket, hockey and football teams participating in district, state level and zonal matches. A hockey stadium with most modern facilities and international hockey turf is under construction in the city. The land for the construction of stadium is taken over from the Postal Department at Asramam, Kollam. Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium is the famous stadium in the district, situated at the heart of Kollam city. That is a multipurpose stadium, hosted the sports events like Renji Trophy, Santhosh Trophy and National Games many times. Grounds like Asramam Maidanam and Peeranki Maidanam in the city are also used for sports events, practicing and warm-up matches. The Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium is getting ready to host the 35th National Games of India. The construction works of the International Hockey stadium is in full pace for the same reason.

Kerala First-Class Matches played on Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, Kollam(Quilon)

Year	Date	Tournament	Teams Played
1979	3 November	Ranji Trophy 1979/80	Kerala vs Andhra
1988	10 December	Ranji Trophy 1988/89	Kerala vs Goa
1988	17 December	Ranji Trophy 1988/89	Kerala vs Karnataka

There are so many grounds, mini stadiums in the district capable to host the district and state level matches.

Education

ప్రధాన వ్యాసాలు: List of Kollam district schools and Educational institutions in Kollam district

TKM Engineering College, Kollam

According to the 2001 census, Kollam has an overall literacy rate of 91.18 percent; the male literacy rate is 94.43 percent and the female rate is 88.18 percent. These statistics are consistent with the state average, which is higher than the national average.

Bishop Jerome Institute, Kollam - An integrated campus offering MBA, Architecture and Engineering courses, situated at the heart of the 'Lake City of Kerala'

Kollam has a number of privately owned and state-owned educational institutions. St. Joseph's Convent School at Tuet receives no government aid and has the largest number of students in the world for a school of its type (over 12,000). The state-run school is the Government Model Higher Secondary School For Boys, the oldest school in Kollam. The district has a total of 128 educational institutions under the Department of Higher Education. the Meenakshi Vilasam Government Vocational Higher Secondary School (MVGVHSS) is one of the oldest schools in the district, with over 1,000 students.

SN Polytechnic College (SNPTC), Kottiyam, in 2008

S.N. Polytechnic is a nodal polytechnic in the district. SNPTC was founded in 1957 by the Sri Narayana Trusts, Kollam under the initiative of its secretary (R. Sankar, former chief minister of Kerala).

M V Govt. V H S S Peroor, Kollam, covering two acres

Kollam has one kendriya vidyalaya and three other CBSE schools. Schools in Kerala follow both the English and Malayalam methods of education. Kollam has ten professional engineering colleges and two medical colleges. It has 17 arts and science colleges, 11 teacher-training colleges and 7 nursing schools. The TKM College of Engineering has been at the forefront of Engineering Education in the state for the past five decades. Bishop Jerome Institute(School of Management, School of Engineering & School of Architecture), lead by the Kollam Diocese is another important college in the city, situated near to the Kollam Railway Station. It has contributed over ten thousand brilliant engineers, many of whom are stalwarts in their fields across the world. Over the years, the TKM College of Engineering has emerged as a centre of excellence, offering a wide spectrum of Graduate and Post Graduate Courses in Engineering and related areas. NATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL is one the CBSE schools in KOLLAM and is situated in Thazuthala Kottiyam.It is managed by National Educational Society.National public school is certified by ISO 9001:2008.

Industry

Chinese nets on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake

Kollam district is moderately industrialized. Two government enterprises (the Indian Rare Earths Limited in Chavara and Parvathi Mills) are among the industries in Kollam. Kerala Ceramics 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 Kerala Agro-Fruit Products in Punalur are state-government-owned companies. Private-sector industries include Thomas Stephen & Co. (Kollam), Floorco (Pozhikkara, Paravur), Cooperative Spinning Mill (Chathannur) and Punalur Paper Mills (Punalur). Nearly 2,000 SSI enterprises have been registered in the district.

Kerala Minerals and Metals (KMML), a Government of Kerala undertaking located on the beaches of Shankaramangalam (Chavara), produces high-grade chemical compounds of titanium such as titanium dioxide pigment, hafnium ore, sillimanite and monazite. These chemicals are used in paints, welding electrodes, ceramics and foundries.

Women at a small-scale coir (coconut fiber) spinning unit at Kollam

Indian Rare Earths Limited, a Government of India undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy which incorporated on 18 August 1950, has four production plants: Minerals Divisions at Chavara and Manavalakurichi and an OSCOM and Rare Earths Division at Aluva. IREL is a pioneer in the mining and separation of heavy minerals (such as ilmenite, rutile, zircon, sillimanite, garnet and monazite) from sand. IREL also conducts research and development in mining and minerals.

United Electrical Industries Ltd. (UNILEC) is a public-sector company under the government of Kerala. This ISO 9001:2000-certified company produces electromechanical meters for domestic and industrial use. This company, unique in Kerala, can produce one hundred thousand meters per month.

Technopark–Kollam

The Technopark_kollam (a business park) providing dedicated high speed lines with its own uninterrupted source of power supply is nearing completion on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake, near Kundara. The park located in a 40-ఎకరం (16 హె.) Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is unique in that it offers access through the backwaters of Kerala from Kollam or from Allepey for the adventurous. These idyllic surrounds are expected to generate around 10,000 jobs within its first three years of operation. An iconic building has been constructed on the lake, along with a boat terminal for commuter boats from other parts of Kollam city.

Construction status is:

• SEZ Notification issued
• The site office is open
• Work on the canal embankment has begun
• Work has begun on the first phase of the IT building (100,000 square feet (9,300 మీ²))
• Land development (compound wall, internal roads) is in progress
• The work orderfor a 110 kV substation has been awarded to Siemens India Ltd
• Work on the water supply and distribution system is in progress

Cashew industry

Twin cashew nuts, ready for harvest from kottarakkara tree

The cashew industry is centralised in this district. Kollam is approved by the central government as a "centre of cashew industry". Most workers in this industry are women; among them, a majority comes from the poorer sections of the society. There are several cashew-processing units in the district. The Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Ltd, a Government of Kerala undertaking, has its headquarters in Kollam and serves as a model agency for the cashew-processing industry. The corporation has 30 cashew factories and employs more than 20,000 workers. Another government organisation in this field is CAPEX, which is part of the cooperative sector and has 10 cashew factories. Coir production, handloom industry, clay and wood-based industries contribute to the industrial health of the region.

Forests and wildlife

According to Government of Kerala estimates 81,438 హెక్టారులు (314.43 చ. మై.) of land is under forest cover, mainly in the eastern portion of the district (including the Thenmala, Punalur and a portion of the Achencoil forest divisions). The Thenmala Range, Aryankavu Range and Shendurney Sanctuary comprise the Thenmala division and the Achencoil, Kallar and Kanayar Ranges make up the Achencoil division. The Pathanapuram and Anchal Ranges constitute the Punalur division.

The Shenduruny wildlife sanctuary, 66 కిలోమీటర్లు (41 మై.) from Kollam, is situated on the southern part of the Western Ghats (8°50' and 8°55'N; 77°5'and 77°15'E) in the Pathanapuram taluk of the district. The name "Shenduruny" is derived from the name of a tree species locally called "Shenkuruny" or "Chenkuruny" (Gluta travancorica), a tree mainly found in this area. An artificial lake of about 26 చదరపు కిలోమీటర్లు (10 చ. మై.) has developed following construction of a dam across the Kallada River. Remnants of Stone Age culture from a large cave situated at the northwestern part of the Shenduruny River was excavated from this sanctuary. These remains belong to the Mesolithic period.

This tropical rain forest has a wide variety of wildlife, and some endangered species are found here. Species found in the sanctuary include bonnet and lion-tailed macaques, Nilgiri langur, gaur (or Indian bison), sambar deer, muntjac (or barking deer), Indian Spotted Chevrotain (or mouse deer), wild boar, Indian elephant and different species of squirrels, such as the Indian giant and Indian palm squirrels.

Agriculture

Check dam across the Kallada River

The district has a total cultivated area of 218,267 హెక్టారులు (842.73 చ. మై.). Paddy, tapioca, coconut, rubber, pepper, banana, mango and cashews are the prominent crops. The average per-family holding of farmland is 0.21 హెక్టారులు (2,100 మీ²). 70 percent of the district's labor force is engaged in agriculture or allied activities. Kollam is historically known for Cashew nut cultivation and is home to a number of cashew nut factories. However on analyzing the area of last few years, it is seen that the area of cashew cultivation is continuously decreasing in the district. Kollam district occupies the first position in the production of Tapioca and Tuber (Colocasia and Yam) in the state.

Agricultural production in Kollam district

Products	Area under cultivation (ha)	Production (in tonnes)
Rice	11,457	24,204
Pepper	10,633	3,235
Ginger	612	1,648
Cashewnut	4,663	3,043
Tapioca	24,065	556,140
Coconut	71,310	411 million
Arecanut	2,502	1,710
Rubber	36,797	48,386

Irrigation

Kallada River

Two major rivers, the Kallada and Ithikkara, flow through Kollam. The Kallada Irrigation Project (KIP) uses water from the Kallada for irrigation. The project consists of a dam at Thenmala, from which water is diverted for irrigation.

Fishing

The western portion of Kollam is bordered by the Laccadive Sea. Kollam's coastline is 37.3 కిలోమీటర్లు (23.2 మై.), 6.3 percent of Kerala's total coastline. Neendakara and Sakthikulangara are important fishing villages. There are an estimated 26 villages whose livelihood depends entirely on fishing. Cheriazheekkal, Alappad, Pandarathuruthu, Puthenthura, Neendakara, Thangasseri, Eravipuram and Paravoor are among the prominent fishing villages. One-third of Kerala's fish production (including 60 percent of its prawn catch) is contributed by Kollam, whose average fish production is estimated at 5,275 tonnes. Nearly 3,000 mechanized boats operate out of its fishing harbour.

Animal husbandry

Kollam district has one of the largest livestock populations in Kerala. Cattle are reared chiefly for dairy farming. According to the 2000 animal census, Kollam has an estimated population of 182,434 cows, 6162 buffalo, 131,714 goats and 1,034 pigs. In poultry, the district ranks third in Kerala.

Tourism

Thirteen-ring bridge, Punalur

Thenmala Dam

Thekkumbhagam bridge, Paravur

Palaruvi Falls, Thenmala (forests and reservoir), the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, Ashtamudi (backwater) and beaches at Kollam, Thirumullavaram and Thangassery are scenic areas.

Ashramam Tourist Village is a well-known tourist destinations in Kollam city; the tourist village is located on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake. Ashramam is a hub of tourism activities in Kollam, and the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) office is located within the village.

The Asramam Maidan(Ashramam ground) , adjacent to the tourist village, is the largest open space within a Kerala Municipal Corporation. It is used for events, sports, as a helipad, for Kollam Pooram and by driving schools. It covers over 60 ఎకరాలు (24 హె.) in an oval.

Kottarakkara Palace

Suspension bridge at Thenmala

The first community tourism program in the state is being established on the Munroethuruth islands. Backwater tourism is an activity enjoyed in Kollam; Ashtamudi Lake, Paravur, Munroe Island, and Alumkadavu are the main backwater destinations. Accommodation is in resorts and on houseboats.

Thenmala, located 66 కిలోమీటర్లు (41 మై.) east of Kollam, is the first ecotourism project in India and run by the Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society.

Kollam was the seat of the Desinganad kings. Kottarakara is well known as the place where a new version of the classical dance form of Kathakali was conceived. It was also the capital of the Elayidath Swaroopam. Kundara is known for the 1812 proclamation against the British by Velu Thampi Dalawa.

Alappad village, located on the seashore, was impacted by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Varkala Beach (also known as Papanasham) is 26 కిలోమీటర్లు (16 మై.) south of Kollam. The Duriyodana Temple is in Kunnathur Taluk. The Sakthikulangara Dharma Sastha Temple-Sree Ayyappa Swamy Temple is known for its Utsavam in the month of Makaram (between mid-January and mid-February).

Polachira, in Chirakkara Gramapanchayat, is a sightseeing destination. The Anathavalam is near here where one can see domestic elephants, touch and ride them. Mannathippara is at Polachira, 4 కిలోమీటర్లు (2.5 మై.) south of Chathannoor. Sasthamcotta Lake, about 19 కిలోమీటర్లు (12 మై.) from Kollam, is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala and a domestic tourist destination. Jetayu Para, a large boulder, is located in Chadayamangalam; it is name for a mythical character in the Ramayana. It is believed that Jatayu fell here, after his failed attempt to stop Ravana.

Kollam Beach

An evening view of Arabian Sea from Kollam Beach

Kollam Beach is also known as Mahatma Gandhi Beach. It is one among the twin beaches of the city. The other one is Thirumullavaram beach. Kollam Beach is situated at a distance of 2 km from Kollam city. It is one of the top crowd pulling beaches in Kerala. The beach also has a park of international standard. The Mahatma Gandhi Park was inaugurated on January 1, 1961 by the then Vice President of India, Zakir Hussein. Kollam Corporation had started the construction of a marine aquarium at Kollam Beach which is first of its kind in the state of Kerala. Harbour Engineering Department is constructing the aquarium at the eastern side of the beach.

See also

• Kollam
• Kollam Junction Railway Station
• Kollam MEMU Shed
• Kollam Port
• Asramam Maidan
• MMNSS College Kottiyam
• Fatima Mata National College
• Paravur
• Paravur Railway Station
• Educational Institutions in Kollam District
• Kollam Beach
• Paravur Kayal
• Valacode
• President's Trophy Boat Race
• Kollam pooram
• Muslim Mappila
• List of Sree Narayana Institutions
• List of Hindu temples in Kerala
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon
• University of Kerala
• Protected areas of Kerala

External links

• Official website
• [1] Best tourism places in Kollam
• Official tourism website