Kollam District
Historic port city renowned as the global cashew capital and primary gateway to Kerala backwaters. Features ancient trading heritage, pristine beaches, and extensive lake systems including magnificent Ashtamudi Lake.
Area
2,491 sq km
Population
2.6 million
Headquarters
Kollam
Economy
Cashew processing industry leader, fishing, coir manufacturing, tourism
Climate
Coastal tropical climate, moderate humidity with sea breeze
Best Time to Visit
November to February for backwater cruises and beach activities
History
Kollam represents Kerala's most ancient settlement with archaeological evidence dating back to the Stone Age and references in Roman and Phoenician accounts from the first century CE. Known as Quilon in historical records, it served as the capital of the Venad dynasty from the 9th to 12th centuries and became a major international trading hub mentioned by Chinese merchant Sulaiman al-Tajir in the 9th century as the only Indian port with Chinese connections. Persian merchant Muhammad Ibn Battuta and explorer Marco Polo documented its extensive trade networks, while the term "Kollavarsham" for the Malayalam calendar originated here when Travancore king Udayamarthanda Varma commenced it in 825 CE. Under Portuguese influence from 1503, followed by Dutch rule from 1661 and British control, Kollam evolved into a major cashew processing center, earning the title "Cashew Capital of the World" and maintaining its status as Kerala's premier port until Cochin gained prominence.
Geography
Situated 70 kilometers north of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam district spans 2,491 square kilometers with the Arabian Sea on the west, Tamil Nadu on the east, and Alappuzha-Pathanamthitta districts on the north, creating diverse terrain of plains, mountains, lakes, lagoons, backwaters, forests and rivers. The crown jewel is the magnificent Ashtamudi Lake, covering over 30% of the district area with its distinctive eight-armed palm shape, serving as the second-largest water body in Kerala and the gateway to the state's backwater network. The 78-kilometer coastline features pristine beaches at Kollam, Thangassery and Thirumullavaram, while the interior landscape transitions from coastal plains through lateritic midlands to forested highlands, blessed with over 2,700mm annual rainfall and moderate temperatures ranging from 25-32°C that support both agriculture and year-round tourism activities.
Culture
Kollam's cultural identity is deeply rooted in its ancient maritime trading heritage, evident in traditional boat building techniques that produced the famous Chinese fishing nets and country craft that navigated international trade routes for over a millennium. The district celebrates this legacy through the prestigious President Trophy Boat Race held annually on November 1st, commemorating Kerala's formation, while the annual craft festival during December-January showcases the artistic traditions of craftsmen from across the country. Literary luminaries including Paravoor K.C. Kesava Pillai (creator of Malayalam musical plays), E.V. Krishna Pillai (renowned for humor and satire), and modern writers like Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai emerged from this culturally rich soil. The harmonious blend of religious traditions manifests in ancient temples like the unique Veerabhadra temple (only one of its kind in South India), Oachira temple with its sacred Oachira Vrischikam festival featuring traditional martial art performances, and numerous churches and mosques reflecting the district's multicultural trading history and tolerance.