Kollam District
Kollam is a coastal district with a long association with maritime trade, a cashew and coir industry, and destinations including Ashtamudi Lake, Thenmala and Palaruvi Waterfalls.
Source: Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Kollam district profile District profile for the trade and visitor-destination summary. Government source: Kollam District Administration: Industries Lists cashew processing and coir production as major district activities.
District overview
Area
2,491 sq km
Source: Government source: Kollam District Administration: About District Lists the district area as 2,491 sq km; no reference year is stated. Government source: Kerala State Land Use Board: Kollam district report (2014) Reports a separate area of 248,788 hectares (2,487.88 sq km); figures are not blended.
Population (Census 2011)
2,629,703 (Census 2011)
Source: Government source: Kollam District Administration: Demography Labels 2,629,703 as the Census 2011 population. Government source: Census of India 2011: Kollam District Census Handbook, Part B Primary census publication for the district population.
Literacy Rate (Census 2011)
94.09% (Census 2011)
Source: Government source: Kollam District Administration: Demography Labels 94.09% as the Census 2011 literacy rate. Government source: Census of India 2011: Kollam District Census Handbook, Part B Primary census publication for the district literacy data.
Headquarters
Kollam
Source: Government source: Kollam District Administration: About District Identifies Kollam City as the district-administration headquarters.
Economy
Cashew processing and coir production are major industrial activities in Kollam. Neendakara and Thangassery have fishing harbours and ports.
Source: Government source: Kollam District Administration: Industries Lists cashew processing and coir production as major industrial activities. Government source: Kollam District Administration: About District Identifies Neendakara and Thangassery as fishing harbours and ports.
District background
History
Kollam, historically known as Quilon, has a long association with maritime trade. Kerala Tourism notes travel accounts associated with Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta. The District Administration states that Kollavarsham, the Malayalam Era, began at Kollam in 825 CE.
Source: Government source: Kollam District Administration: History Source for Kollam’s historical trade links and the origin of Kollavarsham. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Kollam district profile Names Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta in its account of Kollam’s trade history.
Geography
Kollam lies on Kerala’s southwest coast, bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Tamil Nadu to the east, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta to the north, and Thiruvananthapuram to the south. Ashtamudi Lake is a multi-armed backwater in the district; the eastern area includes forests. The District Administration lists Palaruvi Waterfalls at 300 feet.
Source: Government source: Kollam District Administration: About District Source for district boundaries, Ashtamudi Lake and eastern forest areas. Government source: Kollam District Administration: Tourist Places Lists Palaruvi Waterfalls as a district destination and gives its height as 300 feet. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Ashtamudi Lake Source for the lake’s location and eight-armed shape.
Culture
The District Administration describes Oachirakkali as a mock sword-fight festival and lists an annual Crafts Festival in December–January. Kerala Tourism lists the President’s Trophy Boat Race at Ashtamudi on Kerala Piravi (1 November), Kollam Pooram on the eve of Vishu, Malanada Kettukazha at Poruvazhi and Kottamkulangara Chamayavilakku.
Source: Government source: Kollam District Administration: Culture & Heritage Source for Oachirakkali and the annual Crafts Festival listing. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Kollam Events & Festivals Source for the named Kollam festivals and President’s Trophy Boat Race. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Ochira Kali Source for Oachira Kali’s mock sword-fight description and timing.
Popular Attractions
Source: Government source: Kollam District Administration: Tourist Places Official district directory for Kollam visitor destinations. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Kollam district profile District tourism profile covering Kollam’s backwaters, beaches, Thenmala and Palaruvi. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Mayyanad Source for Mayyanad’s location on Paravur Lake. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Munroe Island Source for Munroe Island’s location at the Ashtamudi–Kallada confluence. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Ashtamudi Lake Source for Ashtamudi Lake as a Kollam backwater destination. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Kollam Beach Source for Kollam Beach in the district. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Thirumullavaram Beach Source for Thirumullavaram Beach in Kollam town. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Thangassery Fort Source for the Portuguese fort established in 1519. Government source: Kollam District Administration: Places of Interest Source for Sasthamkotta Lake in Kollam. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Thangassery Lighthouse Source for the lighthouse in Kollam.
Attractions by type in Kollam
District Services
Sources
- Government source: Kollam District Administration: About District Lists an area of 2,491 sq km and Kollam as the district headquarters; no reference year is stated for the area.
- Government source: Kerala State Land Use Board: Kollam district report (2014) A separate 2014 report lists 248,788 hectares (2,487.88 sq km); it is not blended with the District Administration figure.
- Government source: Kollam District Administration: Demography Identifies the population and literacy values as Census of India 2011 figures.
- Government source: Census of India 2011: Kollam District Census Handbook, Part B Census source for Kollam district population and literacy statistics.
- Government source: Kollam District Administration: History Supports the wording about Kollam’s historic trade links and the origin of Kollavarsham.
- Government source: Kollam District Administration: Industries Lists cashew processing and coir production among the district’s major industrial activities.
- Government source: Kollam District Administration: Culture & Heritage Source for Oachirakkali and the annual Crafts Festival listing.
- Government source: Kollam District Administration: Tourist Places District tourism directory, including Thenmala and Palaruvi Waterfalls.
- Government source: Kollam District Administration: Places of Interest Supports district boundaries, fishing harbours, and the description of Sasthamkotta Lake as Kerala’s largest freshwater lake.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Kollam district profile Describes Kollam’s cashew trade and processing industry, maritime history, and district destinations.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Ashtamudi Lake Supports the lake’s location, eight-armed shape, and backwater-cruise description.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Kollam Beach Identifies Kollam Beach as a coastal destination in the district.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Thirumullavaram Beach Identifies Thirumullavaram Beach as being in Kollam town.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Mayyanad Identifies Mayyanad as a village in southwestern Kollam on Paravur Lake.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Thangassery Fort Supports the fort’s Portuguese origin and 1519 establishment date.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Thangassery Lighthouse Lists 1902 as the lighthouse’s construction year.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Munroe Island Supports the island’s location at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Thenmala Ecotourism Describes Thenmala as India’s first planned ecotourism destination.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Palaruvi Waterfalls Lists Palaruvi in Kollam district and describes the falls as about 300 feet high.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary Identifies the sanctuary in Kollam and lists trekking and camping programmes.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Kollam Events & Festivals Supports the President’s Trophy Boat Race, Kollam Pooram, Malanada Kettukazha, and Kottamkulangara Chamayavilakku descriptions.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Ochira Kali Supports the festival description and its timing in Mithunam.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Oachira Temple Supports the temple’s location and the description of worship without an idol.
- Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple Identifies the temple in Kottarakkara, Kollam, and its dedication to Lord Ganesha.
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