Kollam(Quilon) An ancient seaport town dat- ing back to the 9th century A D., Kollam (the Malayalam name for Quilon) has given its name to the Malayalam era Kollavarsham, which began in 825 A.D. and is said to be calculated from the date of the founding of this town. This sea-side commercial centre and port had been visited by Phoenecians, Arabs, Persians, Greeks, Romans and the Chinese in the early days. Amongst others, the place has also been visited by the famous explorer Marco Polo. It was also in Quilon that in 1330 A.D. Friar Jordams was consecrated Bishop of the first Roman Catholic See in India. The picturesque town of Quilon today stands on the Asthamudi Lake ("the lake with eight creeks"), and has achieved the fame of being the inviting gateway to Kerala's exceedingly beautiful backwaters. The famous `cheena vala' or Chinese fishing nets can also be seen along the backwaters. Quilon is famous for its cashewnut processing industry. ACCESS The nearest airport is the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport which is 71 km away. Quilon Junction is an important station in the Southern Railways network in Kerala and connects it to almost all important centres in the rest of the country. Quilon is also an important transit point for buses on the NH 47 highway from Trivandrum to the northern towns of Kerala. PLACES OF INTEREST The light-house at Thangaserrerry, the Thirumullavaram beach, the model park at the Kochupilamoodu beach and the Adventure park. EXCURSIONS Ariankavu (shrine devoted to Lord Sastha, 70 km), Palaruvi (Waterfall at a height of 300 feet, 75 km), Kulathupuzha (shrine devoted to Lord Vishnu, 64 km), Oachira (important pilgrim centre, 34 km), and Sasthamkotta (Kerala's largest freshwater lake, 29 km). Accommodation Checkmate Gardens, Thirumullavarm, Phone: 204731. Sudarsan, Parameswar Nagar, Hospital Road. Phones: 744322 (9 lines); Fax: 0474-740480. Hotel Sea Bee, Jetty Road. Phones: 75371-75. Yatri Nivas (KTDC), Ashramam. Phone: 78638 |