Destination Kerala - Quilon (Kollam)
Quilon, the enchanting tourist spot, is an old sea port town on the banks of Ashtamudi lake. Quilon has maintained a commercial reputation from ancient times. Phoenicians, Persians, Arabs, Greeks, Romans and Chinese traded with this port. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a trading centre at Quilon, followed by the Dutch and the British. There are some historic remains and a number of temples built in the traditional ornate architecture. Quilon is the gateway point to the magnificient backwaters of Kerala.
Transport
Air : The nearest airport is at Trivandrum.
Rail: Quilon is also an important railhead of southern railway
Road : Quilon is connected by good motorable roads to all parts of Kerala and Tamilnadu.
Ferry Services (Ph : 751207)
The ferry station is adjacent to the central bus stand,
3 Km. away from the railway station. Ferry services from Quilon pass through scenic backwaters.
Tourist Office
The District Tourism Promotion Council operates tourist information counters at the railway station and bus station
(Ph : 745625). It is open from 8.00 am. to 5.30 pm. The main tourist office is situated at Ashramam guest house complex. (Ph.742558). ATDC, Alleppey has an information counter near the bus station. Reservation for Quilon-Alleppey backwater cruises can be done at these offices. Cenrtalised hotel reservation facilities are also provided at the DTPCcounters.
Backwater tours
Kollam (Quilon) is the gateway point of the back waters of Kerala. The full day backwater cruise provides a chance to see the magnificient backwaters. District Tourism Promotion Council, Kollam and Alleppey Tourism Development Co-operative Soceity (ATDC) operates backwater cruises from Quilon to Alleppey. The journey starts at 10.30 a.m. from the boat jetty near the bus station. The cruise cost Rs.200/- per person. Half way journey - from Quilon to Alumkadavu -costs 100 per person. District Tourism Promotion Council also gives concession to International Student Card holders.
The District Tourism promotion Council has an exclusive fleet of luxuary boats and house boats. House boat tariff ranges from 3500 - 7500 for 2 persons for 24 hrs.
The DTPC Quilon conducts village backwater cruise
on a country boat. Timings - 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., 2 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Fare : Rs. 250/- per person. They also ogranise
pleasure boating in Thenmala lake.
Tour Operators
Kerala Travels Ph : 741140
Southern HolidaysPh : 746037
DTPC, QuilonPh : 742558
Places of Interest
Thangassery : Thangassery, 5 kms away from Quilon is a place of historical importance with ancient churches built in the 18th century. There is a light house and visitors are permitted to visit it between 3.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. There are frequent buses from Quilon and it takes 15 minutes.
Thirumullavaram : Located about 6 k.m. north of Quilon, the beach here is very beautiful. It is connected to Quilon town by bus.
Ariankavu : Situated 70 Km. away on the Quilon-Shenkottai road, the chief attraction of this place is the shrine dedicated to Lord Sastha. The 'Mandala Pooja' and 'Trikalyanam' celebrated during the month of December are the main festivals in this temple.
Palaruvi : This beautiful picnic spot is located 5 Km. away from Ariankavu. The cascade falls from a height of 300 feet. There are frequent buses to Ariankavu from Quilon. There is an Inspection Bungalow of the P W D and a Motel run by KTDC at Palaruvi.
Sasthamkotta : It is situated 29 Km. away from Quilon. The extensive fresh water lake here is the largest in Kerala. There is also an ancient temple dedicated
to Lord Sastha here. There are frequent bus services from Quilon and the journey takes one hour. There is a P W D Rest House here.
Kulathupuzha : Situated 64 Km. away from Quilon on the Trivandrum-Shenkotta road, on a forest range, there is a shrine dedicated to Lord Sastha here. The Vishu Mahotsava in April/May is the most important festival. There are buses from Quilon to Kulathupuzha and the nearest railway station is at Thenmala, 10 Km. away.
Oachira : Situated 34 Km. north of Quilon, it is an important pilgrim centre. The unique feature of the temple is that there is no building nor any idol. The "Oachira Kali" festival is held here annually in the middle of June. Another festival held here is 'Panthrandu Vilakku" in November/December held for 12 days. There are frequent buses from Quilon and Alleppey.
Matha Amrithananthamayi Asram ,Vallikavu(Ph 897578) The residence and the head quarters of Sri Sri Matha Amrithanandamayi Devi, one of India's female Gurus, is situated at Amrithapuri near Vallikkavu. The back water boat tour from Quilon to Alleppy and from Alleppy to Quilon will halt at this point. There are frequent buses from Cochin and Trivandrum to Kayamkulam. From Kayamkulam there are local buses to Vallikkavu. The Asram can be reached by boat from Vallikkavu. It is also accessible by road from Karunagappally, a 20 minutes drive.
Mayyanad : Mayyanad, 10 Km. south of Quilon, is noted for its shrines and temples. There are 9 temples and the most important is the one at Umayanallor, dedicated to Lord Subramanya. This shrine is said to have been consecrated by Sree Sankaracharya. There are frequent buses from Quilon to Mayyanad.
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