Kollam

Zone: North

Telephone Access Code: +91 474

One of the premier trade capitals of the Old World, Kollam is the centre of the country’s cashew trading and processing industry. Extolled by Marco Polo and Ibn Batuta in glowing terms, this was once a famous port of international spice trade. This historic town is home to the celebrated Ashtamudi Lake, making it a gateway to the breath-taking backwaters of Kerala. The eight-hour boat trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest and most enchanting experience on the backwaters of Kerala. The momentous decision to introduce a new Malayalam era was convened at Kollam and hence the Malayalam calendar came to be known as kollavarsham.

Tourist Information Offices:

• DTPC Tourist Information Centre, KSRTC Bus Stand Ph: 2745625
• DTPC Tourist Office, KSWTD, Boat Jetty Ph: 2745625, 2750170, Email: info@dtpckollam.com, Website: www.dtpckollam.com
• Department of Tourism - District Office, Govt. Guest House Ph: 2743620
• Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society Ph: +91 475 2344800, Website: www.thenmalaecotourism.com

Getting there

By road: Kollam KSRTC, Central Bus Station, Enquiry Ph: 2752008

By rail: Kollam is an important railhead of the Southern Railways. Kollam Junction Railway Station, Enquiry Ph: 131

By air: Thiruvananthapuram (71 km)

By water: Kollam Boat Jetty, is adjacent to the Central Bus Station (3 km from the railway station)

Geographical Information

Altitude: Sea level

Area: 2,579 sq. km

Population: 1,204,078 (2011 census)