Kollam / Quilon - The city of Cashew

Kollam / Quilon - The city of Cashew

Kollam is the second district from southern end of Kerala with a very old history spanning centuries. Ibn Batuta the famous travelogue writer of the fourteenth century has described Kollam as one of the five ports he has seen in his twenty four year journey.

Kollam has witnessed all the European occupations. First it was the turn of the Portuguese then came the Dutch and finally the British. The British rule was rather prolonged it during their time much of the development activities have taken place. They built numerous churches and schools and colleges under them. Most of the cashew factories tile factories and tea plantations all were established under the British rule. The glitter of the erstwhile Kollam town was such that there were a saying in Kerala at that time “those who have seen Kollam leaves his home for ever”- kollam kandavanillam venda- means the spectator gets mesmerized by the glamour of the town that he doesn’t returns to his home.

Kollam has a proud history of fighting against the foreign occupants The history of Sri Velu Thambi Delava Who was the local chieftain who fought a war against the British until his death is still fresh in the memory of the natives It was Veluthambi who gave a face lift to the old Kollam town by building bazaars and inviting traders from Madras and Thirunelveli for the development of trade of this town.

Kollam district has an area of 2491sq.k.Mtrs.It is sub-divided in to five taluks and 104 villages. The population is 2.5 millions. All the main religions almost equally are present. The sizable Anglo –Indian population at Thankassery is a peculiarity. The Neendakara fishing harbor is a beehive of activity where thousands of fishing boats find it difficult to find place to berth. Here trade of fish runs in to billions. No one can avoid cashew industry when Kollam is subjected for discussion. Cashew processing factories are so much woven in to the life of kollam that a sizable population find their daily bread from it. The historical labor strikes taken place has ascended many ordinary labor-leaders in to national figures.

Kollam has a lot of destination to the interest of a tourist. The vast back waters dotted with house-boats offer affordable luxury .Centuries old chain bridge at Punalur, the light house at Thankassery , the ashramam (monastery) at Shivagiri ,Varkala beach and Amritapuri near Kayamkulam –the abode of Mata Amritananda mayi who is considered as a divine lady and has admirers all around the world. These are only some of the specialties of this district. The Ashramam at Shivagiri merits special mention It is here the great social reformer of Kerala Sri.Narayana guru was laid to rest. People of Kerala consider this place as sacred and they conduct yearly pilgrimage to this place clad in yellow dress. Sri.Narayana guru was no ordinary monk ,he fought ideologically against the social evils existed in kerala at that time and did much to the upliftment of the down-trodden.

Kollam well connected by road and rail. It the only place in Kerala where the archaic metre gauge rail is running smoothly doing it’s duty forgetting centuries those are gone by. This railway is a tourist attraction , which passes through mountainous terrain and deep forests enabling the traveler to enjoy the scenic beauty at a very inexpensive way.

A traveler can miss many of the costly locations considering budget, but not this train journey from Kollam to Madurai, but not this journey. because it is compulsory!!!!

Author: Sasi Kumar

Source: Naturemagics.com - website on Kerala Tourism

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