Kollam

Kollam, 72 kms from Trivandrum, is the centre of the country's cashew trading and processing industry. It is also an important hub for the state's marine products industry, with the port of Neendakara being the centre for trawlers and ice plants. Varkala is a beautiful beach that has a more than 2000 years old shrine of Lord Vishnu. This beach is rich in mineral water springs that are known for their medicinal value.

It is dedicated to Parabrahamam attracts a large number of pilgrims, particularly during the festival called Oachirakkali in June-July.

Sasthamcottah is an attractive village situated about 19 kms from Kollam. It is a beauty spot, a health resort and a centre of pilgrimage. The extensive fresh water lake here is said to be the biggest of its kin d in Kerala. Water supply to the Kollam town is met by purifying the water from this lake.

Thangassery in the town is a place of historical importance. The ruins of the dutch/ Portuguese Fort and some 18 th century Churches are sights worth to see here. The 3 kms long Thangassery beach has a lighthouse.

It is nearby Aryankavu on the way from Punalur to Chenkottah and close to the Kerala –Tamilnadu border. It is a very fascinating waterfall at a height of 300 feet. The waterfalls are called Palaruvi because the falls, which falls steeply down into a pool, just looks like flowing milk.