One of the leading 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. Thirty percent of this historic town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi Lake, making it the gateway to the magnificent 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 Malayam calendar came to be known as kollavarsham.
ACCESSIBILITY
Telephone access code: +91-474
Air: Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram (71 km)
Rail: Kollam is an important railhead of the Southern Railways. Railway enquiry
Ph: 131
Road: KSRTC, Central Bus Station Ph: 2752008
Ferry services: The ferry station is adjacent to the Central Bus Station (3 km from the railway station)
Tourist information offices:
DTPC Tourist Information Centre, KSRTC Bus Stand Ph: 2745625
Department of Tourism - District Office, Govt. Guest House Ph: 2743620
Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society Ph: +91 475 2344800, Website: www.thenmalaecotourism.com
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