Kollam

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Kollam

District	Kollam district
Area	2,491 km²
Population Total Males Females	2,585,208 1,249,621 1,335,587
Density	1,038
Sex ratio	1069 (2001)
Literacy rate (2001):  - Total  - Male  - Female	91.18% 94.43% 88.18%
Altitude	? above sea level
Latitude	9° 28' N to 8° 45'N
Longitude	76° 28' to 77° 17' N
Coastal Line	37 km
Temperature	<29>°C to°C<37>°C to°C

For the district with the same name, see Kollam District.

Kollam[link], (known to the Portuguese as Quilon), is a city in the state of Kerala, India. It is also the headquarters of a district by the same name, one among the 14 districts in the state of Kerala, India. It is bound on the south by Thiruvananthapuram district, on the north by Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha, on the east by Tamil Nadu and on the west by the Arabian Sea. It has one of the largest fresh water lakes. It is a very beautiful place to visit. The district is very famous for cashew processing and coir manufacturing.

About thirty per cent of this district is covered by the Ashtamudi Lake, thereby making it a gateway to the Kerala Backwaters. India’s most popular English magazine India Today has rated Kollam as the best district in the country in terms of law and order and social harmony. The second tallest light house in India (144 ft or 44 m) stands tall at Tangasseri in Kollam. Tourist spots such as Thenmala, Jetayu para, and Palaruvi falls are popular attractions.

During the rule of the Travancore kingdom in southern Kerala, Kollam was the focal point of their trade. The metre gauge railway administered by Indian Railways terminates at Kollam, making the Kollam Railway station a junction station. The district is well connected to other parts of Kerala and India through the National Highways 47, 206, and 101 and by the railway network.

The Apostle Thomas is said to have founded one of his "seven and a half churches" in Kollam. From these seven and a half churches, including the one in Kollam, have multiplied thousands of churches, hospitals, orphanages and other Christian charities that cover India today.

The Mata Amritanandamayi Math is situated in Amritapuri in this district, about 30 km from the Kollam town.

Places of worship

Kottarakara Sree Mahaganapathy Kshethram - situated at Kottarakara, 30 km from Kollam. The famous temple dedicated to Lord Vigneswara is located in this place. The famous Hindu pilgrimage centre Sabarimala was in Kollam District, before the formation of Pathanamthitta District. Sasthamkotta Ayyappa Temple, Kundara Elapmalloor Devi Temple, Paravur Puttingal Devi Temple are among the important hindu temples in Kollam. Kollam is the birth place for Sadguru Mata Amritanadamayi [link]

Some of the important churches are St. Casimir's Church, Kadavur; Velankanni Matha Shrine, Tuyyam; Infant Jesus Shrine, Vadi; St. Joseph Shrine, Perinad; St. Francis Church, Koduvila (Kallada); Amalotbhava Matha Church, Pullichira (Kottiyam), St. John Britto Church, Sakthikulangara; St. Sebastians Church, Neendakara; St. Thomas C.S.I. Church, Pattathanam and St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Sastri Junction.

Valiyapalli, Jonakappuram, Juma-Ath-Palli, Kolluvila; Juma-Ath-Masjid, Thattamala; Muslim Juma-Ath-Palli, Karuva; Kalamala Palli, Kalamala; Muthirapparambu Palli, Muthirapparambu and Siyavathummodu Palli, Kililolloor are the most important mosques. Another Important attraction of Kollam is [Sasthamcotta lake] Which is the largest freshwater lake in kerala.This lake is situated near Muthupilakkad Village which is of great historic importance.

Another importance is that it is where the famous Amrita Institute of Technology and Science is situated.

External links

• [Kollam District official website]
• [The enhanced version of the Kollam Official website]
• [Quilon.com]
• [Aerial View]

Portuguese Empire — Former colonies & present overseas territories''' 

Kollam was formerly called as Desinganadu.

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