Planning a perfect vacation, looking for a perfect package that includes the goodness of nature, history, and culture with a dash of much-needed fun? Then a trip to Kollam and Trivandrum in Kerala is just the answer to your prayers.
Here is the list of places to visit in Trivandrum and Kollam.
Kollam
An old seaport of ancient India mentioned in the works of Ibn Battuta during his travels to India, this ancient city is a commercial hub. It was once a well-known trade centre, with influences from China, Persia, Arab and Dutch. Explore the several places to visit in Kollam. You can marvel at some of the architectural wonders like the Thevally Palace. Kollam is home to the well-known beach, the Mahatma Gandhi beach.
Palaruvi waterfalls
In Malayalam, Palaruvi Falls translates to ‘stream of milk’; it is the 32nd highest fall in India. This waterfall is surrounded by lush green forests and mystical mountains. The falls are highly revered by the locals and are worshipped by many across the state. It is the perfect picnic spot to visit with the family, and you can bathe under the cold showers of the waterfall.
Another must-visit in Kollam is the Jatayu Earth Centre. It is the brainchild of the tourism department of Kerala, and Mr Rajiv Anchal. It is a unique concept that imbibes sustainable tourism at the core of its vision. At the center of this magnificent establishment is the statue of Jatayu, a mythological eagle from the Ramayana. The 200 ft statue holds the Guinness world record for the world’s largest functional statue of a bird.
The entire set up of Jatayu Earth Centre is based on the sustainable concepts of solar energy and rain-water harvesting. This tourism hotspot is built with special attention to maintaining the ecological balance of the surrounding flora and fauna. Special agriculture committees are set up to promote organic farming, to ensure minimum environmental destruction.
So you can rest assured that your visit to this marvellous place is neither destructive nor will it add to the carbon footprint, you can sit back and embrace the vision of Jatayu Earth centre guilt-free.
Trivandrum
The capital city of Kerala, it is an ancient city in Kerala. This historical city is surrounded by several monuments and temples. It is also an educational hub and is home to several technological institutes that can be explored with some of the best holiday packages.
Temples:
One of the world-renowned temples, known for its opulence and culture is Sree Anantha Padmanabha Temple. As history goes, the entire city is built around the temple. The main deity of the temple is Vishnu. The temple is maintained by the Travancore Royal Family, and it is one of the richest temples in India.
The other famous temples in Trivandrum are Karikkakom Chamundi Devi, Attukal Bhagavathy temple, Aazhimala Siva Temple and Pazhavangadi Ganapathy temple.
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
This wildlife sanctuary encompasses the Western Ghats; it houses a variety of animals like crocodiles, tiger, leopard, and barking deer. It also houses a rehabilitation center for elephants. In 2007, a rehabilitation center for crocodiles was inaugurated. This sanctuary is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. While in Neyyar, you can also indulge in some trekking to Meenmutty falls.
Napier Museum
This museum is 150 years old and is home to several collections of artefacts, sculptures, artworks and musical instruments.
Beaches
Thiruvananthapuram is home to some exquisite and scenic beaches to lounge lazily on the shores with family; these beaches are not too crowded and are the perfect spot to unwind. Some of the beaches in Thiruvananthapuram include Shanghumugham beach, Veli beach, and Puthenthope beach.