Neendakara Beach

Neendakara is a coastal village in Kollam district.The place is situated 9 km away from Kollam town. Neendakara is one of the most beautiful beaches in terms of overall category, Neendakara an evergreen hub for tourist.The palce is a famous fishing harbour.This is one of the biggest port of the region which can contain more than 500 fishing boat at a time. The area around the port is also have the excellent beauty.It is the famous tourist spot of the district.It is very attractive to see fishermen catching fish with Chinese fishing nets. From here you can see the Ashtamudi Lake joining the sea from the Neendakara Bridge and also the Chinese fishing nets silhouetted against the sky.

How to reach

Nearest railway station:  Kollam

Nearest airport:  Trivandrum International Airport

Thenmala Dam

The Thenmala Dam is considered to be one of the longest reservoirs and popular picnic spots in Kerala. This dam was constructed under the Kallada Irrigation and Tree Crop Development Project. The area is covered by dense forest, rubber and tea plantations.It has been built near the confluence of Chenduruney, Kazhuthurutty and Kulathupuzha rivers. The confluence forms a lake which is around 26 sq km in area. Boating can be enjoyed in the nearby reservoir. Thenmala is famous for being the shooting location in Malayalam and Tamil movies.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station: Kollam (66 kms away)

Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport(72kms away)

Ashtamudi Lake

Backwaters is the most popular tourist attraction of Kerala. The palm-fringed, tranquil backwaters were once the state's trade highways. With 41 west-flowing rivers, the backwaters stretch to almost 1,900 kilometers. The backwater routes date back over the centuries and have been long used for all transportation needs, in particular trade in coconut, rubber, rice and spices. The Ashtamudi lake, surrounded by red cliffs and swaying coconut palms, still bears traces of its former links with China -on a backwater cruise from Kollam to Alappuzha all along the waterline you can see the famous Cheena Vala (Chinese fishing nets gracefully hanging over the lake, as covered country boats ply the backwaters. The Kollam Boat Club provides boats to cruise on the lake.

Catamarans( house boats) provide an opportunity for exhilarating watersports. With a gentle breeze to aid, one may sail around the Ashtamudi Lake.The 9 hour boat ride from Kollam to Alappuzha along these backwaters can be an unforgettable experience. Located in Kollam district, Ashtamudi is famed for its panoramic and magnificent views.The Ashtamudi Lake is so named because of its eight 'arms' or channels is the gateway to the backwaters.

Best Season: August to March
Emergency Details: DTPC Tourist Information Centre, KSRTC Bus Stand, Kollam 
DTPC Tourist Office, Guest House Complex, Asramam
Department of Tourism-District Office, Govt. Guest House.
Transport Terminals: Kollam
How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station: Kollam is connected to most Indian cities and is on the railway routes. The city's main station is Kollam Junction.
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International and Domestic Airport 76 km away from the city.

Thangasseri Fort

Thangasseri Fort is one of the important tourist attractions of Thangasseri and it is situated in Kollam district. The Thangasseri Fort is also called as 'Dutch Quilon'. Thangasseri literally means Gold village in Malayalam language. The place was named as Thangasseri because this was the place where trade was done using gold as the currency.Thangasseri was the favorite spot of the Dutch and the Portuguese. The Thangasseri Fort was constructed in the 16th century and right now only the ruins are left behind. The fort was about 20 feet tall.

The place remains today as an Anglo-Indian settlement, though few Anglo-Indians remain. Presently, the Thangasseri Fort is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India  the Thangasseri Fort.The famous lighthouse of Thangasseri which is 144 ft high, constructed in 1519 by the British is another important attraction of this place,is open to visitors from 1530 - 1730 hrs.

How to reach
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam railway station.
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

Matha Amrithanandamayi Ashram

Built up on the very property where Amma was born, Amritapuri is now the headquarters of Amma’s worldwide mission and the spiritual home for Amma’s monastic disciples and hundreds of householder devotees. All the residents have dedicated their lives for realising God and serving the world. Everyday, Amma’s children from across India and abroad flock here to have Amma’s darshan. She sees each and every one, listens to their worries, consoles, encourages, provides new direction to their lives.

Amritapuri is the living example of the ancient Indian ideal “the whole world is one family” (vasudhaiva kutumbakam). Here you will find people from all parts of the world — speaking different languages and having different customs and religions — all living under one roof. In their quest for the meaning of life, each has forgotten their differences and become a child of Amma.

Contact address
Mata Amritanandamayi Math,
Amritapuri P.O, Kollam, Kerala, India.
Main Phone: 091- 0476 – 2897578, 2896378, 2896399
Information centre – +91-476-3241064,
Accommodation for International visitors – +91-476-3241065
Accommodation for Indian visitors – +91-476-3241066
Fax: 091-0476-2897678
E-Mail: inform@amritapuri.org

courtesy: http://www.amritapuri.org/

Sasthamkotta Lake

This is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala covering a surface area of 4.46 sq. k.m. in the Kunnathur taluk of Kollam district. The average depth is 13.3 metres. This is the freshwater source of Kollam Corporation, 29 k.m. away. The water level is said to remain static though 37.5 million litres are pumped out everyday. There are 27 varieties of fish growing in the lake including the delicious 'karimeen', which anglers hook and cook on the spot, proving it to be a big tourist draw. There are boarding facilities within the vicinity, including the PWD rest house and star status hotels. Special country craft are available for going round the lake.

Best Season: August to March 

Transport Terminals: Near by bus stations: Sasthamkotta, Karunagapally-15 km away, Bharanikavu- 5 km away  

Location: The lake is 14 k.m. off Karunagapalli on NH 47 

How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station: Sasthamkota, 5 k.m. away
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport