QUILLON
The Spice City
Quillon (also Kollam) is a beautiful old seaport town on the Arabian coast of Kerala. The city has sustained its reputation of being a hub of commercial activity from the days of Phoenicians and the Romans. The rulers of Quillon had diplomatic relations with China way back in the 14th century and exchanged ambassadors with each other. There was even a flourishing Chinese settlement at Quillon during that period.
From the beginning of the 16th century, the Portuguese, Dutch, and British established trading centers at Quillon.and it continues to be a major trade center for Kerela.
The Great Venetian traveler Marco Polo visited the city in 1275. Ibn Batuta identified it as one of the five ports he saw in the time span of 24 years during his travel in India. It does seem that all the great travelers had a fetish for this town, and if you claim to be one too, its high time you checked out Quillon.
HOW TO REACH
By air
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (75 km) or Kochi Airport (150 km) are the two nearest airports.
By rail
Quillon is connected to important cities of Kerala and Tamil Nadu by train.
The city is 159 km south of Ernakulam and it will take you three to four hours from there by train.
Chennai is around 760 km away and connected to Quillon by regular rail service.
By road
You can get to Quillon by bus from the major cities of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
By sea
Boats can be used to cruise the backwaters. Needless to say, it is the most charming way to get there.
GETTING AROUND
Once in the city you could use auto-rikshaws to get around.
The Kollam District Tourism Promotion Council has taken steps to cater to the demands of the customers and make them feel at home in Kollam. A full day onboard journey through the backwaters provides an opportunity to witness the natural life of the people around and enjoy the scenic beauty of the place. Luxury boats, both of the Government and private parties, operate from the main boat jetty during season. If you want to buy a Vallam (the boat) you'll need more than lakh.
The most popular excursion is the full-day journey between Kollam and Alappuzha. You can cover part or the entire route in a day, returning to your original point of departure by bus during the evening, or, more comfortably, staying the night at either ends. All sorts of hustlers offer their services, but the basic choice lies between boats run by the Alleppey Tourism Development Co-op (ATDC) and the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), which run one on alternate days, Monday through Saturday (there is no service on Sundays); from December to May they run two boats per day. The double-decker boats depart at 10.30am, and tickets, which can be bought in advance at the jetties, or from ATDC/DTPC counters in Alappuzha and Kollam, cost Rs150. Both companies make around five stops during the 8hr 30min journey, including one for lunch, and another at the renowned Mata Amritanandamayi Mission at Amritapuri. Foreigners are welcome to stay at the ashram, which is the home of the renowned female guru, Shri Amritanandamayi Devi, known as the "hugging Mama" because she gives each of her visitors and devotees a big, power-imparting hug during the daily darshan sessions
WHERE TO SHACK-UP
Quillon offers hotels to suit every pocket. The rates are reasonable enough and the services are quite good.
If you wanna' blow dough:
Aquaserene
Email: aquaserence@md3.vsnl.net.in
Tel. 512410
Room rates ranges from Rs 2275 to Rs. 4700.
If you wanna' live sensibly:
Ashtamundi Resorts
Email: ashtmundai@md3.vsnl.net.in
Tel. 882288
Room rates ranges from Rs. 2200 to Rs. 2800.
If you wanna' live smart:
Lake View
Tel. 794669
Room rates ranges from Rs. 200 to Rs 400.
Sea Bee
Tel. 744322
Room rates ranges from Rs 150 to Rs 500.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR
In and Around Quillon
Take a look at the famous Ashtamudi Lake. It was one of the earliest centers of Christian activity in Kerala.
Another place you can check out is Anchal, thirteen kilometers south of Punalur, famous for its cattle market twice a month. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the Mudi festival of the Bhagavathy temple here, conducted once every 12 years.
If you’re a religious one, check out Achencoil, famous for its Sastha temple; you’ll have to cut through dense forests to get there. The idol of Sastha is supposed to have been installed several centuries before the Christian era. The two important festivals of this temple are Mandala Puja (December–January) and the festival held at Ravathi (January–February). The most important features of the festival are the Therotam (Chariot festival) and Pushpabhishekam (offering of flowers). In no other temple of South India are flowers offered to the deity so lavishly as at Achencoil. You probably would have never seen so many flowers together, so have a look in.
Another pilgrim center to check out is Aryankavu, situated about 73 km east of Quillon. The chief attraction of Aryankavu is the shrine dedicated to Lord Sastha. The temple’s fine sculptures and murals’ll fascinate you. Thousands of pilgrims flock to this temple during the Mandala puja and Thrikalyanam festivals in December. The place is connected with trains and buses from the city of Quillon.
Another 5 km from Aryankavu is the dazzling waterfall, falling from a height of 300 feet, which will leave you gawking. The fall is known as Palaruvi, which means river of milk. The scenic beauty, with the hills, valleys and cascades, covered with dense tropical forests, is sure to take your senses high.
If you still have time, drop in at the town of Karunagappally, which has an idol of Buddha recovered from a local tank (now preserved in the Krishnapuram Palace). It’s situated 27 km north of Quillon. The city has a civil railway station at Karunagappally.
If you’re the “culture vulture” types, go check out Kottarakkara, the birth place of Kathakali, situated
27 km away from Quillon, and it is linked by both road and rail. Kottarakkara also has a very old temple dedicated to Lord Ganapathy. Don’t miss the 700-year-old Mar Thomas church.
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Incase you are really interested in temples, there are more for you to explore. Ten kilometers south of Quillon is Mayyanad, noted for its shrines and temples. Shankaracharya of Kaladi constructed the most important temple of Mayyanad at Unayanalloor, dedicated to Lord Subramanya. The city also takes pride in its three churches and a mosque.
If you dig historical places or simply enjoy the charm of old colonial forts, check out Thangassery, a historical city, situated 5 km away from Quillon town. The city has old churches constructed in 18th century, a lighthouse built in 1902 with a height of 144 ft., and remnants of Portuguese and Dutch forts.
If you want to see where the water you used at Quillon came from, then travel 19 km away from Quillon, to Sasthamcottah. It’s an attractive village, a beauty spot, a health resort, and a center of pilgrimage. It also has the largest fresh water lake in the whole of Kerala after which the village is named. Water requirements of Quillon are met by purifying the water from this lake.
Fairs and Festivals
Those artistically inclined would definitely enjoy the Ashtamudi Craft and Art Festival of India, which is organized from December 26 to January 10 every year.
You can get to see artists from all over the country performing here during the festival. Different kinds of workshops, exhibitions, and demonstrations are also organized during the festival to highlight the talent of the artists. Organized at the Asraman Maidan, you can check it out for free.
Known also as Daksina Kashi, Oachira is situated 32 km north of the Quillon–Alappuzha National Highway and touches the boundary of Quillon district. Oachira is a unique pilgrim center. The city has no temple buildings as such nor does any idols. All classes of people worship the presiding deity, the Parabrahmam. Oachira draws thousands of pilgrims for Oachirakkali, a festival held annually in June. Another festival held here is Panthrandu Vilakku in November–December, which lasts for 12 days. The festival is followed by a fair, which attracts thousands of pilgrims from all walks of life. Oachira is also an important handicraft center, where fancy articles of screw pine mats are manufactured.
GENERAL INFORMATION
STD Code 0474
Money Matters
State Bank of India,
Anchal Keethi Building,
Punalur Road.
Bank of Cochin,
Chinnakada Beach Road.
Medical:
Benziger Hospital
Nairs Hospital
Sankers Hospital
Upasana Hospital
Kumar Hospital
Tourist information
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The District Tourism Promotion Council.
Tourist information center,
Near the KSRTC bus stand (open from 8 AM to 7 PM).
Tourist office,
Located at the railway station.
Informatics Center and the District Information Office,
Civil Station,
Quillon.
The essentials
Best time to visit October to March
Languages spoken Malayalam, English, and Hindi
The climate is of the tropical humid type, so you’ll find the place pretty hot in summers. There’s plenty of seasonal rainfall. It usually rains from June to September and again from October to November. The rest of the year is by and large dry.
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