Kollam district

Kollam district Kollam district
district
Population
• Total	2,585,208

For the town with the same name, see Kollam.

Kollam district, earlier known as Quilon district, is one among the 14 districts of Kerala state, India. The district is representative of all the natural attributes of Kerala and is endowed with a long coastal region, a major sea port on the Arabian Sea inland in Astamudi lake and was called Tarsish. Kollam is the capital of cashew trading and processing industry of kerala.

Plains, mountains, lakes, lagoons and Backwaters, forests, farm land and rivers constitutes the topography of the district. The area had mercantile relationship with Phoenicians and the Romans.

About thirty percent of this district is covered by the Ashtamudi Lake, thereby making it a gateway to the Kerala Backwaters. Thevalakara and Thekkumbagam panchyaths together had made the very ancient Korekini (sea pointed inland) Kollam port of Tarsish even in 1500 BC.

Administration

District administration

Mermaid statue, Kollam beach

Kollam district has five administrative sub-divisions (taluks): Pathanapuram, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara, Karunagappally and Kollam.

The District Collector, a key functionary of the government, heads the district administration and exercises large powers and responsibilities. He or she plays a dual role. One as the agent of government and other as the chief administrator of the District, reporting to the state government. Among other tasks, law and order maintenance is a priority for District Collector. The District Collector is also the head of the Land Revenue Department of the district.The present district collector of kollam is A. SHAJAHAN. I.A.S. The Tahsildar is the main revenue official in charge of each taluk. The district has a single revenue division with its headquarters at Quilon. For administrative purposes kollam district is divided into 5 thaluks, 13 Blocks, 69 Panchayats, 1 Corporation 2 mnicipalities and 104 villages. The present Kollam Civil Station, was constructed in 1956 with a view to incorporate all government offices under one roof.

Taluks

Kollam is dministratively divided into 5 thaluks, which are further subdivided into 104 villages.

Kollam Lok Sabha constituencies

Main article: Kollam (Lok Sabha constituency)

Three Lok Sabha constituencies constitute Kollam district. Kollam lok sabha constituency consist of Chavara, Kundara, Eravipuram, Kollam, Chathannur, Chadayamangalam and Punalur assembly constituencies. While Kunnathur, Kottarakkara, Pathanapuram constituencies are in mavelikkara LS Constituency, Karunagapally Assembly constituency is in Alappuzha LS constituency.

Assembly Constituencies

Kollam district elects 12 representatives(MLAs) to Kerala Legislative Assembly. Kollam district has a rich political history. The front or alliance that gets majority in kollam has always went on to form government in kerala. Kollam has the maximum number of ministers(Five) to the current kerala government. Template:Assembly Constituencies of Kollam

Police administration

Police administration in kollam is headed by the superintend of police (SP) who directly reports to IG south zone (Kerala). Kollam Police District is divided into three subdivisions each placed under a Deputy Superintend of Police (DySP) namely, Kollam, Karunagappally and punalur. Each sub-divisions are dived into circles, headed by the circle Inspector of Police. Each circle is divided into a number of police stations, headed by Sub Inspector of police. There are a total of 29 police stations spread out in 13 circles. Serving Kollam SP is smt Harshita Attaluri IPS . Kollam also have one Traffic police station. In the district traffic duty is the responsibility of the concerned polic station, but kollam city has a dedicated traffic police station. This police station situated near the asramam ground is responsible of handling traffic related incidents in the city.

First Coastal Police Station in kerala was established in Neendakara, Kollam.

First Police Meuseum in India is also in kollam, The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Police Meuseum has a rich collection of Police artifacts, and a number of rare and priceless pictures. This museum has a room dedicated to Police Martyrs who laid down their life for the people of this country .The forensic section in this meuseum has a large collection of photographs of important and sensational cases of the country.

Geography

Kollam district is located in the south west coast of India bordering Arabian Sea in the west, Indian state of Tamil Nadu in the east, Kerala district of Alappuzha in the north, Pathanamthitta in the North East and Thiruvananthapuram in the south. Latitudnal and longitudnal extends are 8.80°N 76.6°E / 8.80; 76.6 respectively, and spans 2,492 sq. kms. It is the seventh largest district in kerala and is densly populated. Sasthamkotta Lake, Only fresh water lake in kerala is located here. This lake is instrumental in providing fresh drinking water to the whole of kollam city. Two major rivers Kallada River and ithikkara river drains through the district. Ashtamudi Lake and the Paravoor lake, two important water bodies in kollam district. Ashtamudi Lake covers 30 percent of total area of the district. Kollam town is located on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake. Major fishing port in south kerala, Neendakara, is located on the banks of this beautiful lake. Edava and Nadayara lakes lie partly in kollam district.

Climate

Kollam experiences oppressive summers and cool winters. Temperature is almost steady throughout the year. The average temperature is around 25° Celsius to 32° Celsius. Summers usually begin from March and extend till May. The monsoons begin by June and end by September. Kollam receives an annual average rainfall of around 2700 mm. Winter is from November to February and temperature is moderately cool and hovers from 18° Celsius to 25° Celsius

Climate chart

Climate data for Kollam (Quilon)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Source 1:
Source 2:

Religion

Hinduism, Islam and Christianity are the prominent religions in this district.

Hindu worship

Main articles: Oachira Temple, Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathi Kshethram, and List of Hindu temples in Kerala

Oachira, located in the northern end of Kollam on National Highway 47, is famous for the Oachira Parabrahma Temple . Oachirakali is a special annual event at the padanilam (paddy fields) in the month of Vrichikam. Oachira Town Masjid (mosque) and the Oachira temple are situated close to one another and are a proud symbol of communal harmony. This temple is also a Sabarimala edathavalam.

The Mahaganapathi(Ganesha) Temple at Kottarakara., famous for its Unniappom, is one of the most venerated Ganesha temples in Kerala.The major vazhipadu(offerings) of Kottarakkara temple is the famous Udayasthamaya pooja.The main deity of this temple is lord Shiva, but Ganesha became famous and is now a Ganesha temple.

Asramam Sreekrishna Swamy Temple on the shores of Ashtamudi Lake is one of the most prominent temples in kollam. Main deity is lord sreekrishna as a boy with butter in both palms. Arattu mahotsavam(Festival) of this temple is very famous and is known as Kollam pooram. Kollam pooram is annually held in Asramam maidan(Ground).

Ammachiveedu Temple is situated in the town area. It was established by an aristocratic family called Ammachi Veedu (Ammachi home).The annual festival falls on Dhanu of every year but it is to be done after the Mandala Pooja.

The Anchal Agasthyakode Mahadeva Temple is another major Mahadeva temple in the Kollam district. It is situated in Anchal Panchayath. Every year during Sivarathri, people from every caste and religious background come for the religious festivities, such as Jikku Krishnalayam.

The Thrikkadavoor Mahadeva Temple is the most famous Siva Temple in Kollam District. It is situated in the Thrikkadavoor Panchayath and on the banks of the Ashtamudi lake. The annual Srattu festival attracts thousands of people, including foreigners. The festival falls in the month of Kumbham (February). The eight artificial horses, which represent the eight areas (karas) around the temple, is a special attraction for tourists.

Kolloorvila Bharanikkavu Devi temple is located in madannada is on National Highway 47, annual festival spans for 41 days. The annual festival is on bharani nakshatra of meenam month according to malayalam calendar,kollavarsham.

The Veerabhadra Swamy Temple at Ashtamudi in Kollam is the only temple in the southern part of the country with Veerabhadra as the presiding deity. This belongs to Kuttiyazhikam, Karuva, a two hundred & fifty-year-old Ezhava Family.

Gateway to a temple at Kollam

Umayanalloor Sri Balasubramania(Murugan) Swamy Temple is situated on the NH-47, about 8 km from Kollam town. The temple is visited by thousands of devotees. Its 'Aana Vaal Pidutham' Mahotsavam during the Malayalam calendar 'Meenam'[mid-March], attracts hundreds of devotees from all over the state. Devotees run after an elephant and catch its tail, symbolising the childhood pranks between the deities Subramanyan(Murugan) and Ganesha. 'Thaipuyyam' is also celebrated in a big way. The lore is that the temple was built by the powerful lady ruler 'Umayammarani' of Venad Kingdom about 500 years ago. Aryankavu in the Western Ghats is the easternmost point in the district on the National Highway. One of the five ancient Ayyappa temples is situated here; two others are at Achankovil and Kulathupuzha in the district.

Shri Mahadevar Temple, Padinjattinkara,Sree Bhootha Natha Temple,Kulashekharanallor Srikrishnaswami and Devi temple, Kottarakara, Chennamath Temple and Vilappuram Bhagavathy Temple at Chathannoor are famous temples. Polachira is a beautiful place near Vilappuram Temple and Anathavalam (elephants shelter) at Chirakkara is also there.

Thalavoor Sri Durga Devi Temple, Peroor Karunalloor Bhagavathy Temple,Pattazhy Devi Temple, Kundara Ilampalloor Devi Temple and Paravur Puttingal Devi Temple are among the important Hindu temples in Kollam District.

Another important temple is the Kottamkulangara temple near Chavara, where there is a tradition of males participating in 'Vilakkeduppu' wearing women's dresses.

Christian Worship

Main article: Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon

Kundara St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Cathedral is located about 200 meters from Arumurikkada junction (NH - 208) on Arumurikkada - Kuzhimathikadu - Nallila Road. The church in Malankara is an integral part of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church with the Patriarch of Antioch as its supreme head. The local head of the church in Malankara is the Catholicose of India. His Beatitude Baselios Thomas I, ordained by and accountable to the Patriarch of Antioch. The Feast of Virgin Mary's birth is celebrated from September 1 to 8 every year.On September 7 evening a Rasa (Procession) is conducted from Church to Cheerankavu Junction (East) and Mukkada Junction (West), and back to Church.

Apostle Thomas founded one of his "seven and a half churches" in Kollam. They were family or community churches as neither Holy Bible was codified nor cross was acknowledged as the symbol of Christian faith in the first century AD. The church founded by the Apostle at the ancient Kollam port of Tarsish (thevalakara) was re-constructed three times. The second re organising of the Tarsish Christian nambuthiri community which was still inside vedic Vaishnavism was in the 4th century when a Persian cross brought from a Red sea port was erected in accordance with the Nicaea sunnahodose the first ecumenical council of the Christian church, meeting in ancient Nicaea (now İznik, Tur.). It was called by the emperor Constantine I, an unbaptized catechumen, or neophyte, who presided over the opening session and took part in the discussions declaration making the cross the symbol of Christian faith the World over for the first time. In 825 AD Mar S(abo)r ministered here re constructing the Tarsi sh-a -palli at Thevalakara for the third time as the first church founded by him with Syrian litergy after receiving the Tarsish-a-palli plates from Kulshekara kings which in reality laid the foundation of Christianity as a religion in Kerala outside Vedic Vaishnavism.

Muslim worship

Valiyapalli, Janakappuram, Juma-Atrh-Palli, Kolluvila, Jumma-Ath-Masjid, Thattamala, NMuslim Jumma-Ath-Palli, Karuva: Kalamala Palli, Kalamala: Muthirapparambu Palli, Muthirapparambu and Siyavathummodu Palli, Kilikolloor are the most important mosques.

Ashram

Main article: Mata Amritanandamayi

World famous spiritual Guru Mata Amritanandamayi has her spiritual abode set on the beautiful shores of the Arabian sea at Amritapuri in Karunagappalli taluk of kollam district. Parayakadavu, a coastal village near Karunagapally, is the birthplace of Mata Amritanandamayi and is the headquarters of her Math. Thirumullavarom Temple is the most famous temple in Kollam situated near the Arabian Sea where thousands used to come annually for performing Vavu Bali.

Tourism

Palaruvi (waterfalls), Thenmala (forests and reservoir), the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, Ashtamudi (backwaters) and Kollam beaches (Kollam city beach, Thirumullavaram beach, Thangassery beach) are all beautiful spots in this area. The first community tourism program in the state will begin on the Munroethuruth islands in Kollam district.

Thenmala,located 66 km east of kollam, is the first Ecotourism project in India. This project is run by Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society

Kollam was the seat of the Desinganad kings. Kottarakara is famous as the place where the classical dance form of Kathakali was conceived. It was also the capital of the Elayidath Swaroopam. Kundara is famous for the 1812 proclamation against the British by Velu Thampi Dalawa.

Alappad village is located on the seashore of Kollam District, which was affected by the Tsunami in 2005.

Suspension bridge (hanging bridge) at Thenmala

The famous Varkala Beach, also known as Papanasham, is 26 km south of Kollam. The famous Duriyodana temple is in Kunnathur Taluk. The Sakthikulangara Dharma Sastha Temple-Sree Ayyappa Swamy Temple is famous for the Utsavam, in the month of Makaram, which is between mid-January and mid-February.

Polachira in Chirakkara Gramapanchayat is a beautiful place for site seeing. The famous "Anathavalam" is near here, where one can see domestic elephants, touch it and even travel on it. Don't forget to see "Mannathippara" at Polachira. It is 4 kms towards south from Chathannoor town.

Sasthamcotta Lake located about 19 kms from Kollam Town is the biggest freshwater lake in kerala is also a favored tourist destination for domestic visitors. Jetayu Para, a giant rock, located in the chadayamangalam village. Name Jatayu (Ramayana) para came from the mythical character, Jatayu (Ramayana). It is believed that jatayu fell here, after his failed attempt to stop Ravana.

Literacy and Education

Main article: Educational institution in kollam district

According to the 2001 census, kollam has a literacy rate of 91.18%, where male literacy rate 94.43% and female literacy rate of 88.18%. This number is consistent with the state average, while is far greater when compared with the national average. Kollam has several privately-owned and state-owned educational institutions. St. Joseph's convent school at tuet, Kollam is the school without Government Aid & having maximum students in the world (over 12,000 students). The state-run school is the Govt. Model Higher Secondary School For Boys which is the oldest school in the city.

Kollam has a number of educational institutions in both government as well as private sector. 128 scools are operated by the department of higher education, govt of kerala. kollam has one kendriya vidyalaya and three other CBSE schools. Schools in kerala follows both English and Malayalam medium of education. Kollam has ten Professional Engineering colleges and two medical colleges. it again has 17 Arts and Science colleges, 11 teachers training colleges and 7 nursing colleges. St. Joseph's convent school at tuet, Kollam is the school without Government Aid & having maximum students in the world (over 12,000 students). The state-run school is the Govt. Model Higher Secondary School For Boys which is the oldest school in the city.

Industries

Kollam district is moderately industrialized. Two central government undertakings, the Indian Rare Earths Chavara and Parvathi Mills Ltd., are among the industries in Kollam. Kerala Ceramics Ltd., Kundara, Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company, Kundara, Kerala Premo Pipe factory, Chavara, Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited, Chavara, United Electrical Industries-Kollam and the Kerala Agro-Fruit Products Punalur are state government-owned companies. Other major industries in the private sector are Thomas Stephen & Co., Kollam, Floorco Paravur, Cooperative Spinning Mill, Chathannur and Punalur Paper Mills, Punalur. 1963 SSI units have been registered in the district.

KMML (Kerala Metals and Minerals Ltd.), a govt of kerala undertaking, located on the beaches of shankaramangalam, chavara, produces high grade chemical compounds of titanium like Titanium Dioxide Pignent, Hafnium ore, Sillimanite and Monazite. These chemicals are used in paints,Welding electrodes, Ceramics, Foundries etc..

Indian Rare Earths Ltd, a Government of India undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy, incorporated in August 18, 1950, has four Production Plants viz. Minerals Division at Chavara, Manavalakurichi, OSCOM and Rare Earths Division at Aluva. IREL is a pioneer in Mining and separation of Heavy Minerals like, Ilmenite, Rutile, Zircon, Sillimanite, Garnet and Monazite from sand. IREL also conducts R & D in the area of Mining and minerals.

United Electrical Industries Ltd. (UNILEC) is a public sector company under the govt of kerala. This iso 9001:2000 certified company produces electro mechanical meters for domestic as well as industrial need.This one of its kind company in kerala can produce 1 lakh meters per month.

The Travancore Plywood Industries at Punalur and Aluminium Industries Ltd. at Kundara have been notified as being sick units and have consequently been closed down.

Kollam Techno Park at Kundara

A Techno park termed 'Kollam Techno Park' is coming up on the banks of Ashtamudi lake near Kundara and is expected to be commissioned in 2011. The techno park is coming up at 40 acres of Special Economic Zone (SEZ). It is expected that 10,000 people will get jobs within the first 3 years. An iconic building is constructed on the banks of Ashtamudi lake, along with a boat terminal so that techies can reach the park through luxury boats from different parts of Kollam city.

This is to tap the Kerala’s unique advantage of uniform talent distribution, Infrastructure and supporting IT platforms, e.g. telecom, datacom and digital exchanges, excellent infrastructure availability and backup support.

Current status :

• SEZ Notification issued
• The site office has started functioning
• Work on the canal embankment has commenced
• Work on the first phase of IT building 1,00,000 sq. ft. has commenced and the building is expected to be ready by September 2010.
• Land development Compound wall, internal road works in progress
• 110 KV Substation work order has awarded to Siemens India Ltd
• Work on water supply and distribution system in progress

The traditional cashew industry is centralised in this District. Kollam is approved by the central government as a "centre of cashew industry". Most of the workers in this industry are women and among them a majority comes from the weaker sections of the society. There are several cashew processing units working in the district. The Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Ltd, a government of Kerala undertaking, has its headquarters in Kollam. It serves as a model agency for the cashew processing industry. The corporation has 30 cashew factories and employs more than 20,000 workers. Another government organisation in this field is CAPEX, which is in the cooperative sector and has 10 cashew factories. Interested persons can visit the website of the Corporation to understand more details of the Cashew Industry. Coir production, handloom industry, clay and wood-based industries contribute to the industrial advancement of the region.

Forest

According to the Government of kerala estimates, 81,438 ha(hectare) of land is under forest cover . Lions share of this falls in the eastern potion of the district.This includes Thenmala, Punalur and a portion of Achencoil forest division.The Thenmala Range , Aryankavu Range and Shendurney Sanctuary makes the Thenmala division while Achencoil Range , Kallar Range and Kanayar Range , makes up the Achencoil division. Pathanapuram and Anchal Ranges constitute the Punalur division.

Shenduruny wildlife sanctuary', 66 km from kollam town, situated on the southern part of the Western Ghats (8°50' and 8°55'N; 77°5'and 77°15'E) in the Pathanapuram taluk of Kollam district. The name 'Shenduruny' has been formulated from the name of a tree species locally called 'Shenkuruny or Chenkuruny' (Gluta travancorica), a tree mainly found in this area. An artificial lake of about 26 sq.kms has been formed due the construction of perappar dam across the Kulathupuzha river. Remnants of Stone Age culture from a large cave situated at the north -western part of the Shenduruny river was excavated from this sanctuary. These remains belong to the Mesolithic period of stone Age.

This tropical rain forest has a rich variety of wildlife, some of the endangered species are found here. Bonnet Macaque, the lion-tailed Macaque, the Nilgiri Langur , different species of squirrels like , the Indian giant squirrel, Indian Palm Squirrel, the Gaur or Indian bison, the sambar deer, the Muntjac or barking deer, the Indian Spotted Chevrotain or mouse deer, wild boar and the Indian elephant are found in this sanctuary.

Agriculture

Kollam District has a total cultivated area of 2,18,267 hectares. Paddy, tapioca, coconut, rubber, pepper, banana, mango and cashew are the prominent crops. Average per family holding of farm land is 0.21 hectare. 70 per cent of the work force of the district is engaged in agriculture or other allied activities.

Products	Area under cultivation (ha.)	Production in tonne
Rice	11457	24204
Pepper	10633	3235
Ginger	612	1648
Cashewnut	4663	3043
Tapioca	24065	556140
Coconut	71310	411 million
Arecanut	2502	1710
Rubber	36797	48386

Irrigation

Two major rivers Kallada River and ithikkara river flows through kollam. Kallada Irrigation Project(KIP) is conceived to utilize the water of kallada river for irrigation purpose. This project consist of a dam at thenmala, from where water is diverted for irrigation.

Fisheries

Western portion of kollam is borderd by Arabian sea. Kollam has a coastline of length 37.3 kms i.e. 6.30 percentage of total coastline of the state (Kerala). Neendakara and Sakthikulangara are important fishing villages. There are an estimated 26 villages whose lively hood depends entirely on fishing. Cheriazheekkal, Alappad, Pandarathuruthu, Puthenthura, Neendakara, Thangasseri, Eravipuram and Paravoor are among the prominent fishing villages. One third of the total fish production, including 60% of prawn catch of kerala is contributed by Kollam. Average fish production of kollam is estimated to be 5,275 tonnes. Nearly 3000 mechanized boats are operating from this fishing harbour.

Animal Husbandry

Kollam district has one of the largest population of livestock in the state of kerala. Animals are reared chiefly for Dairy farming. According to 2000 animal census kollam has an estimated population of 182434 cows, 6162 buffaloes, 131714 goats and 1034 pigs. In poultry, the district stands third in kerala.

Transportation

Kollam is well connected to all parts of the state by bus and train services.. Kollam is also connected to neighboring states by frequent bus services operated by KSRTC and Indian Railways. Kollam doesnot have an airport, nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 65 km from kollam . Kollam district has a good railway penetration with 22 railway stations and about 132 km of railway line .

List of Railway stations

ochira	karunagapally	shastamkotta
mandrothuruthu	perinadu	kollam
eravipuram	paravoor	kilimanoor
chanthanathoppu	perinadu	kundara
kundara east	ezhukone	kottarakara
kura	aavaniswaram	punaloor
edaman	ottakkal	thenmala
kazhuthurutty	edappalayam	aryankkavu

Intra state road transportation is undertaken by KSRTC and private players. Indian railways also operate shuttle services between Kollam and neighbouring districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Alappuzha. There is also a shuttle service between Kollam and Ernakulam.

Interstate Bus Services operates from Kollam Transport Bus Station and Kottarakkara Transport Bus Station.

Kollam is connected by inland waterways to Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha. These waterways are main attractions and scenic tourist destinations in the area. Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) had an operating centre near the KSRTC bus stand. Now, KSWTD is not operating boat service from Kollam to Alappuzha anymore. However circular chain boat service from Kollam to Astamudi via Thopilkadavu, Kureepuzha, Kavanadu & Sampranikodi is to begin this year. Tourists may privately hire motorised country boats with all amenities in Kettavulam in Malayalam.

See also

• Kollam
• List of Sree Narayana Institutions
• List of Hindu temples in Kerala
• Pulimukham devi temple, Thazhava
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon
• University of Kerala
• Protected areas of Kerala

External links

• Official website
• Official tourism website