Not just cashew and fish
An ancient seaport town dating back to the 9th Century A.D., Kollam (the Malayalam name for Quilon) has given its name to the Malayalam ear Kollavarsham, which began in 825 A.D and is said to be calculated from the date of the founding of this town. That year Persian immigrants set up a township in Quilon and built a church there, having received a charter of privileges from the Raja of Venad. According to one historical view, in that year King Udaya Marthanda Varma of Venad convened at Quilon a grand assembly of Kerala’s learned men in order to introduce a new era which, the assembly resolved, would be adopted from the Chingam (Malayalam month) of the year.

In Quilon, over the centuries merchants from all over the world gathered and contributed to the city’s reputation as a centre of a flourishing mercantile community. This is borne out by the testimonies of Arab, Chinese. Jewish and European travellers (Marco Polo, amongst others). It was also in Quilon that in 1330 A.D Friar Jordams was consecrated Bishop of the roman Catholic See in India.

The town’s commercial importance led the Portuguese to set up a factory here in 1502. This passed into the hands of the Dutch in 1661 and later, in 1795, to the British. Today the red-tiled roofs that dot Quilon’s low skyline is a reminder of the architectural influences of the Dutch and British villas. Further, the Chinese fishing nets along the Ashtamudi Lake are testimony links with China.

Today this town, which is 71 km from Trivandrum, is fairly important for the state’s trade and commerce and is the centre of the country’s cashew trading and processing industry. It is also an important hub for the state’s marine processing industry. It is also an important hub for the state’s marine products industry, with the port of Neendakara being the centre for trawlers and ice plants.

A particularly picturesque town standing on the banks of the Ashtamudi lake (‘‘the lake with eight creeks’’), Quilon’s contemporary fame among today’s travellers is as the inviting gateway to Kerala’s exceedingly beautiful backwaters. The long 8-hour bout trip from Quilon to Alleppey is the best and most comprehensive introduction to the delights of Kerala’s backwaters, as the journey meanders through lakes, canals and waterbound villages. The famous ‘Cheena Vala’ or Chinese fishing nets can also be seen along the backwaters.

As a typical southern Kerala town, Quilon offers a tranquil, rural atmosphere, punctuated by the bustle of trade and commerce in its many busy and crowded market streets and junctions. On the outskirts of the town are cashewnut processing factories. Next to

the Government Guest House at Asramam, 3 km away from the central bus stand, is an Adventure Park which delights children. The Quilon District Tourist Promotion Council organises backwater cruises from there and, during the season, conducted cruises to Alleppey.

There is a beach with a small park at Quilon, popular as an evening retreat for the locals.

On the route Shenkottah, 70 km from Quilon, is Ariankavu which holds a shrine devoted to Lord Sastha. The main festival of this temple is in December. Five km from Ariankavu is the waterfall at Palaruvi at a height of 300 feet. There are frequent buses to Ariankavu and at Palaruvi there is a PWD Inspection Bungalow where rooms are sometimes available.

On the same route, 64 km from Quilon, Kulathupuzha is in the forest range and is famous a similar shrine. The most important temple festival here is the Vishnu Mahotsava in April/May.

Mayyanad, a small town about 10 km south of Quilon, is known for its 9 temples, the most famous of which is the shrine of Lord Subramanya, said to have been consecrated by Sri Sankaracharya.

A very important pilgrim centre 34 km north of Quilon, Oachira is famed for its ‘Oachira Kalli’ festival in mid-June.

Sasthamkotta, Kerala’s largest freshwater lake, is 29 km from Quilon and on the right bank of the Kallada river. This is a small town with a temple dedicated to Lord Sastha. An hour’s bus ride from Quilon, Sasthamkotta has a PWD Rest House where accommodation is available.

Five km and a 15 minute bus trip from Quilon town, Thangassery is historically important, as become evident by the ruins of the Portuguese/ Dutch fort there as well as the 18th Century church. The 3 km long beach has a lighthouse which is open to visitors between 3.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m.

Thirumullavaram , just 6 km north of the centre and easily reached by bus, is a beautiful and quiet little beach ideal for swimming or lying in the sun.