TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN KOVALAM
Kovalam gained its popularity over the stretches of this low-key beach resort offering an amazing sweep of palm hemmed beaches, beautiful lagoons, coconut groves and paddies. It consists of two beaches- Lighthouse Beach concentrated with eateries and accommodation while Eve’s Beach (Hawah Beach) which is relatively unspoiled.
The Kovalam Beach:
This prominent beach is regarded as one of the most sought after tourist detination of India. There are three adjacent crescent beaches separated by rocky promontories that together make up the beach of Kovalam. The three beaches are known as -the Lighthouse beach, Eve's or Hawa beach and the Ashoka beach - each has its own charm and individual attractions. Roam around lazily along the sea shore, uncover the past, eat at the beach stalls and spend a lot of time indulging in water sports.
Samudra beach:
This is yet another attractive beach of Kovalam, however, it cannot be found if the tourists happen to visit the place during monsoons. The reason for this is that the beach gets covered by the water and what is left of it is the long sea wall that you can walk on.
Shri Dharmasastha Temple:
The Kovalam Shri Dharmasastha Temple is a prominent pilgrim center of Kovalam which is located close to the beach. This temple attracts a whole lot of visitors during the annual festival held in the month of January. Temple is open on Fridays and on the Aayilyam days of Malyalam calendar.
Vizhinjam Village:
The village of Vizhinjam located at a distance of around 2 km from Kovalam town, has a number of attractions stored within its area. The prominent destinations includes the Marine Aquarium displaying a wide variety of marine life like squirrel fish, moon wrasse, butterfly fish, lion fish and giant turtles and the well known Cave Temple with unfinished carvings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The Marine aquarium has also a unique display in form of pearl images of Christ, Virgin Mary, Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
Chowara:
Chowara is yet another fishing village with manifold attractions awaiting the tourists. An Ayyappa Temple at Chowara dominating the white sandy beach catches the eye. Azhimalathur beach.is the one and only place in Kerala where the sea water is believed to be withdrawing rather than occupying the beach area. The Pulinkudi Azhimala Shiva Temple located near by the beach is open to the tourist on fixed time. Lastly, there is also a church by the name of Analothbhava Matha Church situated nearby.
Thiruvallom:
Thiruvallom around 8 km from Kovalam is a fascinating tourist destination of Kerala. It is located on the road to Trivandrum where the Killi and Karamana rivers meet. It is an ideal place to enjoy boat cruise. Thiruvallom is also Known for the temple dedicated to Parsurama, the creator of Kerala himself as it happens to be the only place in Kerala that houses Parasurama as the deity.
Vellayani Lake:
Vellayani Lake is the only fresh water lake in Kerala apart from Sasthamkotta in north Kollam. The modernization of the state has not touched the serenity of this beautiful lake which looks magnificent during a full moon night. Vellayani lake is also a venue for boat races during the seasonal festival Onam. A Government Agricultural College and a Devi Temple is located close to the lake. The main college building was once the summer palace of the royal family of Travancore. The Devi temple has members of non brahmins Vathi caste as its priests and is the only one of its kind in Kerala. The main festival of the temple is held once every third year.
Valliathura Pier:
Valliathura pier located 10km from Kovalam is a must see destination of Kerala especially during monsoons when the local fishermen, unable to launch their boat from the beach, head towards this pier. These fishermen carry on with their fishing activity which attracts the visitors to this pier. The catamaran is thrown to the end of the pier and throws them in the water by these fishermen. Then they jump themselves in to the sea water and reach their catamaran.
The Kovalam Beach:
This prominent beach is regarded as one of the most sought after tourist detination of India. There are three adjacent crescent beaches separated by rocky promontories that together make up the beach of Kovalam. The three beaches are known as -the Lighthouse beach, Eve's or Hawa beach and the Ashoka beach - each has its own charm and individual attractions. Roam around lazily along the sea shore, uncover the past, eat at the beach stalls and spend a lot of time indulging in water sports.
Samudra beach:
This is yet another attractive beach of Kovalam, however, it cannot be found if the tourists happen to visit the place during monsoons. The reason for this is that the beach gets covered by the water and what is left of it is the long sea wall that you can walk on.
Shri Dharmasastha Temple:
The Kovalam Shri Dharmasastha Temple is a prominent pilgrim center of Kovalam which is located close to the beach. This temple attracts a whole lot of visitors during the annual festival held in the month of January. Temple is open on Fridays and on the Aayilyam days of Malyalam calendar.
Vizhinjam Village:
The village of Vizhinjam located at a distance of around 2 km from Kovalam town, has a number of attractions stored within its area. The prominent destinations includes the Marine Aquarium displaying a wide variety of marine life like squirrel fish, moon wrasse, butterfly fish, lion fish and giant turtles and the well known Cave Temple with unfinished carvings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The Marine aquarium has also a unique display in form of pearl images of Christ, Virgin Mary, Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
Chowara:
Chowara is yet another fishing village with manifold attractions awaiting the tourists. An Ayyappa Temple at Chowara dominating the white sandy beach catches the eye. Azhimalathur beach.is the one and only place in Kerala where the sea water is believed to be withdrawing rather than occupying the beach area. The Pulinkudi Azhimala Shiva Temple located near by the beach is open to the tourist on fixed time. Lastly, there is also a church by the name of Analothbhava Matha Church situated nearby.
Thiruvallom:
Thiruvallom around 8 km from Kovalam is a fascinating tourist destination of Kerala. It is located on the road to Trivandrum where the Killi and Karamana rivers meet. It is an ideal place to enjoy boat cruise. Thiruvallom is also Known for the temple dedicated to Parsurama, the creator of Kerala himself as it happens to be the only place in Kerala that houses Parasurama as the deity.
Vellayani Lake:
Vellayani Lake is the only fresh water lake in Kerala apart from Sasthamkotta in north Kollam. The modernization of the state has not touched the serenity of this beautiful lake which looks magnificent during a full moon night. Vellayani lake is also a venue for boat races during the seasonal festival Onam. A Government Agricultural College and a Devi Temple is located close to the lake. The main college building was once the summer palace of the royal family of Travancore. The Devi temple has members of non brahmins Vathi caste as its priests and is the only one of its kind in Kerala. The main festival of the temple is held once every third year.
Valliathura Pier:
Valliathura pier located 10km from Kovalam is a must see destination of Kerala especially during monsoons when the local fishermen, unable to launch their boat from the beach, head towards this pier. These fishermen carry on with their fishing activity which attracts the visitors to this pier. The catamaran is thrown to the end of the pier and throws them in the water by these fishermen. Then they jump themselves in to the sea water and reach their catamaran.
