TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN KOVALAM, KOVALAM IN THRIUVANANTHAPURAM, KOVALAM, KOVALAM TOURISM, PLACES TO VISIT IN KOVALAM, ATTRACTIONS AND SIGHTSEEING AROUND KOVALAM BEACH

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.

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Kovalam Attractions

Kovalam truly captures the essence of  the capital city of Kerala. Kovalam is a well-known beach town situated near Thiruvananthapuram (erstwhile Trivandrum). The town stands facing the might Arabian Sea. The beach is not very far from the main city of Thiruvananthapuram; 16 km is all it takes for you to reach the picturesque beach of Kovalam from the city center.

The three beaches run alongside each other and cover around 17km of the coast line. Separating the three beaches are mighty rocks. One has to be very careful when hopping from one beach to another because the rocks are very slippery and one misstep can spoil your vacation. The three beaches are the Lighthouse Beach, the Hawah Beach and the Samudra Beach. You should make it appoint to visit all the three beaches when in Kovalam because each beach has its own scenic view to offer.

Beaches: The mesmerizing beaches of Kovalam are thronged by tourists from all over the world. An ideal honeymoon destinations in India with the salubrious climate, fine sands and the enchanting aura, Kovalam also hosts the famous Kathakali Dance. The place also relaxes the body with couples ayurvedic massages, meditation and Yoga.

Hawah Beach: The beach derives its name from the collection of topless European women that used to throng here. The first topless beach in India, Hawah beach is the second largest beach in Kovalam. Topless bathing and parading has been banned now but private resorts have the independence to offer top-free coves. The beach offers a picturesque view and is ideal place to watch the fishermen catching the fishes.

Lighthouse Beach: The Lighthouse Beach is the southern extension of the three beach town of Kovalam. The beach is thus named for the 35 meter high tower perched atop the Kurumkal hillocks. The beach is very tranquil and presents the perfect spot to spend some quality time together. Several temporary eateries and shacks turn up along the during the peak tourist period.

Samudra Beach: The northernmost beach is known as the Samudra Beach. A large headland of palms separates the beach from the southern side. The restful Arabian Sea stretches a long way and the tourists can have some leisure times enjoying the cool breeze blowing across. The beach is ideal for swimming and bathing activities. The tourists are mildly populated and local fishermen carry on with their usual activities. The sands are partially black due to the presence of thorium-bearing minerals.

Other Attractions: The Vizhinzam Mosque on the Lighthouse beach is a popular tourist attraction. Nearest tourist spots that are worth checking out includes the Palaruvi Falls, Trivandrum, Kollam, Thekkady and Varkala. Taking long walks with your spouse beneath the swaying coconut palms, sunbathing and trying out exotic seafood are some of the activities for couples. Lush green vegetation and the gentle swoosh of the boat over the sparkling backwaters is an innovative way to explore the place. Kayaking, swimming, surfing and waterskiing are aimed towards adventurous couples. A pampering ayurvedic massage or Yoga can rejuvenate the mind and soul.

If the best things in life come free, then honeymoon in Kovalam are a little cost effective. There are adequate provisions for accommodation and shopping. The natural surrounds and the romantic atmosphere make Kovalam a best honeymoon destination of India.

Kerala the land of many varieties, land with ample Heritage and cultural background and much to offer to the tourists is having many interesting places spread through out the region. A few of the places to visit in Kerala are

Alleppey

Alleppey previously called Alappuzha lies on the edge of the Ashtamudi Lake. With the Arabian Sea on the west and a bunch of lakes, lagoons and several freshwater rivers crossing it, Alleppey is a district of immense natural beauty. Because of its large network of canals many times it is referred as the ‘Venice of the East’ by worldwide tourists.  This backwater region is also home to diverse range of animals and birds.  Alleppey has earned fame in the commercial world as the world's premier supplier of coir. It holds a special place in the maritime industry of Kerala because of its location in the vicinity of Arabian Sea.

In recent days Alleppey has emerged as a Backwater Tourist Centre, attracting thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alleppey is also famous for its Boat races, Houseboat Holidays, Beaches, Marine Products and Coir Industry. Every year during August-September, Alleppey is eagerly waiting for the pulsating Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race a water sport unique to Kerala.

Cochin

Cochin or Kochi being an important port city is strategically located, well connected by aerial routes, railways and road. Travelers who want to arrive by air can alight at Cochin International Airport at Nedumbessary. If you prefer rail journey you have two stations to alight Ernakulam Town and Ernakulam Junction. Many express trains from cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai are plying to Kochi. This city is well connected by road to many major cities of other states.

The city is filled with glamorous shopping centers and Jewellery shops. The Hotels and Restaurants are very attractive and serve appetizing food. Among the busy roads and business centers the city also caters to some very beautiful parks, children's playgrounds and beach side pavements. The Naval base and the Cochin shipyard make it a place of importance. Marine drive is also another business area in Cochin which has a beautiful view of the sea and the islands. You can also see the merchant ships and the cruise liner halting for fueling.

Places of tourist interest being Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. It is an eclectic blend of the Arab, British, Portuguese and Dutch legacy. To get a taste of the Portuguese architecture, you can head towards The Santa Cruz Basilica. The St. Francis Church, another specimen from the Portuguese era, boasts of having being the burial site of the famous Vasco da Gama. The Chinese fishing nets, a remnant from the rule of the majestic Kublai Khan, is another major tourist attraction. After a day of wander lust, you can unwind at the Fort Kochi Beach, which also houses a pretty lighthouse. The Jew Street, the Dutch Cemetery and the Princess Street are some of other coveted tourist hot spots.

Kovalam

Well known as the ‘Paradise of Southern India’ is sixteen kms away from Trivandrum city. The word ‘Kovalam’ means a grove of coconut trees. The coconut trees at the Kovalam villages symbolize natural beauty and economic value. A characteristic feature of the sands in theKovalam beaches is that they are black in color. This is attributed to the presence of thorazite and ilmenite. It is having three famous beaches, the most preferred of the three beaches is the Lighthouse Beach. The northern Samudra beach has a couple of primitive wooden vessels for fishing. Hawah beach is located in between the other two beaches.

Kumarkom

Kumarakom, located about twelve kms from Kottayam is a famous backwater tourist destination in Kerala. This place can be reached from Alappuzha. This rich green, sleepy little village of Kumarkom is located on the Vembanad Lake amidst mangrove forests and coconut groves. Kumarakom is an enchanting picnic spot and provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The slender coconut palms scattered everywhere, its never ending paddy fields, lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties is fascinating the tourists. On the scenic Vembanad Lake you will come across plenty of traditional country crafts or houseboats, boats and canoes. The fresh water of the lake runs into the mainland making a cluster of lagoons, brooks, canals and waterways. The backwater houses a variety of species of both fauna and flora and marine life.

Munnar

Munnar with its impeccable beauty is the most famous holiday destination in South India. In the green and serene Kamman Devan Hills lies the quiet and restful resort of Munnar. Munnar is located at a height of 6000 feet above sea level in the Idukki district in Kerala. Munnar, the queen of hill stations is located at the confluence of three mountain streams namely, Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Sprawling tea plantations, picturesque towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town.

Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations pristine valleys and mountains exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests with aroma of spice scented cool air is how it can be described in brief. Munnar has all these and more.

Periyar

The central attraction of Periyar, is thePeriyar National Parklocated in the Western Ghats of Kerala. The main attraction of the Periyar National Park is the Periyar lake on a huge 5500 Hectares. This lake is formed by the construction of dam on the river Periyar. Along the perimeter of the lake are the marshy areas with tall grasslands. This is one of the richest habitats of large mammals like elephants, as it provides a natural protection and nourishment to them. The Periyar wildlife sanctuary is having a wide variety of flora and fauna.

The other major attraction being Periyar Tiger Reserve at Thekkady, with great scenic charm, rich bio diversity and providing real visitor satisfaction. Spread over an area of around 750 Sq km., Periyar is one of the twenty seven tiger reserves in India. The great thing about the locals of Periyar is they provide people oriented community based ecotourism and help preserving the forests.

Thiruvanantapuram

Thiruvananthapuram district lies at the southern tip of Indian peninsula. The very clean and green Thiruvananthapuram city is the capital of kerala and the headquarters of Thiruvananthapuram district. The name Thiruvananthapuram in local language means ‘the abode of Lord Anantha’, where Anantha is the serpent on whom Lord Vishnu reclines. Lord Vishnu or Padmanabhais the presiding deity of Shree Padmanabhasami temple here. Having arabian sea and the wooded Western Ghats on the boundary, Thiruvananthapuram offers the most enchanting tourist spots, with beautiful beaches, historic spots and palaces, famous shrines and mystic backwaters and also the very rich history that dates back to 1000 BC. It is the major center of Medical tourism in India. The city was officially called as Trivandrum in English until 1991. The city is built on seven low hills. Raja Marthanda Varma is considered as the Father of modern Thiruvananthapuram. 

Varkala

The landscape of Varkala makes it exceptional amongst the beaches of Kerala. The beach is backed by Towering cliffs that guard the sparkling waters. Highly unusual land formations, the sheerness of the cliffs, and the view from atop, simply mesmerize the visitors. You will observe a composite picture of the beauty and awesomeness of nature with Shining white sands, cloudless skies touching the blue water and the red soil of the hilltop, coupled with yellow-green paddy fields, and green coconut trees. Here nature in its pristine glory remains so untouched that to get to the secluded part of the beach, one has to either scramble over rocks during high tide or climb down the cliff.

Wayanad

Located in the Nilgiri Biosphere, Wayanad district in Kerala is a land of mysterious jungle trails, mountain caves, ancient ruins, thundering waterfalls, exotic wild life and a number of aboriginal tribes. The district's hilly terrain with numerous trails and trekking routes makes it an ideal destination for adventure lovers. With twenty six percent forest cover, much of the district still remains unexplored, and constitutes the last surviving tracts of a unique ecosystem. Wayanad has two major wildlife reserves Muthanga and Tholpetty which are home to an incredible range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species. Nestled at an altitude between 700 - 2100 meters above the sea level, Wayanad Kerala comprises explicit flora and fauna.

The district also has its share of historical and religious monuments. But it's for its natural beauty that Wayanad is best known. This district of Kerala is rich in cardamom and pepper. This region is always filled with the aroma of spices and coffee.