Kollam Beach

Kollam Beach, also known as Mahatma Gandhi Beach, is a beach at Kollam city in the Indian state of Kerala. Kollam Beach is the first 'Beach Wedding Destination' in Kerala.[1]

Kollam Beach
Kollam Beach
LocationThamarakulam, Kollam, India
Coordinates8°52′26″N 76°35′33″E
Length850+ m
GeologyBeach
Patrolled byLifeguards
Hazard ratingHigh
AccessBus Station - 3.1 m,
Railway Station - 2.4 km,
Ferry Terminal - 3.1 km
Mahatma Gandhi Park in Kollam Beach
Snap from KollamBeach
View of Arabian Sea from Kollam Beach

The beach also features a park of international standard, the Mahatma Gandhi Park, which was inaugurated on 1 January 1961 by the then Vice President of India, Zakir Hussain. Kollam beach is one among the few beaches in Kerala with a lifeguard outpost.[2] Lifeguards were stationed at the beach from 2005. As of July 2015 Kovalam, Kollam is one among the three beaches in south Kerala with lifeguard outposts.[3]

Overview

Kollam Port is one of the oldest and most important ports for the international cashew trade on the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea. As of 2010, Kollam Port was the second largest port in Kerala after Cochin Port.

Kollam was once a favourite settlement of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English in succession before Independence.

The port is protected by the Tangasseri Breakwater, extending about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) south-south east of Tangasseri Point. The exotic location and backwaters makes Kollam Beach one of Kerala's most popular tourist attractions.

Marine Aquarium

On 22 June 2014, construction work started on a marine aquarium at Kollam Beach, which was first of its kind in the state of Kerala. The Harbour Engineering Department is constructing the aquarium at the eastern side of the beach on behalf of Kollam Municipal Corporation. The foundation stone for the project was laid in March and is expected to complete by December 2014. It will be a single storey aquarium with 40 large tanks to hold a diverse collection of marine life and will be an added attraction for visitors to Kollam beach.[4]

Tangasseri Lighthouse
Main article: Tangasseri Lighthouse

The 144-foot (44 m) Tangasseri lighthouse built in 1902 is a major landmark at the beach.

Historic monuments

Ruins of Portuguese / Dutch forts and 18th-century churches near the port remain as a memento of the Portuguese and Dutch rule of the area.

  • Tangasseri Lighthouse near Kollam Beach
  • Breakwater at Tangasseri
  • Clocktower in Kollam Beach
  • Marine Aquarium under construction at Kollam Beach
  • Jalakeli Kendram near the beach
  • Kollam Corporation Health Club near Kollam Beach
  • Kollam beach sky view

Events in Kollam

Other renowned beaches in Kerala

References
  1. "Kollam beach turned into dream wedding destination - TNIE". 1 November 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  2. Move to post lifeguards on Kollam beach
  3. "Move to post lifeguards on Kollam beach - The Hindu". Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  4. A home for marine life in Kollam
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