Mundakkal Beach

Mundakkal Beach (Malayalam : മുണ്ടയ്ക്കല്‍ ബീച്ച്), is one of the popular beaches in the city of Kollam and a famous tourism spot in Kerala. The beach is situated at Mundakkal, an important neighbourhood and Cashew processing hub in Kollam. Mundakkal beach became world famous after the dredger ship, 'Hansitha', washed on the shore on 21 June 2016.[1] Scrapping of the dredger ship started on 18 October 2017.[2] The beach is also known as 'Mundakkal Papanasham Beach'. Devotees believe that a dip in the waters of Mundakkal Papanasham Beach will wash off all the sins in one's life.[3]

Mundakkal Beach
മുണ്ടയ്ക്കല്‍ ബീച്ച്
A dredger ship washed up on the Mundakkal beach
LocationMundakkal, Kollam, India
Coordinates8°51′46.5″N 76°36′21.7″E
Length350+ m
GeologyBeach
Hazard ratingLow
AccessBus Station - 4.7 km,
Railway Station - 3.9 km,
Ferry Terminal - 4.7 km

Location

Mundakkal Beach is situated on the side of Kollam-Paravur Coastal Road. The beach is about 4 km away from Chinnakada and 11.2 km away from Paravur.[4]

Importance

The beach is now one of the prime tourism spots in Kollam city due to the arrival of the dredger ship, 'Hansitha', to the shore. The ship was lying anchored 3 nautical miles off the Kollam coast since November 2013.[5] Due to heavy waves, the unoccupied ship washed ashore on the Mundakkal beach in June 2016.[6]

The beach is also an important location for annual ‘balitharpanam’ ritual. As per Hindu beliefs, the ritual performed on the new moon day in the Malayalam month of Karkidakom will appease the spirits of their forefathers and bring good fortune in the year ahead. Thousands of devotees, including women and children, offer ‘bali' on the banks of Thirumullavaram Beach and Mundakkal Beach that day every year, along with the other famous beaches and river banks in Kerala.[7]

  • Dredgre 'Hansitha' before reaching the shores during August 2014
  • A distant view of the beach
  • Dredger "Hansitha" during Jul 2016.jpg
  • Side view of 'Hansitha'
  • Children playing near 'Hansitha' at Mundakkal coast

References
  1. "Dredger on Mundakkal beach gets many visitors". The Hindu. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  2. "Scrapping of dredger Hansita begins". The Hindu. 19 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  3. "Thousands offer Karkkidaka Vavu Bali". The Hindu. 7 August 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  4. "Paravur-Kollam coastal road opened to traffic". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  5. "Dredger that washed ashore in Kollam to be moved to sea". Indian Express. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  6. "Dredger that washed ashore in Kollam to be moved to sea". Indian Express. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  7. "Hundreds offer 'Karkkidaka vavu bali'". The Hindu. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
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