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Kollam, formerly known as Quilon, is a city in the state of Kerala, India. It is also the headquarters of a district by the same name, one among the 14 districts in the state of Kerala, India. It is bound on the south by Thiruvananthapuram district, on the north by Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha, on the east by Tamil Nadu and on the west by the Arabian Sea. It has one of the largest fresh water lakes. It is a very beautiful place to visit. The district is very famous for cashew processing and coir manufacturing.
About thirty per cent of this district is covered by the Ashtamudi Lake, there by making it a gateway to the Kerala Backwaters. India’s most popular English magazine India Today has rated Kollam as the best district in the country in terms of law and order and social harmony. The second tallest light house in India (144ft) stands tall at Tangasseri in Kollam. Tourist spots such as Thenmala, Jetayu para and Kuttalam falls are popular attractions.
During the rule of the Travancore kingdom in southern Kerala, Kollam was the focal point of their trade. The metre gauge railway administered by Indian Railways terminates at Kollam, making the Kollam Railway station a junction station. The district is well connected to other parts of Kerala and India through the National Highway 47,206 and 101 and by the railway network.
The Apostle Thomas founded one of his "seven and a half churches" in Kollam. From these seven and a half churches, including the one in Kollam, have multiplied thousands of churches, hospitals, orphanages and other Christian charities that cover India today.
The Mata Amritanandamayi Math is situated in Amritapuri in this district, about 30 km from the Kollam town.
Kollam district
Main article: Kollam district
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