Kollam, a coastal city in Kerala, is known for its beautiful beaches, nature, and rich cultural experiences. For us, this was a trip to spend quality time with family while enjoying the attractions of Kollam in two days.
Day 1: Temples and Beaches
We started off very early in the morning from Thrissur and our first stop was at Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple. This temple is widely known for its delicious 'Palpayasam'. We did our darshan, walked around the temple premises and set off to Ochira.
Next, we made our way to the Ochira Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is quite different from others, as there is no shrine here. The deity is below a large banyan tree and that's where devotees offer their prayers and seek the blessings.
Our next stop post lunch was Thangassery Lighthouse. This historical lighthouse offers visitors a climb to the top using winding stairs and while on the top, we get views stretching for miles over the Arabian Sea.
As the sun began to set, we arrived at Kappil Beach, known for its vibrant sunsets and tranquil ambiance. We spent some time here to enjoy the sunset and then drove ahead.
In the evening, our journey continued to Varkala Cliff. Famous for its dramatic cliffs overlooking the Arabian Sea, Varkala provided stunning views of the Arabian Sea. The lively beach streets were filled with vendors offering snacks, toys etc. This place is a favourite for locals and tourists as it has vibes quite similar to Goa. Lots and lots of restaurants by the cliff offering sea food, live music, beverages...overall a great spot to party with friends. We enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere. had dinner and then drove to our hotel for a good night stay.
Day 2: Jatayu Earth Centre and Thenmala Route
We set out for the Kottarakara Maha Ganapathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha. We did our darshan, collected prasadam and then had our breakfast from a nearby restaurant.
Next, we visited the Jatayu Earth Center, the name of which is from the legend of Jatayu, the giant eagle from the Ramayana. This is one of the world's largest bird sculpture and offers amazing views from the top. There are two options to climb to the top of the rock, by climbing the rock stairs or by rope way. We opted for the rope way to go up on the rock. This huge structure of Jatayu was designed by famous sculptor and movie director, Rajiv Anchal. There are many adventure activities and 6D theatre, which are currently under construction. At the top, there is a temple of Lord Ram. As per legends, Ravana chopped off the wings of Jatayu who tried to save Sita while being abducted by him. Jatayu fell on this rock, where this eco tourism spot has been designed as a memorial to the brave bird.
Later after lunch, we visited the Punalur Suspension Bridge, took a few photos on the bridge. This was constructed during the British era and is not a functional bridge anymore.
Afterward, we explored Sendurney Eco Park, a beautiful patch of greenery with lots of rehabilitated deer which are being cared here. The park's highlight was its nostalgic long rope swing, tucked away amid massive trees.
Driving along the Thenmala Route was interesting, with stunning natural beauty surrounding us. We visited Kallada Dam, where we did a hike to the top. We clicked pictures of the panoramic views from the dam.
Finally, we visited the iconic Railway Arch Bridge. This engineering marvel, gracefully nestled among the hills, offered beautiful views. As we reached nearby viewpoints, we enjoyed the warm colours of sunset, making it a memorable end to our trip.
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