🌴 About Kollam (Quilon)
Discover the history, geography, culture and people of Kollam — Kerala’s most historic port city and the gateway to Ashtamudi backwaters
🌊 Ashtamudi Lake
⚓ Ancient Port
🌴 Coconut City
📜 3000 Years of History
🐟 Fishing Hub
⚓ Ancient Port
🌴 Coconut City
📜 3000 Years of History
🐟 Fishing Hub
Kollam (historically known as Quilon or Desinganad) is a major city and district in southern Kerala, India. Situated on the south-west coast between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, it is famous for the stunning Ashtamudi Lake, a thriving cashew export industry, and a maritime heritage stretching back over 3,000 years. Marco Polo described Quilon as one of the five great trading cities of India.
2.6M
Population (District)
2491 km²
District Area
37 km
Coastline Length
3000+
Years of History
8 Arms
Ashtamudi Lake
825 CE
Kollavarsham Calendar
📍 Geography & Location
🗺️ Location Facts
- Southern Kerala, India
- 74 km north of Thiruvananthapuram
- 151 km south of Kochi
- Latitude: 8.8932° N, Longitude: 76.6141° E
- On NH 66 (Mumbai–Kanyakumari highway)
- Kollam Junction — major railway station
🌿 Natural Features
- Ashtamudi Lake (largest in Kerala)
- Arabian Sea coastline (37 km)
- Kallada River and tributaries
- Western Ghats foothills (Shendurney)
- Thenmala forest ecosystems
- Munroe Island — backwater archipelago
🏛️ Culture & People
Kollam is a culturally rich city with a harmonious blend of Hindu, Christian, and Muslim communities. The official language is Malayalam. The city is known for its classical arts, especially Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and Kalaripayattu (ancient martial art). The city also has a strong tradition of boat-building, coir weaving, cashew processing, and fishing.
🎭 Arts & Culture
- Kathakali — classical dance drama
- Kalaripayattu — martial arts
- Mohiniyattam — classical dance
- Oppana — Muslim wedding folk art
- Panchavadyam — temple percussion
- Traditional boat-building craft
🏭 Economy & Industry
- India’s largest cashew export hub
- Coir (coconut fibre) manufacturing
- Fishing — one of Kerala’s largest fleets
- Ceramics and tiles industry
- Tourism (backwaters, eco, pilgrim)
- Ayurvedic medicine production
🌴 Did You Know? Kollam gave its name to the Kollavarsham (Kollam Calendar), a 1,200-year-old solar calendar still used in Kerala today. Marco Polo visited Kollam in 1292 CE and described it as a city of magnificent merchants, where pepper, ginger, and cinnamon were traded in huge quantities. Kollam was also the first Indian city to sign a commercial treaty with China (in the 9th century).
🌴 Discover Everything Kollam Has to Offer
Explore attractions, cuisine, history and nature in God’s Own Capital