The center of the country�s cashew trading industry, the town of Kollam is situated at a distance of 71 kms towards the north of Thiruvananthapuram. Actually it was in earlier days an international spice trade center and even today it stands as a booming commercial centre. Kollam stands along the famous Ashtamudi Lake. Several foreign travelers have been visiting Kollam at various points of time in history. Kollam was also one of the earlier centres of Christian activity in Kerala. The rising reputation of Kollam among tourists has been actually established by the picturesque beauty, the historical base on which it stands and the culture of the people. You need to actually visit Kollam to feel the charm.

Besides the traditional art forms like Kathakali, Ottamthullal, Koothu, Pattakam, Harikatha, Thiruvathirakkali, Kaikottikkali, and Kolattam there are several amusements and festivities that are some of the most interesting tourist attractions in Kollam. They are observed in relation with festivals in temples. Oachirakkali, the mock sword-fight, is one of the most significant of such events in Kollam. Oachira has been famous for long as one of the sacred places of Kerala. Historically too, this place is renowned, as it was on these plains of Oachira that the famous battle in the history of Travancore, the battle of Kayamkulam, was fought between Marthandavarma, the Maharaja of Travancore and the Raja of Kayamkulam. In memorial of this notable battle, Ochirakkali is held on the first and second of Mithunam (June-July) every year. This occasion brings together the young and the old. These people are basically from the two Karas, one lying in the east and the other to the west of Oachira. They reach the Padanilam (the arena for fighting) and perform the ancient fencing exercise under the guidance of the elder kalari asan.

In Kottamkulangara Temple in Chavara, there is a strange tradition of men dressing up as women and carry lighted lamps (Thalappoli). Uriati, a classic festival of Kollam related with Krishna Temple is another of the most liked Kollam tourist attractions. The yearly Uriati festival held at Vadayattukotta Temple in relation with Ashtami Rohini is worth experiencing. The Kettukazhcha (exhibition of effigies) festival observed at Mahadevar Temple, Thrikkadavur in the months of February-March each year is one of the brightest festivals of Kollam. There are similar kinds of festivals in the temples of Velinallur, Chathannur, Sasthamcotta, and Chirakkara.

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