KOVALAM

Kovalam - The Paradise of South India 

Kovalam offers an excellent diversity with Kovalam beach to suit all desires and occasions. Three curve shaped beaches, alienated by stony outcroppings, from the major attraction of this coastal resort.
Backed by precipitously mounting headlands and covered by fertile coconut palms, the beaches, especially the southern most part of lighthouse beach.It is also lined with a host of shops and shacks offering all kinds of services; creating an unmistakable resort atmosphere. Curio shops, hawkers of Kashmiri and Tibetan products, moneychangers and beachwear shops, between the surplus of restaurants and hotels, do brisk business during peak tourist season.
The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a mosque. The Proposed International Trans shipment Terminal at Vizhinjam is also close to Kovalam.
Kovalam was among the most famous traveler spots in India during the hippy epoch. It still has a high rank among tourists, who arrive mostly from Europe and Israel. Kovalam is finding a new implication in the light of several Ayurvedic salons, and healing and renaissance resorts which supply a wide variety of Ayurvedic treatments for tourists.

In & Around Kovalam

The Lighthouse: The lighthouse is located on a hillock named Kurumkal which is very close to the sea. The southern end of the Kovalm beach is named after this hill house. The lighthouse is thirty five meter tall structure that is painted with red and white color that is easily visible from a long distance. It is open to visitors and offers spectacular views of the lighthouse beach, Eve's beach and its surroundings. The lighthouse road is a convenient venue for cycling and walks.

Karamana River and Boating: The Karamana river crosses the highway at Thiruvallam, twelve kilometers from Kovalam. The place offers breathtaking views of the backwater and greenery. The Thiruvallam boat club, located on the bank of the river offers cruises, canoe rides, kayaking and houseboat cruises.

Vellayani Lake: The place is located seven kilometers from Kovalam. There are boat services available from Kovalam. It is one of the few freshwater lakes in Kerala that looks enchanting in the moonlight. The Vellayani Lake is the venue of world famous annual boat race organized during Onam festival. The Vellayani Durga Temple is located close to the lake; the specialty of this temple is that it allows only non-Brahmin priests.

Valiyathura Pier: It is situated around ten kilometers away from Kovalam. The coastline of this region up to Kovalam is visible from this pier. The Valiyathura literally means 'Big Port'. There is another port in this region named Cheriyathura, literally means 'small port'. This place offers excellent views of the setting sun and sea. Angling is the major activity here.

Edakallu: Edakallu is the popular sunset viewing point that lies between the Lighthouse Beach and Eve's Beach. It offers enchanting view of the red and orange sun setting in the horizon with amazing new patterns in the sky. It is one of the best places to view the sunset in Kovalam and the best place to capture the photos of different patterns of the beautiful sky.

Kovalam Art Gallery: The Kovalam art gallery in Kovalam displays artifacts, paintings and art works. The paintings in this art gallery consist of ancient Indian paintings related to the Sanskrit culture. Europe and Western artists and art lovers are the major visitors in this gallery even though there are other visitors also.

Thiruvallam Parashurama Temple: Thriuvallam Parashurama temple is located twelve kilometers from Kovalam. It is one of the major Hindu shrine, in India. It is believed that this temple is about 2000 years old and is situating on the banks of the Karamana River. It is the exclusive temple that is dedicated to Parashurama.

Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple: Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple contains the rock cut sculptures of 18-th century. The temple is dedicated to Vinandhara Dakshinamurthi. The unfinished sculptures of Lord Shiva and Parvathy are also major attractions in this place.

Aruvikkara Dam: Aruvikkara dam is located ten kilometers from Kovalam. It is a beautiful picnic spot on the shores of Karamana River. The Durga temple and fish tank are the main attractions. Aruvikkara dam provides water to the capital city. The place is easily accessible by road.

Varkala / Papanasham Beach: Varkala is located close to Kovalam. The major tourist destinations include beach, Sivagiri monastery and 2000-year-old Janardhana temple. It is an important Hindu pilgrimage destination.

Kanyakumari / Cape Comorin: It is situated 90 Kms east of Kovalam. Kanyakumari is located at the southern most tip of India where the three water bodies, Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean meet. Kanyakumari is famous for its spectacular sunrise and sunset. It is a famous tourist destination consists of Kanyakumari Temple, Gandhi Smarak Mandir and Vivekananda Rock There is a boat ride service from the beach to the Vivekananda Rock. Kanyakumari is located in Tamil Nadu.