Kollam (Quilon) Railway Station is the second largest railway station in Kerala in terms of area after Shornur Junction with a total of 8 platforms. The metre gauge track from Kollam (Quilon) to Punalur was converted to broad gauge under project Unigauge and was inaugurated by the Hon. Minister for State for Railways, E. Ahmed, on 12 May 2010. The Thiruvananthapuram – Ernakulam (via Kottayam and Alappuzha) line passes through Kollam (Quilon). Kollam (Quilon) has completely electrified railway tracks. Two railway lines passing through Kottarakkara (Chengannur -Kottarakkara – Thiruvananthapuram) and Punalur (Erumeli – Punalur – Thiruvananthapuram) have been proposed and are awaiting survey.
Cosmas Indicopleustes, a Greek Nestorian sailor, in his book the Christian Topography who visited the Malabar coast in 550 AD, mentions an enclave of Christian believers in Male (Chera Kingdom). He wrote, “In the island of Tabropane (Ceylon), there is a church of Christians, and clerics and faithful. Likewise at Male, where the pepper grows and in the farming community of Kalliana (Kalliankal at Nillackal) there is also a bishop concecrated in Persia in accordance with the Nicea sunnahadose of 325 AD.” The Nestorian Patriarch Jesujabus, who died in 660 CE, mentions Kollam (Quilon) in his letter to Simon, Metropolitan of Persia.
The Kollam (Quilon) Port (Thankasseri Port) is the second largest port in South Kerala after Cochin Port Trust, as of 2010. The port is undergoing infrastructural development. The port is located near the city of Kollam (Quilon). Neendakara and Shakthikulangara are twin fishing harbours in Kollam (Quilon). Neendakara is one of the busiest fishing harbours in South Kerala. Some port operations are carried out through Neendakara as well. The state government in 2012 has mooted the idea of carrying out the operations of the port through PPP basis. The project finds a mention under the state government’s investor meet- Emerging Kerala.
President’s Trophy Boat Race (PTBR) The PTBR is annual regatta held in Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam (Quilon). It is one of the biggest boat race events and perhaps in the only sporting event in the country to offer the trophy sponsored by the President of India. The first edition of the event was inaugurated by the then President Prathibha Patil in September, 2011. The event has been rescheduled from 2012. The second edition will be held on November 1. All top snake boats in the region will partake in the race, which is perhaps second only to Nehru Trophy Boat Race in terms of participation and prize money.
Kollam (Quilon) or Quilon, an old sea port and town on the Arabian coast in Kerala, India, on the Ashtamudi Lake. Kollam (Quilon), once called Desinganadu, had a sustained commercial reputation from the days of the Phoenicians and the Romans. Fed by the Chinese trade, it was regarded by Ibn Battuta, as one of the five ports which he had seen in the course of his travels during twenty four years, in the 14th century. Kollam (Quilon) District is a veritable Kerala in miniature is gifted with sea, lakes, plains, mountains, rivers, streams, backwaters, forest, vast green fields and tropical crops of every variety.
A merchant, Soleyman of Siraf of Persia, visited Malabar in the 9th century and found Quilon to be the only port in India used by the huge Chinese ships as their Transhipment hub for their goods on their way from China to the Persian Gulf. The rulers of Kollam (Quilon) (formerly called ‘Desinganadu’) had trade relations with China and exchanged embassies. According to the records of the Tang Dynasty (618 AD to 913 AD), Quilon was their chief port of call before the 7th century AD. The Chinese trade decreased about 600 AD and was again revived in the 13th century.
There are a number of temples, ashrams and holy sites in the city, including Sree Subramanya Swami Kshethram Poojappura, in Keralapuram near Kundara. The Mata Amritanandamayi Math is situated at Parayakadavu inthis district, about 20 km from the Kollam (Quilon). The Mukhathala Murari (Sree Krishna Swamy) Temple at Mukhathala is about 10 km from the city. Umayanalloor Sree Balasubramanya Swamy(Lord Muruga)Temple about 8 km from Kollam (Quilon). Sree Mahaganapathy temple at Kottarakara about 25 km from Kollam (Quilon).
Marco Polo, who visited China’s Kublai Khan’s court, traveled in 1292 through Kollam (Quilon) on his return journey to Venice, and gave an interesting account of the flourishing port of Kollam (Quilon) (Coilum, as he called it) and its trade relations inter connectivity with China in the east and Europe to the west. Chinnakada, (China-kada), the city center, was so named after the Chinese merchants. The increase in commercial activity resulted in establishment of a flourishing Chinese settlement at Kollam (Quilon).
Kollam (Quilon), the capital of the erstwhile Venad, was a centre of learning and culture. It attracted distinguished scholars from all parts of South India. Leelathilakam and Unnuneeli Sandesam, two literary works of historical importance, are contributions of 14th-century Kollam (Quilon). The dance form of Kathakali, in its new version of Ramanattam, was the creation of Kottarakkara Thampuran, who also translated Krishnanattam from Sanskrit to Malayalam.
Kollam (Quilon) had a sustained commercial reputation from the days of the Phoenicians and Ancient Rome. Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) mentions Greek ships anchored at Muziris and Nelcynda. There was also a land route over the Western Ghats. Spices, pearls, diamonds, and silk were exported to Egypt and Rome from these ports. Pearls and diamonds came to Chera Kingdom from Ceylon and the southeastern coast of India, then known as the Pandyan Kingdom.
At the time of the integrating of Travancore and Cochin districts in 1949, Kollam (Quilon) was one of the three revenue divisions in the state. Later these three revenue divisions were converted into districts. But Shencottah taluka was merged with Madras state consequent to the implementation of the States Reorganisation Act of 1956. Now the district has a single revenue division with its headquarters at Kollam (Quilon) Taluk Cutcherry.
]==Geography== Kollam (Quilon) city is bordered by the panchayaths of and Thrikkadavoor to the north, Mayyanad to the south, Thrikkovilvattom and Kottamkara to the east and Arabian sea to the west. Ashtamudi lake is in the heart of the city. The city is about 63 km away from Pathanamthitta, 82 km from Alappuzha, 71 km from Thiruvananthapuram, 142 km from Kochi, 350 km from Kozhikode and 226 km from Thrissur.
The city is connected to other parts of Kerala and India through the National Highways – NH 47, NH 220, NH 744 and other state PWD Roads and also by the Indian Railway Network. Road transport is provided by State owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private transport bus operators. Road transport is also supported by private taxis and autorickshaws, also called autos.
Kollam (Quilon), like other districts in the state, is moderately industrialised. Some of the major employers in the public sector are Indian Rare Earths Limited (IRE) at Chavara, Kerala Metals and Minerals Limited at Chavara, Kerala Primo pipe factory at Chavara (closed 3 decades ago); United Electrical Industries (popularly known as the Meter Company) and Parvathi Spinning at Kollam (Quilon).
The Malayalam Era began in 825 AD; it is named ‘Kolla Varsham’ after Kollam (Quilon), because of the importance of Kollam (Quilon) in the 9th century AD. Ayyanadikal Thiruvadikal granted the Tharisapalli plates copper plate grants in 825 AD to Nestorian Monk Mar S(abo)r Iso who he invited to Kollam (Quilon), transferring to the Tarsish Church and the community in the St. Thomas tradition of Quilon.
Some of the famous mosques are kottukadu juma masjid chavara, ochira juma masjid, shaik masjid karunagapally Valiyapalli at Jonakappuram, Chinnakada juma Masjid, Juma-‘Ath Palli at Kollurvila, Juma-‘Ath Palli at Thattamala, Muslim Juma-‘Ath Palli at Karuva, Kalamala Palli at Kalamala, Muthirapparambu Palli at Muthirapparambu and Siyavathummodu Palli at Kilikolloor.
Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) services have started from Kollam (Quilon) to Ernakulamvia: Alappuzha and Kottayam from the 2nd week of January 2012. A MEMU maintenance shed along with an upcoming Service building will change the face of Kollam (Quilon) Junction Railway Station. Kollam (Quilon) also boasts the longest railway platform in Kerala: which is more than 1 KM long.
The CSI Christ Church, Craven L.M.S, Kollam (Quilon) claims to have its roots in the London Missionary Society. This missionary society like other religious and philanthropic organizations which sprang into existence at the close of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries was the result of the evangelistic revival among the Ezhava & Nadar of Kerala
The Malayalam calendar, or Kollavarsham, was created in Kollam (Quilon) at meetings held in the city in 825 CE. The present malayalam calendar is said to have begun with the founding of the town. Having been rebuilt after it was razed down, apparently by a fire. The name Kollam (Quilon) is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word Kollam (Quilon), meaning pepper.
Kundara a satellite town of Kolam, one of the earliest industrial towns of Kerala, still has the now dysfunctional industrial unit of ALIND, and functioning units as KEL and Kerala Ceramics. The Kollam (Quilon) Technopark is coming up here in a Special Economic Zone to bring in cutting edge Nano and Information Technology to develop these industries here.
Leaders like T. M. Varghese, C. Kesavan, Kumbalathu Sanku Pillai, N. Sreekantan Nair, R. Sankar and C. M. Stephen who played prominent roles in shaping the socio-political destiny of the State, are also from this district. The district gave birth to well known freedom fighters like Chandiran Kali Ambi, Kadakkal Manthri and Franco Raghavan Pillai.
Kollam (Quilon) appeared as Palombe in Mandeville’s Travels, where he claimed it contained a Fountain of Youth. During the later stages of the rule of the Chera monarchy in Kerala, Kollam (Quilon) emerged as the focal point of trade and politics. Kollam (Quilon) continues to be a major business and commercial centre in the central Travancore region of Kerala.
Kollam (Quilon) is a coastal city on the banks of the Ashtamudi that took on the title God’s Own Country without much demur. The braids of Ashtamudi Lake lie about 71 kilometres (44 mi) north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. The city hosts the administrative offices of Kollam (Quilon) district and is a prominent city of trade for the state.
Other notable figures are K. C. Kesava Pillai, a poet and playwright; he originated the musical play in Malayalam through his work Sadarma. His Kesaveeyam, a Mahakavyam, is of outstanding literary importance. Paravoor Kesavan Asan, the founding editor of Sujanandini, wrote Saratchandrika a study of Ayurvedic system of medicine.
Velu Thampi Dalawa of Travancore worked to improve Kollam (Quilon). He helped build new markets and invited merchants and traders from Madras (now Chennai) and Tirunelveli to set up trade in Kollam (Quilon). Kollam (Quilon), to this day has a thriving business in cashew nuts, marine products,coir and spices.
Coming to modern times, Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai and Sooranad Kunjan Pillai, noted literary historians and poets like O. N. V. Kurup, Thirunalloor Karunakaran, Punaloor Balan, novelist and poet Lalithambika Antharjanam are some of the literary luminaries hailing from this district.
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