Kollam formerly Desinganadu, is an old seaport and city on the Laccadive Sea coast of Kerala, India. The city is on the banks Ashtamudi Lake. Kollam has had a strong commercial reputation since the days of the Phoenicians and Romans. Fed by the Chinese trade, it was mentioned by Ibn Battuta in the 14th century as one of the five Indian ports he had seen during the course of his twenty-four year travels. Desinganadu's rajas exchanged embassies with Chinese rulers while there was a flourishing Chinese settlement at Kollam. In the 9th Century, on his way to Canton, China, Persian merchant Sulaiman al-Tajir found Kollam to be the only port in India visited by huge Chinese junks. Marco Polo, the great Venetian traveller, who was in Chinese service under Kublai Khan in 1275, visited Kollam and other towns on the west coast, in his capacity as a Chinese mandarin. V. Nagam Aiya in his Travancore State Manual records that in 822 AD two East Syrian bishops Mar Sabor and Mar Proth, settled in Quilon with their followers. Two years later the Malabar Era began (824 AD) and Quilon became the premier city of the Malabar region ahead of Travancore and Cochin. Kollam Port was founded by Mar Sabor at Tangasseri in 825 as an alternative to reopening the inland sea port of Kore-ke-ni Kollam near Backare (Thevalakara), which was also known as Nelcynda and Tyndis to the Romans and Greeks and as Thondi to the Tamils. The city of Kollam borders Ashtamudi Lake. Many a foreign traveller visited Kollam in the early medieval period. It was one of the early centres of Christian activity in Kerala. It is said that the present town of Kollam was built by the Syrian merchant Sapir Iso in the 9th century. The popularity of Kollam is illustrated in the time-honoured proverb, Once you see Kollam, you will not need your home any more. Kollam is an important commercial, industrial and trading centre. It is also the headquarters of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation. The 144 feet (44 m). Tangasseri Lighthouse, built in 1902, is a centre of attraction. The Ananda Valleeswaram Temple here attracts people almost daily. The Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering, the first private college of its kind in the state, is at Kilikollur, about 7 kilometers east of Kollam city. Mahatma Gandhi Park and Beach at Kochupilamoodu, Thirumullavaram Beach and Ashramam picnic village are some of the important local sight seeing spots. Mahatma Gandhi beach lies just 2 Kilometers away from the city center. It is a fascinating place for an evening. Thirumullavaram Beach is 5 Kilometers from the city. The sea here is ideal for swimming and bathing. Ashramam picnic village is located in the 48 acre Guest House Complex. This is the centre of various tourist development activities of the district. The Government Guest House(popularly known as "British Residency") here is 200 years old. It stands by Ashtamudi Lake and is a major attraction for its elegance and architectural beauty. Tourists can stay here at economical rates. The British Residency, situated in the city, is "one of the most beautiful buildings in the country", as architect Pandala describes it, a massive building built with a tile-fitted sloping roof. Another building built by the British, a two-storeyed, twin-tower structure in laterite stone, is called the Thevally Palace, once the home of the Travancore kings, who are best remembered today for amassing a mind-boggling treasure in the secret vaults of the Sri Padmanabha Swami temple in Thiruvananthapuram. The Children's Traffic & Entertainment Park, designed by NATPAC, is also located here. It is the largest traffic park in Kerala. The Adventure Park, located in the village along the shores of the Ashtamudi backwaters, is a novel experiment for the country. Different types of boats, including luxury cruise boats, powerboats and motorboats, are available on hire from the boat jetty near to the Adventure Park. Eight-Point Gallery Cafe, the first international standard art cafe in the city, is also a major tourist attraction in the city. Neendakara, 9 Kilometers from the city, is the headquarters of the "IndoNorweigian Fisheries Community Project", which was established in 1953. The important institutions included in this project are the boat building yard at Sakthikulangara, the Fisherman's Training Institute, the ice factory and the refrigeration plant. Improvements have been made to Neendakara Port, which has been thrown open to traffic. Thangassery is a place of historical importance situated 5 km from Kollam city. The churches here are fairly old, having been built in the 18th century. The chief attraction of the place is the light house, built in 1902. The 144 ft.light house stands as a sentinel, warning seamen of the treacherous reefs of Thangassery. A fishing harbour is being built. Thangassery was an enclave of the Portuguese, Dutch and British in succession. Remnants of the Portuguese and Dutch forts still exist. Alumkadavu is another interesting backwater destination in Kollam. The first houseboats in India was built at Alumkadavu in Kollam.
