Thenmala
Thenmala, best known as an eco-tourism hotspot, is a prominent travel destination located in Kollam district. Literally translated as the ‘Hill of Honey’, this place is famed for its honey which is believed to contain many medicinal properties. Situated at a distance of about 70 km from the capital city of Kerala, Thenmala houses India’s first planned Eco-Tourism Project. As part of the Eco-Tourism Project, the region is divided into 5 prime zones - Cultural zone, Adventure zone, Leisure zone, Deer Rehabilitation zone and Boating zone. Spreading over acres of evergreen forest, Thenmala attracts millions of tourists both from within the country and from abroad. This eco-tourism habitat is home to a wide variety of exotic flora and fauna. The hilly terrain is packed with numerous adventure as well as entertainment activities including boating, a rope bridge, Trekking, mountaineering, biking and a musical fountain.
Punalur Suspension Bridge
Punalur Suspension Bridge was built by Albert Henry across the Kallada river in the year 1877. This bridge was made for vehicle movements and was made by suspending huge spans. The Punalur Suspension Bridge took more than six years to complete. Story goes that people were hesitant to walk on the bridge and hence the engineer and his family passed under the bridge in a country boat while six elephants walked on the bridge to gain the trust of the people. The bridge was constructed with the aim of preventing wild animals intruding the human settlements of Punalur which was then covered with dense thick forest on one side. A concrete bridge would allow the animals to pass, but a suspension bridge would not. This is because of the fact that the bridge would start shaking if someone passed on it and this will scare the wild animals away. The bridge is supported by four deep wells, and the iron rods of the bridge are connected to the clips in the well. Each of these wells is about 100 ft deep.
JADAYUPARA (Jadayu Earth's Center)
Built among the 20-acre rocky mountainous property, the Jadayu Adventure Park was constructed under the supervision of sculptor and movie director Rajiv Anchal. The sculpture of the mystical bird Jadayu is the world’s largest bird sculpture which is 200 feet long, 150 feet wide and 70 feet tall. Jadayu Nature Park is the first public private partnership tourism initiative between the Kerala Government and Guruchandrika Builders and Property Private Limited. The business partnership is designed on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. There is a legend related to the Jadayu Rock; it is said that Jatayu tried to save Sita Devi, wife of Lord Rama, when the demon king Ravana was abducting her in his airborne chariot. Jadayu is said to have fought bravely and fallen on these rocks, severely injured. Jadayu Adventure Park offers activities for those who love adventure sports in Kerala. Trekking, Burma bridge, wall climbing, 6D theatre, cable car, helipads and local flying service, digital museum, adventure zone (with 20 games), and facility for bird’s eye view, etc. are few among the activities.
Pandalam Palace
Pandalam palace is the permanent home for the royal family of Pandalam. It's situated on the banks of river Achankovil.
Pandalam Mahadeva Temple
In Pandalam Mahadeva Temple yearly Kettukazhcha festival is one of the attractions for tourists. 10 days major festival is celebrated for Lord Siva
Chandanapally Valiyapally Church
St. George Orthodox Church, Chandanapally or Chandanapally Valiyapalli is one of the biggest churches in South India
Narayanapuram Mahavishnu Temple
Sreenarayanapuram Mahavishnu Temple is a religious spot in Adoor which has great spiritual significance.