Kovalam Tourism, Kerala India

Akkulam Lake Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Analothbhava Matha Church Ayurvastra Vellayani Lake Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple Ponmudi Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple Aruvikkara Vizhinjam Fishing Harbour Poovar Beach Valiathura Pier Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium Thaliyadichapuram Sree Mahadeva Temple Halcyon Castle Lighthouse Beach Hawa Beach Jimmy George Indoor Stadium Samudra Beach Kovalam Jama Masjid

Kovalam, the beachfront that has made into the international tourism map, is 16 km off the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. The Arabian Sea that lines Kerala along its west all along turns into a meek and placid waterscape at Kovalam. Its major attraction is the sandy seaside naturally divided by rocky mounds into three separate curved beaches. Clear water with shallow bottom up to a hundred metres has made Kovalam a swimmers' haven. However, the 1970's saw foreign tourists arriving and hotels being set up for them. In the early years of discovery of its potential a large part of the tourists were followers of the counterculture, like the Hippie movement, who wanted to enjoy an idyll on this lonely beach. Kovalam was the harbinger of the now thriving tourism industry in Kerala.

Since then, Kovalam has been the single major attraction for tourists for many years until other places began to be explored in terms of tourism potential. It is also the first place in Kerala to be featured on the International tourism map in a big way.

Nowadays, tourism lore treats Kovalam beach as made of three small beaches differently named. The beach is divided into three sections by rocky headlands jutting out in to the sea at two places. They are named Light House Beach, Hawah Beach or (Eves Beach) and Samudra Beach. The first two beaches lying southwards are tourist spots. The curved shape of beaches makes them a sort of coves with shallow water extending up to a hundred metres. This natural protection from strong waves and deceptive undercurrents make it safe for swimming. The clear water resembles the clear blue sky. Both the Light House Beach and the Hawah Beach have a large number of hotels and resorts. This little seaside town sees much business aimed chiefly at foreign tourists. There are also a large number of curio shops here selling things from all parts of India. The northern part of the seaside, known as Samudra Beach in tourist parlance, lies quietly separated by a high headland from the busy areas. It is still undeveloped and the local fishermen continue to venture into the sea on catamaran, the traditional sea faring device which is just a few logs of light wood tied together.

Kovalam beach is well known for its beautiful sunset. Each and every day there will be something new to tell about the sunset in Kovalam due to its beauty. The variation of colors such as red, orange and yellow in the sun and sky draw new master piece art works in the sky on every new sunset. Kovalam beach with its amazing sunset beauty attracted photographers all around the world to capture the beauty of sun and sky.

 

By the sunset, Kovalam beach will be active with songs, dances and celebrations of different tourists. Apart from tourists, there were many local inhabitants who often visit the beach to spend their evenings with family and friends. It is also interesting to watch the fishers fishing in the sea by sunset through ancient traditional ways.

 

International tourism agencies have spotted Kovalam for its potential and of late chartered flights have begun to bring tourists every week from Europe in large numbers.