Kovalam: Kerala’s Pristine Beach Paradise
Kovalam is a beach with a worldwide standing. Since the 1930s, it has become a well-liked tourist destination. The beach’s large rocky promontory has carved out a stunning harbor with calm seas. Indian and foreign tourists love to visit Kerala’s Kovalam for beach vacations. Kovalam is a great area to stay in because of its beach, lighthouse, fishing boats, hotels, and restaurants.
HISTORY OF KOVALAM
In the latter half of the 1920s, Halcyon Castle, the seaside resort built by the Regent Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore, was built in Kovalam. The Maharaja of Travancore, her nephew, later made the location known to the general public. The 1930s saw the emergence of Kovalam beach as a prospective tourist attraction thanks to the European visitors to the former Travancore kingdom. A little fishing town in Kerala started to develop into a popular tourist attraction when a large number of hippies traveled the Hippie Trail in the early 1970s on their way to Ceylon.
ATTRACTIONS IN KOVALAM
Kovalam is a well-liked vacation spot in large part because of the stunning beaches it is home to. Lighthouse beach is the largest in Kovalam. Samudra Beach and Hawa Beach are the other two nearby. All three of these beaches have shallow water and little tidal variation.
Beaches in Kovalam
The famous and popular Kovalam Beach is sparkly and brightly lit. The two parts of the beach are 90 degrees from each other. A paved promenade turns across from the fishermen’s side to the lighthouse side.
Lighthouse Beach
The Kovalam region’s Lighthouse Beach, which is the southernmost beach, is the one that attracts the most people. It received its name due to the 35-meter-tall antique Vizhinjam Lighthouse, which is perched atop the Kurumkal hill. The lighthouse is made of stones and painted in red and white stripes running along it.
Through a spiral staircase, you can ascend the lighthouse until you reach the topmost summit. The entire state of tiredness vanishes as the first whiff of the breeze caresses your face here. Couples swarm to this location to take pictures for a lifetime’s worth of family albums. It is one of the best vantage spots in Southern Kerala to see the coastline. This short walk up to the Lighthouse perched on a hilltop presents an awe-inspiring 360 degree of the bustle of Kovalam and the lush coconut groves surrounding it.
Hawa Beach
Just a skip away from Lighthouse Beach you have Hawa Beach, also known as Eve’s Beach, a stunning site to witness, especially at night when the tranquil moonlight dances on its waters. It has always been the top destination for tourists ever since it was added to the map of Kerala’s tourist attractions. The area acquired its name ‘Hawa’ because European ladies used to cast off their tops and swarm the seaside to get a flawless tan; that’s in the past now. Enjoy a walk along the magnificent coastline, indulge in delicious seafood sold at the beachside shacks, soak up the sun, take a long boat ride, and more. You may witness the local fishermen gathering together to pull in huge nets in the evening or morning. It’s unique to see so many people gather together for this collective effort. You could also ask to join in the tug of war with the sea 😊.
Samudra Beach
Kovalam’s Samudra beach is a beautiful location to explore. It combines crisply with the wailing ocean and the whistling wind. Samudra Beach at Kovalam offers an ambiance that is utterly paradisiacal and calls out to newlyweds. Its quiet refuge and peaceful atmosphere are undoubtedly a contrast to everyday city life. The remoteness that this beach offers is what makes it so alluring, and Samudra Beach has done an excellent job of keeping that attractiveness.
Varkala beach is another beach near Kovalam which attracts a large tourist population. To read more about this beautiful beach, visit UnCrushedLeaves’s blog on Varkala.
Kovalam Cuisines and Seafood
Kovalam, however, provides a wide variety of cuisine and beverages to choose from to sate your appetite. There are numerous eateries in Kovalam that serve genuine and entirely hygienic regional dishes and drinks. The resorts and hotels have a lot of restaurants attached to them.
The typical breakfast food that is quite well-liked in this region of the country is puttu, which means “portioned” in Tamil and Malayalam. It is created with cylinders of milled rice that have been steamed and then covered in coconut shavings. The inside may occasionally include a sweet or savory filling. Another dietary item is kappa, which is essentially a root with herbal properties. In this region, crabs and lobsters are the most popular sea delicacies. Additionally, there are other seafood options like shrimp, squid, and a variety of fish that are available and are prepared expertly in fine restaurants so that visitors may fully indulge their palates. The seafood innate to Kerala is delicious. An expansive German bakery offers a broad sea view and excellent cakes to accompany your freshly brewed Kerala coffee.
Other Places in Kovalam
Kovalam is home to many other beautiful places, the best spots to spend your holidays with your loved ones and escape the city life for relaxing.
Edakallu
Edakallu provides what a couple in love deserves. This lovely site is a well-liked sunset viewing location in Kovalam. Between Lighthouse Beach and Eve’s Beach, Edakallu offers visitors a beautiful view of the setting sun. You may easily leave the beach as the sun sets to see the radiance that transforms the world into a pink sky with an orange sleeping sun. a well-known destination for tourists and photographers.
Karamana River
The Karamana River, which rises from the southernmost point of the Western Ghats and is regarded as Thiruvananthapuram’s pride and top tourist destination, is a must-visit for boating. Boating in the Karamana River is enjoyable since it takes you past broad areas of lush tropical flora, which is very intriguing. It would be terrible to forget your cameras and binoculars because the river is home to a variety of fish and plant species. In addition, the alluring natural surroundings are worthwhile to capture. There are clubs that offer kayaking and canoe rides if boating seems just too dull and routine.
Vellayani Lake
Vellayani Lake often referred to as the Vellayani Kayal locally, is a well-known freshwater lake in Kerala. A boat trip or a stroll down the boulevard are the greatest ways to experience the lake’s diverse vegetation and fauna. Additionally, it is renowned for having a distinctive environment. The lake has a fascinating past as well.
The story goes like this, once a beggar who was thirsty visited a saint who was meditating while on his quest for water. The beggar’s vessel was nearly empty and had only a few droplets of water. Then, saying a brief prayer, he scooped up the remaining few drips from the pot and tossed them as far as he could. Surprisingly, the area where the drips of water fell gradually transformed into a large lake, which is now known as Vellayani.
Valiyathura Pier
Valiyathura Pier has traditionally been the main attraction in Thiruvananthapuram. It was once regarded by traders as one of the best ports in South India and is now well-known among tourists for its breathtaking views of the ocean. Aim to walk the 214 meters long pier in the afternoon or evening to catch some incredible camera movements. This dilapidated beachside hangout is the ideal place to spend a holiday in Thiruvananthapuram, away from the hectic pace of the city.
Kovalam Art Gallery
The Kovalam Art Gallery, a must-see for art enthusiasts, exhibits the creations of numerous painters from throughout the globe. The gallery is the ideal place to see what is popular in the art world on this side of the globe; from paintings to beautifully created items. The gallery’s greatest attraction is its collection of ancient artworks.
Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple
Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple, another popular destination in Kovalam, is home to 18th-century rock-cut sculptures. The shrine honors Vinandhara Dakshinamurthi. The incomplete statues of Lord Shiva and Parvathy are another important draw to this location. Vizhinjam was formerly the seat of the Ay chieftains’ government. In the eighth century, these people ruled over a region of South India. For many years, this cave, which is three kilometers from Kovalam, went unreported.
Thiruvallam Parashurama Temple
Thriuvallam Parashurama temple is located 12 kilometers from Kovalam. It is a significant Hindu shrine located in India. This temple is situated on the banks of the Karamana River and is thought to be roughly 2000 years old. It is an exclusive temple that honors Parashurama, a mythical figure who is credited with creating Kerala. One of the significant festivals held here is Bali Tharpanam, which occurs on the day of Karkidakavavu.
THINGS TO DO IN KOVALAM
One can start with a sightseeing tour to discover the town. Explore the Lighthouse, Samudra Beach and Hawa beaches, Karamana River, Vellayani Lake, Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple, Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple, and Halcyon Castle, the scenic charm of Neyyar Dam and Aruvikkara Dam and witness the spectacular sunset at Valiyathura Pier. Houseboat rides in the backwaters are only a few hours away. Your inner adrenaline junkie can be satisfied with adventure sports from swimming, surfing, and parasailing, to jet skiing and paragliding, the list is quite enthralling. Sivananda yoga Vedanta ashram and ayurvedic massages are some of the other things that you can try in Kovalam.
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