Kovalam

About Kovalam

Kovalam - The Crescent Beach.

Kovalam, a region in Trivandrum, is popular for its pristine beaches. It is a wonderland for spending a relaxing vacation. In the native language, Kovalam means ‘coconut,’ which is found in abundance here, and that’s why the place is named so. Kovalam, an internationally acclaimed region, is a famous holiday destination in India among tourists across the world. Over the years, the place has become renowned for its diverse beaches, tropical villages, ayurvedic health resorts, enticing activities, ancient temples, churches, and old castles.

Kovalam, located at a distance of around 18 kilometres from the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, has been a favourite beach holiday destination since 1930. It received attention when Her Highness The Queen of Travancore Maharani, Sethu Lakshmi Bai, built her beach resort, Halcyon Castle. In 1936, Prince GV Raja brought this place to the people. He found immense tourist potential in Kovalam and thus invited Thomas Cook & Sons (UK) to develop the place. He started inviting European families living in Madras (now Chennai) and Bombay (now Mumbai) and promoted Kovalam as a top-notch travel destination.


Popular Places In Kovalam

There are several popular points of tourist interest in Kovalam. But a perfect Kovalam Beach tour needs a perfect itinerary. So, if you need help in planning to decide the best places to visit in Kovalam, read this article to the end and make your beach holiday plan.

1. Lighthouse Beach



Lighthouse Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Kovalam. This pristine beach on the coast of the Arabian Sea is famed for its 35-meter-tall lighthouse on the southern end, which offers a spectacular panoramic view of the surroundings. The lighthouse is completely made of stones and coloured in white and red bands. It is situated on the top of a hill called Kurumkal Hill. There is also an observation platform from which you can get a glimpse of Poovar on one side and Beemapalli mosque on the other.

Being one of the active beaches in Kovalam, Lighthouse Beach is an ideal spot to experience several water activities. The place is also popular among photographers for its perfect beach landscapes, which include blue water, palm fringes, rocking waves, glistening sand, and a lighthouse.

2. Veli Tourist Village



Veli Tourist Village is a spot for spending some time amidst nature. It is a renowned picnic and boating spot situated in the connecting place between the Arabian Sea and the Veli Lake. This unique place is well maintained and located at a distance of 12 kilometres from Kovalam City. People can spend some amazing time amidst nature and opt for several boating activities at their convenience.

3.Aazhimala Siva Temple



In the picturesque hamlet of Azhimala in Vizhinjam, there is a surreal blend of divinity and nature. While the gorgeous beach and green surroundings invite travellers, the much-respected Azhimala Shiva Temple adds a mystic touch to the place. The temple, which is perched on the cliff adjoining the sea, is an ancient one that envelops the whole region in a pious aura. The temple is noted for its 58-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva in the Gangadhareswara form, all made of concrete. The massive structure with Shiva's hair flowing in the wind and holding Goddess Ganga has a charm of its own and lends a magnificent appeal to the temple. The sculpture was created by a 29-year-old artist, P. S. Devadathan, who is a native of Azhimala.

4. Hawa Beach



Hawa Beach is a top tourist destination in Kerala, as well as in Kovalam. The beach is famed as a natural wonder shaped like a boundary between the sea and the other parts of Kovalam. The wide stretch of sand glistens when sun rays fall on them from the clear blue sky and creates a contrast between the blue water and green-dotted palm trees.

It is just about 1.5 kilometres from the lighthouse beach and is renowned for being one of the untouched beaches in India. However, it is suggested to avoid swimming here as the water current is strong.

5. Samudra Beach



Samudra Beach is one of the three famous beaches in Kovalam (the other two are Lighthouse Beach and Hawa Beach). It is located to the north of Kovalam and isolated by a massive promontory from the other two beaches. Famous for its serenity and other attractive features, Samudra Beach draws tourists all through the year who want to spend some relaxing time on their Kerala holiday trip.

The beach has remained unnoticed because of the presence of a ridge between the north and south coastlines. The privacy, serenity, and natural beauty of this beach have made it one of the perfect spots for a honeymoon destination. Samudra Beach has been getting famous in the tourism industry for another reason. Homestays run by local people that offer authentic Kerala vibes have been flourishing in this place. You can get a comfortable stay in a home-like ambience at affordable rates in the homestays on Samudra Beach.

6. Kovalam Art Gallery



Traveling to Kovalam cannot be completed without visiting the Kovalam Art Gallery. This beautiful art gallery houses age-old artefacts, paintings, and sculptures. Most of the artworks represent the ancient traditions of India. Visiting the art gallery is the best thing to do for people who wish to explore traditional Indian art.

Some of the artworks in this gallery are by Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova, and Nicolas Roerich. The pieces of work feature an ancient collection of fresco artworks.