Happy TravellerWelcome to Colachel, a picturesque coastal town located in the far south of India, within the administrative jurisdiction of Kanyakumari District. This natural harbor on the Malabar coast is situated just 20 km north-west of Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), the southernmost tip of India. With a population of 23,227 as of 2011, Colachel is a hidden gem that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Join us as we explore the many wonders of this charming town.
History:
Colachel is an ancient port town that Vasco da Gama called ‘Colachi’. Before the State re-organization in 1956, it was part of the Travancore State. After the defeat of the Dutch by King Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma in 1741, a victory pillar had been erected near the beach in commemoration of the victory. Colachel was the location of the battle between the Travancore King Marthanda Varma forces and the Dutch East India Company forces led by Admiral Eustachius De Lannoy on 10 August 1741. It was the first time in Indian history that an Asian country defeated a European naval force. The defeat of the Dutch in Colachael was the turning point of the Travancore-Dutch War.
Places of Interest:
Colachel is situated very close to Mahendragiri, where the Indian Space Research Organisations rocket testing facility is located. Maramadi beach is a local tourist attraction. Maramadi St. Antonys church is the most important church in Colachel. People often visit to see the Basilica Of Our Lady Of Presentation and prayer hall at Colachel. In and around Colachel, there are many Catholic churches such as St. Josephs Church, Kalimar St. Antonys Roman Catholic Church erected by the generosity of Richard F. H. Crowther, bishop leons nagar our lady of perpetual help church and catholic chapels such as, or Christ the King Chapel. Other places of attraction near Colachel include Padmanabhapuram palace and Pechupparai dam. One of the most important Hindu shrines is the Mandaikkadu Bhagwathi Temple at Mandaikkadu. An annual Pongala is held at the Temple which attracts scores of devotees. There is a very ancient church, locally known as Thomayar koil at Thiruvithamcode on the way to Azhakiyamandapam claiming its ancestry to 63 AD and believed to be consecrated by none other than St.Thomas, the apostle of Jesus. The reputed Vivekananda Rock Memorial on the sea-girl rock is a visible symbol of invisible strength, invisible faith and burning devotion that Swami Vivekananda personified. Near Gandhi Smarak Mandir stands a memorial to our beloved leader Karmaveerar Kamaraj. The off shore 133 feet tall statue of Thiruvalluvar at Kanyakumari is a notable landmark of Tamil Nadu tourism places.
Transport:
The town is connected to all parts of the state by road. Nagercoil, the district headquarters of Kanyakumari is situated 47 km from Colachel in the north-east direction. The Four lane National Highway under-construction NH66, connecting Kanyakumari and Kerala, bypasses Colachel at a distance of 8 km. The broad gauge rail link between Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari passes at a distance of 9 km from Colachel town. The nearest railway station is at Eraniel. The nearest Air Terminal to the town is Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, which is located 65 km away in the northwest direction.
Harbour:
The existing fishing harbour in the
