Kovalam

Kovalam is a beach and seaside resort in the city of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, India. Kovalam is located 12.6 km southeast of the city center. The beaches around Kovalam are popular vacation destinations for both domestic and international travellers.

Etymology
Kovalam means "coconut grove," after the coconut trees which are common there.

History
Kovalam first received attention when the Regent Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore constructed her beach resort, Halcyon Castle, here towards the end of the 1920s. Thereafter the place was brought to the public eye by her nephew the Maharaja of Travancore. The European guests of the then Travancore kingdom discovered the potential of Kovalam beach as a tourist destination in the 1930s. In the early 1970s many hippies came on their way to Ceylon in the Hippie Trail, beginning the transformation of a casual fishing village of Kerala into a significant tourist destination.

Beaches
Kovalam has three beaches separated by rocky outcroppings in its 17 km coastline, the three together form the crescent of the Kovalam beach.


 * Lighthouse Beach - the southernmost beach, the Lighthouse Beach, is named after the 118 feet (36 m) Vizhinjam Lighthouse located on top of the Kurumkal hillock.


 * Hawah Beach - also known as Eve's Beach, consists of a high rock promontory and a bay, and is used by local fishermen.


 * Samudra Beach - separated from the Lighthouse Beach by a large promontory, it is also used by local fishermen.


 * Ashoka Beach - sea-wall to see the sea above the rocks and swimmable shallow waters

Places to visit

 * Karamana River - Karamana River originates from the southern part of Sahyadri Range. The river predominantly flows through an outskirt region of Kovalam called Karmana, hence the nomenclature.
 * Vellayani Lake
 * Halcyon Castle
 * Kovalam Art Gallery
 * Valiyathura Pier
 * Neyyar Dam
 * Aruvikkara Dam
 * Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple
 * Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple

Tourist facilities
There are a large number of beach resorts in and around Kovalam. The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, churches and a mosque. The Proposed International Trans shipment Terminal at Vizhinjam is also close to Kovalam.

Kovalam was among the most prominent tourist spots in India during the hippie era. It still has a high status among tourists, who arrive mostly from Europe and Israel. Kovalam is finding a new significance in the light of several Ayurvedic salons, and recuperation and regeneration resorts which provide a wide variety of Ayurvedic treatments for tourists. One of the first hotels to open there was the Kovalam Beach Resort, which was designed by Charles Correa from 1969–74.

Transport
The nearest train station is Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station, about 16 km away. The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 10 km away.

Politics
Kovalam assembly constituency is part of Trivandrum (Lok Sabha constituency). In 2016 Kerala Assembly elections, M Vincent of the Indian National Congress defeated incumbent Jameela Prakasham by over 2,500 votes.

Trivandrum International Cruise Terminal
Vizhinjam's strategic location, with its proximity to pristine beaches, historical sites, and cultural attractions, makes it an ideal base for exploring Kerala's rich heritage. Visitors can embark on tours to nearby destinations such as Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, and the famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

In the Vizhinjam Cruise Terminal is currently under construction by Adani Ports