shastamkotta lake

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Sight Address : Shastamkotta Lake is situated about 29 km from Kollam town, can be rightly called the ‘Queen of Lakes’. Edit

Detail InformationEdit

Shastamkotta Lake is largest fresh water lake in Kerala and is surrounded by hills on three sides except on the south side, where a bund has been constructed separating the lake from the neighbouring rice fields. The ancient Sastha Temple which lends its name to the town, is an important pilgrim centre. A large part of the lake has been reclaimed for agriculture. The source of water is from the underground sprouts. The lake has a capacity to hold 22390 million litres of water and serves as the source of drinking water for the people of Kollam district. The lake is special in the sense that water in the lake does not contain common salt or other minerals and metals. The lake supports 27 species of freshwater fish including pearl spot and cat fish and two genera of prawns. The lake abounds in 21 species of herring and sardines of the family Cupeidae.

shastamkotta lake

HistoryEdit

Shastamkotta Lake is a designated wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention since November 2002. The lake water doesn’t contain any salt, mineral or metal. It is home to about 27 species of fresh water fish including pearl spot and cat fish and two varieties of prawns. It is due to this that this wetland of international importance had been designated as an ecologically protected Ramsar Site in November 2002.The lake is surrounded by hills on three sides and on the southern side, there is a bund separating the lake from the nearby rice fields. A country boat cruise through the lake is a nice experience. There is a Sastha temple on the banks of the lake, signifying its name. The temple is home to a tribe of peaceful monkeys while the nearby market is populated by a mischievous tribe.

Must SeeEdit

Popular

Visiting TimeEdit

N.A.

Closed OnEdit

N.A.

Best Season to VisitEdit

August to March.

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning, Afternoon, Evening.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

Minimum 30 Minutes

Ticket Required : No Edit

Individual National Adult Rs. : N.A.

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : N.A.

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.

Video Camera Rs. : N.A.

Guide Required : No Edit

Approximate cost: N.A.

Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit

Dress Require: N.A.

Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit

The Vijaya Castle – Kollam ; Sasthamcotta,kollam,kerla. ; Ph/M – +91 476 2831348, 2835348, 2835349, +91 476 2835350 ; Food Serve – N.A.

How to ReachEdit

Taxi : Taxi service is available from the airport and railway station to reach this place in kollam.

BUS : Ochira can be reached by bus or taxi from the major cities of Kerala. Some major cities disatnces from Kollam are: Trivandrum (71 kms), Varkala (37 km), Alleppey (85 km), Kottayam (110 km), Trichur (229 km), Calicut (374 km), and Kasaragod (575 km).

Train : Kollam Railway Station is well connected to the major cities of Kerala and South India. Ochira railway station is also connected to Kollam and other cities of Kerala.

Air : Thiruvanantapuram International Airport, at 105 Km, is the nearest airport to Kollam.

Others : N.A.

Things to CarryEdit

Camera and of course sun-screen.

Safety / WarningEdit

The climate of Kollam is tropical and humid with regular showers almost throughout the year. The summer season (March to May) can be oppressive with temperature and humidity climbing to high levels while the monsoon arrives in June and continues till September.