Desi Things to Do in Kollam (September 2026)

TL;DR

• Asramam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake hosts the Kollam Pooram procession with decorated elephants and the Kudamattam parasol exchange 🎪
• Oachira Parabrahma Temple has no idol and no roof — worship happens in an open field under centuries-old banyan trees on a 36-acre site
• Tangasseri Lighthouse has operated since 1902, stands 41 metres tall, and gives views over both sea and city from its double balcony
• September is monsoon season; backwater cruises on Ashtamudi Lake are atmospheric in the rain, but confirm departures before you go
• Kollam is the centre of Kerala's cashew processing industry — processing units offer a look at work that is still done largely by hand 🥜

A Port City That Minds Its Own Business

Kollam has not spent much energy chasing tourism headlines. It sits on the southwestern tip of Kerala, facing the Arabian Sea, with the Ashtamudi backwaters stretching inland behind it. Arab merchants, Chinese traders, and Portuguese sailors all moved through this port over the centuries, and the city carries that layered history without announcing it too loudly. By September the monsoon is still wrapping up; the backwaters are full, the paddy fields around the city are an almost artificial green, and the air off the sea is wet and warm. It is not peak season by any calendar, but the light and the pace of the place in September are genuinely distinctive.

On the Water and in the Temples

The most prominent religious site on the waterfront is Asramam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, which stands on the eastern bank of Ashtamudi Lake on a raised mound formed from the earth excavated for the temple pond. The main deity is Navaneet Krishnan — Krishna in child form, holding butter — and the compound holds sub-shrines to Ayyappan (with an 18-step staircase echoing Sabarimala), Naga Devatas, and Navagrahas. The annual Kollam Pooram festival, held in mid-April, brings decorated elephants in procession and the Kudamattam parasol exchange that marks the celebration's climax. In September the temple runs its regular daily schedule without the festival crowds, making it easier to spend time in each shrine without being moved along. The setting on the lake, with boats crossing in the background, is worth the visit on its own terms.

The Oachira Parabrahma Temple is about 30 km north of Kollam, accessible along the NH 66 corridor. It is a genuinely unusual place: there is no permanent structure, no roof, no idol. Worship here is directed toward Parabrahma — the formless universal consciousness — and happens in an open field under giant banyan and peepal trees spread across roughly 36 acres. The site is sometimes called Dakshina Kashi in reference to its sacred standing. The annual Oachirakali mock-battle ritual, recalling battles between the neighbouring princely states of Kayamkulam and Venad, is held in June or July. The site in September, after the heaviest monsoon rain has passed, carries a quality of light through the ancient trees that is difficult to describe but worth experiencing. Walk the perimeter of the grounds before entering the central worship area.

The Lighthouse and the Coast

Tangasseri Lighthouse has operated since 1902, replacing an earlier East India Company oil-lamp tower. It stands 41 metres tall, is painted in red and white bands, and its light carries 26 nautical miles. Visitors can climb to the double balcony, which gives views in one direction over the Arabian Sea and in the other over the river mouth and Kollam town. A small cluster of colonial-era churches and the remains of Portuguese and British fortifications surrounds the lighthouse at Thangassery headland, giving the neighbourhood an unusual historical character. A lift was added in 2016 for visitor access. Visiting hours have been reported as 11 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays; confirm hours before you go.

The beaches near Kollam — Thirumullavaram is often highlighted for its calmer waters — are accessible but September is not safe swimming season. The sea is rough during the monsoon and coastal conditions vary day to day.

Cashews, Backwaters, and the Old City

Kollam's cashew processing history runs over a century, and the industry remains active. Processing units on the outskirts accept visitors at scheduled times; the shelling, grading, and packaging is done mostly by hand, and seeing the scale of the operation changes how you think about cashews. This is one of the more honest industrial experiences available in Kerala and carries almost no entry cost.

Ashtamudi Lake is the entry point for the Kerala backwater experience from the Kollam side. The longer boat journeys to Alappuzha connect through the full backwater network, but day cruises and shorter trips on the lake itself are the more practical September option given weather conditions. A morning on the water — watching the birds, the paddy, and the occasional houseboat pass — captures Kollam at its most itself. Confirm departure times and weather conditions before booking.

Insider Tip: The Oachira Parabrahma Temple has no ticket counter and no formal entrance — you walk in from the roadside and proceed across the open grounds. It draws substantial crowds on festival days and Saturdays. A mid-week morning in September, between rain showers, is likely the quietest version of this visit. The ground is uneven in places and the banyan roots can be slippery when wet, so wear shoes you can easily remove and watch your footing.

FAQ

What is the best time to visit Kollam? October through March is the standard recommendation. September falls in the monsoon, which brings beautiful scenery but limits coastal activities and some temple festival programs. Confirm hours before you go.

How do you reach Kollam? Kollam Junction is a major station on the Kerala rail network with direct trains from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and other cities. The nearest major airport is Thiruvananthapuram International, roughly 70 km to the south.

What is Kollam known for? The city is the centre of Kerala's cashew export industry, a significant backwater access point, and the site of the Kollam Pooram festival. Ashtamudi Lake is one of the most visited backwaters in Kerala.

Can non-Hindus visit the Oachira Parabrahma Temple? The site is generally open to all. There is no enclosed sanctum to restrict entry. Standard courtesy applies, and it is worth confirming current access arrangements locally before visiting.

Are boat cruises on Ashtamudi Lake running in September? Most operators run year-round, but schedules and routes vary with monsoon conditions. Confirm departures directly with the operator on the day of your visit rather than relying on advance bookings.

Bottom Line: Kollam does not compete for attention with the better-known points on the Kerala tourist circuit, and that is its best quality. The Asramam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple by the lake, the open-sky Oachira Parabrahma Temple, the long view from Tangasseri Lighthouse, and the honest reality of the cashew industry make for a few days that feel genuinely distinct from anywhere else in the south. Come in September with flexible plans and low expectations of beach weather, and you will leave with more than you expected.