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Sculptures
In 2012, the then Tourism Minister of Kerala, A.P. Anil Kumar had
inaugurated 10 sculptors at Asramam Adventure Park. This had happened as
part of a 10-day State-level sculpture camp named ‘Monsoon Sculptures’
at an estimated expenditure of Rs. 8 lakh sponsored by various Kollam-based
business groups. Aryanad Rajendran's Meditation, V. Satheesan's Story
Teller, Sivan’s Bundle of slogans, Shenlay's Do not disturb, Saju
Mannathur’s She, Guruprasad’s Love without heart and brain, Chavara
Vijayan’s Buddha 99 and Biju Bharatan’s Victim are the major sculptors
that makes adventure park one of the major eye-catching attractions in
Kollam city.
Asramam Mangrove Forest
The thick mangroves that grow on the shore of Ashtamudi Lake along the
side of Asramam Adventure Park is another significant attraction in this
spot. The Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) has provided the
Asramam mangrove forest with a biodiversity heritage tag.
Asramam
mangrove spread was habitat to the highly endangered Syzygium
travancoricum species of mangroves. Several species of mangroves and
mangrove associates thrived there. The belt had all the characteristics
of a coastal rainforest and was habitat to several species of wild
animals and diversified flora. In addition to being a major spawning
ground for several edible marine species, the Asramam mangroves in the
past was also home to otters and migratory birds.
Boating
The boating program conducted by Kollam District Tourism Promotion
Council from Asramam Adventure Park is one of the crowd pulling tourism
programs in Kollam district. Regular backwater cruises in houseboats,
luxury boats and speedboats are being operate from the Boat Club
attached with the park. Different kinds of boats like luxury cruise
boats, power boats and motor boats can be taken on hire from the boat
jetty.
British Residency and Picnic Village
The British Residency in Asramam is also known as Government Guest House
and Residency Bungalow. It is a two-storeyed palace situated at the
picnic village campus. It was actually built by Col. John Munro during
1811 and 1819. It is now known as Government Guest House. It stands as a
Hallmark of Quilon, like Chinnakada Clock Tower. It is a famous cine
location in Kerala. Almost 90% of the Malayalam movie Manu Uncle was
shot at British Residency and Adventure Park campus.
Getting There
Considering Kollam as the entry city to the lake, nearest airport is the
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 71 km (44 mi) away and by
road to almost all important centres in Kerala and the rest of the
country. National Highway 47 (NH 47) passes through the lake periphery
not only from Quilon but also to other locations on its bank from
Thiruvananthapuram to the northern towns of Kerala.
Southern
Railways network of metre gauge and broad gauge lines connects with
Quilon and to all important centres in the rest of the country. The
metre gauge train journey from Quilon to Chennai via Madurai is stated
to offer a picturesque journey.
Ferry
services operate daily to Alleppey and boats operate to all villages
located in the canals of the backwater system. The boat jetty is located
at about 3 km (1.9 mi) away from the railway station. Famous Paravur
estuary and backwaters are just 21 kilometer away from Ashtamudi.
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