Balaramapuram

Located just 15km southeast of Trivandrum, Balaramapuram is a congested bustling town, the by lanes of which resonate with the constant rhythm of weaving looms. Step inside, and see a world of the classic white and gold Kerala saris. Balaramapuram is said to be one of the first places where Maharaja Balaramavarma, who ruled between 1798 and 1810, introduced this traditional form of weaving. The weavers known as Shaliyars were brought from Tamil Nadu and settled in the four main streets of the town; Single Street, Double Street, Vinayagar Street and the New Street. Walk in any of these to be invited in to see the weaving process of the Kerala saris. Entire households are occupied in the process of spinning, dyeing and weaving. You can also buy the typical white and gold combination of saris and munds at a much lower cost than the town. Enroute Balaramapuram, stop at the small village of Punnamoodu, where almost 200 households engage in making fresh fried snacks. The road is lined with rows of ‘fresh from the pan’ savouries.
Contact information:
S.S Handloom Centre; 0471 2400261; New Street; 9.30am-7.30pm (1pm-2.30pm Lunch); Kannan; 09895612361; Double Street; 10am-10pm; R. Paramasivan; 0471 2407293; Double Street; 10am-6pm