**Poothakkulam, ** also known as Bhoothakkulam, is a village in Kollam district in the state of Kerala, India. The village is located 3.9 km away from Paravur, 11.4 km from Varkala and 23 km from Kollam. In 2011, it had a population of 628,451 residents. The village covers an area of 16.56 km2.

Geography

Poothakkulam is located in the southernmost portion of the Kollam district near Idava Nadayara Kayal. The village is bordered by the Paravur municipality in the west, Parippally Panchayath in the east, Chirakkara Panchayath in the north, and the Thiruvananthapuram district in the south.

Topography

Poothakkulam's elevation is close to sea level, showing at the nearby Bhoothakulam reservoir(paanattu chira) and surrounding paddy fields.

Educational institutions

Transportation

The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (49.8 km) and the nearest railway station is Paravur Railway station (4.5 km). The major road passing through Poothakkulam is Paravur -Parippalli road.

Air

The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (49.8 km)

Rail

Paravur Railway station (4.5 km) Varkala Sivagiri railway station(13 km)

Road

Bhoothakulam is well connected to nearby places through roads. Road transport is provided mainly by private transport bus operators and state owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation.

Major roads

Industry

Coir, cashew nuts and hand loom are the major industries of Poothakkulam. Kalakkod Q 23 Co-operative society was established as the first Coir society in Poothakkulam.

Administration

Poothakkulam is an ISO 9001-2015 certified grama panchayat. It consists of 18 wards and is currently led by Left Democratic Front (Kerala). The incumbent Panchayat president is Ammini Amma who contested and won from P.H.C Ward. Poothakkulam is part of Chathannoor (State Assembly constituency) State Assembly constituency, Ithikkara Block Panchayath, Kollam District Panchayat and Kollam (Lok Sabha constituency)

Recognition

Poothakkulam Panchayath falls under the jurisdiction of Paravur circle inspector.

Culture

Poothakkulam has a rich cultural heritage. The village contains numerous libraries, cultural societies, and organizations. Sankara Pillai smaraka grantha sala, Gandhi memorial reading room and Samskarika Nilayam kottuvankonam are some major libraries. Poothakulam village has numerous captive elephants.

Libraries

Recreational centres

Services

Hospitals

Financial institutions

Places of worship