Kerala Tourism - Trivandrum

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) is the Capital of Kerala State, India. Thiruvananthapuram, mythologically called as the city of serpent-god, is the capital city of Kerala State. The name Thiruvananthapuram is derived from the, name of the thousand-headed holy serpent-god Anantha on which Lord Vishnu ( Sri Anantha Padmanabhan ) reclines. This city which is believed to have been built on seven hills is one of the most beautiful cities of India. Mahatma Gandhi has referred trivandrum as “Evergreen city of India“.

Trivandrum city is a blend of modern and traditional architecture. Being at the southern most end of the Indian subcontinent, and caressed by the Arabian Sea at the west, Thiruvananthapuram is a popular and favourite transit destination for Indians and foreigners alike who plan visits to South India. The city is also a welcome departure from other large cities of India in its spacious layout and regulated life.















¤ Tourist Attractions in Thiruvananthapuram

* Sri Ananthapadmanabhaswamy Temple
Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple is the landmark of Thiruvananthapuram. This Temple is around 2000 years old. This old temple is the most striking historical attraction of Thiruvananthapuram to any visitor or tourist. The Sri Ananthapadmanabhaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is depicted reclining on the hooded snake, Sri Anantha. The Thiruvananthapuram city derived its name from the Sri Ananthapadmanabhaswamy Temple and the diety. The finely beautiful sculpts, stone carvings and marquees around the Sri Ananthapadmanabhaswamy temple are worth seeing.

* Public Park
Public Park houses many important institutions, like the Zoo and the Botanical Gardens. The observatory on the Observatory Hill is also located within the Public Park.

* Sankumukham Beach
Sankumukham Beach, the beautiful beach in Thiruvananthapuram, is an important tourist destination of Thiruvanthapuram.

* Veli Tourist Village
Veli means marriage. It is place where the lake weds the sea. Veli Tourist Village is a popular picnic spot of Thiruvananthapuram. This large recreational centre is a sheltered lagoon that offers beautiful landscape gardens. It is really worth taking a water ride through the lake

* Kovalam
Kovalam beach is regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Tourists from all over the world visit this palce. Kovalam is 16 km away from the city. This bay with unusual beauty is sheltered.

* Aruvikkara
Aruvikkara which is 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram city is a pilgrim centre as well a picnic spot. Situated on the banks of the Karamana river, this spot houses a Bhagavathy temple with a water fall nearby. A Stream in which fishes would come up to be fed by visitors is a special attraction.

* Ponmudi
Ponmudi, the beautiful hill station is 61 kms away from the city. The natural scenery, salubrious climate and the thrill of hiking in elevations make the visit to this place an exhilarating experience.

* Vizhinjam
The travel distance to Vizhinjam is around 2 kms from the Kovalam South. Vizhinjam is considered to be an ancient port in Kerala. The commercial establishments of the Dutch and the Portugese were here in Vizhinjam. Vizhinjam is now being developed as a famous modern fishing harbour In South India.

* Neyyar Dam
The picturesque location of the dam and the lake in the midst of the mountains and a mini wild life protection area has made Neyyar a populartourist destination . Boating along the reservoir, lake garden, crocodile farm and safari park makes Neyyar different from other tourist spots in Kerala. Neyyar is 29 km from Thiruvananthapuram.

* Varkala
Janarddhana Swami Temple is a famous pilgrim center. Sivigiri, the Samadhi Sri Narayana Guru is also near Varkala. It is also famous for its beach and natural therapy center.

* The Village Fair
During this event an entire village of the bygone days of rural Kerala is recreated with artisans, astrologers etc around Nalukettu (traditional house), temple and similar social places so that the visitors will be able to see and visualize how people of Kerala in those days went about their lives. The festival lasts for a week from 3rd January. The village is usually set near Kovalam with displays of cultural performances like kathakali, kalaripayattu, theyyam, koodiyattam etc.

* Padmanabhapuram Palace
Padmanabhapuram Palace is located 54 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram across the border in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu State. It was built during the 14th century and was initially called Darpakulangara. Later in the 18th century it was renovated and renamed as the Padmanabhapuram Palace. The palace was the throne of the Travancore ruler Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, till Thiruvananthapuram was made the capital in 1780. This place has many a relic of historical and artistic value.

* Kowdiar Palace
Kowdiar Palace is the home of late Maharaja Sree Chita Thirunal Bala Rama Varma; though public access has been denied one may enjoy its grandeur from outside.

* Anchuthengu Fort
Built by the British East India Company in the 17th century, Anchuthengu Fort is a testimony to sturdy and elegant construction. The adjoining cemetery also now adds to the list of relics of the first major British trading station on the Malabar Coast. This Fort is 36 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram.

* Koyikkal Palace
Koyikkal Palace, this ancient fifteenth century Nalukettu structure in two storeys, is 18 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram route Ponmudi hillstation and the Kuttalam waterfalls. It had been the official residence of the rulers of the erstwhile State of Travancore. In 1990 this was restructured into a Folklore and Numismatic Museum.

* The Great Elephant Race
Though strictly not a local festival, the conclusion of this unique festival is in Thiruvananthapuram. This four-day long entertainment is arranged by the tourism department of Kerala. As part of the Great Elephant Race event, 101 caparisoned elephants march from Thrissur on the 17th of every January reaching Thiruvananthapuram on the fourth day with stop-overs at Kochi and Alappuzha. Kerala's Folk art performances and Boat Races are arranged during this period. At this time. the Kerala tourists can have glimpses of the Malayele culture. The festival closes on the fourth day at Kovalam Beach with various cultural programmes & seaside barbecue.

* Nishagandhi Dance Festival
The Tourism Development Corporation of Kerala organises the dance festival annually. Leading artists of, Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Modern Ballet and other folk forms will perform at the pen-air theatre.

* Attukal Pongala
Attukal Pongala is celebrated between 18th and 26th of February, every year, at Attukal Bhagavati Temple. It is a ten-day festival. On the 9th day, thousands of women devotees from many parts of the state gather in the vicinities of the temple to prepare pongala, a favorite offering to the goddess. These devotee-women prepare pongala by cooking jaggery, coconut and banana in certain nominated proportions and offer it to the Goddess. Last year pongala was reported for its entry into the guiness book for the largest no of women gathering.

Apart from being the political nerve centre of Kerala, it is also a major academic hub and is home to several educational institutions including the University of Kerala, and too many science and technology institutions, namely Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre , Technopark and IIST.