Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland. The city is characterized by its undulating terrain of low coastal hills and busy commercial alleys. The ancient political and cultural history of the city was almost entirely independent from that of the rest of Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram is built on hills by the sea shore and is located on the west coast near the southern tip of mainland India. The city and the suburbs cover an area of about 250 square kilometers sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
The city derives its name from the deity at the Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswami Temple, Thiru-Anantha-Puram, meaning, "City of the Lord Anantha" in Sanskrit and Malayalam. Anantha is the serpent Shesha on whom Lord Vishnu reclines. The Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple remains the iconic landmark of the city. The city was officially referred to as Trivandrum in English until 1991, when the government decided to reinstate the city's original name Thiruvananthapuram in all languages. However, the city is still referred to as "Trivandrum" informally. The city was the trading port of spices, sandalwood and ivory. The main languages spoken here are Hindi, Malayam and English.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
The best time to visit Trivandrum is from October to March. The city has a tropical climate because of its closeness to the sea and therefore does not experience distinct seasons and can be visited throughout the year. This also gives Trivandrum a very pleasant weather round the year. However, the city gets heavy rainfall during monsoon. The humidity is high and rises to about 90% . Thiruvananthapuram is the first city along the path of the south-west monsoon and gets its first showers in early June. Light tropical cotton for summer and light woolen in winter is recommended clothing. Packing an umbrella to this part of the country is an advisable option.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Trivandrum has a rich cultural background with the rulers of erstwhile Travancore taking an active interest in development of art and culture. It has produced several great artists, the most famous ones being Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, Irayimman Thampi and Raja Ravi Varma. It also has numerous Libraries where the work of these great artists can be found, the prominent one being the State Central Library. The city is also important for people from around the world seeking help through Ayurveda medicine and therapy. Ayurveda resorts along the International Beach of Kovalam and Varkala coast are most visited.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
All foreign visitors are required to carry a passport valid for 6 months. Special restrictions apply to Pakistani and Afghan nationals. It is always advisable to make photocopies of important documents such as passport, visa and air tickets. They will be required in case the originals are lost.
Being a traveller’s paradise, the place is well connected to most of the other major cities of India through rail, road, and air network.
By Air: Trivandrum International Airport has direct flights from the Middle East, Singapore, Maldives and Sri Lanka and it is the gateway to the tourism-rich state of Kerala. Quite a few international airlines too operate flights to Trivandrum. All major domestic airlines also operate regular flights from here connecting to the major cities of India. Apart from regular scheduled flights, many chartered flights from Europe like First Choice Airways from London Gatwick and Monarch, operating with big jets, land here during the peak tourist season (around December) with Kerala becoming a prime tourist destination in India. Trivandram airport's importance is also due to the fact that it is the southernmost airport in India and also the closest (and thus cheapest option) for neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka and Maldives.
By Rail: The Central railway station is also located in the heart of the city. It is a very important terminus which handles over 50 trains daily. The city is well connected by rail to almost all major cities in India. Trivandram is the first major city from south along the second longest train route in the world, linking Kanyakumari to Jammu.
By Road: Trivandrum is well connected to all major towns & cities via national highways.
Local Transport: Within the city, city buses, taxis and autorickshaws provide means of local transportation.
The intra-city public transport is dominated by the state-owned KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation). There are also private bus services but are limited in number.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Shree Padhmanabhaswamy temple: Shree Padhmanabhaswamy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is held sacred by the Hindus from antiquity. The temple has a large complex and a tank beside it for ritual bathing.
Veli lagoon: This boat club attracts tourists by providing facilities for pedal boating, row boating and swimming on the placid waters of the Veli Lake.
The Kanakakunnu Palace: This palace in the heart of Trivandrum city is one of the most beautiful buildings. It is known as the summer-house of Travancore Royal Family. The palace and its sprawling grounds are today the venue for many cultural meets. The Museum building is an architectural splendour.
Kuthiramalika Palace Museum: The palace was built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma - the King of Travancore, who was a great poet, musician, social reformer and statesman. This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore style of architecture also has exquisite wood carvings. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family.
The Napier Museum: Built in the 19th century, the Indo - Saracenic structure boasts a "natural" Air-conditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings.
Sree Chitra Art Gallery: Located near the Napier Museum, this gallery displays selected paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of Art in India.
The reptile house, The Science and Technology museum, the Government Secretariat, the Kowdiar palace, Zoological Park, Priyadarshini planetarium, the Senate house Observatory, Shankhumugham beach and connemera market are the other tourist attractions here.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
The general cuisine of the people is Keralite cuisine which is characterised by an abundance of coconut and spices. Other South Indian cuisines as well as Chinese and North Indian cuisines are also available and popular too. Fast food culture is also very prominent and tourists may not find it difficult to choose a place to eat in this city.
Kovalam: 12kms to south of Trivandram and is one of the finest beaches in India.
Aruvikkara Dam: 16 kms away this picturesque picnic spot is on the banks of the Karamana River. Near the Durga Temple here is a stream full of fish that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors.
Varkala: This is a pilgrim centre for the devotees of Sree Narayana Guru, one of the patron saints of Kerala, whose motto was "One God, One Religion, One Caste". It is only 51kms from Trivandrum and also boasts of one of the best beaches in the State.
Kanyakumari, the land's end of India and the point where the three seas - Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, meet. It is 87 kms from Trivandrum. Also known as Cape Comorin, this beautiful spot is in the neighbouring Tamilnadu state. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in the country with the main fascination being the fact that it is the very tip of the Indian peninsula.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Trivandrum in Kerala is a highly recommended place to see with all the other beautiful places of the state.
