Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of Kerala. A city composite and cosmopolitan in character, it is the largest and most populous city in the state. Thiruvananthapuram has the state of Tamil Nadu to its East. Until 1991, the official name of the city was Trivandrum, but after that its name was reinstated by the government of Kerala  as Thiruvananthapuram. The word Thiruvananthapuram, means the City of Lord Anantha (the serpent Shesha on whom Lord Padmanabhan or Vishnu reclines) in both Malayalam and Sanskrit languages.

Earlier, Thiruvananthapuram was the capital of Travancore, a princely state founded by its ruler Marthanda Varma, Thiruvananthapuram emerged as a prime intellectual and artistic Centre in the evergreen city of India. Thiruvananthapuram is described by its thrilling region of low-lying coastal hills and occupied commercial passageways.

Spreading over an area of 250 sq. km. (the city and the suburbs), Thiruvananthapuram is located at an average elevation of about 16 feet above the sea level. Two major rivers that flow through the city are river Karamana and the Killi, besides being the political nerve Centre of the state and home to a number of Government offices (both central and state), companies and organizations, Thiruvananthapuram houses many premier educational institutions including the Kerala University.

Thiruvananthapuram is also home to India’s first IT Park, Technopark, which was established in 1995 has emerged as Indias largest IT Park and the third largest in Asia. Technopark is the home to IT professionals, TCS, Infosys, and Wipro being the some. There are numerous historic monuments and beaches, a far-reaching shoreline makes Thiruvananthapuram a scorching tourist destination in Kerala.

Thiruvananthapuram is one of the oldest cities in India, with periodic references in many Greek and Roman literatures. This city came to the forefront when the Venad Dynasty rose to power in the southern regions after the Great Partition of the Kerala Empire of Cheras in the 14th century. Though Venad rulers had their capital at Kollam (70 km north of Thiruvananthapuram), Thiruvananthapuram was considered as the major spice trading center. The formation of Travancore Kingdom in late 17th century proved a turning point in the history of the city, at this time the Raja dedicated the entire kingdom to Lord Padmanabha. The capital was moved to Thiruvananthapuram, and the city expanded around the temple immensely. In the 19th century the entire administration was brought to Thiruvananthapuram city from the royal headquarters of Sree Padmanabhapuram Fort (50 km from Thiruvananthapuram city), which marked the completion of first phase of Thiruvananthapuram city development.

Travancore was one of the most powerful Indian princely states during the British Raj, with the kingdom becoming the 3rd-richest state among native states. Thiruvananthapuram city, under the royal patronage, grew into a major academic and cultural hub of India as the power and wealth of the Travancore Kingdom reached at its peak during the early 20th century. Thiruvananthapuram became a prosperous city when India attained independence after the formation of Kerala state in 1957, Thiruvananthapuram was retained as the state capital city. Being a capital and an administrative city, Thiruvananthapuram remains as the hottest political centers in Kerala. The third phase of development came in the year 1990s, when the Kerala Government established Technopark, a large information-technology park. The success of Technopark as the largest IT Park in South Asia has contributed a Lion share to the city’s infrastructure. Today the city is focused on maintaining its status as a major IT/Bio-Technology hub. Kovalam is a prominent travel destination for fun seekers and honeymoon couples, one could enjoy the sunset in the warm winter salt waters. Any tourist to this paradise would never want to walk away without a self-portrait. 

Places of Interest

• Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located 30 kms from Thiruvanathapuram, Agastyarkoodam a 1868 metre tall peak within this sanctuary lies in the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu. Agastyarkoodam is known as the natural herbal garden of Kerala loaded with uncountable varieties of flora. Biologically this wild life sanctuary is the habitat of many species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fishes. Trekking here is seasonal (Nov-March), elephant rides and Jeep safaris are common fun activities. Situated on the southern hills of the Western Ghats, the dam offers a panoramic view of the surrounding areas. The chief attractions of the Neyyar Dam are the lion safari park, deer park, watch tower and boating facilities.

• Valiyathura is an ancient port located 10 kms from Thiruvanathapuram , the 214 m Valiyathura pier is another placid beach location near Kovalam. The fishermen taming the catamaran during the high tide would send a chill down one’s spine and this place is famous for angling and photography.

• The Trivandrum Zoo: This Zoological garden is unique in India for its breathtaking evergreen landscapes and luxuriant growth of vegetation. Royal look of lofty trees, towering bamboos, lush green landscapes give it a rare distinction of being one of the most beautiful zoos in South East Asia. Spread over 36 acres of land and located in the heart of the city it provides a respite for the people of Thiruvananthapuram as much it offers tourism and recreation for visitors reaching from outside Kerala and overseas.

• The Palaces: Maharaja Swathithirunal Palace, Sreepadam Palace, Padmanabhapuram Palace , Kowdiar Palace Trivandrum Zoo and Museum gets into the list of must go locations in Trivandrum.

• Padmanabhapuram Palace  is located within the Padmanabhapuram Fort of Padmanabhapuram Village at Thuckalay which is a major tourist attraction near Thiruvananthapuram. The palace is regarded among the top ten palaces of the world and is located at a distance of 64 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The erstwhile seat of the Travancore Empire, Padmanabhapuram is located at the foothills of Veli at the hilly extensions of the Western Ghats. Padmanabhapuram Palace is a fine example of traditional Kerala style of architecture which was built in 1601 using a unique combination of egg whites, jiggery, lime, burnt coconuts, charcoal and river sand. Padmanabhapuram Palace is famous for its carved mahogany ceilings, colored mica windows, secret underground passages, inner courtyards, and museum and granite dance halls.

• Kanakakunnu Palace (opens Sunday to Saturday 10AM-05PM) is situated near the Napier Museum in Thiruvananthapuram and was constructed during the reign of King Sree Moolam Thirunal. Chithira Tirunal, one of the most famous ruler of Travancore modified the palace and constructed a tennis courts in the premises of the palace which was once as a summer retreat for the royal family members, this architectural marvel was used by the Travancore royal family to entertain their guests. The Kanakakunnu Palace being a storehouse of , history and culture of Kerala, the Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has documented the palace as a heritage monument of India.

• Koyikkal Palace(open Sunday-Saturday 09AM-05PM) is located 18 km away from Thiruvananthapuram which is one of the main tourist attractions in Nedumangadu , Situated en route to Ponmudi and Courtalam, Koyikkal Palace is famous for its architectural style. The Folklore Museum, established in 1992, exhibits traditional musical instruments, household utensils, occupational implements and models of folk arts. Some of the popular exhibits are the Nanthuni, brassware, Copperware and wooden kitchen wares.

• The main attraction of the Numismatics Museum is the exhibition of coins from different countries which belongs to different eras of world history. Some of the popular exhibits are the Karsha, the Rasi and coins belonging to the Gwalior Royal Family, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan, etc.

• Puthan Malika Palace, (Sunday to Saturday 08:30AM-05:30PM) situated towards the south-east of Sri Padmanabhaswami Temple of Thiruvananthapuram, is one of the main attractions of the city. The palace, which became the seat of the Travancore kings after they left Padmanabhapuram represents the rich culture and tradition of Kerala. Public is restricted from entering many parts of the palace but some sections function as museums and are kept open to the public. Puthan Malika Palace offers a unique collection of exhibits such as the crystal throne, murals, portraits, royal regalia and weapons. The palace premises has also became the venue for the Carnatic Music Festival conducted during the Navarathri Festival.

• The Light House Beach is the largest beach of Kovalam. The beach is named after a 35 m high light house which is situated atop the hillock of Kurumkal. The shallow waters at the Light House Beach is ideal for swimming.

• Samudra Beach is located towards the north of Kovalam, adjacent to Hawah Beach but separated by a headland. Samudra Beach is the place in Thiruvanathapuram where the native fisher man could be seen in action.

• Shanghumukham Beach is a popular tourist attraction of Thiruvananthapuram, located at a distance of 8 km from the city the beach is known for the clear views of the setting sun and is a frequented picnic spot. The beach is also famous for the huge Matsyakanyaka (mermaid) Sculpture, designed by Sri. Kanai Kunhiraman, built in concrete in the year 1990. 

• Hawa Beach is the second largest beach of Kovalam and has been a destination of European tourists since the 1970's. This beach has several private coves owned by resorts.

• Chowara Beach is a quiet and sandy beach situated in Thiruvananthapuram. Wedged between a long stretch of a coconut grove and the crashing waves of Arabian Sea, there is no other destination that is better to spend some quality time with your family, unlike the more crowded Kovalam Beach, this beach is secluded making this an ideal place for honeymoon couples. This beach got its name from the deep rock gorge that skirts the beach line, being a long and wide beach, this place is ideal for beach para-gliding.  A climb up to the Shri Dharma Shastha Temple on top of a hill nearby will not disappoint you as you will get to enjoy the panoramic view of Aazhimala Shiva Temple, Vizhinjam Harbour and the ancient Analothbhava Matha Church that are nearby.  The visitors can also walk along the shore to Aazhimala Beach which is situated 1 km away. Evenings are the best time as you can watch the beautiful sunset.

• Napier Museum is situated in the vicinity of Sri Chitra Art Gallery and Zoological Garden, the Napier Museum or the Art Museum is a popular tourist attraction frequently visited by the tourists all around the globe.

• The Natural History Museum (Sunday to Saturday 10AM-05PM) which is located to the east of the Napier Museum is one of the popular destinations in Thiruvananthapuram. The museum was built in the style of traditional Kerala Nair wooden houses called Nalukettu and has several galleries that display items related to the natural sciences. There are also galleries exhibiting animal skeletons, stuffed animals and birds, at this museum.

• Kuthiramalika Palace Museum. (Sunday to Saturday08:30AM-05:30PM) is one of the most popular destinations near the city of Thiruvananthapuram. Kuthiramalika Palace Museum was built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma in the year 1800 to promote the traditional art forms of India. The name 'Kuthiramalika' (Horse Bungalow) was derived from the wall painting of 122 wooden horses, which can be seen in the exterior walls of the palace. The most popular exhibits of the Palace Museum are the royal jewelry, the royal armory, metal idols and wooden sculptures. The palace is built in the traditional Kerala styled architecture and is adorned with royal portraits and paintings of the royal family.

• Science and Technology Museum. (Sunday to Saturday10AM-05PM) is a famous tourist spot in Thiruvananthapuram. The Museum was established in 1984 and has several galleries dedicated to branches like Mechanics, Electronics, Bio-Medical Science, etc. It also has a planetarium which is frequented visited by kids.

• Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the prime attraction of Thiruvananthapuram City,the temple is situated on one of the seven Parasurama Kshetras. Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is considered among 108 Divya Deshams or the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu. The idol of the presiding deity of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is seen in a reclining posture (Anananthasayanam), which symbolizes the eternal sleep of Yoga Nidra.  The temple is noted for its traditional Dravidian style of architecture and the ornamentation of the inner walls of the sanctum sanctorum using frescoes and murals,the temple is also famous for being the wealthiest shrine in the world.  Timings: Morning: 3:30 am- 4:45 am (Nirmalya Darshanam); 6:30 am - 7:00 am; 8.30 am - 10:00 am; 10:30 am to 11:10 am and 11:45 am to 12:00 pm; Evening: 5:00 pm- 6:15 pm and 6:45 pm to 07:20 pm.

• Mahadeva Temple of Kazhakuttam is one of the most frequentily visited pilgrim spots of Thiruvananthapuram. Mahadeva Temple was built in the 14th century and  is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Mahadeva Temple is also known for its traditional style of architecture, sculptures and intricate carvings.

• Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is a Hindu religious shrine at Attukal in Kerala, India. Goddess Bhadrakali (Kannaki), mounted over 'vethala', is the main deity in this temple. Bhadrakali  who killed the demon king Daruka is believed to be have been born from the third eye of lord Shiva. 'Bhadra' means good and 'Kali' means goddess of time. So Bhadrakali is considered as the goddess of prosperity and salvation.Pongala' is the most important festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The offering of Pongala is a very special temple practice in the southern parts of Kerala the ten-day- long celebration commences in the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham (Feb - March)on the Karthika star. Pongala ceremony is on the auspicious day of Pooram star which coincides with full moon,  the festival commences with the musical rendering of the story of the Goddess (Kannaki Charitam) during the "Kappukettu ceremony". The musical renderinngs are conducted by the families authorised for this purpose

• The East Fort area of Thiruvananthapuram is popular among shoppers, as the place is noted for shops selling traditional jewelry and handicrafts of Kerala. This area, named after the ruins of the East Fort which can be found scattered in the area and is famous for its parks.

• Anjengo Fort  which is situated at a distance of 15 km from Varkala, is a historic monument constructed by the Portuguese in 1965 locally known as Anchuthengu Fort, this monument lies wedged between the sea and the backwaters. The land where the fort stands was given to the East India Company by the Queen of Attingal on lease. Anjengo being the first trade settlement of the East India Company has helped the British to promote trade with various countries. The fort has a high wall enclosing the complex with four look out points at the four corners and two entrances within the fort one can see anonymous tombstones. (The fort remains open for public from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on all days except on public holidays and Sundays.) One can also visit the 130-feet tall Anjengo Lighthouse and Anchuthengu Beach which is very close by ,the fort is being maintained and protected by National Heritage monuments.

• The Kalari Institute is one of the popular attractions of Thiruvananthapuram. The Kalari Institute is a training school for Kalarippayattu, which is the traditional martial art form of Kerala. The institute offers demonstrations of Kalarippayattu in the evenings and is also famous for its Ayurvedic massage therapy.Every day (07am-06pm)

• Aruvikkara Dam is a popular picnic spot in the vicinity of Thiruvananthapuram located at a distance of 16 km from the city center. Aruvikkara is situated on the banks of River Karamana. Aruvikkara Dam is built across the river Karamana and Aruvikkara Devi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga.

• Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, a wildlife sanctuary near Thiruvananthapuram in southern Kerala consists of the catchment area of the Karamana river, which originates from Chemmunjimottai, the tallest hill within the sanctuary.

• Magic Planet- the museum of magic, is totally a new concept located at the Kinfra Film and Video Park situated at Kazhakuttom 6 kms fromThiruvanathapuram.The magic castle spreads over 1.5 acres encircled by natural beauty which holds a number of attractions like traditional Indian Magic, Flight of Fantasy, Intimate Magic, Mirror Maze, Kids Rainbow Planet, last but not the least the colorful magical parade, Rhythm of Wonders will provide an absolute visual treat before the final whistle. Apart from these eye-popping magical delights, this enchanting mansion has a host of other attractions that can charm you forever.

• Sree Chitra Art Gallery is one of the main tourist destinations in Thiruvananthapuram. Situated on the northern side of Napier Museum, Sree Chitra Art Gallery is famous for its unique collection of traditional, contemporary and modern Indian art. Some of the popular exhibits of the museum are the traditional Mughal, Rajasthani, Tanjore, Balinese and Rajput paintings; Mughal and Tanjore artworks; and works of Raja Ravi Varma and Nicholas Roerich. It also has a unique collection of International art which includes Chinese, Tibetan and Japanese artworks. Kerala style mural paintings and the exhibits of the Bengal School of Arts are also popular among the tourists.

Pre Plannng: 

• Winters can probably be the best time to visit Thiruvananthapuram, the temperature rises around 33 degrees in the state and is advisable to avoid summer visits 

• Visit to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Visit Timings: Morning: 3:30 am to 4:45 am, 6:30 am to 7 am, 8:20 am to 10 am, 10:30 am to 11:10 am and 11:45 am to 12 pm. Evening: 5 pm to 6:15 pm and 6:45 pm to 7:20 pm. There is a strict dress code for the visitors. Men need to wear mundu or dhoti (worn around the waist and going down up to the heels) and should not wear shirts of any kind. Women need to wear sari, mundum neriyathum (set-mundu), skirt and blouse, or half sari. With a recent notification, women wearing churidars or salwars are allowed to enter the premises

• Pre booking at all cultural centers is mandatory.

Other Info

• Coordinates:  8.5241° N, 76.9366° E
• Weather      : 24° -33 ° C
• Elevation     : 10 m above sea level

Things to do

• Sunbath in a beach: Kovalm Beach is 11 Kms from Trivandrum, the capital city of God's own country Kerala. It is a typical beach for sun bath. Kovalam has three beaches separated by rocky outcroppings in its 17 km coastline, the three together form the famous crescent of the Kovalam beach. Lighthouse Beach,Hawah Beach and Samudra Beach are three beaches. Located at north end border of the district Trivandrum, Varkala beach is an ideal holiday destination in Kerala for the tourists who want a peaceful vacation. Counted as one of the top ten seasonal beaches in the world by discovery channel, this beach has a stunning beauty of landscapes, brown sand, and sea is a perfect spot to relax and bath in the sun.

• Catch a fish: Fishing at Vizhinjam is a fun activity, Vizhinjam being a natural harbor which has sufficient depth to allow ocean liners to enter and anchor safely. When the port becomes real, it will be the south India’s most major trading port. It has an added advantage over the existing ports of south India like Cochin, Tuticorin etc. that it is very close to the existing international trade routes in Indian Ocean and is expected to provide a major impetus to trade exchange of south India as well as the development of Trivandrum as a major port city.

• Get a relaxing Ayurveda massage: Massage parlors at Kovalam and Varkala offers cheap and affordable masseurs and can rejuvenate your mind and body.

• Spot a bird: Arippa bird sanctuary (12pm-12-am all days)is the famous hot spot for preserving the wild environment. The sanctuary which belongs to the eco-tourism in Kerala is promoted by the district tourism promotion council and is located 32 km away from Trivandrum city. This is the best spot for watching the birds by the peoples who are interested in bird watching,  many species of domestic and migratory birds are seen here seasonally according to the climate change. The beautiful picnic spot is located at the foot of Western Ghats.

• Trek to a mountain: There are two routes to trek the peak of Agasthyakoodam, one from Kotoor near Neyyar Dam and other one is Bonacaud. The trek distance is about 28 Kms and takes 2 days. Prior forest pass from the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is required to enter the forest (Ph: 0471-2272182). Guided treks are arranged with overnight stay at camp inside the forest.

• Explore a dam: The Neyyar Dam is a popular picnic spot near the city of Thiruvananthapuram Situated on the southern hills of the Western Ghats, the dam offers a panoramic view of the surrounding areas. The chief attractions of the Neyyar Dam are the lion safari park, deer park and boating facilities.

• Watch the sunset: watching the setting sun from Kovalam and Varkala beach is a treat to watch and the serene panoramic view of the dying sun can relax your mind and body, clubbed with beach activities like snorkeling water skiing one can make the day worth.

• Take a boat cruise(8am-6pm): Poovar is a small coastal village in the Trivandrum district of Kerala . This village has a beautiful beach and backwater which attracts tourists there are good tourist resorts unspoiled and amazingly unexplored. The Veli Tourist Village which lies where the Veli Lake meets the Arabian Sea provides for unique boating and picnicking opportunities. Visitors can hire pedal boats or paddleboats as per their convenience. One can also roam the gardens and have a nice picnic or choose to employ the boats for the entire duration of the trip. The view and feel of the place is extremely unique, considering it is merely 12 kms from the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. Children are known to have a lot of fun climbing the sculptures here and the speedboat ride across the waters. A separate Children’s Park and Floating Cafe run by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) are added incentives to visit this unique village. 

• Village walk: Bharathanoor is a meek forest village 30 kms away from the state capital , the village offers a calm and peaceful walk for the tourists who are fed up with the urban blasphemy, the village being the store house of medicinal plants and herbs the onlookers would never want to miss the legacy of herbal heritage.

• Weave a handloom: Take an oppportunity to observe the Balaramapuram Handloom village, known as the core place for the unique production of traditional varieties of handloom textiles meant for clothe wearing style of Kerala, famous for its purity and simplicity. Learn about the skills of handloom weaving using silk and fine threads of gold and silver. In this village they produce some of the most beautiful, elegant and exquisite sarees famous across the country.

• Take part in a Religious Festival: Attukal Pongala is the largest annual gathering of women in the world for a religious purpose. Women devotees take over footpaths, courtyards and empty spaces within an eight-km radius of the temple on Pongala day, it was estimated that around 3.5 million women took part in Pongala  every year . The mega event, which had found a place in the Guinness Books of World Records for being the largest congregation of women, is never to be missed one for various reasons. Beemapally ‘Uroos’ is one of the important events in the capital city’s religious calendar and is held annually to commemorate Syedunnisa Beema Beevi, a saintly lady, whose tomb is in Beemapally Dargah Sharif. The Dargah Shareef is dedicated to Beevi who had been believed to possess extraordinary powers. Bee Umma, as she was known to believers, belonged to the family of Prophet Mohammed and reached Trivandrum from Mecca centuries ago, to preach Islam.

• Experience a local Festival : The two-day Kovalam Literary Festival is a writer’s festival which is held in Trivandrum every year. Kovalam Literary Festival was first held 8 years ago in 2008. Since then, the festival is growing annually, and it shows that Trivandrum has the support base for an international literary festival. From Nobel laureates to local language writers, Man Booker prize winners to debut novelists, every year the most remarkable, witty, sensitive and brilliant collection of authors come together for two days of readings, debates and discussions in the Kerala capital.

• Cook and dine with a family:  Home chef Elizabeth- this energetic home cook invites you to enjoy and learn a few cooking techniques and recipes. After a refreshing drink head over to the kitchen to learn the technique of frying fish marinated in Kerala masalas. Temper, toss and cook a seasonal vegetable (Thoran). Home chef Elizabeth also shows you a simple and easy everyday curry made with yogurt. After this wonderful cooking demo head over to the dining area to relish the rest of the meal. If you are up for it, she shall take you back to the kitchen to show you how to caramelize a Kerala banana which you can later enjoy with homemade ice cream.

• Walk on a Ocean Pier: Valiyathura is an ancient port located 10 kms from Kovalam , the 214 m Valiyathura pier is another placid beach location near kovalam. The fishermen taming the catamaran during the high tide would send a chill down one’s spine and this place is famous for angling and photography.

• Bath under Waterfall: The Kalakkayam water falls in the bosom of Kallar  is 53 kms from kovalam ,the unexplored wilderness of the jungle is enchanting and majestic a bath in ice-cold waters is breathtaking and relaxing.

How to Reach

• By Rail: Trivandrum Central railway station is about 6 km away from the city centre and is well linked to major cities in India via an extensive rail network. There are frequent trains plying from Trivandrum railway station for cities such as New Delhi, Bangalore, Indore, Mumbai, Chennai and Guwahati, to mention a few. Taxis, cabs and buses are easily available from outside the railway station.
• By Air: Trivandrum Airport is located just 6 km away from the state capital  that connects this beautiful city with rest of India and world. As it is situated at the southern tip of Indian subcontinent, the airport serves as the shortest point for connection from India to Maldives and Sri Lanka.  Visitors can avail bus services or hire cabs to reach various destinations in the city, after landing at the airport. 
• By Road: Several KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) buses operate from Thampanoor Bus Station in Trivandrum to all nooks and corners of the city. Kollam, Kanyakumari, Kottayam are the nearest prime towns located 65 kms, 72kms, 150 kms respectively. 

Trivia

Geographically the Western Ghats in the east and the great Arabian sea in the West was the reason why the ancient rulers of south India chose Trivandrum as their strategic defence hub.