Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) Travel

General Information - Trivandrum

Southern Coast of India (Kerala Trivandrum Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple September to May Thiruvananthapuram, formerly known as Trivandrum is gateway to one of the most beautiful Indian states, Kerala.

Stretching along the southern coast of the country, with the Backwaters reaching deep into the verdant countryside, Kerala affords a fascinating experience. The city of the Thousand - headed Anatha, the holy serpent on which Lord Vishnu reclines.

Trivandrum is one of the most beautiful cities of India. Perched on undulating terrain of low coastal hills near the southern edge of the Indian mainland, clean and green Trivandrum, which was previously called Trivandrum, is an ancient city with trading tradition dateing back to 1000 BC.

The city once formed a part of the capital of Travancore, which had its capital at Padmanabhapuram, now in Tamilnadu.The city is also a welcome departure from other large cities of India in its spacious layout and regulated life.

It is also an excellent base to explore the interiors of Kerala, the southernmost region of India, and from Kochi, the Lakshadweep Islands. The city offers all modern facilities needed by a visitor and is a centre for cultural activities

Prime Attractions of Trivandrum

The Aaranmula Boat Race is staged each year in the scenic village of Aaranmula in August/ September. This river carnival is part of the Aaranmula Temple festival. more..
Varkala is a sea side resort, as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline. The 2,000 year old Janardana Swamy Temple and the Nature Centre are the two main attractions here more..
Parthasarthy temple, dedicated to Parthasarathi or Lord Krishna is said to date back to the days of the Mahabharata. The Vaishnavite Alwar Saints have sung its glory. more..
The speciality of the Arattu at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) is that the head of the royal family of erstwhile Travancore still provides escort to the procession of idols. more..
Agastyarkoodam Peak is a spectacular peak in the Western Ghats that rises to a majestic height of about 1868 m in the form of a sharp cone. It is accessible only on foot, with 61 kms of trekking from Bonacaud, and 32 kms from Neyyar Dam. more..
Akkulam Lake is situated 3 kms away from Ulloor junction, in Trivandrum city. Boating facilities are provided in the lake. The children's park here is one of the biggest in Kerala. more..
The ancient temple is the most dominating feature of Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). Overlooking the Padma Theertham Tank. The temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu who is depicted reclining on Sri Anantha, the hooded snake from which the city derives its name. more..
Aruvippuram is a pilgrim centre located in a picturesque location, 24 kms from Trivandrum. It is also a small but lovely picnic spot. The place derives its name from a stream. more..
Beema Palli is a mosque situated on the coast, nearly 5 kms south of Trivandrum city. The shrine is dedicated to Beema Beevi, a pious muslim lady believed to have divine powers. more..
Flavour, the exotic food festival provides a rare opportunity to the gourmets to taste the traditional, authentic Cuisine of Kerala and India. The national food festival is held in Trivandrum from 5th to the 11th of April, every year. more..
This palace, home of the late Maharaja Sree Chitra Thirunal Bala Rama Varma and his family is off limits to the public. more..
Koyikkal Palace, the ancient palace, located 18 km from Trivandrum on the way to Ponmudi hillstation and the Kuttalam waterfalls, dates back to the 15th century. more..
Renowned for the Sastha temple, Kulathupuzha is situated on a forest range on the Thiruvananthapuram - Shenkottai road. more..
Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, a classic specimen of Kerala Architecture is situated in 'Kuthiramalika'. more..
The museum contains a fine collection of Kerala's bronzes, ornaments and contumes, and a model of "Tharawad' the traditional Nair family home. more..
Neyyar dam, lying against the southern low hills of the western ghats, 32 kms away from the Trivandrum city is a popular picnic spot with a lake and a picturesque dam site. more..
The Neyyar sanctuary is spread over the Southeast corner of the Western Ghats, and covers a total area of 128 sq kms. The Neyyar reservoir is easily navigable and extends 9.06 sq. km. more..
Every year, from February 21st to 27th renowned classical dancers perform at the Nisangandhi, an open air theatre in Trivandrum city. more..
A place of elaborate woodwork, it was the ancient seat of the Travancore rulers. It contains relics of historical and artistic value. more..
Paripally, 48 kms north of Trivandrum is noted for its Gajamela or Elephant pageant. Over 50 elephants are taken out on a ritual procession on the tenth day of the festival (February- March) more..
Priyadarshini Planetorium is one of the most sophisticated and versatile planetaria in India more..
Located 8 kms from (Trivandrum) Thiruvananthapuram city, the Shankhumugham Beach is a favourite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the Trivandrum Airport and Veli Tourist Village. The long stretch of clean sand is located near the airport. The water here, however, is not suitable for bathing. more..
The Science and Technology Museum, situated in Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) was established with the prime objective of setting up of galleries with working or animated and participatory type of exhibits, on all disciplines of Science and Technology. more..
Located in the Napier Museum grounds, Sree Chitra Art Gallery displays select Paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali. more..
Swathi festival is a gala event of music organised by the Government of Kerala every year in the last week of January. The venue is the famous Kuthiramalika Palace. more..
The Madre De Teus Church, popularly known as Vettukadu church, is situated around 7 kms from Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). The annual festival of the church is celebrated over the ten days culminating in the last Sunday of the laturgical year. more..
Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave basically constitutes the rock cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple at Vizhinjam. more..
The Aattukal Bhagavathi Temple dedicated to the Goddess Bhagavathi is situated in Trivandrum city. Pongala, an exclusive festival for women, falling in February/ March, is the speciality of this temple.
Peppara wildlife sanctuary is a 'gene pool' sanctuary, with a rich variety of flora and fauna over a rugged terrain with running rivulets, rolling hillocks and green meadows. A boat ride on the site is a fulfilling experience.
Truly a representative of the clean and verdant aspect of the city, the Public Park houses many important institutions, like the Zoo and the Botanical Gardens. The observatory on the Observatory hill is also located in the Public Park.
A large recreational centre located near the airport along a sheltered lagoon offers landscaped gardens and water-sports facilities. It is a popular picnic spot. Accommodation facilities are available in the youth hostel.
Near Kovalam, it's a fishing port, which is also important for an ongoing pioneer project to generate electricity from wave energy.

Excursions from Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram)

(36Km.)
The historic remains of the Anchunthengu Fort in Trivandrum built by the English East India Company in the 17th century, and an adjoining cemetery are noteworthy relics of this first major British trading station on the Malabar coast. more.. (16Km.)
It is both a pilgrim centre and a picnic spot, with a waterfall nearby. On the banks of the Karamana River, the spot houses a temple, where a rock cut shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhagvathy, the divine embodiment of female power. A stream with fishes, which come up to be fed by visitors, is another attraction. more.. (16Km.)
Kovalam is one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look. more.. (61Km.)
The salubrious hill station of Ponmudi is at a distance of 61 kms from Trivandrum. The enchanting bounty of nature can be witnessed here in the quiet surroundings. more.. (41Km.)
If one staying in Benaulim, one is bound at some point to visit Varca: the row of beached wooden fishing boats 2-km south of Benaulim (5Km.)
An important Muslim pilgrim centre, it is dedicated to Beema Beevi, a pious Muslim lady believed to have possessed divine powers. Devotees of all faiths visit the mosque. (7Km.)
The 'Madre De Deus' Church popularly known as the Vettukad Church attracts thousands of devotees from all religions. The annual celebration here is called the 'Feast Of Christ, The King'.

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