Sightseeing at Trivandrum:–
Padmanabhaswami Temple: The temple is located inside the east Fort. Dedicated to God Vishnu, the temple is the blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is well known for its mural paintings and stone carvings. One among the 108 sacred Vishnu temples in India, the presiding deity in here is God Vishnu reclining on Anantha the divine serpent.
Shankhumugham Beach: Eight kms from the city, this is a favorite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is beautiful and adjacent to the Veli Tourist Village.
The Napier Museum: Built in the 19th century, the Indo - saracenic structure houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings.
Kovalam: Kovalam is 16 kms away from Tiruvananthapuram, Kerala's capital city. Kovalam is one of the most sought after beaches in the whole world of tourism. Today Kovalam beach is known as the "Paradise of the South". It consists of a number of small, palm fringed bays separated by Rocky Headlands. Kovalam is endowed with unusual beauty. The sheltered beach is ideal for sea bathing and is safe even during the toughest weather. The scenery around is enchanting and the drive to the beach through palm groups, refreshing.
Also known by the names
The Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple surrounded by fort walls is seen standing like a jewel in the heart of the city. The cultural heritage of the city began with the shifting of the capital of the erstwhile Travancore state from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram during the reign of Mathanda Varma Maharaja. Many artistes got royal patronage during this period. The Natakasala Mughappu of the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple where cultural programmes are performed even today was constructed during this period. All sorts of cultural programmes and skills were conducted and encouraged during the Alpasi and Painkuni festivals of the temple. The major contributions to art and literature were seen during the reign of Karthika Thirunal Maharaja who ruled Travancore for 40 years. He was a great patron of art and literature. The honour of taking the cultural heritage of Travancore to great heights goes to Maharaja Swathy Thirunal. He was also a great patron of art and literature. His court was adorned by noted dancers from Tajavore and eminet artistes, including the great composer Erayimman Thampy. The king wrote more than 400 compositions in various languages. The Navaratri Mandapam concerts conducted in connection with the Navaratri puja festival even today was started during his days. The state witnessed a great leap forward during the reign of its last ruler, Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma. The Temple Entry Proclamation issued by him on 12th November 1936 was a great event in history, which not only allowed temple entry to all Hindus irrespective of castes, but also was a harbinger of great social revolution. The cultural scenario got a morale boost with the setting up of the Travancore Broadcasting Centre. It was later transformed as Trivandrum Station of All India Radio. A Medical College, the Sri Chitra Vanchi Poor Fund (a shelter for the poor orphans), an Art Gallery, an Aerodrome, an Aquarium, the Sri Swathy Thirunal Music Academy, the Travancore University (later named as the Kerala University)etc were all started during his reign. The city owes a great deal to the royal family of Travancore for the selfless services rendered for the propagation of art and culture.
A famous pilgrimage centre and one of the major attractions in Thiruvananthapuram city. It was the Maharaja of Travancore who built this famous temple with its seven-storey carved gopuram in the Dravidian style in 1733. There are innumerable pillars, intricate carvings and mural paintings of natural pigments. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu who reclines on the sacred serpent Ananda. The image of Vishnu is 18 feet long and a lotus grows from Vishnu’s navel and Brahma is seen in the lotus. Several art forms like Krishnanattam, Koodiyattom, Pavakkoothu, Nokkuvidya, Velakali, Kathakali etc. thrived under the patronage of
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It is an absolute gem of architectural exuberance, combining traditional Kerala styles with good doses of Chinese and Mughal influences. The 19th century English architect, Chisholm, threw in a few touches ended up with a building that is guaranteed to leave you smiling at its electric charm.
The interior is every bit as intriguing as the exterior with pink and bobby blue stripes alternating with stripes of yellow and cherry red, scalloped arches of a banana yellow, elaborately carved balconies, the whole, linked together with red and white lattice work and mock friezes. The collections are as varied and electric as the building and you will spend a pleasant few hours browsing through them. Make sure to have the keeper explain the unique natural air-conditioning system.
Next to the museum, this is in a smaller, traditional building. It houses the collections of the Travancore ruling family, and included an interesting assortment of turn-of-the-century Bengali school paintings, Rajasthani and Mughal miniatures.
Tanjore paintings, and a selection of works by a Russian emigrant, Svetosku Roerich and by Kerala's favorite artist son, Raja Ravi Varma. The latter's works include a number of portraits of maharajahs and their families, British residents and distinguished individuals, and by studying their faces one gets a glimpse of a part of Kerala history.
KANAKAKKUNNU PALACE
Situated on a hillock in the Museum compound, this beautiful old palace of the Travancore Rajas is a stunning piece of architectural excellence. At night when the palace grounds are lit by garden lamps, the gabled, pagoda style red brick structure comes alive, bringing to mind the royal majesty of the kings who once inhabited its mighty interiors. Inside one can see large crystal chandeliers and exquisite pieces of royal furniture.
THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS
The Zoological Gardens around the Zoo and the Sri Chitra Art Gallery is the best designed in Asia. It has woodland and well-maintained beautiful lawns and park.
KUTHIRAMALIKA
This palace was built by eminent sculptors from Tanjore. Single stone carved pillars and beautifully designed roofs give more attraction to the palace. On the southern portion of the palace, there is a beautiful monument of 122 horses which gets ready to jump towards the south. Thus the palace got the name Kuthiramalika. Swords,guns etc. of olden days are also exhibited here. 'Dantasimhasana' is the most prominent attraction in this palace.
THE ZOO
This Zoo, situated in the heart of the city, is one of the best maintained zoos in the whole of Asia.
OBSERVATORY
The Observatory in the city situated 60 meters above sea level atop a hill is one of the oldest in India. It started functioning during the reign of Maharaja Sri Chithira Thirunal. A Meteorological Station is also housed here. From the Observatory Compound, a bird’s eye view of the city can be had.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM
It is an esthetically erected ultra modern Science &Technology Museum in the city.The Museum with its PLANETARIUM is of high educative value catering to the needs of the students of Science & Technology.
LORD GANAPATHY TEMPLE
It is one of the most popular shrines in the city near Sri PadmanabhaSwamy Temple at East Fort.
CVN KALARI SANGHAM
It is near the East Fort. This famous Kalari was established in 1956 for the revival of KLARIPPAYATT, the traditional martial art form of Kerala. Training sessions and exercises in Kalarippayatt, Ayurvedic diagnosis and treatment etc. are available at the centre.
VELI LAGOON (TOURIST VILLAGE)
The Veli Tourist Village on the outskirts of the city is a delightful water front park. With its gardens, exquisite sculptures, floating bridge and a wide range of aqua sports facilities, Veli is an ideal picnic spot.
AKKULAM BOAT CLUB
The Akkulam Boat Club in the outskirts of the city is a popular retreat. There is a very large Children’s Park. Boating facilities are also available.
SHANGUMUGHAM BEACH
A beautiful beach ideal for a retreat. It is near to the airport in the city.
Kowdiar Palace, Kerala Legislative Assembly Buildings and the Secretariat, VJT Hall etc. are other attractions in the city.
KOVALAM
This internationally famous beach is just 16 Km south of the city. It is an ideal spot for sun bath on the silver sands. The sea coast is a silvery sand bordered on one side by the azure blue waters of the sea and on the other side by a never ending spread of green palm groves. The beach consists of two palm-fringed coves- the Light House Beach and the Hauwa beach, which are seaprated by rocky headlands. Kovalam is a sheltered natural bay for a cool and refreshing swim in the sea. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in the world. It is no wonder that crowds of tourists throng this famous beach. Surfboards and boogie boards are available for rent. There are a number of Ayurvedic centers offering traditional Ayurvedic oil massage and other treatments.
Kovalam is easily accessible by road from Thiruvananthapuram. Buses are frequently available. Good accommodation is also available.
PONMUDI
Ponmudi is a popular hill resort, 60 km away from Thiruvananthapuram. A journey to Ponmudi is quite exciting and provides glimpses of the rugged village life. A walk along the wooded hills and valleys is quite exciting. There is a deer park nearby
NEYYAR DAM & WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Notified as a wildlife sanctuary, the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is just 30 km from Thiruvananthapuram. This sanctuary covering an area of about 128 sq. km forms the cattchment area of the Neyyar DAM. With a rugged topography of meadows and slopes, altitudes ranging from 90 to 1800 meters above sea level, the sanctuary is contiguous with the Kalakkadu Tiger Reserve and Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary in TamilNadu. The famous Agasthyamala and the Meenmutty falls form part of this sanctuary.
The sanctuary has a remarkable diversity of vegetation. There are over 1000 species of flowering plants, including some of the best orchids in the world. The faunal diversity is rich and fascinating. The endangered primates, the lion-tailed macaque and the Nilgiri languor share the ever green forest. Other animals like bonnet macaque and giant squirrels are seen here. Elephants, Sambhar deer, gaur, barking deer, mouse deer and wild boar.
There is a Lion Safari Park spanning an area of four hectares. A Crocodile Farm was established in 1977. Boats can be hired to explore the shores of the sanctuary. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation organizes (KTDC) tours to Neyyar Dam.
PEPPARA DAM & WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Near the Ponmudi Hills and 50 km from Thiruvananthapuram. Spread over an area of 53 sq. km. this picturesque spot with its rich fauna and birds is dear to Ornithologists as it provides good bird watching.
KOYIKKAL PALACE
Located 18 km from Trivandrum on the way to Ponmudi hillstation and the Kuttalam waterfalls, this ancient place that dates back to the 15th century, is famous in the history of Kerala as the official residence of Perakom Thavazhi (the maternal lineage), especially of Umayamma Rani of the Venad royal family. Here you can see a double storeyed traditional Nalukettu building with slanting gabled roofs, an inner courtyard and two museums of folklore and numismatics set up by the Department of Archaeology.
PADMANABHAPURAM PALACE
Padmanabhapuram is 60 km south-east of Thiruvananthapuram. It had been once the seat of the rulers of the princely state of Travancore. Now it has become part of the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu after the re-organization of the states in India in 1956. The palace is an architectural marvel of teakwood and Granite of the 16th century. Intricately carved rosewood chairs, screens, ceilings, banqueting halls, audience chamber, women’s chambers, galleries etc.add magnifience and splendour to this famous palace
VARKALA
It is a beautiful beach resort and pilgrim centre 40 km north of Thiruvananthapuarm. SIVAGIRI MUTT here devoted to SRI NARAYANA GURU who preached 'One caste, One religion, one God for man' is a pilgrim center for the Guru's followers. There are YOGA and MASSAGE centres offering traditional Ayurvedic and Swedish massage and Swedish Massage techniques.
KANYAKUMARI
Kanya Kumari (also known as Cape Comorin), about 90 km south of Thiruvananhapuram, is the southernmost tip of the Indian sub-continent where the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian sea mate together. Once it had been part of the erstwhile Travancore state. After the re-organization of the states in India in 1956, it became part of the Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu.
Kanyakumari is a very famous tourist and pilgrim centre. The famous shrine of the goddess DEVI KANYA, Gandhi Memorial, Vivekananda Memorial built on the rocky islands are tourist attractions.
The Temple at Suchinram, 13 km north- west on the rail /road route from Kanya- Kumari to Thiruvananthapuram, is an important place of worship. The temple with its large entrance Gopuram is quite magnificent. There are pillared Halls all around the inner Sanctum where there is the triple image of the Lords Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu. The 10-day annual chariot festival is famous.