ABOUT THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:

• Literally the ‘Holy City of Anantha’ – the thousand headed mythological serpent on whom Lord Vishnu reclines.
• Clean and beautiful capital city of Kerala sprawls elegantly over seven low coastal hills.
• Its tree lined avenues, massive buildings, ancestral homes, ancient temples; long sea coast and acres of palm trees and parks have a charm of their own.
• Ancient city was the spiritual centre of Travancore kings since 11^th century.
• It became their capital in 1750, when the Raja of Travancore shifted here from Padmanabhapuram (in Tamil Nadu).
• Today, it is a fine blend of traditions and modernity – an important seat of ‘Ayurveda’, an ancient healing system as well as the ‘Space Research’, the final frontier of mankind.

 

MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

• Airport: Trivandrum International Airport, Thiruvananthapuram (TRV), 4.5 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram city centre.
• Rail: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, Thiruvananthapuram, 1 km away from Thiruvananthapuram city centre.
• Road: Well connected with NH7, NH17, NH45 and NH47.

 

SIGHTSEEING AT A GLANCE:

SCENIC SITE	Govt. Observatory   Veli Tourist Village   Neyyar Dam & Sanctuary   Ponmudi
HOLY CENTRE	Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Temple   Aruvikara   Varkala    Sree Janardhana Swami Temple   Sivagiri Mutt
MUSEUM & AUDITORIUM	Kuthiramalika (Puthen Malika) Palace Museum   Govt. Art or Napier Museum
HISTORIC SITE	Anjengo
BEACHS	Shankhumugham Beach   Kovalam   Varkala   Papanasham Beach   Kappil Beach
BACKWATERS	Kappil Beach
WILDLIFE	Neyyar Dam & Sanctuary
PARK & GARDENS	Zoological Gardens
OTHERS	CVN Kalari Sangham
FAIRS & FESTIVALS	Onam Nishigandha Dance and Music Festival The Village Fair Vetta and Arattu. Attukal Pongala

For more information visit  https://trivandrum.nic.in/tourism/

 

ATTRACTIONS OF THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

 

Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Temple:

• 16^th century shrine of Lord Vishnu as Sri Padmanabhaswami or the ‘lotus navel’ is considered to be one of the most sacred 108 Vaishnavite shrines.
• It enshrines an 18 feet long image of Lord Vishnu reclining on the coil of Sri Anantha, the sacred snake.
• A lotus grows from the navel of Lord Vishnu, upon which resides Lord Brahma.
• Its seven storeyed Gopuram and fine pavilions lined with splendid stone carvings and mural are noteworthy.
• Sacred Padma Theertham tank nearby was rebuilt by Raja Marthanda Varma in 1733.
• Temple is open only to Hindus and strict dress code is enforced.
• “Vetta” and “Arattu” processions are taken out twice a year from here.

 

Kuthiramalika (Puthen Malika) Palace Museum:

• Housed in a palace built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma in traditional Travancore style.
• Rare and priceless collections of the Travancore royalty are displayed here.

 

CVN Kalari Sangham:

• Premier institute is engaged in the preservation of Kalarippayattu, an ancient martial tradition of Kerala.
• Spectacular training sessions are worth seeing.
• It also provides Kerala’s famous Ayurvedic treatments.

 

Government Art or Napier Museum:

• Located on a large lush ground sprawling over an area 80 acres in the heart of the city.
• The Museum building is built in traditional Kerala architecture with influences of Chinese and Mughal styles.
• Exhibits a fine collection of bronzes, ornaments, costumes, masks, ivory carving and musical instruments etc.
• Sri Chitra Art Gallery and Zoological Park are located nearby.

 

Zoological Gardens:

• Zoo set in a forest like landscape is one of the oldest and best zoos in India.
• It is a part of an impressive Botanical Garden.

 

Govt. Observatory:

• Set atop the highest point of the city and is one of the oldest observatories in the country.
• Panoramic view of the surroundings can be enjoyed from here.

 

Shankhumugham Beach:

• Palm fringed beach adjacent to the airport is about 8 kms from the city centre.
• There is also a recreation club, the matsya kanyaka (a 35 metres long sculpture of a mermaid), children traffic Training Park and a restaurant.

 

Veli Tourist Village:

• Ideal picnic spot on the outskirts of the city is set along a sheltered lagoon, near the airport.
• It has an excellent waterfront park.

 

ATTRACTIONS AROUND THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

 

Anjengo:

• 10 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram city centre.
• Small historical town is set amidst Anjengo Kayal.
• British East India Company established a factory here in 1673 and also built a fort with the permission of Queen of Attingal in 1695.
• Beach, relics of the fort and flagstaff, tombs of Dutch and British are some places of interest.

 

Aruvikara:

• 16 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram city centre.
• Famous for the ancient Bhagavathi temple.
• Stream in front of the temple has large fishes, which are fed by the devotees.

 

Kovalam:

• Just 12 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram city centre.
• Sheltered natural bay of Kovalam, flanked by two natural headlands is regarded as one of the finest beach resorts of the world.
• Four famous beaches – Samudra, Ashok, Eve’s or Hawa and Lighthouse of Kovalam are located in close proximity.
• Attract a large number of tourists from all over the world.
• Beautiful beaches are considered for to be ideal for surfing and water-skiing.
• Kovalam is also famous health and yoga centre.

 

Neyyar Dam & Sanctuary:

• 32 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram city centre.
• Dam-site enroute to Ponmudi is noted for its scenic beauty.
• Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 128 sq. kms in the Western Ghats.
• There is also a Lion Safari Park and a Crocodile Protection Centre.

 

Ponmudi:

• 61 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram city centre.
• An idyllic hill resort is known for its bracing climate, tea plantations and scenic splendour.
• Deep forest trails are ideal for hiking and trekking.

 

Varkala:

• 46 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram city centre.
• Charming sea-side resort and pilgrim centre is popularly referred as ‘Southern Varanasi’.
• There are a number of sacred shrines and beautiful beaches at Varkala.
• It is also an important nature care centre.

•  

Sree Janardhana Swami Temple:

• Ancient shrine believed to be over 2,000 years old.
• One of the holiest temples of Lord Vishnu.

•  

Papanasham Beach:

• Crescent shaped beach is considered to be very sacred, as it is believed that one is absolved of his sin by taking a dip in the sea water here.

•  

Sivagiri Mutt:

• It is the final resting place of Sree Narayana Guru, one of the most illustrious spiritual leader and social reformer of Kerala.

•  

Kappil Beach:

• Idyllic site at the confluence of the beach and backwaters is noted for its scenic charm and tranquillity.
• Boating facilities at the backwaters.