THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (Trivandrum)

Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and also hosts Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre , Technopark, the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and the Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER).The rise of modern Thiruvananthapuram began with accession of Marthanda Varma in 1729 as the founding ruler of the princely state of Travancore.

Thiruvananthapuram means "Abode of Lord Ananta" in Sanskrit. The name derives from the deity of the Hindu temple at the centre of the city.

 

How to reach Thiruvananthapuram?
 

By Air
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport at Valiyathura is the nearest Airport.

By Rail
The nearest railway station is at Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, Thambanoore.

By Road
Thiruvananthapuram is connected by road services to all major cities in South India.

Sightseeing in Thiruvananthapuram (Tirvandrum )

Padmanabha Swamy Temple - The temple is located inside the East Fort. dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture known for its mural paintings and stone carvings. This temple is the riches temple in the World.

Vizhinjam rock cut Cave - There are rocks cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple at Vizhinjam with a loose sculpture of Vinandhara Dakshinamurthy. The outer wall of the cave depicts half complete reliefs of  Shiva with Parvathi.

Ponmundi - An idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding pathways located at 915 metres above sea level. Ponmundi also has excellent trekking trails.
 

Kovalam
Kovalam is the most famous beach town in Kerala just 16 kms away from Trivandrum.   This enchanting strip of golden sands is laced with the rich greenery of coconut palms. Kovalam has three crescent shaped beaches named Light House Beach, Hawah beach and Samudra Beach separated by rocky outcroppings.  The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, in the most popular amongst them.

Varkala - Located at 40 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city varkala is a seaside resort and spa.  The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are the two main attractions of Varkala.

Shankhumugham Beach -  At a distance of 8 kms from the city lies this pristine beach adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Veli Tourist Village. The "matsya Kanyaka"  a gigantic, 35 m long sculptures of a mermaid is the major attraction here.

Government Art Museum - Built in an exquisite blend of Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian styles of architecture, the museum is also known as the Napier Museum after the erstwhile Governor General of Madras John Napier. This 19th century building boasts of a unique natural air-conditioning system and the displays include exquisite bronzes, ancient ornaments and costumes, ivory carvings and musical instruments, and a whole temple chariot.

Puttan Malika Palace Museum - Built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balrama Verma of Travancore with exquisite woodcarvings. It has a priceless art collection among other exhibits. It also hosts an annual classical music festival between 27th January and 3rd February.

Sree Chitra Art Gallery - Located in the museum compound is this Art Gallery featuring an eclectic collection of works by Roerich and Raja Ravi Verma and also includes paintings from the Mughal, Rajput, Bengal and Tanjore schools of art.

Indian School of Martial Arts (ISMA) - A definite must see is the ISMA established in 1983 continues to preserve and impart training in the 5,000-year-old martial art of Kerala - Kalarippayattu.  It is also a renowned healing centre where the traditional kalarichikitsa - an exclusive branch of medicine - has been practised for years. The rare collection of olagranthas - palm leaf manuscripts also makes it a place worth a visit.

Padmanabhapuram Palace - Padmanabhapuram Palace a magnificent wooden palace of the Rajas of the erstwhile Travancore located about 64 km from Trivandrum is a fine specimen of Kerala's indigenous style of architecture. The palace also contains 17th and 18th century murals.

Distance from Thiruvananthapuram / Trivandrum

Trivandrum to Varkala - 51 km              Trivandrum to Kochi - 220 km

Trivandrum to Chennai - 708 km            Trivandrum to Madurai - 264 km

Trivandrum to Tanjavur - 523 km           Trivandrum to Kolam - 72 km

Rajasthan Holiday Packages

Royal Rajasthan (14 days)	Forts and Palaces tour (21 days)
Rajasthan with Golden triangle (16 days)	Rajasthan Cultural Tours (16 days)
Pushkar Fair Tours (19 days)	Rural Rajasthan Tour (12 days)