Trivandrum, "City of Lord Anantha"

Trivandrum 

Thiruvananthapuram (or Trivandrum) is the capital of the southern Indian state of Kerala. It's distinguished by its British colonial architecture and many art galleries. Thiruvananthapuram is built on hills by the sea shore and sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Thiruvananthapuram is ranked first in the number of foreign tourists visiting Kerala and is a fascinating destination for holidaymakers.

Things to do

  Neyyar Dam & Wildlife Sanctuary

Neyyar Dam is undoubtedly a paradise for nature lovers. Since it is adjoining Wildlife Sanctuary you can witness different species of animals moving around like wild boars and elephants. This picturesque dam amidst the greenery of Western Ghats is surrounded with serenity and isolation; hence it makes a perfect tourist place to escape from the crowded city life. You can also find a vast range of medicinal herbs around the dam. Besides, an interesting fact, Neyyar Dam stretches from Thiruvananthapuram district 'Neyyatinkara Taluk' to 'Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve' in Tamil Nadu. Neyyar is truly a nature lover’s paradise and if you are in this south destination, this place is a must visit.

Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple

 

Located inside the East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of the State of Kerala in India is the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is believed to be the world’s richest temple.

The history of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple dates back to 8th century. It is one of the 108 sacred Vishnu temples or Divya Desams in India. Divya Desams are the holiest abodes of Lord Vishnu that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars (saints). The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu, reclining on Anantha, the hooded Serpent.

Shanghumukham beach

Shanghumukham beach has long been amongst the favorite place for travelers. Not just because of its close proximity with the airport but also because of its beautiful mermaid structure called Sagarakanyaka by the locally renowned artist Kanai Kunjiraman. It is a perfect place to spend a calm day amidst the charming Take-A-Break restaurant and classic Old Coffee House.

   Kovalam beach

Perhaps the one of the top beach holiday places in India, Kovalam is a surprise setting for people who are looking for a quality time with their loved ones. Along with scenic beauty, the beach town has something or the other to keep people of every age busy. Expect, snorkelling, kayaking, boat excursions and coastal walks to keep things buzzing here.

Poovar

Hugged by a lovely beach and the backwaters on the other, Poovar is famed for its picturesque beauty and calm atmosphere. It is placed at the southern part of Trivandrum and it is the merely village that tracks the end of Kerala.

 

Ponmudi

Ponmudi is a beautiful and calm hill destination and it is surrounded by fresh and green environs making it an ideal holiday getaway. You are bound to get allured by its lush flora and fresh atmosphere. This hill station is at a driving distance from the capital of Kerala and the journey is filled with thick tropical forests and steep climb and mist covered hill ranges.

Ponmudi is divided into the upper and the lower retreat putting more focus on the upper area for ecotourism project. And it is here you will find an assortment of mountain wildflowers, unique butterflies and small rivers, all this makes Ponmudi an attractive and small hill paradise to venture when in Kerala. And those with trekking interest, this halting ground will leave them impressed.

Trivandrum Zoo

Thiruvananthapuram Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in India. It is said to have been established in the year 1857 by Maharaja of Travancore. In a modernization project of 1995, this zoo got a makeover and its old enclosures were replaced with spacious naturalistic enclosures. The zoo is home to about 82 species of animals that include lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Indian rhinoceros, Asiatic lion, royal Bengal tiger, white tiger, leopard, Asian elephants, giraffes, hippos, zebras, and Cape buffalos. There is a snake farm and reptile house, which exhibits both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes along with 7 anacondas.

Getting there:

By Air

The city has its own international airport which is well-connected with different cities across the globe. The airport has direct flights to major Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Cochin and Bangalore as well as has direct flights from Singapore, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Middle East cities. Some of the popular air carriers are Emirates, Jet Airways, IndiGo, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Air Arabia and many others. Once you reach at the aiport, you can hire a taxi/cab which will drive you to your destination point in the city.

By Bus

Trivandrum’s bus station is situated right next to the railway station. There are regular buses to nearby cities like Cochin, Bangalore, Madurai, Coimbatore and Chennai. KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) provides excellent bus services including premium luxury Garuda services, sleeper, air-conditioned, executive, deluxe and many others to choose from. Other bus operators are Tamil Nadu’s SETC, Raj National Express and GTC.

By Train

The Trivandrum Central railway station is situated within the city and is well-linked with major Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Guwahati, Indore, Bangalore and many others. Some of the popular trains that ply from this station are Trivandrum Mail, Kerala Express, Anantapuri Express, RaptiSagar Express, Swaranjayanti Express and Ahilyanagari Express. Another railway station (called Kochuveli Railway Station) has been constructed to shift the regular rail traffic from central station to another station.

Road/Self Drive

Trivandrum has an excellent road network and connects nearby cities like Kochi, Madurai, Chennai, Alleppey, Bangalore and Kumarakom.

Travel tips

Thiruvananthapuram Warnings and Dangers

It is dangerous to walk in isolated parts of the city, especially at night. Protect your safety by confining your adventures to daylight hours.

Dress Appropriately When Visiting Sacred Sites

If you plan to visit some of the sacred temples, wear pants, jeans or a skirt with a top that has sleeves. Shop in nearby Kovalam for loose fitting cotton clothes that make you feel more comfortable during humid, hot weather.

Wear Insect Repellant

Make sure you carry an excellent insect or mosquito repellant with you at all times.

Timings and season

·         The best time to visit Trivandrum is between October and February, the perfect time for beach vacations. February to May is summer, which is very hot and humid while June to September is the monsoon season. The second rainy season, the North-East monsoon, is equally strong and occurs during the months of October and November.

·         The festival of Onam which occurs towards the end of August or early September is a good time to soak up the carnival atmosphere. There are usually many cultural programs during the official Onam celebrations lasting 10 days.

·         The Monsoon season starts from June every year and is a time of heavy rains in the area. Recently, as a result of the campaigning by State Tourism Board, tourists have started coming in to enjoy the Monsoon