Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
The capital of Kerala state, is, decidedly, one of the cleanest and most
well-planned cities of India. The word Thiruvananthapuram means the city
of Anantha or the abode of the sacred thousand-headed serpent Anantha,
who forms the couch on which reclines Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the
Hindu trinity. Built on seven hills, the city has grown as an important
tourist and commercial centre, with an own international airport. The
city's scenic appeal, its enchanting beaches, and overwhelming greenery
only add to its uniqueness. It embodies the magical feel of Kerala, as
a whole, and lends terrific insight into the culture of the state.
Sightseeings easily accessible
from Thiruvananthapuram:
Agasthyakoodam:
a prominent peak in the Sahyadri ranges is about 1.900 meters above
sea level rising up in the form of a sharp pointed cone. This peak
can be approached on foot from Bonacadu (61 km from Thiruvananthapuram)
and from Neyyar dam (32 km).
Aruvippuram: This place is about 24 km from Thiruvananthapuram
near Neyyattinkara. There is a small Siva Temple built by Sree Narayana
Guru, attracting a large number of worshippers during the 'Sivarathri'
festival. There is also a small waterfall here.
Kanyakumari: the land's end of India is only 87km
from Trivandrum. Also known as Cape Comorin, this beautiful spot is
in the neighbouring Tamilnadu state. It is the southern tip of the
Indian subcontinent where the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Bay
of Bengal meet. An enthralling sight, it is a must-see for Keral tourists.
It also has a shrine of Devi Kanya.
Kovalam is 12km to the south of Thiruvananthapuram
and is one of the finest beaches in India. It has been developed into
an integrated seaside resort and it consists of three adjacent crescent
beaches. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most
popular. Kovalam offers a big choice of accommodation options to suit
all budgets; many hotels, rent-appartments, cottages, yoga and ayurveda centres etc.
Koyikkal Palace: Located 18 km from Trivandrum on the way to the Ponmudi hill station 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. The 'Gajendra Moksham' Mural which is one of the largest mural paintings in Kerala is seen on the ground floor of the Palace. A museum with antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes is housed inside the building.
Nevyar Dam: located just 32 km from the city is one
of its hotspots because of its crocodile farms, lion safaris and deer
parks.
Parasurama Temple, Thiruvallam: (7 km from Trivandrum) This 2000 year old temple on the bank of river Karamana, is the only one in Kerala dedicated to Sree Parasurama, the mythological creator of Kerala. This temple is a venue for ancestor worship. As part of the Bali ritual, devotees make offerings to the souls of the dear departed, after taking a dip in the holy water.
Padmanabhapuram Palace: About 54 km from Thiruvananthapuram on the way to Nagarcoil, which is now in Tamil Nadu. It was once the royal residence of the Travancore kings of Kerala. An old fort is situated here.
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary (50 km from Thiruvananthapuram). This sanctuary spread over 53 sq. km on the Western Ghats, is accessible from Vithurai, which is on the way to Ponmudi. With its rich flora and fauna, Peppara, dotted with hillocks, forests and eucalyptus plantations, is emerging as a great attraction for wildlife enthusiasts.
Ponmudi: located 61 km from Thiruvananthapuram. A pleasant hill resort at an elevation of 912m above sea level with many
trees and rubber estates around the hills. Narrow, winding pathways
and cool, green, wooded environs. Along with a variety of beautiful
mountain flowers, exotic butterflies, small rivulets, springs and the
deer park nearby, this hill station also has excellent trekking trails.
Sarkara, Chirayinkeezhu: This famed Sarkara Bhagavathi
temple at Chirayinkeezhu, is in Thiruvananthapuram district. The most
important "Bharani utsavam" is a 10- days event commencing (during
March-April) with Koodiyattam.
Shankhumugham Beach: Just 8 km from the city, this
is a favourite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the
Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Veli Tourist Village. An indoor recreation
club, the matsya kanyaka (a gigantic, 35m long sculpture of a mermaid)
and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are some of the attractions
here.The water here, however, is not suitable for bathing, because of strong undercurrents.
Varkala: 51 km from Trivandrum. Another seaside resort and also boasts of one of the best beaches in the State with
hotels, guest houses and restaurants. It is also an important Hindu
centre of pilgrimage. The final resting place of the great social
reformer, Sree Narayana Guru, is near Varkala, atop a hill called
Sivagiri. High cliffs with mineral springs rise majestically from
the coastline. The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and
the Nature Care Centre are the two main attractions here.
Veli Lagoon: This picnic spot, where the Veli Lake
meets the Arabian Sea, offers boating facilities. Pedalboats and
paddleboats can be hired to explore the charms of the lagoon in a
leisurely manner. For a quick ride over the waters, speedboats are
available for hire. Children enjoy climbing over the huge sculptures
which dot the landscape. Buses go regularly from East Fort to Veli
if you would prefer public transport to a taxi ride.
Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple: 17km from Trivandrum. There are rock cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple at Vizhinjam. It is a historic spot which was left unnoticed for long time. The granite cave here encloses a one-celled shrine with a loose sculpture of Vinandhara Dakshinamurthi. The outer wall of the cave depicts half completed reliefs of the Hindu God Shiva with his wife Goddess Parvathi.
