Thiruvananthapuram
Travel (Trivandrum) :
Thiruvananthapuram (known as Trivandrum) the capital of Kerala. Located at
the South Western tip of India, is bounded by the Arabian sea on the West
and Tamil Nadu on the East. The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the
Eastern and North Eastern borders give some of the most enchanting picnic
spots, a long shorline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic
monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make this
district a much sought after tourist destination.
Area - 2192 sq.km
Population - 2,938,583 (1991 census)
Access :
Air - thiruvananthapuram international airport 6 kms from
the city.
Rail - there are direct trains to all the main towns in
kerala as well as the major cities in india.
Road - well connected to all towns & cities.
Places to visit :
Kovalam Beach - 16 kms away this Internationally renowned
Beach Resort has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam
consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The Southernmost, known as the
Lighthouse beach, is the most popular Kovalam offers accommodation options
to suit all budgets.
Padmanabha Swamy Temple - The temple is located inside
the East Fort. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, & a blend of the Kerala and
Dravidian styles of architecture. It is known for its Mural Paintings and
Stone Carvings. One among the 108 sacred Vishnu Temples in India, the
presiding deity in here is Lord Vishnu reclining on anantha the serpent.
Kuthiramalika Palace Museum - The palace was built by
Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma - the King of Travancore, who was a
great poet, musician, social reformer and statesman. This rare specimen of
workmanship in the traditional travancore style of architecture also has
exquisite wood carvings. The palace museum displays paintings and various
priceless collections of the royal family.
The Napier Museum - Built in the 19th century, the indo -
saracenic structure boasts a "natural" Airconditioning system and
houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze
idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The use of
plaxtic is banned in the museum premises.
Sree Chitbra Art Gallery - Located near the Napier
Museum. This are gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma,
Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal
and Tanjore schools of Art In India. Other places of interest 1.. The
zoological park , priyadarshini planetarium , observatory, shankhumugham
beach & connemera market.
Excursions
:
Thiruvallam - 10 kms away this serene backwater stretch
enroute to Kovalam, is famous for its Canoe Rides.
Aruvikkara Dam - 16 kms away this picturesque picnic spot
is on the banks of the Karamana River. Near the Durga Temple here is a
stream full of fish that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the
visitors.
Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) - The land's end of india or
the point where the three seas meet, is the enchanting kanniyakumari. It is
one of the most popular tourist spots in the country. Part of the
fascination is, of course, the fact that it is the very tip of the indian
peninsula and the confluence of the bay of bengal, the arabian sea and the
indian ocean.
Places of interest at Kanyakumari :
» Tiruvalluvar statue
» Gandhi memorial
» Guganathaswamy Temple
» Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Padmanabhapuram Swami Temple
which is enroute Trivandrum & Kanniyakumari.
Other excursions :
» Vizhinjam rock cut cave
» Koyikkal palace nejumangad
» Neyyar dam.
