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Thiruvananthapuram - The Wonderland of Kerala

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Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala, God’s Own Land. It was formerly known as Trivandrum, a derivative of the original name given by the British. The city was officially called by that name till the government decided to restore the original name in 1991.

It lies on the southern tip of India on the west coast. It has been a ‘must visit’ destination for ages and at a time National Geographic Traveller has listed it as one. Mahatma Gandhi titled this place the “Evergreen City of India”.

Trivandrum is counted in the list of ‘10 Greenest Cities in India’. Trivandrum can boast of the many guests it received beginning from Parasuraman to medieval explorers like Fa Hien, Marco Polo, Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and many more which are not mentioned in history books.

Thiruvananthapuram stands on the banks of the Killi and Karamana rivers. Tamil Nadu lies on its east and the Arabian Sea surrounds it on the west. Being located on the Western Ghats, the place is covered with panoramic lush greenery that makes Thiruvananthapuram a perfect getaway.

Legends About The City

It is named after the legendary serpent with thousand heads, Anathan, on whom Lord Vishnu reclines, referring to Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple which is located in the heart of the city. The city lies on seven coastal hills and has become a bustling city but has not lost its past glory. According to local beliefs, Sage Parasurama fought for this land against the Sea God, Varuna. The mighty and just King Mahabali ruled this exquisite land before he was sent to Patal Loka.

Famous Tourist Places In And Around Thiruvananthapuram

The renowned Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple attracts many devotees every day. At the Navarathri Mandapam, a musical festival is organized every year. This festival is dedicated to the Goddess of Learning, Saraswati.

Visit the Kuthira Malika which is an excellent example of traditional architecture. The Mahatma Gandhi Road of Trivandrum is lined up with beautiful mansions built in traditional style. This road juxtaposes two eras – the bygone and the present; the first is represented by those traditional mansions with red tile and timber and the second by the skyscrapers with cement and glass.

The Palayam Muslim, the old Ganapathy Temple and the Christian Cathedral with Gothic towers are all situated side by side. The Kanakakkunnu Palace brings back to life the days of the Travancore King.

A visit to this palace will enchant you with its grand architecture. Spend your time at the Napier Museum and Sree Chithra Art Gallery. You will be amazed to see their collection of work.

Unwind at the banks of Karamana River and Akkulam Lake and enjoy the picturesque backdrop. When you are at Thiruvananthapuram, do not forget to spend a day at The Zoological Park as well as Neyyar Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary.

You feel so happy to be in close proximity to nature that you will forget the material world you come from. Whether you are young or old, Happy Land Water Theme Park is another place you will love to go.

Shopaholics, Chalai Bazaar is the place for you. The golden beaches, the shoreline lined with palms, the mesmerising backwaters, the rich heritage, the historic monuments and the temples and shrines draw thousands of tourists from far and near places.

Agasthyarkoodam is the highest point of the Thiruvananthapuram district towering at 1869 m above sea level. Ponmudi and Mukkunimala are the neighbouring hill resorts which are worth visiting when you are in this Southern city.

Visit Parai Kovil which lies east of Thiruvananthapuram to view picturesque sunrise. During the monsoon season, the city is all decked up to celebrate Onam. Be it the spring harvest festival or the spirited snake boat race or the majestic elephant parade, the city looks more beautiful than ever when all its denizens come together to celebrate with fervor.

Thiruvananthapuram appears to be a fairyland in the festive seasons. The performance of Mohiniyattom, Kathakali, Koodiyattom and other art forms of Kerala during this season imparts an aura of fantasy.

Other Aspects Of Thiruvananthapuram

Trivandrum is the home of many offices and organizations, schools and colleges and other educational institutions. It also houses the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Centre for Development Studies, the International Centre for Free and Open Source Software (ICFOSS), Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER), Regional Research Laboratory, Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute for Medical Science and Technology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Centre for Earth Science Studies and the Technopark.

Thiruvananthapuram Weather

Like most places in Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram also experiences a pleasing climate throughout the year. It does not have distinct seasons.

How To Reach Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram is accessible by air, rail and road. So you do not have to worry about arriving at this wonderland. Pack your bags and plan your next holiday at Thiruvananthapuram.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Thiruvananthapuram is between September to February.

Thiruvananthapuram is Famous for

Thiruvananthapuram Weather

Best Season / Best Time to Visit Thiruvananthapuram

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • July
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

How to Reach Thiruvananthapuram

  • By Road
    Trivandrum can be reached by road from all directions. KRSTC services are available from here all place in Kerala and other major cities of the neighbouring states.
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  • By Train
    You can visit Trivandrum by train as the Trivandrum Railway Station is a major railway junction. It is well-linked to all parts of India by direct trains and most of the train services begin here.
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  • By Air
    Thiruvananthapuram houses the Trivandrum International airport. It is located 10 km from the city. The airport is connected to all major cities in India and abroad. Direct flights are available to many Indian cities.
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