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| Trivandrum |
| TRIVANDRUM
The city of Trivandrum gets its name from Thiru-anantha-puram where Anantha stands for the abode of the sacred Serpent Anantha which is Lord Vishnu's recliner. Trivandrum, the capital of Kerela, is said to be one of the most beautiful cities of India. It is a peaceful gorgeous city built across seven hills; the city's old quarter clusters around the temple, while along the busy Mahatma Gandhi Road are colonial mansions, churches and modern high-rises. Trivandrum had managed to retain some of its contemporary features of Kerela such as red tiled roofs, narrow winding lanes and intimate corner cafes.
Trivandrum city and several other places in the district, occupy an important place in ancient tradition, folklores and literature of the State. South Kerala, particularly Trivandrum district, had a political and cultural history in the early on past, which was in some respect independent from that of the rest of Kerala. Trivandrum is the southern most region of the 14 districts in Kerala. It extends along the shores of the Arabian Sea for a distance of 78 kms and an area of 2192 sq kms. It also possesses a handful of naturalistic and magnificent beaches, backwaters, mountains, wild life sanctuaries, historic monuments etc. The neighboring taluks include Chirayinkeezhu, Nedumangad and Neyyatinkara. The climate is pleasant and mild all the year long except that the June - November months are quite wet. The March-May months are said to be the hottest. Regular temperature ranges from 28-33 in summer and 27-30 in other seasons.
Trivandrum is again a multilingual city. Malayalam is the chief language. Nevertheless English, Tamil and Hindi are also spoken. The city comes to life during the festival season of Onam in August or September, and during the tourist season later in the year. The state government has the tourism week celebrations every year during Onam with cultural events taking place at various centres in the city. The other chief events include the annual flower show, the Attukal Pongala, the Aaraat of Padmanabha Swamy Temple, the Beemapally Uroos, Vettucaud Perunaal etc. The CVN Kalari at East Fort is world renowned centre for training in Kerala's personal martial art the Kalaripayattu. The Margi centre offers training in several of Kerala's traditional arts including Kathakali. The common cuisine of the people is Keralite cuisine, which is generally characterized by the taste of coconut and spices. Other South Indian cuisines, as well as Chinese and North Indian cuisines are well-liked.
How to reach Trivandrum
Air
Trivandrum International Airport has air links with different parts of the country.
Rail
There are direct trains from Trivandrum to all main towns in Kerala as well as the chief cities in India.
Road
Long distance buses operate from the Central Bus Station at Thampanoor. Trivandrum is well connected with road network
How to move around Trivandrum
Taxi and auto rickshaws are available for travelling around Trivandrum and the charges are minimal.
Places to stay in Trivandrum
Trivandrum Hotels offers some of the best accommodation with excellent facilities. From Deluxe Hotels to Luxury hotels, from resorts to cottages and budgeted hotels Trivandrum offers a range of accommodation facilities that fits everyone’s budget and suits the needs of all its visitors. The star rated hotels in Trivandrum offer comfortable stay with with conference facilities, secretarial support, banquet halls etc for formal meets and functions.Trivandrum entertains all kinds of visitors, whether they are a business visitor or a leisure. The accommodation in Trivandrum includes a wide range, from the luxury hotels to the budget ones, even some lovely resorts. All the prominent Hotels Accommodation have well selected rooms and suites with in room amenities such as attached bathroom, running water that could be warm and cold water, mini bar, tea and coffee maker, television with cable connection, telephone with direct dial, internet access, balcony and room service. The budget hotels in Trivandrum offer all basic facilities at low tariffs. There are hostels and lodges for backpackers too.
Places to visit in Trivandrum
Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Trivandrum's most interesting temple is open to Hindus only, and even they must wear a 'dhoti' or 'sari'. Still, it's worth visiting even if you are just passing through town-to see the temple's seven story carved gopuram reflected in the close by sacred tank. Constructed in the Dravidian style by a maharaja of Travancore in 1733, the temple is devoted to Vishnu, who reclines on the sacred serpent, Anantha, which gives Trivandrum its name.
Kovalam Beach
Kovalam is only 16 kms away from Trivandrum, is one of the loveliest beaches in the world and has been a favorite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and really the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a magical look.
Puthen Maliga Palace Museum
The newly opened Puthen Maliga Palace Museum, adjacent to the temple, is housed in several wings of the palace of the maharajahs of Travancore.
Napier Museum
Housed in a fanciful, decaying, Keralan style building dating from 1880, the Napier Museum displays an electric assortment of bronzes, historical and contemporary ornaments , temple carts , ivory carvings and life size figures of Kathakali dancers in full costume.
The Natural History Museum has an elementary ethnographic collection as well as an interesting replica of a Nayar wooden house built in the Keralan style.
Sri Chitra Art Gallery
The Sri Chitra Art Gallery has paintings of the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools, collectively with works from China, Tibet, Japan and Bali. There are also many modern Indian paintings, as well as works by Ravi Varma, Svetoslav and Nicholas Roerich.
Zoological Gardens
The Zoological Gardens are amongst the best designed in Asia -set among woodland , lakes and well maintained lawns but some of the animal enclosures (and their inhabitants) are miserable.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
Padmanabhapuram Palace was previously the seat of the rulers of Travancore, a princely state for more than 400 years which included a large part of present day Kerala and the Western coast of Tamil Nadu.
Veli Village
Boardered by Veli lagoon and the Arabian Sea, the Veli village includes water sports, waterfront park, floating bridge, children's park, restaurant, garden etc. it is 8km. away from the city.
Akkulam Boat Club
Akkulam Boat Club is a popular picnic spot with boating facility.
Shangumugham Beach
Shangumugham Beach is a pleasing place to walk or watch the fishermen securing their catch. A large sculpture of a mermaid graces the roadside, an illustration of the work of the local artist Canai Kunuram. At dusk, during temple festivals, the beach is the place of the ritual bathing of the temple idols.
Neyyar Dam
Neyyar dam, which lies against the southern low hills of the Western Ghats, 32 kms away from the Trivandrum city is a popular picnic spot with a lake and a picturesque dam site. Neyyar dam affords a panoramic view of the mountains and the lake. The lion safari is a major attraction.
Ponmudi Hill Resort
Ponmudi hill resort is cool and calm. As the hills come awake you can begin a enjoyable exploration of the wooded paths. Trekking is a enthusiasm with visitors to Ponmudi. Ponmudi has other surprises too for you.
There are various places of tourist attractions in Trivandrum that will help you make your tour to Trivandrum an exclusive one. A glance at its tourist attractions is the best way to learn about the history and tradition of the town.
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