TOURISM IN EVERGREEN CITY OF INDIA

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) district (Kerala, India), holds a number of tourist spots. The entire tourism package of the state such as hill stations, back waters, beaches, lagoons, and wild life sanctuaries are present in Thiruvananthapuram district, reflects the beauty of the state Kerala. Foreign tourists flock to Thiruvananthapuram, a destination for chartered flights to India for Medical tourism, as there are more than hundred recognised Ayurveda centres in and around the city. This is primarily due to Ayurveda's popularity in foreign countries.

EVERGREEN BEAUTY

Agastyakoodam

About 1869 meters above sea level, Agastyakoodam is one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats. Tradition says that the great sage Agasthya, had his abode in this peak. The place is noted for its abundant ayurvedic herbs.Agasthyarkoodam is 70 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The place is famous for its abundant ayurvedic herbs and medicinal plants. Another major attraction of this spectacular peak is the Neelakurinji, a flower which blooms only once in twelve years. A forest pass has to be obtained from the Wildlife Warden at the Forest Department for trekking.

Akkulam

Akkulam is one of the picnic spots, in Trivandrum city. The spot is developed on the banks of Akulam Lake, which is an extension of the Veli Lake. The calm and serene atmosphere and its natural beauty are a fascination for tourists. The Boat Club, which started functioning in 1989, now operates speed, safari, pedal and row boats from Akkulam to Veli Tourist Village. A traditional style Kettuvallam(house boat) is available for overnight stay.   The newly commissioned musical fountain is an added attraction.The international convention centre, which will be the largest in Kerala is under construction in Akkulam.

 Veli Lagoon

On the outskirts of Kerala’s capital city, by the side of the placid waters of Veli lake, the Tourist Village and Boat Club attracts the city people and tourists. Veli, developed as a major tourist spot by providing facilities for pedal-boating, row boating, swimming, get together, etc. is just the right place for an exciting outing. The Youth Hostel at Veli which is hardly three km, from the international airport, provides inexpensive dormitory type accommodation. Veli, with its palm fringed lake is easily accessible by road.

 Shanghumugham Beach

Shanghumugham Beach is very near to the International Airport and is easily accessible from the Kovalam Beach, Veli Tourist Village and Akkulam Tourist Village. Shanghumugham beach is noted for its cleanliness.  The sculpture of Jalakanyaka - Mermaid by Kanayi Kunhiraman is an added attraction. St. Andrews beach is another newly developed tourist placelocated near Kazhakuttom.

Neyyar Dam

Neyyar Dam is located across the Neyyar river flowing south of Thiruvananthapuram. Lying amidst the southern low hills of the Western Ghats, 29 km from the city, the catchment area offers facilities for boating and mountaineering. A three-hour climb over the hills across the reservoir affords the thrill of hiking. There are two beautiful waterfalls on the way. A Lion Safari Park and a Crocodile Rearing Centre have also been set up in the reservoir. Also on the lake ivnvs the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram.

 Aruvikkara

Aruvikkara is a village in Thiruvananthapuram district in the state of Kerala, India.It is located on the banks of the Karamana River 15 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the state of Kerala in South India. The reservoir and garden makes it a tourist spot. It is famous for the ancient Bhagavathi temple dedicated to Durga, the divine embodiment of Female power, which is built on a rock. The small Aruvikara dam (mini dam) which provides water to the state capital Thiruvananthapuram is also located in Aruvikara. 

 

 Ponmudi

A pleasant resort with an elevation of 912 m above sea level, Ponmudi is reached by road from Thiruvananthapuram. There are several tea and rubber estates around the hills. A hill tribe called Kani live in the surrounding areas. Ponmudi is fast developing as a hill resort with room and dormitory accommodation facilities, hill-trails for hiking, a collection of flowering trees and a deer park. Ponmudi is 61 km from Trivandrum city. 

Peppara

Peppara/Peypara is 50 km from the city on the way to Ponmudi. The sanctuary there, with its rich mammalian fauna and avis is emerging as a big attraction to wild life enthusiasts and ornithologists. It was established in 1938 over an area of 53 km². on the Western Ghats. Elephants, sambars, leopards, lion-tailed macaques and cormorants are commonly seen here.

Kovalam

Kovalam is a beach town by the Arabian Sea in Thiruvananthapuram city, Kerala, India, located around 16 km from the city center.Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. It is also known as the paradise of the south.

 Happyland

Located at Vembayam, a short drive from the capital, Happyland is the only environment friendly, water theme, Park in Trivandrum. Carefully designed in a way where nature is preserved in its true, unspoilt form, the specialty of the place is its location in a landscape spread over acres of lush greenery. Happyland is encircled by the most on-demand picnic spots in the capital like Agastyavanam, Tropical botanical institute and Kilimanoor palace.
 

 Vizhinjam

About two km south of Kovalam, Vizhinjam is believed to have been an ancient port. Now, Vizhinjam is a fishing harbour, with a light house. The Portuguese and the Dutch had commercial establishments here. The Portuguese have built a church in Vizhinjam near to the sea shore, which is still functional and is referred as the Old Vizhinjam Church. It is located in the vizhinjam fishing harbour area. This place is being developed into an International Deep Water Container Transshipment Terminal because of its proximity to International Shipping channel and its natural depth.

MUSEUM

Government Art museum

This museum is situated near the Zoo. A rich collection of rare and old things such as jewels, coins, sculpture etc. are exhibited here. Working hours is between 9 am and 5 pm. Monday Holiday.

Priyadarshini Planetarium                   

                                              

Priyadarshini Planetarium is one of the versatile   and most sphisticated planetaria in the  whole of India. You can find a  centrally air conditioned sky theatre, conference hallsound studio, work shops etc. Priyadarshini Planetarium is rated as one of the best with the global standards and has a seating for 184 persons.

 

Science and Technology Museum

Located close to the Napier Museum, this is a study-cum-recreation centre which appeals to children & students of science. Home to an array of exhibits on all disciplines of science, technology & electronics, the museum is aimed at instilling a scientific awareness among commoners. There are several interactive & animated exhibits along with a rare collection of electronic components, bio - medical film shows.

Sri Chitra Art Gallery

 

Sri Chitra Art Gallery also spelled as Sree Chithra Art Gallery is situated adjacent to the Napier museum and has an explicit collection of Raja Ravi Varma paintings. Also on display are exquisite Mughal, Rajasthani & Rajput. The Tanjore and Balinese paintings popular for their intricate & elegant stone work with rich colors used in the paintings reflect the jewels of Indian art.The Sri Chitra gallery has an international appeal to art lovers with its display of Tibetan, Chinese & Japanese art works. The section on miniature paintings is sure to leave you awe inspired.It is recommended to schedule a good two to three hours to visit this gallery to see & appreciate the various facets on display.

PALACE

Kowdiar Palace

Kowdiar Palace  in Trivandrum, Kerala, India was built in 1915 by Sree Moolam Thirunal and was gifted to Sethu Parvati Bayi. It is the official residence of the Travancore Royal Family.
Kowdiar Palace's architectural work is famous and has over 150 rooms. The entry to this famous palace, which has great historical importance, is restricted.

Kuthira Malika

Puthen Malika Palace , most popularly known as Kuthira Malika (Mansion of Horses), is a palace built by Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, on the south-eastern side of Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.The palace gets its name from the 122 horses that are carved into the wooden wall brackets that support the southern roof. The official name of the palace is Puthen Malika (New Mansion). The palace forms part of a vast complex of royal buildings in the vicinity of Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The building was left unoccupied for more than a century, following the demise of Swathi Thirunal in 1846.

The Koyikkal Palace

The Koyikkal Palace, situated far of away from the city, was actually built for Umayamma Rani of the Venad Royal Family who ruled the land between 1677 and 1684. The palace is a double stroreyed traditional nalukettu with slanting gabled roofs and an inner courtyard.

Padmanabhapuram Palace

Padmanabhapuram Palace is located in at Padmanabhapuram Fort, close to the town of Thuckalay in Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu, in India. It is about 20 km from Nagercoil, and about 50 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The palace complex is inside an old granite fortress around four kilometers long. The palace is located at the foot of the Veli Hills, which form a part of the Western Ghats. The river Valli flows nearby. The palace was constructed around 1601 AD by Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal who ruled Venad between 1592 and 1609.

PILGRIM CENTERS 

TEMPLES

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is a shrine in Kerala, India. The temple is renowned for the annual Attukal Pongala festival, in which over a million women participate. Attukal Temple is situated within 2 kilometres of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

Sivagiri

Sivagiri is a pilgrimage centre in Varkala, India where one of its social reformer and sage Sree Narayana Guru's tomb is located and place where guru was enlightened and got the salvation. The Samadhi (the final resting place) of the Guru here attracts thousands of devotees every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days 30 December to 1 January.

 Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple

Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Thiruvananthapuram, India. The shrine is run by a trust headed by the royal family of Travancore. The temple is one of 108 Divya Desams (Holy Abodes of Vishnu) – principal centres of worship of the deity in Vaishnavism. Lord Balarama, according to Srimad Bhagavatam (10.79.18), visited Phalgunam (now known as Thiruvananthapuram) as part of his teerthyatra, took bath in Panchapsaras (Padmatirtham) and made a gift of ten thousand cows to holy men.

Thiruvallam

Thiruvallam is about six km south of the city, on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kovalam road. There is an ancient temple here on the banks of the Karamana River, which is dedicated to the Trimurthis of the Hindu pantheon. A shrine of Parasurama, built entirely of granite is found in this temple.

 

Janardhana Swamy Temple

This is an ancient temple situated on a hill in Varkala. The temple which is around 2000 years old is popularly called as Varkala Temple. This temple is located near to the Papanasam beach. People believe that taking a dip in this sea water would wash away all our sins. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is in the form of Janardhana Swamy and Lord Hanuman. The sub deities include Ganapathi, Shastha, Ananthan, Shiva and Chandikesha. There are various painted images of Lord Hanuman in different postures in this temple. There is also an Old Dutch bell in this temple which has been offered to the priest by a captain of a ship who reached the Varkala seashore. People perform Balitharpanam from this temple. The annual Arattu festival is held in the Malayalam month Meenam and lasts for 10 days. Thousannds of people gather here mainly during the festive season.

CHURCH

Christ the King Church, Vettukadu 

Madre de Deus Church which is popularly called as Vettukad Church is a famous church in Thiruvananthapuram located at a distance of 3 kms from Shankhumugham beach. The present building of the church was constructed in the year 1934. People irrespective of caste and religion visit this church. The main festival of this church is the 

St. Mary's Cathedral, Pattom
 

St. Mary's Malankara Syrian Catholic Cathedral Basilica is located in Pattom and is a famous pilgrim centre of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. This cathedral was consecrated in the year 1965 by Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios. This church was visited by Pope John Paul II in the year 1986. Around 531 families are there in the Cathedral parish.

MOSQUES

Beemapalli Mosque

Beemapally is a muslim mosque situated in Thiruvananthapuram.  This mosque houses the tomb of Syedunnisa Beema Beevi who was a Muslim lady with divine powers and her son Syedushuhadamaheen Abubacker. A festival to commemorate Beema Beevi is conducted annually. Thousands of pilgrims irrespective of caste and religion from different parts visit this shrine. This mosque is famous for the yearly Urs. The most important festival celebrated here is the Chandanakudam festival which begins on the first of Jama dul Akbar and continues for the next 10 days. 

Juma Masjid - Palayam

The Masjid-i Jahan-Numa popularly called as the Palayam Pally is a famous mosque in Trivandrum.  It is located in Palayam and is a Juma Masjid. The mosque is neighbored by a temple and a church which is an example of the communal harmony in this area. Hundreds of people gather at this mosque to attend the Friday prayers.