Thiruvananthapuram Travel Guide

The name Thiruvananthapuram can be split into thiru-anantha-puram, which means the abode of Anantha or Lord Vishnu. The British found the name too much of a mouthful to handle and it was angiliced to Trivandrum. The capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is a city without ay pretentious airs. It is one of the loveliest cities in India, clean and green. Believed to have grown around the Shree Padmanabha Swamy Temple- the family deity of the royal family of Travancore, the city has played an important part in the history.

Like Rome this city was built on seven low hills. It has an interesting mix of commercial streets, tree lined avenues, historical and modern buildings, ancestral homes and a long coast washed by the Arabian Sea. The secretariat governments offices are the focus of this city as a good number of people are government employees. There are no large industries in the private sector most of the people in this sector are engaged in low remunerative pursuits that require very little capital. But the city does have sprinkling of professionals and businessman and with the advent of IT industry, the ratio of technicians is increasing, however 50% of the total population depends on agriculture for its livelihood.

Best time to visit

Thiruvananthapuram Kerala has a tropical climate, cool in mountain ranges and hot in the plains. The rainfall is about 150 cms per annum, with the district receiving rain from both the southwest and the northeast monsoons. Humidity can be as high as 90 per cent during the southwest monsoons. The best time to make a tour to Thiruvananthapuram Kerala is from November to February-the coolest months, with temperatures ranging between 22°C to 32°C.

Getting There

By Air
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is 6 km south of the city along the NH47, connected daily to Bangalore, Delhi and Chennai

By Rail
Thiruvananthapuram railway station is an important link the Southern Railways network. There are direct trains from all major metros in India and local trains connecting all major towns within Kerala.

By Road
Thiruvananthapuram is near the end of NH47 that links Salem to Kanyakumari. The KSRTC bus stand near Central Railway Station city bus stand is well connected to most towns in Kerala.

Sights and Attractions

Zoological Park

Established in 1859, with the Maharaja gifting the palace menageria, the Zoological park in Thiruvananthapuram Kerala is said to be the best in India. Earlier a collection of buildings, the Zoo is now spread out over a vast expanse of landscape grounds and botanical gardens, with shaded pathways. The lake in the premises adds to the natural beauty. Most of the animals are in open areas, which are cut off from the pathways by ditches and moats, allowing safety for onlookers. An interesting aspect of the Zoo is the architectural beauty of the old buildings, which are used to house animals. The Zoo requires extensive walking and might be tiring for older people. It is recommended to carry drinking water.

Technopark

Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram Kerala, the largest such park in India, was launched in 1990 and inaugurated four years later. Built on NH 47, just eight kilometres from the capital’s international airport, it is spread across 156 acres. The Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode and the Asian School of Business have extension centres in Technopark. The Technopark Software Engineering Competency Centre (TSECC) gives free access to cutting edge software engineering tools and the Technopark e-campus provides an e-learning environment for training. The Indian Information Technology and Management Kerala (IIIMK) also functions from the same campus. More than 100 companies and 12,000 employees are working in Technopark. It has major expansion plans which, when complete, will make it the largest park in India. Adjacent to the park, about 4 kms away, Technopark is developing a technocity of 500 acres and one must visit this place when on tour to Kerala.

Veli tourist village complex

This is popular picnic spot where the Veli Lake merges with the Arabian Sea. The small stretch of beach formed between the sea and the lake, is breached at times when the water level in the lake rises. This is called pozhi murikkal. Within a few days, the beach is re formed naturally.

There is large scale garden with sculptures done by the eminent sculptor-Kanhai Kunjiraman. The concrete conches are interesting to see. Walking on the floating bridge that extends into the water and boating in the lake are the main attractions. There is also a coffee shop and a snack counter in the complex. The open-air auditorium, which has the sea as its backdrop, provides a venue for cultural performance and art festivals.

Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple

This temple, rests in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram Kerala in the old walled area, is a grand edifice that devotees believe has guarded the city from all ills. The temple is believed to be at least 2,000 years old. Facing east, the temple structure is an amalgamation of the Dravidian, Chola and Pandya as well as the indigenous Kerala styles of architecture which complement each other. The sanctum is different from other temples in that there are no steps leading down to the floor, but instead there is another mandapam-the famed single stone in front, through which the doors to the sanctum are accessed. The idol is acclaimed as a marvel as it is made up of cosmopolitan known as katu- sarkara- yogam. A rare compound painstakingly prepared over many days.

Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan

The Bhavan, which was intended for the preservation of culture, started functioning from 2001. Spread out in peaceful, green surroundings, the building are beautifully conceived and executed. A trip around the campus would take you across the following features: The first floor of the padippura, the traditional gateway to typical Kerala homes, houses an interesting collection of the personal belongings of the great Malayalam poet, the late Vyloppilly Sreedhara Menon.

Kathakali shows are held here regularly. Even without a show, the building is worth seeing on a tour to Kerala, the wooden flooring; the proportions of the stage, the traditional lamp all are interesting.

The art gallery has paintings of famous artists of Kerala. The library, dedicated to the memory of PN Panikkar, a pioneer of literacy and the library movement of Kerala, has research and documentation facilities. There is also a recording studio, conference hall, hall of exhibiting photographs and contemporary paintings and a digital archive in the Bhavan premises.

Beemapalli

The Beemapalli Dargarh Sharif is dedicated to Bee Umma, a pious Muslim lady who had great spiritual power. The annual 10 day Uroos festival, held at Beemappalli commemorates Sayyidhathunisa Bee Umma and her son Sayyidussahed Maheen Aboobaker who are laid to rest there. The festival begins at 8:30 in the morning with a prayer, led by the chief Imam on the premises of the shrine. Thousands of pilgrims make a tour to Thiruvananthapuram Kerala to take part in the festival.

Sanctuary

Peepara wildlife sanctuary

Augmenting the water supply of Thiruvananthapuram city was the reason why this sanctuary came into existence. Located in the Western Ghat, and about 50 kms from the city, en route to the popular hill station- Ponmudi, this sanctuary consists of a part of Palode reserve and a part of the Kottoor reserve. The sanctuary, spread over 53 sq. kms has a dam, thick forests, eucalyptus plantations, crystal clear streams and rocky terrain, which is rich in fauna. A number of tribal settlements exits in scattered pockets within the sanctuary. September to March is the best time to visit while the summer months of March to June are ideal for hiking on a Kerala tour.

Neyyar wildlife sanctuary

The location of the sanctuary is idyllic- the large drainage basin of the Neyyar River and its two tributaries, Mullayar and Kallar. Neyyar sanctuary is a haven for exotic flora and fauna. The Sanctuary is a haven for bird watchers with an amazing variety of species who have either made their home or nest here during migration. September to March is the best time to visit while the summer months of March to June are ideal for trekking on a Kerala tour.

Getaway from Thiruvananthapuram

Ponmudi

The hill resort near Thiruvananthapuram is a cool and quiet haven, except when busloads of holidaying students descend upon it. It is the kind of place ideal for walks and treks, the many winding, wooded paths inviting you to explore and scenic viewpoints begging to be seen. Aside from the spice and tea plantations that the area is studded with giving it a lovely green cover, there is lot of flora on the hillsides, especially worth seeing on a tour to Kerala. A deer park 3 kms from the top is a local attraction.

Activities

What to buy

On a tour to Thiruvananthapuram Kerala visit Karalkada for traditional textiles, Kairali Handicrafts and Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan for straw bags and mats. The SMSM Handicrafts emporium is a good for indigenous coconut based handicrafts. For other textile shopping, head for Parthas.

Where to eat

Kalavara Family Restaurants and Park Fields Gardens offer a good multi cuisine menu. For Vegetarian thalis try Arya Nivas. You can get a good buffet lunch, at the plush restaurant at Pankaj or Tiffany’s.