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Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivendrum is the capital of Kerala. It is located at the South Western tip of India, surrounded 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. With a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing, it is a district of immense natural beauty. It literally means “Abode of Lord Ananta” in Sanskrit and Malayalam. The study derives from the deity of the Hindu Religion.  Anantha is the serpent on which lord Vishnu or Padamnabhan reclines. The city is built on hills by the seashore on the west coast. Mahatma Gandhi referred it as the “Evergreen city of India”. It is the largest city in Kerala and a sizable number of international tourists visit here annually. There are reputed science and technology institutions such as the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), Techno Park, the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and the Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER). Apart from these India’s

first and only animation park is situated here. It is an ancient city with trading traditions dating back to 1000 BCE. The city was the famous trading center of spices, sandalwood and ivory.

The city has a climate that borders between a tropical savanna climate and a tropical monsoon climate. The mean maximum temperature 34 °C and the mean minimum temperature is 21 °C. Foreign tourists use the city as a hub to explore the tourist cities

around Kerala. It is also a major destination for medical tourism, as there are many recognized Ayurveda centers.

The city comes to life during Onam Festival in August/September. This is the harvest festival that signifies association of the people with agriculture. On the eve of Christmas festival, the city wears a colorful look. The tourism week parties with many cultural events

are held each year during the Onam festival. The common cuisine is the Keralite cuisine, which is characterized by the significant use of coconut and spices. The favourite fast food is easily acquirable in the city.

Air: The city is well connected by major cities of India. It is internationally connected to Colombo, Mali, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait.

Rail: Thambanoore is the Central Railway Station, which connects rail services to important cities of India.

Road: It is well connected by major cities of India.

Padmanabha Swamy Temple: The temple is located inside the East Fort. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu; the temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is known for its mural paintings and stone carvings.

Kovalam Beach: A former fishing village that is 16 kms away from Trivandrum. This internationally renowned beach resort has been a favorite haunt of tourists since 1930s. It consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is an evergreen and pleasant climatic beach resort. This world famous beach is known as the “Paradise of the South”.

Varkala Beach: It is located 30 Kms north of Thiruvananthapuram on the seacoast. It is a seaside resort and spa. The Papanasam Beach at Varkala is a quiet, less crowded beach known for its white, silvery stretch of sand, mineral springs and rocky cliffs. The 2000-year-old Janardana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Center are the main attractions of Varkala Beach.

Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave: These eighteen sanctuary rocks cut sculptures can be seen in the cave temple at Vizhinjam. The granite cave encloses a one-celled shrine with a loose sculpture of Vinandhara Dakshinamurthy. The outer surround of the cave depicts incomplete statues of the Hindu God Shiva and Parvathi.

Ponmundi: It is an idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding pathways with cool, green, wooded environs. It is located 915 meters above sea level. It has a variety of beautiful mountain flowers, exotic butterflies, small rivulets, springs and the deer park. This hill station has excellent trekking trails.

Veli Tourist Village: It is a picnic spot where the Veli Lake meets the Arabian Sea. There are Pedal boats and speedboats that you can hire to explore the charms of the lagoon.

The Kanakakunnu Palace: The palace and its sprawling grounds are the venue for many cultural meets and events.

Shankhumugham Beach: It is situated 8 kms away from the city; this is a favorite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Veli Tourist Village. An indoor recreation club, the matsya Kanya (a gigantic, 35 m long sculptures of a mermaid) and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are some of the attractions.

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 structure also has exquisite woodcarvings. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family.

The mathematician Museum: It was constructed in 19th c

entury, the indo – saracenic structure boasts a “natural” Air-conditioning system and houses rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot, ivory carvings, gables and turrets. A repository of fine works of art, the chief attraction is the 250-year-old temple automobile designed for Lord Vishnu that is artistically prefabricated and beautifully ornamented. There are objects carved out of wood, models of temple and antique jewelry etc. The use of plastic is illegal in the museum premises.

Shree Chitbra art Gallery: It is located near the mathematician Museum. It displays choose paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Reorich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali.

Boat ride: A boat-ride on the enchanting backwaters of Kerala is the speciality. You can enjoy waterways of Thiruvananthapuram visiting the panorama of beautiful landscapes, beaches, coconut palms and friendly local people.

Cape Comorin – Kanyakumari Excursions

Thiruvallam: This serene backwater stretch is situated 10 kms away on the route to Kovalam. It is known for Canoe Rides.

Aruvikkara Dam: This picturesque picnic spot is situated 16 kms away on the banks of the Karamana River. You can see the stream full of fish fed by the visitors.

Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin): The last tract of land in India or the point where the three seas meet is the renowned Kanyakumari. It is one of the most favourite tourist spots of India. It is the very tip of the Indian peninsula and the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.