Trivandrum travel

Thiruvananthapuram (known as Trivandrum) the capital of Kerala. Located at the South Western tip of India, is bounded 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.

Area - 2192 sq.km
Population - 2,938,583 (1991 census)

Access :

Air - thiruvananthapuram international airport 6 kms from the city.
Rail - there are direct trains to all the main towns in kerala as well as the major cities in india.
Road - well connected to all towns & cities.

Places to visit :

Kovalam Beach - 16 kms away this Internationally renowned Beach Resort has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The Southernmost, known as the Lighthouse beach, is the most popular Kovalam offers accommodation options to suit all budgets.

Padmanabha Swamy Temple - The temple is located inside the East Fort. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, & a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is known for its Mural Paintings and Stone Carvings. One among the 108 sacred Vishnu Temples in India, the presiding deity in here is Lord Vishnu reclining on anantha the serpent.

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 architecture also has exquisite wood carvings. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family.

The Napier Museum - Built in the 19th century, the indo - saracenic structure boasts a "natural" Airconditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The use of plaxtic is banned in the museum premises.

Sree Chitbra Art Gallery - Located near the Napier Museum. This are gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of Art In India. Other places of interest 1.. The zoological park , priyadarshini planetarium , observatory, shankhumugham beach & connemera market.

 Kanyakumari Excursions

Thiruvallam - 10 kms away this serene backwater stretch enroute to Kovalam, is famous for its Canoe Rides.

Aruvikkara Dam - 16 kms away this picturesque picnic spot is on the banks of the Karamana River. Near the Durga Temple here is a stream full of fish that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors.

Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) - The land's end of india or the point where the three seas meet, is the enchanting kanniyakumari. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in the country. Part of the fascination is, of course, the fact that it is the very tip of the indian peninsula and the confluence of the bay of bengal, the arabian sea and the indian ocean.

Places of interest at Kanyakumari :

Tiruvalluvar statue
Gandhi memorial
Guganathaswamy Temple
Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Padmanabhapuram Swami Temple which is enroute Trivandrum & Kanniyakumari.

Other excursions :

 Vizhinjam rock cut cave
 Koyikkal palace nejumangad
» Neyyar dam.