Thiruvananthapuram is located at the southern extremity of Kerala, 55 km
north of the former capital of Travancore and 87 km short of the southern
extremity of the Indian mainland at Kanyakumari. Also known as the 'City of
the Sacred Serpent', Thiruvanathapuram is a blend of old and the new. More
popularly known as Trivandrum, it is a gateway to one of the most beautiful
state, Kerala. It is a city that shies away from being a city. No fast cars
racing down glitzy lanes, no night clubs where you can swing to hip hop or
dance, one can only find vast stretches of golden beaches, green shores,
yellow coconuts, backwaters and wildlife sanctuaries. Festivals are a part
and parcel of everyone's life here. Chief festivals include Onam, Arattu,
Atukal Pongala, Flavour Food Festival, Pooram Festival and Arat Festival.
Trivandrum can also gift you with carved rosewood, Teak furniture and other
decorative items.
Climate
Trivandrum experiences a tropical climate. March to May is the summer time
and during this period the maximum temperature records 34 degrees
Centigrade. Winter extends from November to February. December, January and
February are the coldest months of the year. During winters, temperature
comes down to 20 degrees. Thiruvananthapuram happens to be the first place
in the path of the South West monsoon. Humidity increases to 90% during
monsoon season. The annual rainfall in the city records 1700 mm. The ideal
time to visit Thiruvanathapuram is between September and May.
Cuisines
The food here is dominated by rice and curries. Tamarind, coconut and
spices are important ingredients. Sambar, aviyal, kaalan, theeyal, thoran,
appam and puttu are some of the most popular traditional dishes of Kerala.
As seas and rivers are an integral part, seafood is the most common
preparation. Vegetarian restaurants are however a common feature. Most
famous restaurant where you can have a culinary experience include Mascot
Hotel's open air restaurant – Sayanna, Kalavara, Panchali Family
Restaurants, Rangoli Restaurants, Azad Restaurant etc.
Sightseeing
Thiruvananthapuram has a number of tourist sites to lure its visitors.
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the
Padmanabha Swamy Temple is
a blend of Dravidian and Kerala styles of architecture. The temple is known
for its towering Gopurams and finds a place among the 108 sacred Vaishnavite
shrines in India. Next, you can pay a visit to the
Kuthiramalika
Palace Museum. The museum displays several paintings and priceless
collections of the royal family.
Sri Chitra Art Gallery
is the right place for art connoisseurs. Here, you can have a look at the
paintings of Raja Ravi Varma. Works of Rabindra Nath Tagore, Jamimi Roay and
K.K. Hebar are also on display. Paintings from across the globe can also be
viewed here. The
Zoological Park is a worth visiting site
too. Besides, you can head to the
Shanghumukhuam Beach
where you can enjoy the stunning sights and the serene ambiance. And if you
are still looking for an exciting outing, you must visit the
Veli
Lagoon that lies on the outskirts of the capital city of Trivandrum.
Here, you can indulge yourself in activities like pedal boating, row boating
and swimming.
Getting There
The Thiruvananthapuram Airport is positioned at a distance of 6 km from the
city centre. The airport is well linked to all the major airports in the
country. There are regular flights from here to the key destinations of the
country and the world. Rail routes are also well established. There are
direct trains to Trivandrum from all the major towns and cities of the state
and the country. As numerous national highways pass through, the road
network is found to be excellent.
Activities
- Get a holistic treatment at any Ayurvedic Treatment or Shivananda
Yoga Centre.
- Bird watching around the city.
- Boating in various boats and ponies at Veli lake, water skiing and
diving, and for your children a Children's park is also there.
- Canoing at Thiruvallam, 10 kms from city
- Visit any cultural centres in the city to see the traditional dance
performances.
- Have fun, enjoy swimming or diving near Kovalam Beach.
- Visit Napier Museum (Govt Art Museum) and enjoy listening radio of a
public radio system.
