Trivandrum

The capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum is an appealing blend of a strongly rooted heritage and a nostalgic colonial legacy. Built upon seven hills, this city has long since left the days when it was only used by seafaring explorers behind - today, Trivandrum is a swanky metropolis with quaint urban charm and plenty of scenic places to visit. Proudly retaining its age-old cultural charm, Trivandrum offers a huge variety of sights including incredible museums, beautifully designed palaces, sacred temples and mesmerizing beaches, making the city one of the best tourist spots in South India.

The Padmanabhaswamy temple (also known as Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple), is a must-visit temple of India. Located in the heart of the city, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and stands out for its striking mix of Keralan and Dravidian style architecture, showcasing a sublime artistic temperament. The 18-feet high idol of Lord Vishnu is awe-inspiring, and tourists throng this temple all year round to seek the blessings of and pay their respects to Lord Vishnu. Other famous temples in Trivandrum include the Attukal Bhagawati temple, the Aazhimala Siva Temple, the Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple, and the Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple.

If ancient history and culture fascinate you, then Trivandrum is just the place for you to visit. The city is home to a few museums such as the Kuthiramalika Palace Museum and the Napier Museum. The Kuthiramalika Palace Museum is situated close-by to the Padmanabhaswamy temple, and it gets its name from the 122 intricately carved wooden horses that greet all visitors. Renowned for its Travancore styled architectural features and its structural elegance, this museum houses priceless paintings, traditional furniture, and other collections of the royal family. The Napier Museum, located in the heart of the city, is a beautiful example of Indo-Saracenic architecture and is one of the most visited places in the city. The museum has on display a rare collection of archaeological and historical artefacts, as well as other ancient ornaments, and ivory and wooden carvings. Both these museums serve to provide valuable insights into Kerala’s rich legacy of culture and history.

Trivandrum is home to many idyllic beaches, the most famous of them being the Kovalam beach. With a long shoreline creating a spellbinding bay of calm water, breathtaking views of sunrises and sunsets, and eye-catching options for leisure, this beach attracts tourists for all the right reasons. Other beaches in the vicinity include the Hawa beach and the Shanghumukham Beach.

As with any other coastal city in Kerala, Trivandrum’s cuisine is dominated by seafood and local South Indian dishes with an abundance of coconut. Traditional meals are generally served on clean, green banana leaves, making the entire experience of eating a meal in Trivandrum a truly authentic one.