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Trivandrum
State rank: 38 out of 40 Places To Visit In Kerala
"Where nature and spirituality join hands"
Trivandrum Tourism
Offering an appealing blend of a strongly rooted heritage and a nostalgic colonial legacy, the city of Trivandrum has an exceptional vibe to it. Despite being the capital of Kerala, the city has, quite astonishingly, managed to keep itself far removed from the ruthless aura that generally surrounds a capital city. 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 a 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.
Places to Visit In Trivandrum
Trivandrum Packages
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Panoramic Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumari & 6 places | 10 Days 9 Nights
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Trivandrum Reviews
1 month ago by Surbhi Parashar
The capital of Kerala, Trivandrum, with a tradition that officially dates back to 1000 BC, and located on seven low-hills near the southern tip of India is famous for its pristine beaches, temples and greenery. Mahatma Gandhi aptly called it the "Evergreen city of India". Apart from the beaches and rolling hills perfect for a relaxed outing, this place is home to various historical structures, parks, museums, tourist centers and palaces dotting the cityscape. Some of the most primary elements that the area offers to the tourism scene are its biological gardens, which managed to inspire Yann Martel about the animals in his book Life of Pi, backwaters and temples . At the core of the spiritual side of Trivandrum is the Shri Padmanabhaswamy temple, a 260 year old structure.
Walking distance from Trivandrum Railway Station. Dhoti with bare chest for men and Saree for women are must. These are available at the shops outside the Temple for rent at around INR 40/- . Note : Temple remained close from 1pm to 5pm everyday.
- The city practicall shuts down by 10 PM, and it is safer to stay off the streets at night. Always carry your own purified drinking water or buy packaged bottles.
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Holidify's Opinion
What's Great?
Historical and cultural centre. Beautiful destination to visit.
What's not so Great?
High humidity with hot weather. May get a little crowded during festivals.
For Whom
Trivandrum is an ideal destination for all those who wish to spend their vacation at a culturally vibrant destination. It is perfect for the people living in the Southern part of India, though it is visited by people from all over the country, and even abroad.
Related Posts about Trivandrum
The Magic Capital of India
Trivandrum, now known as Thiruvananthapuram, is not only the capital of the Indian state of Kerala but is also the biggest city there. It hosts the one and only magic academy in India. This magic academy is known as the Magic Academy Research Centre and is run by an award winning magician named Gopinath Muthukad. Apart from this, Thiruvananthapuram is also a major IT hub. Trivandrum is also home to several leading animation companies. The legendary Chitranjali Film Studio, one of the original film studios in the history of Malayalam Cinema, is also based in Trivandrum. Also, as a matter of fact, Trivandrum has been, for the past many years, unswervingly echeloned amongst the best Indian cities to live in!
Etymology
Thiruvananthapuram, in its literal translation, means ‘the city of Lord Anantha’ (thiru-anantha-puram in Malayalam). The most famous landmark of the city is the legendary Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple built in honor of Lord Vishnu. Anantha is the Lord’s serpent on whom Vishnu, who is also known as Padmanabhan reclines. Popularly, Thiruvananthapuram is also called Ananthapuri or The City of Bliss. The anglicised name of the city was Trivandrum until 1991 when the government changed it back to Thiruvananthapuram.
History of Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, or Trivandrum, has an ancient history dating back to its trading days since around the 1000 BCE, with King Solomon’s arrival. In the early days, the city was ruled by the Ays, and then the rulers of Venad, until 1745 when King Marthanda Varma made Trivandrum the capital of the princely state of Travancore. The city had a flourishing intellectual and artistic circle, especially during the reign of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal and Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal, which is considered as the golden age of the city. The city was not under direct British rule and during the 20th century, it played an important role in India’s freedom struggle hosting meetings by the Indian Nation Congress. Following India’s independence in 1947, Travancore chose to join the Indian union.
Shopping
Trivandrum offers a variety of shopping options. It is famous for traditional handicraft items like Kathakali masks and figurines made of ivory, sandalwood and rosewood, local spices, as well as handloom, coir and other fabrics. At the Connemara Market and Sankars Coffee & Tea, we can find a range of spices and condiments. They are located close to MG Road, which is a famous shopping area in Trivandrum with a multitude of shops. Another popular shopping attraction is the Chalai Market. The S.M.S.M. Kerala Government Emporium also offers a wide range of goodies ranging from paintings and other souvenirs.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Start your vacation in Trivandrum by paying a visit to the famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, which is over 260 years old and houses a magnificent statue of Lord Padmanabhaswamy. Follow this up with an ‘all you can eat’ lunch buffet at the famous restaurant Ariya Nivas, known for its local Kerala cuisine. Next pay a visit to the Puthe Maliga Palace Museum, which is a testimony to the grandeur of the Travancore dynasty. End your day with dinner at the beautiful restaurant Villa Mallya, which offers both fantastic food and ambience, with either a courtyard garden seating or inside the Dutch mansion itself.
Day 2 - Devote the day to exploring Trivandrum’s beautiful Zoological gardens, which are said to have inspired the famous writer Yann Martel for his book Life of Pi. Also, pay a visit to the Shri Chitra Art Gallery and the Natural History Museum located in the zoological park complex. Grab a bite to eat at the quaint Cherries & Berries cafe which offers a wide range of continental food choices. Enjoy Trivandrum’s mellow nightlife with a glass of wine or some beer at the Purple Lounge in Hotel Safari.
Day 3 - Continue exploring slices of Trivandrum’s rich history with a visit to Kanakunna Palace, where you can often catch some local performances and places. Choose your picks among Napier Museum or the Museum of History and Heritage to further revel in paintings and other artefacts depicting the former glory days of Travancore. Devote some time to shopping expeditions in Connemara Market and MG Road to pick up some local souvenirs, traditional artefacts and spices.
While the traditional and typical staple diet remains a bit constant around most of Kerala, the sides, drinks and snacks that vary give the cuisine a shifted and subtly unique form. Popular dishes in Trivandrum include Thoran which is a dry mix of vegetables dressed with coconut bits, a stew in which pototoes and onions are cooked in coconut milk as well as Kalaan which is made of buttermilk, melons and ripe mangoes. Also banana chips are a widespread and popular snack and significant enough to be included in cuisine.
Apart from this Non vegeterian food is equally, if not more popular than vegetarian dishes. From seafood, chicken to beef and pork-you will find all on a popular menu.
Latest questions by travellers on Trivandrum
Answer: Hi, You can visit Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple,The Kanakakunnu Palace, Neyyar Dam & Wildlife Sanctuary and The Napier Museum. Shanghumukham Beach is a must visit beach located at a distance of 23kms from the city center. You can get more details on http://www.holidify.com/places/trivandrum/sightseeing-and-things-to-do.html Some of the best hotels in Trivandrum are: Thomas Resort Palmleaves Beach Resort Country Spa Wellness Beach Resort
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