Thiruvananthapuram Attractions

Padmanabhaswamy Temple | Puthen Malika Palace | Varkala| Janarddhana Swamy Temple| Shivagiri Mutt

Kalari:

Kalarippayattu, the martial art of Kerala, is taught and practiced in and around Thiruvananthapuram. The city has many pockets to learn. The most reputed and old is CVN Kalari, near Padmanabhaswamy temple. This Kalari has facilities for ayurveda exposure too. Watching the Kalarippayattu itself is an experience en living in the mind. It is open from 6.30 am to 8am (Mon to sat) where you can watch exercises. There is a traditional ayurveda massage centre and doctor's service available.

Thiruvananthapuram Zoo:

A century and half old zoo, the fifth oldest in India, was set up by Uthram Thirunal, the former ruler and king of Travancore. No rival in India for its design and layout. The beautiful Victorian-style cages, the lake, the curling pathways, the lawns, and the nearby Top Garden are the plus marks. Most of the animals are in open enclosures. Almost all types of wild species nurtured here. This zoo inspired award-winning book by Yann Martel. The book, Life of Pi, earned Man Brooker Prize of 2002. He frequented the zoo to get the stuff for his book.

Napier Museum:

The museum is named after erstwhile British Governor of Madras, Napier. The museum structure itself is a marvelous. Tall and slander towers, stained glass windows and special type roofs make the structure different. Large collections of bronzes, historical ornaments, temple chariots and ivory items are on display.

Sree Chithira Art Gallery:

Situated in Napier museum grounds. Good collection of paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and Roerich, copies of Rajput, Mughals and Tanjore schools of art and paintings, and that of Ajantha, Ali Bagh Caves exhibited. The collection of paintings from China, Japan, Bali and Tibet include.

Shanmugham Beach:

Located near the city is known for its white sanded quiet Beach free from any traps. It presents a virgin appeal. The visitors can see from here the sea swallowing the sun slowly and compensating the loss of light by stars ascent one after one from nowhere.

Padmanabhapuram Palace:

From 16th to late 18th century Padmanabhapuram, 55 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, was the capital of Travancore. Consequent on the State’s demarcation on linguistic basis, the Palace went to Tamil Nadu. But, the Palace is administered by Department of Archaeology, Government of Kerala.

The unique Palace is created in wood. The simplicity and elegance of the structure is beyond easy description. The construction initiated by Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal in 1601 AD was completed in 1744 by Maharaja Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma. He dedicated it to Lord Padmnabha (Vishnu) and christened, Padmnabha Perumal Palace. In the passing of time the name became transformed to Padmanabhapuram Palace. The opening timings Tues-Sun 9am -1pm &2-4.30 pm.

For the construction, teak and granite went into. Slopped roofs, carved ceilings, sculptured décor, exquisite murals and the gleaming floors make the Palace a breathtaker. Take a round of Poomukham (entrance hall) Uppanika Malika (4-storyed king’s quarter), the Manthrasala(council chamber) and the Mattupavu (balcony). The large Oottupura (dining hall), the Navrathri Mandapam (dancing hall for Navarathri days) and Thaikottaram (queen mother’s Palace) include in the round list.

A unique cot made of 64 types of medicinal woods in the king’s private chamber is a privilege to see. The Pooja room made of a jack tree carved, musical bows in mahagony, the large earthen urns, the sculptured horse and rider brass lamp, the ornate Chinese throne, Belgian mirrors and other heritage items occupy 108 rooms of the Palace. The oldest part of the complex is 'Ekandamandapam' dating back to 1550 it was used for rituals for the goddess Durga.

Further points of interest include a dining hall intended for the free feeding of over two thousand Brahmins and a loose ring attached to the column carved from a single piece of jackwood that bears the testimony of the timeless charm of carpentry art.

If the visitor is an archaeologist, a historian, a novelist, be sure a big note book is in hand. It is mandatory to have a guide.

Frequent buses run to the palace from the Thampanoor station at Thiruvananthapuram.Take any bus heading south towards Kanyakumari and get off at Thakkaly. Heading back, two express buses leave Thakkaly at 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm for Thiruvananthapuram.

Folklore and Numismatics Museum at Nedumangad

It is located at Nedumangad, 20 km away from Thiruvananthapuram city. The museum is housed in the 17th century Koyikkal Palace which is Kerala’s traditional Nalukettu (four-sided structure with inner courtyard). This Palace was originally belonged to Venad royal family.( Tues-Sun 10am -5pm)

The museum has several exclusives. It has two wings – one for Folklore and the other for Numismatics. The Folklore wing exhibits antique musical instruments and representative household utensils reflecting art, culture and lifestyle of ancient Kerala. A chilambu (anklet), a chandravalayam (a rarest percussion instrument) and maravuni (dress material made of tree barks) are rare items unnoticed anywhere else. The three ornamental palanquins for carrying the royal ladies and the musical instriments and elaborate jewellery used in temples are some of teh other attractions.

The Numismatics wing displays the largest coin collections in India. It includes coins of different ages from across the world, apart from various dynasties and specifics to Kerala. Amaida, a venetian coin that is believed to have been presented to Jesus Christ, a specimen of 2500-year old Karsha and world’s most tiny coin, rasi, are also in the proud possession of the Numismatic wing of the museum.

Regular buses run to Nedumangad from the main bus stand of Thampanoor in Thiruvananthapuram and it takes around 45 minutes.

Ayurveda:

The first Ayurveda College in India was founded in Thiruvananthapuram 150 years ago. Hords of ayurveda centres flourish here. Most are authentic. Quacks too, be careful. No mark-up for tourists. Rates are competitive compared to other centres in Kerala.

Veli Tourist Village:

A beautiful picnic spot. Seaside, 9 km from city. Veli is a Tourist Village where the Veli Lake hubs Arabian Sea. In the Lake boating facility is available. Pedal and Paddle boats are available on hire. Here there is a Children’s Park dotted with huge sculptures. Climbing on them is a craze for children.

Aruvikkara:

Aruvikkara is located 16 km away from Thiruvananthapuram city on the banks of Karamana River. There is a dam, Aruvikkara Dam, here. Plus a Durga temple and stream near the Dam. There is plenty of fish in the stream which come to the shore with no fear seeking food from the visitors who liberally feed them. Aruvikkara is a class-1 picnic spot.

Akkulam Lake & Children's Park

8 km away. One of the biggest in Kerala, the Park has all the luring components to make the children merry-go-round.

Science & Technological Museum:

Near Mascot Hotel in city. A treasure of science and technology. Even a layman get exalted. An outsmarting Planetarium is a great draw.

The Marine Aquarium:

Though shabby, it has a treasure of marine wealth. Squirrel fish, clown fish of Nemo fame finding, moon wrasse, lion fish, butterfly fish, giant turtles, trigger fish, aggressive surgeon fish, deadly piranhas and sharks.

The Aquarium has perfected image pearl production technique. A mould made of shell cement is implanted into the pearl oyster. Within 2/3 months, the moul-shape pearl is ready. The pearl images of Virgin Mary, Christ, Hindu Gods and Goddesses and other images put on display.

Vizhinjam

Vizhinjan is located 17 km south of Thiruvananthapuram city and 2 km south of Kovalam. Vizhinjam’s land mark is a cave temple and a fishing harbour. There is a single celled shrine inside with a loose sculpture of Vinandhara Dhakshinamoorthi. A semi-complete carvings of the images of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi are there outside the cave.

The fishing harbour is a natural port and the busiest harbour in the district.

A Marine Aquarium here is rich with a variety of underwater fauna, though the building it housed is lacking elementary maintenance.

Chowara:

8 km south of Kovalam. A fishing village. The long stretched white sand beach is ideal to unload the strains and swallow sea-breeze.

Poovar:

Poovar is located 18 km from Thiruvananthapuram city, and 3 km from Kovalam. This beautiful place is close to the Poovar river, backwaters and the sea. There is more information about Poova Hotels.

Azhimalathura Beach:

Little away (to the South) from Chowara. A jumbo stretched beach. The only beach in Kerala where the sea is hesitant to swallow the coast. A perfect seducement to weave dreams. Leads to Poovar

Ponmudi:

Literally, Ponmudi is the crown of nature’s beauty. At 3002 ft above sea level, it is a scenic feast. Valleys and mountains with hair-pin bends, it hugs the clouds gracefully. Ponmudi likes mist and when the nature becomes benevolent most of the time, the mist-clad Ponmudi unlit paradise. It is 61 km away from Thrivananthapuram......Click here to see more

Kallar:

Kallar is located 45 km from Thiruvananathapuram city, en-route to Ponmudi. Kallar’s importance is stemmed from Kallar river and its picturesque banks and par excellent surroundings. Natures’ bounty is showered liberally on Kallar.

Kallar River was formerly known as Vamanapuram River. Kallar literally means stone-river. This change in nomenclature is right. The river beds and banks are massed with boulders, rocks and pebbles in varied shapes and colours – all are the products of landslides during the monsoon.

Kappil:

Kappil is known for Kappil Beach. Here backwaters hug the sea. This beautiful sand beach is scenic but isolated, as it is still undiscovered. No overcrowd of tourists, no vendors’ trap, no shoppers’ price-hike.

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary:

12 km from Vithura. The sanctuary is located in an area of 53 sq km. Ideal for trekking. For trekking permission from Chief Wildlife Warden at Thiruvananthapuram is required. The landscape and the picturesque beauty of the wildlife’s kingdom is a trekking paradise,dotted with cardamom planatations and endless slopes of green tea bushes. It would make a refreshing overnight break.

Peppara Dam : Set amidst green bathed hills, the dam is a perfect choice for a cruise.

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary:

Spread over an area of 12,000 hectare, in the forests of Western Ghats, the sanctuary uncovers the solid colour of wildlife. Experience the thrill. There is a Crocodile Protection Centre here. Watch the sunning crocodiles. There are seven Asiatic lions in the safari park and a boat cruise to an island in the reservoir is an unbeatble activity. Trekking in the park needs a guide and prior permission from the forest department office.

The richly forested Agastya hills form a stunning backdrop of the Neyyar Dam, which form a large reservoir by interrupting the flow of three major rivers. On the banks of the dam stands the world famous Sivananda Yoga centre.

Regular buses ply from KSRTC Thampanoor bus stand in Thiruvananthapuram to the dam.

Pigmy Elephants:

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Ponmudi is treasured with pigmy elephants. The second place in the world where pigmy elephants eixist is in Africa. Though dwarf, the pigmy lot has all the characteristics of normal big elephants. So, the pigmy and baby elephants of normal varietry can easily be distinguished. To chance upon a pigmy, one should definitely be lucky. Kani tribes living in the Agastyavanam forests do however meet the pigmies very often

Lion Safari Park: The Wildlife Information Centre at Neyyar Sanctuary arranges trips to the park. The Park has Asiatic lions.

Vithura :

Vithura village is located 36 km from Thiruvananthapuram city.

Vithura is a scenic beauty of Western Ghats (Sahyadri), mainly a junction to tourists’ spots such as Ponmudi, Peppara Dam, Meenmutty Falls, Bonacuad and Agastyakoodam.

Pallithura

Till 1962 Pallithura was unknown to outside world. In 1962 Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) took shape in Pallithura. The unofficial name of Pallithura is Thumba. TERLS is the cradle of Indian Space Program.

When the Pallithura was acquired for TERLS the entire population of the area was rehabilitated in a nearby area. The population consisted mostly of fish-folk Christians of Roman Catholic faith. All basic facilities including education and a church were created in the new settlement. The authorities took care to ensure living, conveyance, marketing and entertainment facilities with no room for complaints of any sort.

Navaikulam:

Navaikulam is an ancient centre of Vedic scriptures.

There is a great old library here in the name Vivekodayam Grandhasala (library), affiliated to Kerala State Library Council (KSLC). It has acquired ‘A’ grade, the highest grade granted by KSLC. The library has in possession a big collection of books winged to almost all subjects.

Aruvipuram :

Aruvipuram village is famous for Sree Narayana cult and a Shiva temple established and consecrated by social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The temple was established in 1888, challenging the hegemony of upper castes in establishing and consecrating the temples. Shivaratri Mahotsavam celebrated in Kumbam (February/March) is a mega event attended by several thousands.

Puthenthope :

Puthanthope is a coastal village located 19 km northwest of Thiruvanathapuram city. Coconut palms and cashew trees filled village is just 2 km from Vikram Sarabhai Space Center of Indian Space Research Organization. Two man made hills at north and south during the Portuguese regime stand as a mute witness to history.

St Ignatius Church located in a spacious compound is a hall mark of Puthenthope.

Varkala

Vrkala is a small town located 32 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city, is a seashore retreat and Hindu pilgrimage centre. Varkala’s 12th century Jananardhana temple is the centre-stage of the pilgrimage. Varkala’s allure is specific on 2 km red cliff face stretching from the South cliff to the Thiruvambady beach at the north end and the Shivagiri Mutt, the pilgrim centre.Varkala

Monsoon and Kovalam:

In the world tourism map Kovalam is marked for its enchanting beaches. Only few in the world have realized the spectacular experience the break-out of monsoon bestows on Kovalam – a rare experience nowhere else in the world available. Nature lovers, philosophers, writers, documentary writers, television documentary shooters, notably BBC have grabbed the opportunities.

South-west monsoon’s inaugural auspicious kiss of Kerala is in the seafront of Kovalam. Only few know the landing place of south-west monsoon in India is Kerala. The days preceding the arrival of monsoon will experience the temperature beyond 41 degree Celsius. As arrival signal there will be south-west wind 18 to 24 hours prior to the out-break of monsoon. This is the real-experience of locals and the met people may jump to question it. The sky on south-west corner bears black blanket, the wind kicks start mildly and gets on to top gear quickly, and the rain hisses over the sea when the drops bounce rhythmically and cleverally advance to the shore to drench the onlookers. What a wonderful sight to experience.

Festivals:

Thiruvananthapuram's most stunning landmark of Shri Padmanabhaswamy and its adjacent Royal Palace, Puttan Malika are the capital's two principal sights and the focus of its main festivals: Arattu ( held biannually in March/April and Oct/Nov) and the harvest celebration of Onam (late Aug/sept). It also plays host to of south India's major music events -Nishagandhi ( Mid Jan) and Swathi Sangeethotsavam (Oct/Nov), which draws eminent artists from all over India. In addition, there are monthly performances of Kathakali and Kudiyattam at the renowned Margi school.

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