Trivandrum Travel Guide

Trivandrum Travel Information

Also known as Thiruvananthapuram, Trivandrum is the gateway to one of the most exciting backwater travel destination in south India. The city stretches along the southern coastal region of the peninsula of India and has been nicknamed as the City of Serpent more commonly the city of the thousand headed Anantha, the serpent on which Lord Vishnu us to take rest and recline. The city abounds with greenery and its ancient history dates back to about 1000 BC, all this makes it a popular travel destination of India.

Once a part of the capital of Tranvancore which had its headquater at Padmanabhapuram, the place renamed to present Trivandrum. Built on seven hills, the city is a wonderful base to the exotic places of Kerala and is even the capital of the wonderful, adventurous state of Kerala. Surrounded by the Arabian Sea and the western Ghats it derieves its name from the deity of Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswami Temple which is a great land mark of the city.
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Major Travel Attractions of Trivandrum

The Aranmula Boat Race: The Boat Race are held on the banks of the river Pamda which is a popular travel attractions. About 30 decorated Snake boats or Vallams participate in the event. The race conducted on a stretch of 40 kms starts from the hills to the low lying plains on the festival of Onam. Oarsmen are dressed with traditional attires and turbans. During the race traditional songs are sung on the rhythms produced by the splashing of waters by the oars. Each boat has 150 oarsmen and 25 singers. The people show great mastery in moving the Boat forward and the spirit of collaborated effort is best seen. The snake boat race displays the importance of being united in harmony with nature and the fellow men.

Varkala Beach: The beach lying in the coastal region of Kerala is perfect for watching the Sun setting below the roaring shores of the Varkala beach. The sight of the melting Sun into the waters of the sea, makes it the dream travel destination of the poetic interest visitors. The mineral waters flowing from the hill contains medicinal properties, which have the power to heal the ailments of the body. The isolated and quite beach offers its visitors a relaxing holidays from the over crowded city life. The rising rocky cliff surrounding a portion of the beach ends abruptly and finally touches a clear stretch of sand moving further down to the sea. The cliff, the sans dunes and the sea all contrast to offer a vivid imagery to the lovely place.

Sree Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the 100 feet high gopuram is built in the Dravidian style of architecture and is today the city’s grandest historical landmark. Highly decorated with mural paintings and stone carvings it is among the 108 most devoted Vishnu Temples in India. The gopuram is carved with gods goddesses, nymphs and is an amazing sight to view for the eyes. Lord Vishnu is seen reclining in the posture of Ananthashayanam coiled in the lap of the serpent Anantha. The festival of Navarathri is celebrated with great spirit.

Sri Chitra Art Gallery: Situated on the Napier Museum ground, the Art Gallery displays paintings of Raja Ravi Verma, Svetlova and the great Nicholas Roerich. There are also Portraits from the Mughal and the Tanjore schools of Art. The Chitra Gallery unfolds the collections of the Travancore family and is proud to possess a unique Bengali school of painting.
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Nearby Travel Attractions of Trivandrum

Padmanabhapuram Palace: 54 kms from Trivandrum, the magnificent place of the 16th century Travancore rulers is a place of beauty for any lover of art and architecture. The interiors are replete with rose wood carvings and sculptures. Once a home to the family of Travancors, it best exemplifies the wooden architecture of Kerala. The exquisite murals, floral carvings, and the granite floors has passed the test of time. Some of the fascinating 18th century murals are shown on the puja room placed on the upper floor of the palace.

Shopping

Arammula metal mirror produced by mixing certain herbs with molten metal to give it a highly reflective surface is one of the favourite items to buy in the capital city . Carved rosewood, teak furniture and, masks depicting various characters of Indian mythology (usually worn in Kathakali performances, Thyyams and other classical dances), are important items to choose from a variety in Triuvandrum, Kerala.

Accommodation

Some of the best hotels in Trivandrum that offers hospitality tom the visitors that can be soothing and reliable are the hotel Sai lucia business hotel, South Park hotel, the Muthu Plaza,hotel residency Tower. All these hotels offers deluxe as well as budget accommodation.

How to Reach

By Air: Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala is well connected to other major cities of India having its own airport. There are direct flights to Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi.
By Rail: Trivandrum has its own railway station. Regular trains are available to other states of Karnataka and Tamilnadu, Himsagar Express is a perfect choice of the tourists travelling to North India from there.
By Road: Trivandrum is well connected with Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Trichur, Chennai, Madurai and Pondicherry through an excellent road network.