Bounded by the Arabian Sea on the West and Tamil Nadu on the East, Thiruvananthapuram
(also known as Trivandrum), is the capital of Kerala. The contact of Trivandrum
with the outside world dates back to 190 AD when it opened its shores to merchants
in search of spices, sandalwood, and ivory. The city also boasts of its association
with King Solomon whose ships landed at a port called Ophir.
Along the
Eastern and North Eastern borders of Trivandrum, there are many picnic spots:
A long shoreline, internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, and backwater
stretches. The city is named after the deity that is housed in Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy
Temple, one of the major landmarks of the place. If we dissect Thiruvananthapuram,
we get Thiru-Anantha-Puram, which means the town of Anantha (Eternal). Although
no records of the antiquity of the temple really exists, the temple nevertheless
is believed to be several thousands years old.
What
one can see in Trivandrum
- Kovalam Beach
- Padmanabha
Swamy Temple
- Kuthiramalika Palace Museum
- The Napier Museum
-
Sree Chitbra Art Gallery
- Thiruvallam
- Aruvikkara Dam
-
Kanyakumari
What one can do in Trivandrum
The
main shopping centers in Trivandrum are Pazhavangadi, Puthenchanthai and Cantonment.
Here one can get Aranmula mirror, gold and silver brocaded fabrics, boxes, buttons
and ashtrays of steel.
How to reach Trivandrum
There
are direct flights to Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi. Trivandrum is connected
to other important cities of India and Kerala by trains. Being the capital of
Kerala state, Trivandrum is well connected to other major cities of India and
the neighboring countries. Regular trains are available for the states of Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu. For the tourists heading towards North India and Delhi, Himsagar
Express is the perfect choice. Buses ply from different cities of Kerala to Trivandrum
and from Trivandrum to various cites in the neighbouring states.
