Thiruvananthapuram Information
Thiruvananhapuram literally the ‘Holy City of Anantha’ – the thousand headed mythological serpent on which Lord Vishnu relines. The clean and beautiful capital city of Kerala sprawls elegantly over seven low costal halls. Its tree lined avenues, massive buildings, ancestral homes, ancient temples; long sea coast and acres of palm trees and parks have a charm of their own. This ancient city was the spiritual centre Travancore kings since 11th century and became their capital in 1750, when the Raja of Travancore shifted here from Padmanabhapuram (in Tamil Nadu). Today, it is a fine blend of traditions and modernity – an important seat of ‘Ayurveda’, an ancient healing system as well as the ‘Space Research’, the final frontier of mankind.
Location
Thiruvananthapuram, the southernmost district of Kerala state is situated between the north latitudes 8°17' and 8°54' and east longitudes 76°41' and 77°17'. The southernmost extremity, 'Parasala' is 56km away from Kanyakumari, the "land's end of India". The district stretches along the shores of the Arabian sea for a distance of about 78km.
Climate
The maximum temperature is around 34°C and the minimum temperature is 21°C. The humidity is high and rises to about 90% during the monsoon season. The city gets heavy rainfall of around 1700mm per year. The winter temperature comes down to about 20°C and summer temperatures can sometimes go as high as 35°C.
History
Thiruvananthapuram, which was previously called Trivandrum, is an ancient city with tradition dating back to 1000 BC. Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of Raja of Travancore in 1750. The name is derived from 'Tiru Ananta Puram'. the abode of the sacred serpent. Ananta, upon whose coils, Vishnu lies in the main temple. The kings who ruled there have called themselves "Padmanabha-Dasa"or the "servants of Lord Anantha Padmanabha", and ruled the state as the representative of Lord Anantha Padmanabha.
Thiruvananthapuram Tourism Information
Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Temple
The 16th century shrine of Lord Vishnu as Sri Padmanabhaswamy or the ‘lotus navel’ is considered to be one of the most sacred 108 Vaishnavite shrines. It enshrines an 18ft long image of Lord Vishnu reclining on the coil of Sri Anantha, the sacred snake. A lotus grows from the navel of Lord Vishnu, upon which resides Lord Brahma. Its seven storeyed gopurm and fine pavilions lined with splendid stone carvings and mural are noteworthy. The sacred Padma Theertham tank nearby was rebuilt by Raja Marthanda Varma in 1733. The temple is open only to Hindus and strict dress code is enforced. The ‘Vetta’ and ‘Arattu’ processions are taken out twice a year from the here.
Kuthiramalika (puthen Malika) Palace Museum
It is housed in a place built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma in traditional Travancore style. Rare and priceless collections of the Travancore royalty are displayed here.
CVN Kalari Sangham
This premier institute is engaged in the preservation of Kalarippayattu, an ancient martial tradition of Kerala. The spectacular training sessions are worth seeing. It also provides Kerala’s famous ayurvedic treatments.
Govt Art or Napier Museum
It is located on a large lush ground sprawling over an area of 80 acres in the heart of the city. The impressive museum building is built in traditional Kerala architecture withinfluences of Chinese and Mughal styles. It exhibits a fine collection of bronzes, ornaments, costumes, masks, ivory carvings and musical instruments etc. Sri Chitra Art Gallery and Zoological Park are located nearby.
Zoological Gardens
The zoo set in a forest like landscape is one of the oldest and best zoos in India. In fact, it is a part of an impressive Botanical Garden.
Govt. Observatory
It is set atop the highest point of the city and is one of the oldest observatories in the country. Panoramic view of the surroundings can be enjoyed from here.
Shankhumugham Beach
The palm fringed beach adjacent to the airport is about 8km from the city centre. There is also a recreation club, the matsya kanyaka (35m long sculpture of a mermaid), children traffic Training Park and a restaurant.
Veli Tourist Village
This ideal picnic spot on the outskirts of the city as set along a sheltered lagoon, near the airport. It has an excellent waterfront park.
Other attractions
Science & Technology Museum & Priyadarshini Planetarium, Chacha Nehru Children’s’ Museum, Akkulam Lke & Boat Club, Indian school of Martial Arts, Vettukad or ‘Madre de Deus’ Church and Beema Palli etc.
Thiruvananthapuram Distance Guide |
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| Thiruvananthapuram | Changannassery | 132 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Guruvayur | 283 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kaladi | 231 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kalpetta | 463 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kannur | 477 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kasaragod | 566 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kochi | 211 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kodungallor | 245 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kollam | 63 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kottayam | 150 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kovalam | 13 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kozhikode | 391 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Malappuram | 363 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Munnar | 292 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Muvattupula | 204 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Painavu | 248 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Palakkad | 347 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Sabarimala | 169 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Shoranur | 317 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Sultan Bathery | 488 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Thalassery | 455 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Alappuzha | 147 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Thrissur | 277 Km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Vaikam | 182 Km |