Capital City of Kerala!!!

It took almost 12 years to go back to the city to get old memories and walk through some nostalgic roads and to read some boards. Yes it is Trivandrum in Malayalam it is called Thiruvananthapuram, capital city of Kerala.

During my college time of 1999 - 2002 I would have traveled almost all areas of Trivandrum in local Bus, Autorikshaw, and bike, but this time it was driving with my wife and son which gave me lot of happiness to show them where i have stayed, traveled, enjoyed watching movies and shopping.

Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland.

The city is home to central and state government offices and organizations. Apart from being the political nerve centre of Kerala, it is also a major academic hub and is home to several educational institutions including the University of Kerala, and to many science and technology institutions, the most prominent being the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), College of Engineering Trivandrum (CET),the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Sree Chithira Thirunal College of Engineering (SCT), Techno park, the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), the Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Kerala, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), the Centre for Development Studies, the Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT), the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, the International Centre for Free and Open Source Software (ICFOSS), the Centre for Earth Science Studies, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, The Sree Chithira Thirunal Institute for Medical Science and Technology and Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology Kovalam (IHMCT). It is also considered as one of the 10 greenest cities in India. Thiruvananthapuram was ranked as the best city in Kerala to live in by a recent Times of India survey. The city is also ranked as the best city in India for Housing and Transport by a survey conducted by India Today.

The city is characterized by its Temples, beaches and hills and off course busy commercial alleys. The city has a culture of Kerala with slight touch of Tamil Nadu as it shares the boarder.

Padmanabhaswamy temple 

It is located in the center of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. Rather unusual for Kerala the temple was built in the Dravidian style with huge walk ways and magnificent pillars. Here in this temple unless like other temple Lord Vishnu is in lying position and you are allowed to do Dharshan through 3 windows, starting with head, Stomach and feet. There is different timing for poojas and during this period it will be closed. Gentlemen are allowed to enter only with Mundu (No Jeans or Trousers are allowed) and Ladies with saree. During Saturdays and Sundays can expect crowd, ideal time to visit is early morning around 4.30 5. No mobile and Camera allowed inside the temple and there is special ticket with charges available to enter easily and fast dharshan.

Attukal Temple

Goddess Parvathy is worshiped here in this temple. Attukal Pongala during February or March is very famous annual festival and being awarded as Guinness world record for the highest ladies gathering. Easy to reach from city is about 4 Km from Railway station.

Kovalam 

It is a beach town by the Arabian Sea in Thiruvananthapuram city, located around 16 km from Railway station and 14 Km from Padmanaba Sawami Temple. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees.

The normal tourist season is from September to May. Ashoka beach is also the part of Kovalam beach. There are a large number of beach resorts in and around Kovalam. The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a mosque. The Proposed International Trans shipment Terminal at Vizhinjam is also close to Kovalam.

Kovalam is finding a new significance in the light of several Ayurvedic salons, and recuperation and regeneration resorts which provide a wide variety of Ayurvedic treatments and Yoga for tourists.

Kovalam has three beaches separated by rocky outcroppings in its 17 km coastline, the three together form the famous crescent of the Kovalam beach.

Lighthouse Beach

The southernmost beach, the Lighthouse Beach got its name due to the old Vizhinjam Lighthouse located on a hill rock and the one most frequently visited by tourists because beach here is long towards sea side and not at all deep which makes ideal for kids. At night it gives the beach a charm.

     

Hawah Beach

Eve’s Beach, more commonly known as Hawa Beach, a high rock and a calm bay of blue waters, this beach creates a unique view on moonlit nights. This beach named thus for the topless European women who used to throng there. It was the first topless beach in India. However topless bathing is banned now except in private coves owned by resorts. Shallow waters stretching for hundreds of metres are ideal for swimming.

Samudra Beach

This beach is separate from the southern side beaches and doesn't have tourists as local fishermen ply their trade on this part and it is very deep from the starting.

The sands on the beaches in Kovalam are partially black in colour due to the presence of ilmenite and Monazite. 

Shanghumugham Beach 

This beach is on the western side of Trivandrum city and very near to Trivandrum International Airport.

The vast stretch of white sand and the serene atmosphere, away from the crowd in the city, provide all the ingredients for relaxation and for spending an ideal evening.

Shanghumugham beach is considered as the ‘Arattukadavu’ (place to take bath) of Sri Ananthapadmanabhan (Lord Vishnu) - The presiding deity of the city. Thousands of Hindus perform ‘Bali Tharpanam’ (After death Ritual) during special occasions. Shanghumugham is the prime location for Ganesha Nimarjan at the time of Vinayaka Chathurthi.

There is a stature made near to the beach which is called as Sagarakanyaka or Jalakanyaka.

Distance from Airport to

Shanghumgham Beach - 2 Km

Railway station - 6 Km

Padmanaba Swamy Temple - 7 Km

Attukal Bhaghavathy Temple - 9 Km

Kovalam Beach - 16 Km

Neyyar Dam - 38 Km

Kanyakumari - 90 Km

Few other sight seeing places in and around Trivandrum are as follows Neyyar Dam (32 Km, Ponmudi (55 Km), Kanyakumari (90 Km) and Padmanabha Palace (52 Km on the way to Kanyakumari) same kept it for next visit and for Blog.

As always my family and SLR traveled in car to support for this Blog, Thanks a Ton.

Until next blog...