Snuggled between the Arabian Sea and therefore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Western Ghats, Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the gorgeous state of Kerala, almost touches the southern tip of India. Skirted by backwaters, beaches and dotted with variety of scenic waterfalls and lakes, the town enthralls one with its natural charms.
...Its serenity and tranquillity, including restful surroundings have made Thiruvananthapuram a hub of spas and wellness resorts that provide overall relaxation, detoxification, and Ayurveda and yoga facilities. to urge more restive and immersive experiences, tourists can sleep over at these resorts and luxuriate in a wholesome treatment, replete with organic food, therapeutic massages, meditations and natural therapies.
The city is additionally the cultural hub of the state and enjoys a prominent position of boasting dedicated platforms for Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam and other dance sorts of Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram also celebrates festivals with great gusto, Onam (harvest festival) especially , which is characterised by delicious food, the famed race on the backwaters, and a grand parade.
The diverse culture of the state is aptly reflected in its cuisine, which is as vibrant because it is delicious. From the 28-course Onam Sadya to the mouthwatering Malabar parotta, the food culture of the town makes for an unforgettable experience.
One of the oldest cities within the country, Thiruvananthapuram has been bestowed with an upscale legacy of heritage monuments, spectacular architecture evolved under different rulers, spiritual wonders and cultural gems. Its colonial name ‘Trivandrum’ remains popularly used. Built on seven hills, its name may be a culmination of the words “Thiru Anantha Puram”, or the town of the Holy Anantha, and is christened after Ananthan, who is that the cosmic serpent said to possess thousand heads, on whose coils Lord Mahavishnu reclines. the town finds mention in Roman and Greek literature also . Legend has it that sage Parasurama took away Kerala from the ocean god, Varuna, to make ‘God’s Own Land’ (Kerala).
Read MoreThiruvananthapuram has an international airport which connects flights from Indian cities and abroad.
It is connected by good motorable roads and highways to cities and towns in India.
The city is a major railhead with important connects to most Indian cities.
Famous for its scenic location, Chowara may be a fishing village near Kovalam, and may be a preferred picnic spot for the people of neighbouring towns and villages. within the mornings, you’ll see fishermen hauling in their catch for the day and dragging huge nets onto the shore.
On top of a close-by hill is that the famous Chowara Ayyappa Temple, which affords the foremost excellent view of the beach and therefore the ocean beyond, thanks to its high viewpoint . you’ll also visit the traditional church of Analothbhava Matha, or drive a brief distance to reach the pristine Azhimalathara Beach.
It is at its best during the monsoon, when, it’s said, that the ocean recedes, leaving a clean stretch of beach for visitors to enjoy.
Located 20 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the Elephant Rehabilitation Centre may be a 56 hectare expanse of grassy, deciduous forest bound by deep trenches to keep off wild animals. this enables the elephants to roam chain-free. Pachyderm-lovers can spend each day within the company of elephants, and choose a jumbo safari. the simplest time to go to is within the morning, when the elephants are being bathed by the mahouts. Feeding also takes place at this point – the mahouts feed the creatures large balls made from cooked rice and jaggery.
At a time, 30 elephants are often easily accommodated at the centre. The rehabilitation centre also rescues orphaned and sick elephants and cares for them till they will be rehabilitated into the forest, or for all times , just in case rehabilitation isn’t possible. for college kids and researchers, this place is right , because it gives you the chance to interact with the animals during a protected environment.
Since as early because the 1930s, Kovalam Beach has been an internationally famous stopover for tourists. There are three crescent-shaped beaches with a rock wall that make Kovalam one among the simplest spots within the country for sea swimming. you’ll also continue a catamaran cruise or sunbathe.
The aquamarine waters and clean stretches of sand are perfect for a leisurely stay. to the present effect, several hotels and resorts are established in Kovalam suiting a variety of budgets. In fact, there are variety of affordable cottages by the beach, so you’ll awaken to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach, and a stunning breeze while staying during a comfortable, homely room.
Catering to the massive number of tourists it receives from India and abroad, the state authorities have ensured that Kovalam features a number of recreational avenues. The complex here includes swimming pools, Ayurvedic massage centres, herbal body-toning massages and health resorts, budget cottages, shopping, convention zones and yoga centres. Special cultural programmes showcasing the heritage of Kerala within the sort of dance performances and concerts also are organised here.
Kovalam is additionally famous for its delicious food. While the seafood is sort of extraordinary, do try the continental spread served by the restaurants in town. the normal South Indian dishes are, of course, a must have also .
The name ‘Kuthiramalika’ means palace of horses and therefore the museum houses 122 wooden horses that are carved in such how that they seem to be smiling. referred to as the Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, it’s a two storeyed structure that was built by Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma, who was the maharaja of the dominion of Travancore at the time of British rule. During this point , the spice trade between Kerala and other important international ports was thriving, allowing the maharaja to accumulate items of great value, which are now preserved at Kuthiramalika. at the present , the museum boasts sculptures made from white marble, Kathakali (dance form) figures, Belgian mirrors and paintings. made up of teakwood, rosewood, marble, and granite, it’s a fine example of Kerala architecture. It remains closed on Mondays, so plan your visit accordingly.
Fringed by palm trees, and dotted with small shacks selling all types of snacks and knick-knacks, Lighthouse Beach is one among the foremost frequented spots in Kovalam. Its golden sands and funky breeze rejuvenate the mind and therefore the body. it’s especially beautiful during sunrise and sunset, when the weather is far more favourable for a stroll along the coast. Located on top of the palm-covered Kurumkal Hill may be a lighthouse. Tourists can climb up a spiral staircase to the highest , and luxuriate in the scenic view from the very best point of the red and white tower. this is often one among the simplest places to urge a bird’s eye view of the emerald-blue waters of the Arabian Sea and therefore the surrounding area to the south of Kerala.Over the weekend, the beach gets especially crowded as tourists from the neighbouring cities flock thereto in search of relaxation and a fast getaway to the ocean.
The Napier Museum and therefore the explanation Museum lie at the guts of the town , on the brink of the zoological park. Constructed within the 19th century, the Napier Museum houses an outsized number of historical artefacts, including ivory carvings, a temple chariot, ancient ornaments, weapons, coins and bronze idols, and documents the history of the region under different rulers over the centuries. The bronze displays include images of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Parvati and Goddess Lakshmi. The metal images depict the features of South Indian sculpture sort of 8th to 18th century. The Vishnu image of 8th century collected from Ambalapuzha Temple in Central Travancore with Pallava style is that the oldest metal image within the state. The museum has been named after Napier , a former governor of Madras (now Chennai), and is additionally referred to as the govt Art Museum. A Japanese galanty show , wont to depict stories of the Ramayana and therefore the Mahabharata, may be a favourite with the visitors. The explanation Museum is additionally worth a visit for its collection of prehistoric skeletal displays and taxidermy gallery.
Located within the precincts of the East Fort, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple is legendary for its stone carvings and mural paintings. Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha, the serpent, is that the presiding deity during this temple, which is taken into account to be among the 108 sacred shrines, or Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu in India. consistent with the Hindu holy text of the Bhagwat Gita, Lord Krishna’s elder brother, Balarama visited this temple, which may be a confluence of Dravidian and Kerala architectural styles. it’s believed that the temple features a mysterious vault that can’t be opened by any person . it’s said that if people plan to do so then catastrophes would follow within the temple premises, around it or across India. Only those that profess to follow the Hindu code can enter this temple and there’s a code also .
The present structure of the temple is that the results of the renovation commissioned by Marthanda Varma, one among the more popular and noted Travancore kings. He also introduced the festivals of Murajapam and Bhadra Deepam within the temple. the previous of those festivals translates to continuous chanting of prayers, and is held at Padmanabhaswamy once every six years.
The idol of the presiding deity is exclusive within the way that it comprises quite 12,000 salagramams (fossilised shell, considered because the symbol of Lord Vishnu), taken from the banks of River Gandaki in Nepal. it’s 18 ft long, placed on a stone slab, and visual from the three doors of the chamber. There also are life-size images of Narasimha Swamy (the half-lion, half man incarnation of Lord Vishnu), Lord Ganesha and Gaja Lakshmi here. A flag post, referred to as dhwaja stamba, features gold-plated copper sheets. Halls like the bali peeda mandapam and mukha mandapam showcase deities on their walls, while the ceiling of the navagraha mandapa shows the nine planets of the system . On the lower levels is that the drama hall, where Kathakali performances happen during the Malayalam months of Meenam (March-April) and Thulam (October-November). The corridor of the temple is another masterpiece, with carved granite-stone pillars on either side.
The temple follows a strict code , so ideally, men should wear dhotis (reaching all the way right down to their feet), and ladies should wear sarees, half sarees or a skirt and blouse for the darshan (a practice of paying obeisance to the deity).
The rare phenomenon of a lake, a river, the ocean and a beach meeting land happens at Poovar Island. this is often also where the Neyyar river joins the Arabian Sea . Poovar is actually a fishing village, and sparsely inhabited for the foremost part. Therefore, it’s ideal for those seeking a respite from the noise and crowd of the town . Abundant in flora, it’s also the storehouse of many spices, rare flowers and trees. Those curious about history can visit a centuries-old martial arts village located nearby.
You can view the stunning backwaters from Poovar Beach, which is an unsullied stretch of golden sand, a perfect place to lounge and soak within the spirit of Kerala. to urge the important pity the place, visitors can take boat rides across the backwaters that are available at a reasonable fee.
The backwaters of Kerala, running parallel to the Arabian Sea , are one among the foremost popular tourist destinations in India. The scenic backwater stretch of Thiruvallam may be a tourist’s paradise, where Rivers Killi and Karamana meet, before becoming one with the ocean . The backwaters are ideal for kayaking, canoe rides and cruises in kettuvallams or large traditional trading vessels used for transportation of rice and spices to nearby towns.
While the scenic beauty round the waterways is mesmerising, these spacious and well-decorated houseboats increase the charm of the experience. Traditionally, a kettuvallam would be around 60 ft long and 15 ft wide at the beam. a number of the new houseboats have a length of quite 80 ft! Constructed from locally sourced natural materials like jackfruit wood, palm wood, coconut fibre, bamboo poles, ropes, bamboo mats etc., these boats offer guilt-free tripping. they’re constructed by tying together (rather than nailing) wooden planks with coconut coir. The planks are coated with resin extracted from cashew shells. Bamboo poles and palm leaves are used for constructing the roof. a number of these boats even have solar panels for generating electricity. If carefully maintained, these boats can last for many years .
Regular trips are organised by the yacht club to the nearby islands of Edayar and Pozhikara, also on a couple of coir manufacturing units. The Akkulam yacht club offers facilities for boating on Akkulam Lake. a brief distance from Thiruvallam lies Veli Lagoon, another excellent spot for water sports. The lagoon comprises a waterfront park and a pontoon bridge also .
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