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

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