Thiruvananthaprum
Area 2192 Sq.Km Places of Interest Agasthyakoodam
About 1869 meters above sea level, Agasthyakoodam is a prominent peak of the
Western Ghats. Tradition says that the great sage, Agasthya, had his abode in this peak.
The place is also noted for its abundant Ayurvedic herbs. Akkulam
Akkulam is one of the beautiful picnic spots in the suburbs of Thiruvananthapuram
city. This place is only 10 kms. Away and is easily accessible by road from the city. The
spot is developed on the banks of Akkulam lake, which is an extension of the Veli lake.
The calm and serene atmosphere and its unique natural beauty are a fascination for
tourists. Anchuthengu
Situated 40 kms. North of Thiruvananthapuram, along the sea coast, Anchuthengu is a
place of historic importance. It was here that the first settlement of the English East
India Company was established in 1864 A.D. Historically, the limits of area where five
coconut palms stood, Anchuthengu or Anjengo, was given on lease to the Company by the King
of Travancore for trade purpose. The remains of the old English Fort which had withstood
many a seige, can be seen here even today. Aruvikkara
Sixteen kms. North of Thiruvananthapuram and gifted with lavish scenic beauty is
Aruvikkara, with an ancient temple dedicated to Durga, on the banks of the river
Aruvikkara. Thiruvananthapuram gets its water supply from Aruvikkara reservoir. Aruvippuram
The place is about three kms. From Neyyatinkara. There is a small waterfall here. A
Siva temple founded by Sree Narayana Guru attracts a
large number of worshippers during the Sivarathri festival It is a beautiful spot for
holiday seekers. Balaramapuram A flourishing weaving centre, Balaramapuram is famous for its hand-spun cloth. It is 13 kms. South of the city. The Trivandrum Spinning and Weaving Mill is located here. Kombaikani and Meenmutti Waterfalls
These are two magnificent waterfalls on the upper reaches of the Neyyar Reservoir.
A trek of two kms through dense forests, would take one to Meenmutti waterfalls and a
further two kms., to the Kombaikani waterfalls The waterfalls and forests around them are
worth experiencing. Kovalam
This beach, 12 kms south of Thiruvananthapuram, is one of the finest beaches in
India. A high rocky promonotory jutting into the sea has created a beautiful bay of calm
waters for sea bathing. The Indian Tourism Development Corporation has developed Kovalam
as an integrated seaside resort.The beach complex includes the Ashoka Beach Resort, a
hotel owned by the I .T.D.C.a, string of cottages, the Halcyon castle (convention
facility), a shopping area, swimming polls, yoga centre and facilities for medical oil
bath and massage. The Hotel Samudra run by the KTDC is only nearby. Besides, there are
numerous hotels managed by private agencies. Museum and Zoo
The Museum building
itself is an architectural splendour. The Napier Museum, the Natural History museum, the
reptile house and the Shri Chitra Arts Gallery are all within the zoo comples amidst a
well laid-out garden and park. There is a lake and a boat club jointly operated by the
Department of Museums and Zoos and the District Tourism Promotion Council. Neyyar Dam
Lying amidst the southern low hills of the Western Ghats, 29 kms. From the city,
the project area offers facilities for boating and mountaineering. A three hour climb over
the hills across the reservoir affords the thrill of hiking. There are two beautiful
waterfalls on the way. A Lion Safari Park and a Crocodile Rearing Centre have also been
setup in the reservoir. Neyyatinkara
Neyyatinkara is an ancient town, situated about 20 kms. South-east of
Thiruvananthapuram. The Sree Krishna Swami temple, founded by King Marthanda Varma, is of
historical importance. Within the premises of the temple, there is a historic jack tree,
known as Ammachi Plavu, in the hollow of which Marthanda Varma is believed to have hid
himself and escaped death at the hands of enemies. Peppara
Peppara is 50 kms from the city enroute to Ponmudi. The sanctuary there with its
rich mammalian fauns and avis is emerging as a big attraction to wild life enthusiasts and Ornithologists. It was established in 1938 over an
area of 53 sq.kms. on the Western Ghats. Elephants, sambar, leopard, lion-tailed macque
and cormorant are commonly seen here. Ponmudi
A pleasant resort with an elevation of 912 M above sea level, Ponmudi is reached by
road from Thiruvananthapuram. There are several tea and rubber estates around the hills. A
hill tribe called Kanikkar lives in the surrounding areas. Ponmudi is fast developing as a
hill resort with room and dormitory accommodation facilities, catering, hill-trails for
hiking, a collection of howering trees and a deer park. Ponmudi is 61 kms from
Thiruvananthapuram. Poovar
Poovar is 29 kms from the city. It was a trading centre in early days and one of
the ancient ports of the district. It is said that the legendary Jesuit Missionary, St.
Francis Xavier, visited the place in the 16th century. Sarkara
Sarkara is 35 kms north of Thiruvananthapuram and six kms west of Attingal. There
is a famous temple which is dedicated to Goddess Bhagawathi. A grand festival, Sarkara
Bharani, is conducted in this temple during March-April. Thiruvallam
Thiruvallam is about six kms south of the city, on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kovalam
road. There is an ancient temple here on the banks of the Karamana river, which is
dedicated to the Trimurthis of the Hindu pantheon. A shrine of Parasurama built entirely
of granite stone is found in this temple. Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala State and the headquarters of
Thiruvananthapuram district, is connected by air, rail and road. Sree Padmanabha Swami
Temple, the Kanakakkunnu Palace, the Observatory, Science and Technology Museum, the
Government Secretariat, the Kowdiar Palace, the Senate House, St. Joseph’s Cathedral,
the Tagore Centenary theatre and the Museum and Zoo are some of the tourist attractions in
the city.
Sree Chitra Art Gallery with its rich collection of exquisite oaintings is anohter
attraction. The S.M.S.M. Institute, the Rangasala, the Botanic Gardens at Palode and
Chitranjali studio are added attractions.
The Raj Bhavan, the Central Library, the Victoria Jubilee Town Hall, the Residency,
the Legislative Chamber, the University College, College of Fine Arts and the Wellington
Water Works are but a few of the land marks that adorn the city.
There are three big stadium, namely, the University Stadium, the Chandrasekharan
Nair Stadium and the Central Stadium, in the city. A velodrome at Kariyavattom and the
Jimmy George Indoor Stadium at Vellayambalam cater to sporting interests.The neat and
clean Shanghumughom beach is an attraction.The Aerodrome, the Government Engineering
Workshop, the Trivandrum Rubber Works and the Travancore
Titanium Products Ltd are situated in the vicinity of Shaghumughom beach.
Interesting places worth visiting in the neighbourhood of Thiruvananthapuram city
are Aruvikkara, Water Works, Kovalam Beach Resort and the resort of Ponmudi Hillas. The
Neyyardam at a distance of 29 kms also offers scenic splendour as well as oppertunities
for hikes, boating, camping and mountaineering.
Kanyakumari, the land’s end of India now in Tamil Nadu, is only 87 kms away
from Thiruvananthapurm,.
On th way to kanyakumari is Padmanabhapuram,
the old capital of Travancore, whrere an ancient palace with antique murals is located . Varkala
Forty one kms. North of Thiruvananthapuram by rail and 51 kms by road, Varkala is a
pilgrim centre. The Samadhi of Sree Narayan Guru, the great social reformer and
philosopher, attracts devotees in thousands. The cliffs and mineral water springs at the
Papanasam beach are worth a visit. The inland waterways system connecting Kollam in the
North with Thiruvnanthapuram in the South, passes two tunnels in the hills. The Janardhana
Swamy Templa here attracts many devotees. Veli Lagoon
On the outskirts of Kerala’s capital, by the side of the placid waters of Veli
lake, the Boat Club attracts the city people and tourists.
Veli developed as, a major tourist spot by providing facilities for pedal-boating,
row boating, swimming, get together etc., is just the right place for an exciting outing.
The Youth Hostel at Veli which is hardly three kms from airport, provides
inexpensive dormitory type accommodation . Veli with its palm fringed lake is easily
accessible by road. |
