Best time to visit : November to July
Trivandrum or Thiruvanthapuram is the capital city of Kerala, in the south western tip of peninsular India. It is edged by Arabian Sea with pristine sandy beaches of palm-fringed coastlines, breezy idyllic backwaters and rich cultural heritage. It is nestled amongst the wooded highlands of Western Ghats, making it a picturesque destination, admired by all nature lovers and adventure buffs. It is also revered as the sacred abode of God with many temples known for their excellent architecture and hence a thriving pilgrim destination. The pleasant climate and its numerous attractions make it appeal for a visit.
Facts
Trivandrum is a famous port city, which maintains trade relations with the Middle East and Mediterranean countries. The earliest known rulers of the region were the Tamil Kings called Yadavas from the Venad Empire. The region flourished in 1745 under the reign of King Marthanda Varma, who formed the princely state of Travancore and made Trivandrum its capital. The major tourist attraction includes Attukal Pongala, an annual festival of for 10 days, where boiled rice is offered to the presiding deity an incarnation of Shakti of the Attukal Temple. The other major attraction is the Kadammanitta Padayani Festival, a must see for all tourist in the month of April.
Trivandrum, swanks high-end restaurants and budget refreshments joints, where tourist can look out for Karikku or coconut water and Sambharamor or buttermilk with ginger and chilli. Travellers looking for great vegetarian options can visit Ananda Bhavan famed for South Indian cuisines and tandoori platters served in the traditional manner on a banana leaf. The Kerala House and the Kalavara Restaurant, dishes out excellent fish recipes.
Shopping is an inevitable indulgence in the main shopping area of Connemara market, where tourists can shop for local spices and clothes. Visit M.G road for coffee, fragrant tea leaves, exclusive handicrafts, brass and bell metal lamps, coir mats, and cashew nuts. The other specialities include gold jewellery, traditional saris, Kathakali masks, bronze statuettes and delightfully, lip-smacking banana chips which are an integral part of Kerala's cuisine.
Nearby Places:
The must visit places near Trivandrum include:
- Verkala (About 54 km.): It is a beautiful coastal town, nestled amongst the secluded beach. It is a perfect spot for an escapade and holy visit to Janardhana Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
- Thenmala (About 70 km.): It is an ecotourism hotspot and a prominent travel destination famed for its honey cultivation.
- Poovar (About 57 km.): Far from the maddening crowd, of the city is a small village an estuary on Neyyar River, which joins the sea. It is close to Vizihinam, the natural harbour and an ancient trading centre of timber, spices, ivory and sandalwood.
- Ponmudi (About 57 km.): This salubrious hill of Ponmudi, in Western Ghats, translates as the Golden Peak at an altitude of about 1100 meters. It is a popular hill station of the state.
- Kollam (About 64 km.): This coastal city lying on the shores of Ashtamudi Lake is famed for cashews, coir, commerce and culture.
- Adoor (About 100 km.): Adoor is a traditional town with an amalgamation of traditions famed for its culture, temples, festivals and locations.
With the best of tourist information, one can end up exploring many additional tourist places nearby like Kottarakakara, Punalur, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvalla, Kottayam, Alleppey and Kumarakom.