Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) district is located at the southwestern part of India. It is the Capital of Kerala.  Thiru-Anantha-Puram, the capital of the earstwhile princely state, Travancore, is still retaining its past glory and grandeur. In olden days the town was known as Syanandoorapuri. The town is built on several hills with wide-open spaces, stadiums and paddy fields. The district is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west, which give a long sea cost with internationally renowned beach resort like Kovalam and Varkala.  The thick wooded mountains of the Western Ghats in the eastern and northern borders of Thiruvananthapuram district provide some of the most delightful picnic spots.

                     
ACCESSING THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Air: 
Thiruvananthapuram is well connected with air having more than 30 air links with connections to Sri Lanka, Maldives, Singapore, and the Middle East. The Thiruvananthapuram International Air Port is situated just 6 km from the town.

Rail: 
Trains to all main towns in Kerala as well as to major cities in India are available from Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station.

Road: 
The Kerala State Transport Corporation Central Bus Station is just opposite to the Railway Station. It is plying buses to all nook and corner of the State and to the major cities to the cities of neighbouring states.  Short distance buses are operating from the East Fort Bus Stand, just one km from the Railway Station and Central Bus Station.

Telephone access code: 
+91-471

Tourist Information Centres: 
Tourist Facilitation Centre, Department of Tourism, Park View. Phone: 2323886.
Tourist Information Centre, Central Railway Station. Phone: 2334470
Tourist Information Centre, Central Bus Station. Phone: 2327224
Tourist Information Center, Air Port. Phone: 2501085. 
Tourist Reception Centre, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. Phone:2330031
District Tourist Promotion Council: Phone: 2316736

TOURIST DESTINATIONS

Kovalam Beach: Kovalam beach has been a most preferred haunt of tourists since 1930s.  Located about 13 km. south of Thiruvananthapuram city, Kovalam is one of the best bathing bays in the world with excellent bathing facilities and enchanting sceneries. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches and among them the southern most beach is most popular. 

Ponmudi Hill Station: Ponmudi is one of the most important hill stations of Kerala located at a height of 915 metres above sea level. It is an ideal hill resort having narrow and winding paths, green and cool environment, beautiful and exotic flowers, small springs with icy water etc. The hill station has a deer park. Trekking, tree house view tower and bathing are some other added attractions.

Neyyar Dam: The picturesque location of the dam and the lake in the midst of the mountains and a mini wild life protection area has made Neyyar a popular tourist destination. Boating along the reservoir, lake garden, crocodile farm and safari park makes Neyyar different from other tourist spots in Kerala. Neyyar is 29 km from Thiruvananthapuram

The Napier Museum: The museum houses a rare collection of archaeological and historical artefacts, idols, ancient ornaments and ivory carvings. This Indo-Saracenic structure was built in 19th century. An exquisite art gallery is also located near the museum, where rare paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and many other schools of art in India are exhibited. Adjoining to the museum, there is a zoological park, which is one of oldest zoos of India and a well-maintained botanical garden.

Shangumukom Beach: The beach is a favourite spot for sunset watching. It is located just 8 km from the town.

Veli Tourist Village: This is a beautiful picnic spot where Veli lake meets the sea. The village provides boating facilities to see the sights of the charms of lagoon.  

Padmanabha Swamy Temple: Padmanabha Swamy Temple is one of 108 sacred Vishnu Temples of India. It is located in the heart of the city known as East Fort. The principal deity is Lord Vishnu reclined on the Anantha Naga, the Holy Serpent. The temple is a treasure of Dravidian style of architecture, stone carvings and mural paintings.  Hindus alone are allowed to enter into the temple.

Varkala: Located 40 km north west of Thiruvananthapuram town, Varkala is a seaside resort and a pilgrim centre. The Samadhi (last resting place) of Sree Narayana Guru, the great social reformer of Kerala, is at Varkala. High Cliffs with mineral springs are the major attractions of Varkala. The Janardhana Swamy Temple established 2000 years before and a century old water tunnel are some other attractions.

Vizhinjam Rock Caves (17 km),  Aruvikkara Dam (16 km) Peppara Wildlife Sanctury (50 km), Koyikkal Palace (18 km) are certain important destinations worth to visit.

Festivals
Arat, Attukal Pongala, Beemapally Uroos (Islamic festival), Feast of Christ at Madre Desus Church, Nishagandhi Dance and Music Festival, Soorya Festival, Swathy Sangeethoslvam(classical music festival) are some of the colourful festivals.

PHOTOALBUM