PLACE TO VISIT

Padmanabhaswamy Temple 

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the most famous Lord Vishnu Temples in Kerala, South India. Also known as Sree Ananda Padmanabhaswamy Temple, this Mahavishnu Temple is located inside East Fort, in Thiruvananthapuram - the capital city of Kerala, India. Lord Vishnu is enshrined here in the Anananthasayanam posture (in eternal sleep of yognidra), lying on Sri Anantha, the hooded snake. According to traditions, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Kshetram is believed to have been worshipped by Chandra (Moon God) and Lord Indra (the head of the Devas). 

The origin of the Temple of Sree Padmanabhaswamy is lost in antiquity. It is not possible to determine with any exactitude, from any reliable historical documents or other sources as to when and by whom the original idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy was consecrated. 

The Temple has references in Epics and Puranas. Srimad Bhagavatha says that Balarama visited this Temple, bathed in Padmatheertham and made several offerings. Nammalwar, 9th century poet and one among the 12 vaishnavite saints of the Alvar tradition, has composed ten hymns in praise of Lord Padmanabha. Some well known scholars, writers and historians, like the Late Dr. L.A.Ravi Varma of Travancore, have expressed the view that this Temple was established on the first day of Kali Yuga (which is over 5000 years ago). The legends of the Temple are handed down through the centuries. 

How To Reach : 
By Road/Bus : Thiruvananthapuram is connected with Kollam (1½ hours), Alappuzha (3¼ hours), Ernakulam (5 hours), Trichur (6¾ hours), Chennai (17 hours), Madurai (10 hours), and Pondicherry (16 hours) by road. We would provide you all tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too. 
By Plane/Air : Being the capital of Kerala state, Thiruvananthapuram is well connected to other major cities of and the neighboring countries. There are direct flights to Bangalore , Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi . Cities in the neighboring countries such as Colombo , Malé and cities of Arabian Gulf are connected by the international airlines. 
By Train/Rail : Thiruvananthapuram is connected to other important cities of and Kerala by trains. Regular trains are available for the states of Karnataka and Tamilnadu. For the tourists heading towards North India and Delhi , Himsagar Express is the perfect choice. 

Kuthiramalika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum

Located adjacent to Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kuthiramalika Palace Museum is the rarest specimen of workmanship. Built by Maharaja Swathi Balarama Varma, this palace displays valuable collections of royal family. Beside the rich collection that it displays, this museum is an exemplary example of traditional Travancore-style architecture.  Intricate wood carvings and distinctive patterns constitute a masterpiece of its kinds.

Napier Museum 

Named after Lord Napier, this art and history museum was established in 1855. An exemplary example of gothic architecture-style, Napier Museum boasts greatly of its natural air conditioning system. It houses an exceptional collection of ornaments, bronze idols, chariots and ivory carvings. The museum offers insight into the rich and glorious culture and history of Kerala.

Kanakakunnu Palace

Neighbour to the famous Napier Museum stands Kanakannu Palace, an embodiment of excellent craftsmanship and architecture. This palace is the pride possession of the state of Kerala. Built by Sree Moolan Thirunal for holding royal ceremonies and banquets, it retains its image as a place of entertainment for the royal family.

Priyadarshini Space Planetarium

Ranked among the most versatile planetariums in India, the Priyadarshini Space Planetarium was opened to public in 1994. It is fitted with advance equipment that allows the projection of all the constituents of universe. This planetarium imparts valuable knowledge about earth and the enormous universe that we all are part of. Simulating the star-studded night sky on any earth location is its most attractive feature.

Hawa Beach

The Hawa Beach is also called the Eve's Beach. This scenic place is ideal for travellers looking for secluded and tranquil stretches of sandy shores. Hawa Beach and Kovalam Beach are separated from each other by a foreland called Edakallu. It offers one of the most beautiful sunset views from this headland.

Kovalam Beach 

One of the most popular beaches in Trivandrum, Kovalam beach is situated at a distance of 16 kilometers to the south of Trivandrum city. The natural beauty of this beautiful beach is what attracts people from far and wide to come here. It takes an hour from Trivandrum to reach this scenic beach, which is famous for its beach resorts. The Kovalam beach in Kerala offers the best of facilities to its visitors like sunbathing, swimming, Ayurvedic massages and plenty of other options. Check out the Thiruvananthapuram Kovalam beach and come here to recharge your energy levels and feel refreshed once again. 

One of the most famous and popular of all the beaches in South India, the Kovalam beach has many beach resorts lined up to cater to different tourists and their varied demands. The Kovalam beach is divided into two main beaches besides the many other private beaches. They are known as Eve's beach and Lighthouse beach. The Eve's beach is a semi circular beach and is a secluded spot lined with palm trees. The Lighthouse beach has a famous lighthouse that has been fighting the tempests since the British rule. 

The beach offers many facilities for keeping tourists amused. Apart from sunbathing and swimming, the beach is ideal to take long walks and watch the magical sunset while the warm water softly laps at your feet. The fishermen in the beach offer to take you out in the sea while they go out to claim their catch for the day. Sail with them during sunrise and come back as the sun sets, painting the horizon a beautiful shade of ochre. 
History : Kovalam first received attention when the Regent Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore constructed her beach resort, Halcyon Castle, here towards the end of the 1920s. Thereafter the place was brought to the public eye by her nephew the Maharaja of Travancore.[1] The European guests of the then Travancore kingdom discovered the potentiality of Kovalam beach as a tourist destination in the 1930s. However, Kovalam shot into limelight in the early seventies with arrivals of the masses of hippies on their way to Ceylon in the Hippie Trail. This exodus started the transformation of a casual fishing village of Kerala into one of the most important tourist destinations in all India.[2] 

How To Reach : 
By Road/Bus : The Kovalam beach is well connected to Kerala by a wide network of roads. 
By Plane/Air : Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 10 km. 
By Train/Rail : Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram Central, about 16 km. 

Shanghumukham Beach 

Shanghumukham Beach is an ideal place for those seeking peace and serenity. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, this place is known for breath-taking sunrises and sunsets and very close to domestic airport.

Veli Tourist Village

The planned location of the Veli Tourist Village proves to be a successful picnic spot. It is situated 8 kms from the city, where Veli Lake and Arabian Sea confluences. The charming landscape allures one to explore this much sort after destination.

Neyyar Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary

Neyyar Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary is about 30 kilometers (18.75 miles) east of Trivandrum at the foot of the Western Ghats. It is about 38 kilometers (24 miles) from Trivandrum airport and 32 kilometers (20 miles) from the central railway station. A charming dam site, the region is a treasure trove of some rare medicinal herbs. The adjacent Neyyar Lake is ideal for a boat ride and opens up glorious panoramic vistas of the dense wilderness and the dark silhouette of the Western Ghats in the backdrop. This dam was built in 1958 on the basins of the three main rivers namely Neyyar, Mullayar and Kallar. Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses the Dam and is an abode of wild animals such as elephants, wild buffaloes, sloth bear, wild boar, porcupines, jungle cats, tigers and snakes among others. Scale up the watchtower offering a grand panoramic view of the jungle, and keep a look-out for the elusive Nilgiri Tahr, gaur and Nilgiri Langur among others. You could even chance upon a herd of wild elephants or sambhar deer as they graze with gay abandon. Keep your binoculars handy at all times, from such an elevation it is easy to spot wildlife while not alarming them. 

The crocodile farm is a great pleasure for reptile lovers. Outside of that, there is a lion safari park and deer park around which you can ride a jeep and spot wildlife. Nonetheless, the Neyyar Dam remains a major draw to the sanctuary, with the Neyyar Lake adding a sense of tranquility to the sumptuous wilderness. You can enjoy boating on the crystal-clear waters of the reservoir and capture the jungle from a different perspective. The Neyyar Dam supports a large population of crocodiles and otters. You will notice that the garden at the dam site is speckled with larger than life statues to add a bit of drama to the surroundings. 

Spread across 128 sq. kilometers, the sanctuary encompasses hilly terrain and forested landscape, predominated by the Agasthya Malai peak at an elevation of 1868 meters (6227 feet). The sanctuary stretches from Neyyatinkara Taluk to Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. Mean summer temperature in the region is around 35 degree centigrade, and winter temperature 16 degree centigrade. The average rainfall from the southwest monsoon that lasts from May to July, and the northeast monsoon between October and November, is around 3000 mm. The best season to visit the sanctuary is from November to March. 

The administrative complex of Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is about a kilometer west of Neyyar Dam outside the periphery of the sanctuary. The place also has a visitor information centre, staff quarters, rest house and a youth hostel. You can stay overnight at the rest house on the fringes of the Neyyar Dam after seeking prior permission from The Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) or The Wildlife Warden, Thiruvananthapuram Wildlife Division, Vattiyoorkavu P.O, Thiruvananthapuram. 

The jungle offers a quiet retreat away from the bustling metropolis of Trivandrum. 

How To Reach : 
By Road/Bus : There is motorable road to the dam site which is well connected by regular bus services from Thiruvananthapuram city. 
By Plane/Air : Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 38 km. 
By Train/Rail : Thiruvananthapuram, about 32 km away.

Varkala Beach 

Varkala is the only place in southern Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Arabian Sea.[1] These tertiary sedimentary formation cliffs are a unique geological feature on the otherwise flat Kerala coast, and is known among geologists as Varkala Formation and a geological monument as declared by the Geological Survey of India. There are numerous water spouts and spas on the sides of these cliffs. Varkala is also famous for the 2,000-year old Janardana Swami Temple which is an important Vaishnavaite shrine in India and is often referred to as Dakshin Kashi (Benares of the South). The temple is located close to the Papanasam beach, which is considered to have holy waters which wash away sins, and is also an important Ayurveda treatment centre. The temple has an ancient bell removed from a shipwreck, donated by the captain of the Dutch vessel which sank near Varkala without causing any casualties. 

Another major landmark in Varkala is the Sivagiri Mutt, established by the social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The hill-top mausoleum of Sree Narayana Guru is one of the most famous monuments in Kerala. The adjacent hills house the East-West University of Brahmavidya and Sree Narayana Gurukulam. 

How To Reach : 
By Road/Bus : The Varkala beach is easily accessible from anywhere in Trivandrum as it is well connected by roads. 
By Plane/Air : Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 57 km away. 
By Train/Rail :Nearest railway station: Varkala, about 3 km away. 

Ponmudi

Ponmudi is connected to Trivandrum by a narrow winding road offering scenic views on the way to Ponmudi. The climate is pleasant year-round. Trivandrum serves as a base for trekking and hiking. There are also tea gardens in the area.

Other attractions near Ponmudi include Golden Valley and a number of rivulets and rapids, some even across the road. The lush forest area has tropical vegetation. A variety of wildlife inhabit the hills. The Golden Valley offers vistas of the hills and access to the Kallar River. Flowing though a wilderness area, it has rounded pebbles, cool water, fish, and lush green trees.

Another attraction in the region is Agasthyarkoodam, one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats, with the highest peak at 1868 m. This peak is famous for its wilderness, and can be accessed only with the Forest Department's permission. Meenmutty Falls is also a famous attraction in the area.

Hotel Golden Peak in the upper sanitorium under Kerala Tourism Development Corporation(KTDC) is the only hotel available for stay in Ponmudi.Due to its proximity to the main city of Trivandrum and lack of accommodation options tourists usually prefer to stay in the city and make a one day trip to Ponmudi though the early morning scenery especially during the winter season is worth feeling.