Located in the southwestern tip of India. Thiruvananthapuram is bound by the Arabian Sea in the West and Tamil Nadu in the East. Named after AnanthaPadmanabha or Lord Vishu, the City is home to many ancient temples. But the landmark is the SreePadmanabhaSwamy Temple around Which the City has been built on seven low hills. The wooded highlands of the Western Ghats in the eastern and northeastern borders give Thiruvananthapuram some the most enchanting picnic sports. A long shoreline with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and rich cultural heritage make this district a much sought-after tourist destination. Clean and green, Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala is one of the most beautiful cities in the Country.
PadmanabhaSwamy Temple
(Open 0415 – 0515 hrs. 0645-0715 hrs, 0830-1115 hrs, 1145-1200hrs, 1700-1815 hrs, 1845-1930 hrs) Located inside the East Fort, this temple dedicated to Lords Vishnu, is blend of the Kerala and Dravidian Styles of architecture.
The Napier Museum
(Open 1000-1645 hrs, Closed 15th Thiruonam and Mahavanami) Built in the 19th centuar, this Indo-Saracenic structure boasts of a natural air conditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The Javanese shadow play leather figures used to depict the epics of Mahabharata and the Ramayana, are very interesting.
SreeChithra Art Gallery
(Open 1000-1645 hrs, Closed on Mondays & Wednesdays forenoons) Located near the Naples Musuem, this art gallery opened in 1935 by the then Maharaja of Travancore, SreeChithraThirunal, Displays original paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich; exquiste work from the Rajput, Mughal andTanjore schools of the art in India as well as paintings from China, Japan. Tibet and Ball. The collection also incudes unique copies of Indian mural paintings from pre-historic times down to the 18th centuary
Ponmudi
(61 KM.-21/2Hours) An idyllic hill station ponmudi is located 915m above sea level. Along with a variety of beautiful mountain flowers exotic butterflies small rirulets spring and the deer park near by, this hill destination offers excellent trekking trails and camping opportunities. The Tree house view tower is another attraction. Kovalam
Kovalam
Accessing Kovalam
Silhouetted against lush palm grows, the crescent shaoed beaches of kovalam are international tourist destination. Besides the tree main beaches -light house beach, eve’s or howah beach and ashok beach, there are many more picturesque beaches all along the cost. shalow water streching hundreds of metres are ideal for swiming Kovalam Beach
Fringed by headlands that rise steeply above the shore, Kovalam is almost completely covered by coconut palms. Of the three small bays separated by rocky outcrops, the southern most, known as the light house beach, is the most popular.
The lovely old light house that gives the beach its name is the vizhinjaam light house.
Varkala
A sea side destination, red laterite cliffs rise majestically from its cost line. The famed papanasham beach, belived to wash away all since, is a paradise for those who worship the sun, sand and suf. Serene backwaters, natural mineral springs and secluded coves make this place really special. The ways of the magnificent Arabian Sea lash upon the sacred Grounds of Varkala, where stands a 2000 – years old temple by the sea.