Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Gods own country, Kerala is famous for its golden beaches and rich cultural heritage. This beautiful city located in the southern edge of Kerala, is replete with historical monuments which have gone to preserve the history of Kerala. Exquisite artwork, age old palaces and sun kissed beaches make Thiruvananthapuram the idyllic retreat of tourists.
Thiruvananthapuram is especially known for its pristine beaches and dense greenery, which make the capital city an ideal holiday destination. Earlier part of the princely state of Travancore, the city boasts of a rich cultural and literary tradition.In spite of being the capital city of Kerala, it is markedly free from high-rises and urban clamor.
Attractions in and around this district are aplenty.Kovalam beach is the biggest of all tourist attractions here. Kovalam lies only 16kms away from the city. Soft white sands, the emerald sea and swaying palms combined make it the perfect setting for an idyllic holiday for those who love the sun, sand and surf.
Padmanabha Swamy Temple is another major tourism spot.The ancient temple with its towering gopuras, granite carved pillars and timeless murals, is a magnificent structure where the presiding deity is lord Vishnu reclining on a large serpent that is Anantha. There is a vast temple tank that surrounds this temple which is associated with religious rituals and which is also used by the devotees.
Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, an elegant building, was built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma - the erstwhile King of Travancore.This palace houses exquisite architecture, woodcarvings, paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family. Napier Museum is a19th century structure displaying a rare collection of archaeological artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The Indo-Saracenic structure boasts of a natural air-conditioning system that bears testimony to the technological progress of that period.
Some other tourist attractions in the city are the Zoological Park, Priyadarshini Planetarium, Observatory, Shankhumugham beach & Connemara market. You can take an excursion to Kanya Kumari at the southern tip of India, where 3 seas - the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal meet. Although it is in the state of Tamil Nadu, it lies very close to Thiruvananthapuram.
