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Thiruvananthapuram's most interesting temple i open to Hindus only, and even
they must wear wear a 'dhoti' or 'sari'. Still , it's worth visiting -even if
you are just passing through town-to see the temple's seven story carved gopuram
reflected in the nearby sacred tank.Constructed in the Dravidian style by a
maharaja of Travancore in 1733, the temple is dedicated to Vishnu,
who reclines on the sacred serpent, Anantha, which gives Thiruvanathapuram
its name.
Places
to See
Kovalam
Beach
Kovalam
is just 16 kms away from Trivandrum. This unique internationally
renowned wonderful beach will get pride of place amongst the loveliest
beaches in the world has been a favourite haunt of tourists since
the 1930s. Today Kovalam has become
one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove
of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it
a ravishing look.
The palm-fringed bays in
secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue
waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the
surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories, makes
this beach paradise. This marvellous beach is a tourist's dream come
true.
A sheltered natural bay with cool soothing
palms and gentle waves. Where when you are tired of aquatics, swimming
or sunbathing, you can explore the handicrafts, jewellery and cloth
shops spread along the waterfront. Not to speak of the delightful
sea-food fare including lobsters available at the beachside restaurants.
Places
to See
The recently opened Puthen Maliga Palace Museum, adjacent to the temple ,is
housed in several wings of the palace of the maharajahs of Travancore.
It's open from 8.30 am to 12.30pm and from 3 to 5.30 pm; entry is Rs.5.
Places
to See
The zoo and a collection of museums are in a park i the north of the city .
The museums are in a park in the north of the city. The museums are open Tuesday
to Sunday from 10am to 4.45pm, but not until 1pm on Wednesday. A single Rs.5
entry ticket covers all the museums and is obtainable from the Natural History
of Museum.
Housed in a whimsical, decaying, Keralan style building dating from
1880, the Napier Museum displays an electric assortment of
bronzes , historical and contemporary ornaments , temple carts , ivory carvings
and life size figures of Kathakali dancers in full costume.
The Natural History Museum has a rudimentary ethnographic
collection as well as an interesting replica of a Nayar wooden house built in
the Keralan style.
The Sri Chitra Art Gallery has paintings of the
Rajput, Mughal
and Tanjore schools, together with works from China, Tibet, Japan and Bali.
There are also many modern Indian paintings , including works by ravi Varma,
Svetoslav and Nicholas Roerich.
The Zoological Gardens are among the best designed in Asia -set among
woodland , lakes and well -maintained lawns - but some of the animal
enclosures (and their inhabitants) are misreble. The zoo is open Tuesday
to Saturday from 9am to 5.15pm. Entry is rs.4 and there is an additional Rs.5
charge for a camera or Rs.250 for a video camera.
The Science & Technology Museum and Planetarium , about
100m west of the Mascot Hotel, cater mostly to high school students . The
Museum is open from 10am to 5pm daily and entry is Rs.2. The Planetarium has 40
minute shows in English at noon daily (Rs.10).It's closed on Monday.
Places
to See
Padmanabhapuram Palace was once the seat of the rulers of Travancore, a
princely state for more than 400 years which included a large part of present
day Kerala and the Western coast of Tamil Nadu.
Padmanabhapuram is just inside Tamilnadu , 65km south-east of
Thiruvananthapuram. To get there , you can either catch a local bus from
Thiruvananthapuram or Kovalam beach or take one of the Kanyakumari tours
organised by the KTDC. The palace is closed on Monday.
Places
to See
Boardered by Veli lagoon and the Arabian Sea, the village
includes water sports , waterfront park, floating bridge, children's park,
restaurant, garden etc. it is 8km. away from the city. Visiting hours: 10am. to
8.30pm.
Places
to See
A popular picnic spot with boating facility.
Places
to See
It's a pleasant place to walk or watch the fishermen securing
their catch. A large sculpture of a mermaid graces the roadside, an example of
the work of the local artist Canai Kunuram. At dusk, during temple festivals,
the beach is the site of the ritual bathing of the temple idols.
Places
to See
Places
to See
Churches:
There are many churches in Thiruvananthapuram.
Places
to See
The CVN Kalari sangam in East Fort, near the Sree
Padmanabhaswamy Temple, is a small but remarkable bulding-part training centre,
part temple and part hospital.
Places
to See
Also in East fort is the Ganapathy Temple, dedicated to
Ganesh.
Places
to See
Organised Tours:
The KTDC operates a variety of tours in the city and further
afield. They all
depart from the Tourist Reception Centre opposite the Railway station
Places
to See
Neyyar
Dam
Neyyar dam,
lying against the southern low hills of the western ghats, 32 kms away from the Thiruvananthapuram
city is a popular picnic spot with a lake and a picturesque dam site. Neyyar dam
affords a panoramic view of the the mountains and the lake. The lion safari is a
star attraction.
The reservoir also offers boating facilities in addition to a crocodile farm.
The project offers facilities for boating and mountaineering. A miniature wild
life sanctuary, a lake garden and a swimming pool are the major attractions.
Places
to See
Ponmudi
Ponmudi hill
resort is cool and quiet. As the hills come awake you can begin a pleasurable
exploration of the wooded paths. Trekking is a passion with visitors to Ponmudi.
Ponmudi has other surprises too for you.
Orchids, for instance, grow in abundance here. A charming deer park is only
3kms. from Ponmudi. Picnic hampers that the staff at the guest house would be
happy to arrange, which you could take down the hill to a picturesque ruined dam
site or golden valley which is another pretty scenic spot. Other attractions are
Bird watching, Deer park and long, enjoyable walks.
Places
to See
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