Trivandrum - Beaches

Kovalam Beach Kovalam beach is 16kms away from Thiruvananthapuram. Until the 1960s, Kovalam was just a sleepy fishing village with narrow lanes and thatched dwellings with wide countryards for drying fish. However, once its spectacular beach and Shallow, crystal-clear waters were discovered, it became a favourite with hippies and backpackers, and over the years acquired the reputation of being a shabby, downmarket resort. Today, however, it also attracts the rich and famous, who come here in private planes. As a result, the beaches are dotted with both luxury and budget resorts, as well as cafes and several government-approved Ayurveda centres that Offer anything from a simple massage to three-week treatments. hawkers, too have set up stalls selling handicrafts and inexpensive beachwear. Despite the onslaughts of mass tourism, Kovalam retains an inherent charm that makes it one of india's finest and most popular beach resorts. Kovalam's sheltered natural bay is ringed by two rocky headlands. Its four beaches-Samudra beach, Ashok beach, Eve's beach and Lighthouse beach- all within short walking distance od eachother, provide vistors with their fill of sun, swa and sand. While the beaches to the south of the promontory are more crowded, the ones to the north offer ample secluded space for sunbathing, safe swimming in the placid blue waters, catamaran trips, and water sports.
	Shanghumugham Beach It is situated about 8kms from the city and is a popular city beach adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram airport. An indoor recreation club, the children's traffic training park, the matsya kanyaka, a gigantic 35mt long sculpture of a mermaid and a restaurant shaped like a star fish are some of the attractions here.
	Varkala This beautiful little beach town is better known among locals as a major pilgrimage centre. According to legend, the sage Narada flung a cloth made from the bark of a tree into the air, and it landed at the spot where the small town of varkala now stands. Narada then directed his disciples to pray for salvation at the newly created beach, which came to be known as papanasham beach or the "Beach of Redemption". Since then, this beach has been associated with ancestor worship, as Hindus immerse the ashes of their dead here. At the heart of the town is the sacred Janardhana swamy Temple believed to be more than 2,000 years oid. This temple, dedicated to krishna, attracts many pilgrims. One of the bells in the temple is said to have been given in gratitude by the captain of a17th - century Dutch sailing were answered. Varkala's other pilgrimage centre is the hilltop Mmrial of Sree Narayana Guru (1855 - 1928 ) at sivagiri 3km east of the temple. Every day countless devotees flock to the memorial of this great saint and social reformer who advocated " One god for mankind" With its backdrop of red laterite cliffs overlooking the beach, varakala has now emerged as a popular resort and spa. The town is famous for its natural springs with therapeutic qualiqtqiqeqs, and is also a centre for Ayurvedic treatment and yoga. To the south is the desolate Anjengo fort, the main garrison of the Dutch East India Company in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Trivandrum - Museums

Napier Museum
It is situated north of the city, at Museum road and 400m east of Indian airlines. It displays an eclectic assortment of historical and contemporary ornaments, temple carts, ivory carvings and life-size figures of kathakali dances in full costume. It has a famous collection of 8th-18th century south Indian bronze. The visiting time is from 10am to 5pm, closed on Monday and forenoon of Wednesday.

Natural History Museum
It is situated to the east of Napier museum. Ticket covers entry to all museum and galleries in the complex. It has a rudimentary ethnographic collection as well as an interesting replica of a Nayar wooden house built in the Keralian style.

Sri Chittira Art Gallery
It is situated to the North of Napier museum and has an excellent collection of Indian art with examples from early to modern schools. Paintings by Raja Ravi Varma and works from Mughal and Rajput miniature paintings and Tanjore paintings embellished with semi- precious stones are displayed. There is a Zoo and Aquarium nearby. It will be open from 10am to 5pm and closed on Monday and Wednesday mornings.
Museum of Science and Technology
It is situated near the mascot hotel. It highlights science, technology and electronics. Opens from 10am to 5pm, closed on Monday. There is a small entry fee.

Chacha Nehru Children's Musuem
This museum was established in 1980 and was named after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for his great love towards children. The museum displays a vast range of objects like traditional and proclaim dolls from all over the world, a mini aquarium and the first issue of children's literature in Malayalam. It will be open from 10am-5pm.

Kuthiramalika (Puthemalika) Palace Musuem
The palace was built by Maharaja Swathi Tirunal Balarama Varma, the King of Travancore who was also a great poet, musician, social reformer and state man. This palace has wood carvings in the traditional Travancore style. The palace museum displays various painting collections of the royal family. It is situated on the South East side of Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple. It will be open from 8:30-12:30hrs and 3:30-5:30hrs. It will be closed on Monday.

Trivandrum - Tourist Places

Agasthyakoodam

Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak in Kerala, at a height of 1890mts above sea level and is a part of the Sahyadri range of mountains.It is 60 Kms North East of Trivandrum.The mountain is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus, as it is believed to be the abode of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara as well as of the sage Agastya, a disciple of Shiva.

The forests of Agasthyakoodam are rich in rare medicinal herbs and plant, and hued orchids. In 1992, an area covering around 23 sq kms was established as Agasthya Vanam Biological Park. The intention was to restore the degraded forests and to use it for educational purpose. The season from December to April is advocated for trekking and is a distance of 28 kms to the top. It takes approximately two days and trekking is permitted only between December and April.

For trekking Permits contact the office of the Wildlife Warden, Trivandrum at + 91 - 471 - 2368607

Neyyar Dam

It is situated at 30km east of Thiruvananthapuram, at the foot of western ghats. It was established in 1958. It is occupying the basin of the rivers Neyyar, Mullayar and Kallar. This popular picnic spot has a watch tower, crocodile farm, lion safari park and deer park. The 128sqkm Neyyar sanctuary occupies a beautiful wooded and hilly landscape, dominated by the peak of Agasthya malai. Wild life includes gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr, jungle cat and Nilgiri langur but most commonly seen animals are wild elephants and sambar deer. Boating facilities are available at the reservoir.
 

 

Kanakakunnu Palace

It is situated 800meter NE of the Napier museum. It is where the Travancore royal family once entertained their guests is on top of a hill. Now it belongs to the Government. Today the palace and it's sprawling grounds are the venue for many cultural meets and programmes. An all India Dance Festival (October to March) is organised by the Department of Tourism every year. During this period the classical Indian Dance Performances are conducted every day. For More Information Contact : 91- 471- 2314615

 

 

Ponmudi

Ponmudi is the nearest hill station to Thiruvananthapuram (65km). It is located 915 metres above sea level. It is an idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding path ways and cool, green wooded environs. It serves as a good base for trekking and bird watching. The natural scenery, salubrious climate and the scope of hiking in high trails make the visit an exhilarating experience. There is a charming deer park which is only 3kms from Ponmudi.

 

Padmanabhapuram Palace

This majestic old palace is 63kms from Thiruvananthapuram. It is situated at Thucklai, on the way to Kanyakumari. This palace was once the capital of the State of Travancore. The palace is built in the Travancore architectural style. This is famous for its 17th and 18th century murals, carved mahogany ceiling, colored mica windows, secret underground passages, inner courtyards, durbal hall, museum, four poster medicinal bed, Belgian mirror, pictures of Lord Krishna, granite dance halls and special black shiny floors which are made from a unique combination of egg white, jaggery, lime, burnt coconut, charcoal and river sand.
It will be closed on Mondays.

 

 

Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave

It is about 17kms from the city. It is a historic spot which was left unnoticed for long time. There are rock cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple. The granite cave here encloses a one cell shrine with a loose sculpture of Vinandhara Dakshnimurthi.

Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple

Thiruvananthapuram's most interesting temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian style of architecture. It is a best example of South Indian architecture, with an impressive seven -story gopuram (tower).A flagstaff encased in gold stands in the huge courtyard.It is known for its murals and carvings. In the main courtyard, the Kulashekara mandapam, there is some intricate granite sculpture and nearly 400 pillars are supporting the temple corridors. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple and they have rules of clothing. Even the male Hindus, must enter the temple wearing only white dhoti.

More Information Contact : 91- 471- 2450233 

 

 

CVN Kalari Sangham

This Training Centre for Kalaripayattu was established in 1956 to revive Kerala's martial arts tradition. Each morning, students collect at the gymnasium to perform a series of exercises that will help them develop the necessary combat skills. The centre also has a shrine to the deity of martial arts, Kalari Paradevata, and an Ayurvedic Clinic where students are given oil massages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trivandrum - Yoga Institute

Name	Address	Phone Numbers
Asoka Beach Resort	Kovalam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2480101
Ayur Health Center	Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2477799
Bathani Nature Cure Yoga and Physiotheraphy Center	Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2530924
Brahma Kumari's Raja Yoga	Pettah,Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2470299
Devaki Health Care Center	Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471--2326022, 2324173
Institute of Yogic Culture	Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	Office : 091 471 3949323 91-471- 2320408, 3949323, 3959323
International Sivananda Yoga Vedandha Center	West Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2450942
Manaltheeram Ayurvedic Beach Village	Chowara P.O., Balaramapuram, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2481610
Shilpa Health Club	Mascot Hotel, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2438990
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwanthari Ashram	P.O Neyyardam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2690493
Somatheeram, Chowara	South of Kovalam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471- 2481611, 267600,
Yoga Therapy Unit	Kannammoola, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2445125

Trivandrum - Marriage Halls

Name	Address	Phone Numbers
AJ Hall	Kumarapuram,Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2443255
Akshaya Kalyana Mandapam,	East Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2473353
Alakapuri	Sasthamangalam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2315457, 2325457
Ananathapuri	Jagathy, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2322534
Bishop Periera Hall	Nandavanam, Palayam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2327872
Chempaka Kalyana Mandapam	East Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2478410
Hassan Marikar Hall	Palayam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2449584
Hotel Anjali	Manorama Road, Near Aristo Jn, Thampanoor, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2332312
Lalith Mahal Kalyana Mandapam	West Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2471278
Madhavan Thampy Hall	Kesavadasapuram, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2446088, 2441661
Muslim Association Hall	Palayam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2320339
Navarathna Kalyana Mandapam	West Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2474483
NSS Auditorium	West Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2460194
NSS Hall	Karamana, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2343143
Panchajanyam Kalyana Mandapam	North Fort HS, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2472086
Raja Rajeswari Kalyana Mandapam	West Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2471400
Rajadhani Kalyana Mandapam	East Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2472253
Remya Kalyana Mandapam	Vedivachankoil, East Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2403588
Sivasakthi Kalyana Mandapam,	West Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2472688

Name	Address	Phone Numbers
Sree Kamalam	Eanchakkal, East Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2451325
Sree Padmam Kalyana Mandapam	Perunthanni, West Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2471400, 2570395
Sree Vaikuntam Kalyana Mandapam	South Street, Fort, East Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2471281
Sreedevi Community Hall	East Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2476745
Sreedevi Hall	Karamana, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2343867
Sreemoolam Club	Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2322980
Subramonium Hall	Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2326444
Sumangali Kalyana Mandapam	Nanthencode, Museum, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2318874
Tagore Theatre	Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2320426
Trivandrum Business Centre	Thampanoor, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2330352
Udiyanoor Devi Auditorium	Maruthankuzhy, Sasthamangalam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2324389
University Sentae Hall	Palayam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2445738
VJT Hall	Palayam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2321541

Trivandrum - Festivals

Thiruvananthapuram being the capital of Kerala, has one or other religious, state or tourist festivals celebrated every now and then throughout the year. The Village Fair An entire village of the bygone days of rural Kerala is recreated with artisans, Nalukettu (traditional house), temple, astrologer etc., so that the visitors will be able to see and visualize how people of Kerala in those days went about their lives. The festival lasts for a week from 3rd January. The village is set near Kovalam with displays of cultural performances like kathakali, koodiyattam, kalaripayattu, theyyam etc. Food Festival The festival is conducted during the 2nd week of February. Specialized chefs stalls for each state. Spread through seven evenings, one can taste almost all types of delicacies of Indian cuisine from various regions of India. Those prepared are even sold. It will be worthwhile to have a go at the dishes from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Nishagandhi Dance Festival The Tourism Development Corporation organises the dance festival. Leading artists of Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathak, Odissi, Modern ballet and other folk form will perform at the open-air theatre of Nishagandhi in the Kanakakunnu Palace compound. Admission is free and the festival usually is accompanied with music. Vetta and Arattu This festival is celebrated twice in a year, once in Oct.-Nov and other in March-April. Vetta represents Lord Vishnu hunting down the demon of evil in the forest. The next day afternoon the Arattu procession begins. Images of Lord Padmanabha, Lord Krishna and Lord Narasimha are carried to the Arabian Sea at Sangumugham beach escorted by the members of the Royal Family. At sunset the images are ritually bathed in the sea. Returning the images in a procession back to the Padmanabhaswamy temple concludes the event. Several cultural programs including all-night Kathakali are performed during the festival. Attukal Pongala Attukal Pongala is celebrated between 18-26 of February, every year, at Attukal Bhagavati Temple. It is a ten-day festival. On the 9th day, thousands of women devotees from many parts of the state gather in the vicinities of the temple to prepare pongala, a favourite offering to the goddess. They prepare pongala by cooking jaggery, coconut and banana in certain proportions and offer to the goddess. The ritual starts early morning and ends by afternoon. The uniqueness of the festival is that only women are allowed to do the offerings on that day.

Trivandrum - Clubs

Name	Address	Phone Numbers
The Trivandrum Golf Club	Kowdiar Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2435834
Kennel Club	Museum, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2438261
Lions Club	Kowdiar, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2441461
Lions Club	Central, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2472543
Lions Club	City West, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2473682
Lions Club	Contonment, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2325265
Lions Club	Cosmopolitian, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2531757
Lions Club	East, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2330710
Lions Club	Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2317435
Lions Club	Greater, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2475157
Lions Club	Host, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2472070
Lions Club	Towers, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2473374
National Club	Behind Secretariat, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2331128
Officers Club	Vellayambalam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2316834
Press Club	Near Central Stadium, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2331642
Rotary Club	Near AKG Centre, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2446823
Srimoolam Club	Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2323008
Trivandrum Women's Club	Kowdiar, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2321664
Boat Club	Aakulam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India	91-471-2443043