Thiruvananthapuram
which was previously called Trivandrum, is an ancient city with tradition
dating back to 1000 BC.
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the state of Kerala
is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. It is located on the
west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland spreading over
a total of 2,192sq.km.
Being the state capital, it also throbs with political activity.
Thiruvananthapuram and its famous beaches are one of the top tourist destinations in India.
Rice is the staple food of the people. The Nair , Ezhavas and
other such castes are not generally vegetarians, though some individual
members may stick to being strict
vegetarians. The routine dietary in a family consists of breakfast, Lunch,tiffin and supper. Kanji or Rice gruel with some vegetable curry and pickles
formed the main breakfast until very recently in almost all families, but it has
now been replaced by tea, coffee or other beverages taken along with dishes like
Dosai , Idly, Poori, Chappathi and Uppuma.
The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the eastern and northeastern
borders give Thiruvananthapuram some of the most enchanting picnic spots.
A long shoreline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic
monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make it a much
sought after tourist destination.
The city gets its name from the word, Thiru-anantha-puram, meaning the city of Anantha or the abode of the sacred Serpent Anantha on which Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu trinity, reclines.
Some of the places of Tourist attractions are:: Padmanabha Swamy Temple: The
temple is located inside the East Fort. Kuthiramalika
(Puthenmalika) Palace Museum, The Napier Museum, Sree Chithra Art
Gallery, Shankhumugham Beach, Veli Tourist Village, Varkala, Ponmudi,
Kovalam Beach-adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost, known
as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular.
Capital of
State :
Kerala
District Area:
2192 Sq Mtr
Language Malayalam, Tamil. English & Hindi
Climate:
The climate is hot and humid. From June to Sept. it experiences rains.
From October to February, the climate remains relatively dry and cool and it is the best period to visit the city.
Travelling
within Thiruvananthapuram:
Hire a
car preferably from a government-approved agency or take a taxi or if you
prefer a cheaper mode of transport hire an auto rickshaw.
How
to reach Thiruvananthapuram
By
Air : Trivandrum Airport (International) is linked by flights to
Cochin, Madras, Delhi, Goa and Bombay. By Rail : There are trains from many
places. There are about seven trains a day from Thrissur. By Road : Long distance buses depart
from the Central Bus Station (KSRTC, Thampanoor bus terminal).