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The
capital of Kerala Trivandrum city, built on a series of hills
that gradually  descends
to the sea. As a city Trivandrum has much to offer. Being the
capital
of the erstwhile Travancore state, it has retained its magical
ambience. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the former rulers' place
of worship; the Napier Museum with a fine collection of bronzes,
ancient musical instruments, stone sculptures, ivory carvings
etc.; the Orient Manuscript Library which preserves ancient palm
leaf manuscripts; the Chitralayam Art Museum with its Indian and
South East Asian Collection; Zoological Gardens, set in sylvan
surroundings and acclaimed as one of the best zoos of the country
with an interesting collection of reptiles - these are some of
the places which you are bound to enjoy during your stay in Trivandrum.
| Trivandrum |
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| By
Air |
Thiruvananthapuram
has an international airport from where flights operate
to the Gulf, Europe, the U.S.A., and Shri Lanka
Domestic
Flights: On the domestic network, Indian Airlines flies
to the city from Delhi , Bombay , Madras , Bangalore ,
Cochin .
Airport
Tel: 73537, 744633. Reservation & Enquiries Tel :
62288, 66370.
Booking Offices: Air India, Vellayambalam, Tel: 434837.
Airport Tel: 451426.
Indian Airlines, Mascot Square Tel: 436870, 438288. Airport,
Enquiries Tel: 451537. |
| By
Rail |
Thiruvananthapuram
is an important terminus on the Indian Railway's network
with connections from all parts of the country. Both broad
gauge and metre gauge services operate to the city.
Enquiry Tel: 131; Reservation Tel: 132. |
| By
Road |
Thiruvananthapuram
is connected to all parts of the country by good roads.
The state's own highway-network also links the city to
all parts of the state. Bus services of Kerala State Road
Transport Corporation and road transport corporations
of Tamil Nadu, like TTC and Nesamony, provide regular
connections to Thiruvananthapuram from all major centres
of the region.
KSRTC, Central Bus Station, Thampanoor Tel: 623886.
City Bus Stand, Fort Tel: 463029, 477235. |
| Local
Transport |
Auto-rickshaws,
are the most popular mode of city commuting. These are
metered and available throughout the city. The city bus
service is very inexpensive, though crowded. |
| ACCOMMODATION |
LUXURY
HOTELS
Luciya Continental, East Fort. Tel: 463443; Fax: 463347.
Mascot (KTDC), Palayam Tel: 438990.
Pankaj, M.G. Road Tel: 464645, Fax: 465020.
STANDARD
HOTELS :
Silver Sand, Thampanoor Flyover Tel: 460318.
Hotel Chaitram, Thampanoor Tel: 330977.
Highlands, Manjalaikulam Road, Tel: 68200, 68457; Fax:
69645
Paramount Tourist Home, Aristo Jn. Tel: 63474.
Lal Tourist Home, Near railway station Thampanoor Tel:
68477.
Ammu, Manjalikulam Road, Thampanoor Tel: 331937, 331906.
Geeth, Pulimood Jn. Tel: 71941, 71987 (10 lines).
Jas, Thycaud, Aristo Jn. Tel: 64881 (10 lines); Fax: 64443.
PAYING
GUEST ACCOMMODATION
Thopil, TC14/368, Palaya Tel: 62256. |
| Shopping |
Carved
rosewood, teak furniture and decorative items, masks depicting
various characters of Indian mythology (usually worn in
Kathakali performances, Thyyams and other classical dances),
are important products in the markets of Kerala.
A
speciality of Thiruvananthapuram is Arammula metal mirror
produced by mixing certain herbs with molten metal to
give it a highly reflective surface.
The
main shopping area of the city is the stretch On M.G.
Road between East Fort and Palayam. Most emporia are located
in this area. Gram Sree, the village crafts centre, is
one of the best places. |
| Tours |
Kerala
Tourism Development Corporation operates sightseeing tours
by coach for places of interest in the city as well as
for excursions to other tourist centres. The city tour
is run on all days, except Monday, from 8 am to 7 pm (Rs.
70).
The
following tours are also organised:
Kanyakumari, daily, Rs. 150;
Ponmudi, daily, Rs. 100;
Periyar, on Saturdays, 2 days, Rs. 300;
Kodaikanal, last Saturday, 3 days, Rs. 500;
Courtallam, every Saturday/ Sunday, Rs. 150. |
| Photo
Shops |
Bavens
Studio, Pulimoodu, M.G. Road Tel: 71791.
Minerva Studio, Station Road Tel: 331575.
Paramount Photographers, M.G. Road Tel: 331686, 331643.
Ajanta Studio, Aristo Junction.
Five Star Photographers, LMS Compound Tel : 432394. |
| Important
Phone Numbers |
Police:
Tel: 100.Fire: Tel: 101.Ambulance: Tel: 102 |
| Festivals |
The
annual races of the snake-boats are usually held during
the second week of August. While the races are the most
publicised event, there are other festivals where boats
are used.
In
the second week of September, at Aranmula, 128 km from
Thiruvananthapuram, a procession of boats and races is
held as part of the Festival of the Parthasarthy Temple.
Another
important festival of snake-boats' display is a procession
at Champakkulam, 16 km from Alappuzha. This festival is
held in July in honour of Lord Krishna.
Elephants
form an important part of temple property. Pooram Festival
at Trichur, generally in the third week of April, is the
most magnificent display of caparisoned elephants when
they form the procession at Vadakkunathan Temple.
Finely
dressed elephants also form a procession at Thiruvananthapuram
in November as a part of the Arat Festival at Padmanabha
Temple. |
| SIGHTSEEING |
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| Sri
Padmanabhaswamy Temple |
devoted
to Lord Vishnu, is the most dominating feature of the
city. The deity is depicted in a reclining position resting
on the holy serpent, Anantha. The profusely carved seven-storey
Mandapam is a fine example of south Indian sculpture.
The temple was rebuilt by Raja Marthanda Varma in 1733
A.D. However, like in many other temples in Kerala, entry
to the temple is restricted only to the Hindus and strict
dress regulations are enforced. |
| The
Public Park |
It
is also the best place for interests beyond religion.
For, here are centred a variety of institutions, like
the Napier Museum with a fine collection of Kerala bronzes,
ornaments and costumes and a model of 'Tharawad', a traditional
Nair family home; the Sri Chitra Art Gallery, the centre-piece
ofthe gallery being the collection of the works of Raja
Ravi Varma of Travancore and a number of Mughal and Rajput
miniatures; the Observatory Hill; and the Zoo, the second-oldest
in the country, is set in 50 acres and is complete with
an artificial island, a hanging bridge and an aquarium.
Generally, the visiting hours are from 10am to 11pm. Monday
closed.
Other
museums of interest are the Science and Technology Museum,
Priyadarshini Planetarium near Hotel Mascot (10am to 5pm,
closed on Monday) and Chacha Nehru Children's Museum,
Thycaud, housing dolls, masks and paintings. |
| EXCURSIONS |
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| Aruvippuram
(24 km) |
A
small Shiva temple attracts a large number of worshippers
during the festival of Shivaratri. There is a small waterfall
here. |
| Aruvikkara
(16 km) |
A
pilgrim centre and a place of tourist interest, Aruvikkara
is situated on the banks of the Karamana river. There
is an ancient temple here dedicated to Bhagavathi, built
on a rock on the right bank of the river. There is an
Inspection Bungalow here and the reservation authority
is the assistant executive engineer, Kerala Water Authority. |
| Agasthyakoodam
(61 km) |
This
is a prominent peak in the Sahyadri ranges and is conspicuous
by its height and isolation when seen from a distance. |
| Kovalam
Beach (16 km) |
It
is one of the most beautiful beaches of the world. |
| Neyyar
Dam (32 km) |
It
is a popular picnic spot with a lake and a dam. Facilities
for boating are provided in the reservoir. There is a
crocodile farm and a lion safari park to visit along with
a wildlife sanctuary. Bus services are frequent. Accommodation
is available in Agastya House. |
| Padmanabhapuram
Palace (54 km) |
A
'teak edifice' of yesteryears from where Maharaja Marthanda
Varma ruled Travancore state. Set in scenic surroundings
along the Thiruvananthapuram Kanyakumari route, the palace
is well maintained. It was in use from 1550-1790, and
has beautiful carvings, and 17th and 18th century murals.
There is a good restaurant on the premises which serves
Indian food. Accommodation in the area is not aplenty. |
| Sucheendram
Temple (74 km) |
A
Shiva/Brahma/Vishnu temple, the stone carvings are intricate
and worth spending some time on. There is a huge Hanuman
statue and a musical pillar. |
| Varkala
(51 km) |
It
is known for its Vishnu shrine dedicated to Lord Janardhana.
This temple is believed to be 2,000 years old. The Sivagiri
Mutt situated at an elevation 3 km east of the Janardhana
Temple, is held sacred by Hindu pilgrims. Varkala is a
seaside resort with mineral water springs. There is a
Government Guest House and a few mid-range hotels. Taj
Garden Retreat, Varkala, is the latest addition. |
| TOURIST
INFORMATION CENTRES |
Government
of Kerala Tourist Information Centre, Park View, opposite
Museum. Tel: 321132, Fax: 0471-62279.
Government
of India Tourist Information Counter, Thiruvananthapuram
Airport Tel: 451498.
Government
of Kerala Tourist Information Counter, Central Bus Station,
Thampanoor , Tel: 3272144; and at Railway Station.
Kerala
Tourism Development Corporation Reception Centre, near
Central Bus Station, Thampanoor Tel: 330031.
Foreigners'
Registration Office, Office of the Police Commissioner,
Thycaud Tel: 321399.
Government
of Kerala Tourist Information Centre, Kovalam Tel: 480085. |
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