The highlight of the festival is undoubtedly the snakeboat races that are held at Kottayam, Aranmula and Payidpad in the backwaters, competing for the coveted Nehru Cup. The tourism authorities of the state have introduced a number of tourist festivals that combine the pageantry of traditional celebrations with activity and excitement that modern-day travellers can participate in. These include the great Elephant March in January, in which as many as one hundred caparisoned elephants are used to ferry tourists to major places in the state while Kerala displays its cultural and culinary possibilities.

The winter months from October through March celebrate Nishagandhi, a dance and music pageant that is staged every Saturday. No matter what time of year they travel to Kerala, tourists should also celebrate life in the unique Kerala way. There are Kathakali performances to watch, a dance drama based on the ancient epics forming among the most colorful of the country's stage traditions. Male actors in make-up that takes as much as two to three hours to apply cavort on the stage in a spellbinding display of morality-theater.

The women come to the stage with their own, more graceful dance form, the Mohiniattam. It would also be interesting to watch a kalaripayattu performance, this display of martial arts originated in the temples of Kerala, and marks the most ancient form of defense in the world, in which the body is trained in agility and elegance. Finally, no visit to Kerala would be complete without its famous Ayurvedic massages, in which herbs and oils are used to rejuvenate body and skin in a refreshing exercise.

Places of Worship in Trivandrum

For Christian:
Lourdes Church, PMG
Marthome Church, Paloor
CSI church, Palayam
St. Joseph's Cathederal, Palayam
St. Mary's Syrian Catholic Church

For Hindus:
Bagavathy temple (Attukel)
Ganapathy temple (Pazhavangadi)
Padmanabhaswamy temple (East Fort)
Sree Varaham temple
Sreekanteswaram temple (Fort)

For Muslims:
Bheemapalli mosque (Thampanoor)

Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple
      With it's magnificent tower rising in seven stories against the reflecting pool in front of the temple, is a fine specimen of Indian architecture.Only Hindus are permitted inside the temple provided they conform to dress regulations of the temple devasthanam.

Sri Krishnaswamy Temple
Parents of Shri Shankaracharya used to worship here.

Suchindram Temple
Non Hindus are not permitted inside the temple.It contains beautiful carving and sculptures.

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