thiruvananthapuram places to visit

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Thiruvallam:

Thiruvallam is located 10 km from the city. This serene backwater stretch, enroute to Kovalam, is famous for its canoe rides. Parasurama Temple in Thiruvallam attracts may Hindus.

Aruvikkara Dam:
(16 km - 1/2 hour): This picturesque picnic spot is on the banks of the Karamana river. Near the Durga Temple here is a stream full of fish that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors.

Boating facilities are available at the reservoir.

Sree Mahadeva Temple:
Situated in Kazhakuttom, this ancient temple is believed to date back to the 14th century. Another old temple in the district is the Mitramandapuram Temple on the outskirts of the city.

C V N Kalari Sangham:

C V N Kalari is located in East Fort, Thiruvananthapuram, at a walkable distance from the central bus station. Kalarippayattu, considered to be the mother of all the martial art forms in the world, is a priceless asset to Kerala's heritage. An intricate blend of physical prowess, mindset, martial techniques and indigenous medical system, this form of armed, close quarter, hand-to-hand combat is unique to this State.

The Kalari is a practice ring or training centre on the lines of a gymnasium and Payattu is a duel. Hence, Kalarippayattu means martial skills learnt in a ring or training centre.

Secretariat:

Built in the Roman architectural style, this is the centre of government administration in Kerala and houses the offices of ministers and the bureaucracy.

Kovalam Beach (16 km - 1/2 hour): This internationally renowned beach resort has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular. Kovalam offers accommodation options to suit all budgets.

Museum Complex:

The Napier Museum: Built in the 19th century, the Indo - saracenic structure boasts a "natural" air conditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The use of plastic is banned in the museum premises. Ph: 316275

Sree Chithra Art Gallery:

Located near the Napier Museum, this art gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali.

The Zoological Park:

One of the first zoos in India, it is located in a well-planned botanical garden. With huge trees like frangipani and jacaranda dotting the sprawling lawns and wild fowl swimming in the lake, it is like a small jungle in the heart of the city. A reptile house with different species of snakes is also located in the premises.

The Kanakakunnu Palace:

The palace and its sprawling grounds are today the venue for many cultural meets and programmes.

Science and Technology Museum Complex:

The exhibits here are related to science, technology and electronics.

Shankhumugham Beach:

Just 8 km from the city, this is a favourite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Veli Tourist Village. An indoor recreation club, the matsya kanyaka (a gigantic, 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid) and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are some of the attractions here. Chacha Nehru Traffic Training Park here provides opportunity for children to learn the traffic rules.

Chacha Nehru Children's Museum:

(Open 1000 - 1700 hrs. Closed on Mondays): Children of all age groups will enjoy the vast collection of nearly 2000 dolls, stamps and masks displayed here.

Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave:

(17 km - 1/2 hour): There are rock cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple at Vizhinjam. The granite cave here encloses a one-celled shrine with a loose sculpture of Vinandhara Dakshinamurthi. The outer wall of the cave depicts half complete reliefs of the Hindu God Shiva with Goddess Parvathi.

Koyikkal Palace:

(18 km - 1/2 hour): Located on the way to the Ponmudi hill station and the Courtallam waterfalls, this ancient palace dates back to the 15th century. Here you can see a double storeyed traditional Nalukettu building with slanting gabled roofs, an inner courtyard and museums of folklore and numismatics set up by the Department of Archeology.

Neyyar Dam:

(32 km - 1 hour): A popular picnic spot, Neyyar Dam has a watch tower, crocodile farm, lion safari park and deer park. Boating facilities are available at the reservoir.

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