| Thiruvananthapuram |
| | Home | Profile | Art Forms | Culture | Ayurveda | Festivals | Hillstations | Wildlife | Backwaters & Beaches | |
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This beautiful city, headquarters of the Travancore Rajas, and the present State capital, is rich in ancient buildings and palaces. Popularly known as the "City of Seven Hills", it is near this city, the beautiful beach of Kovalam. Agasthyakoodam, the highest peak in the 'Sahyaparwatha' mountains in the eastern side always attracts adventure tourists. On western side, the district has 78km seashore. |
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PROFILE |
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| Area | 2192 sq km. |
| Climate | warm tropical climate. |
| Location | South most district of Kerala. |
| Religion | Hindu forms the major community, with a minor population of muslims and chrstians |
| Language | Malayalam is the official language. English is also used among the business class. |
| Altitude | Sea level |
| Time Zone | (Indian standard Time + 5.30 hours GMT). |
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TOURIST SPOTS |
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| The city centre | The capital city of Kerala. A popular trade and cultural centre. |
| SreePadmanabhaswami Temple | An important place in the city heart. A temple of Lord Maha Vishnu, with seven storeys. The get the full view of the gigantic idol (God Vishnu in the form of reclining on the serpent), you need to look through three doors. The 'Methanmani' (a clock) near the temple is an excellant work of engineering. |
| Napier Art museum | A splendid collection of ancient sculptures, paintings, ornaments ...etc. Open from 10am to 5pm |
| Sri Chitra Art gallery | Here you may explore the beauty of the paintings by Raja ravi Varma, and replica of the paintings of Ajantha caves. |
| Zoo | Near 'Palayam', a place in the city heart. One among the important Zoos in the country. Open from 9am to 5pm. |
| Kawdiar Palace | Palace of Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the Travancore Raja. |
| Sanghmugam Beach | A beautiful sandy beach. A best place to spend your evenings. The huge sculpture of a mermaid, in cement, by the artist Kanayi Kunjiraman, is surely a marvellous piece of work. |
| Aakkulam | 3km from the city, a popular tourist spot and boating centre. |
| Veli | Just 1km away from Sanghmugam beach. A cool place to relax, boating ...etc. |
| Aruvikkara | A beautiful picnic spot, 16km to the north of the city. Waterfalls, aquarium ...etc are also the places of tourist interest. |
| Peppara | A wild life sanctuary, 50km from Thiruvananthapuram, on the way to Ponmudi |
| Ponmudi | A hillstation 60km away from the city |
| Agasthyakoodam | A popular hill station. One of the highest peaks in 'Sahyaparwatha' |
| Padmanabhapuram Palace | Palace of the Travancore Rajas. Famous for its architectural works in wood. The largest of its kind in the country. |
| Varkkala | Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi. A pilgrim centre, were saint "Sri Narayana Guru" spent his last days. From here Guru, through intense mind control, entered into the eternal realm. |
| Neyyar Dam | Mini wildlife sanctuary, dam site and park. 29kms from the city. |
| Thumba | The popular space centre, from where space shuttles and rockets are launched. |