Thiruvananthapuram, India

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Thiruvananthapuram, India

Region: Kerala


Geographic Coordinates: 8.487500, 76.952500
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with high rainfall and temperatures throughout the year in Thiruvananthapuram, India.
Population: 743691
Language: Malayalam

Thiruvananthapuram, Also known as Trivandrum, Is the capital city of the Indian state of Kerala. It is located on the southwestern coast of India and is a major cultural and educational center in the region. The city has a rich history dating back to 1000 BC and was ruled by various dynasties like Chera, Pandya, Vijayanagara Empire, And British. One of the major attractions in Thiruvananthapuram is the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is considered one of the richest temples in India with an estimated worth of over $22 billion due to its gold treasures.

The temple’s architecture showcases Dravidian style with intricate carvings on its walls. Another popular attraction in Thiruvananthapuram is Kovalam Beach which attracts tourists from all around the world. The beach has three crescent-shaped bays separated by rocky outcroppings which make it a perfect spot for swimming and surfing. The Napier Museum located in Thiruvananthapuram showcases various artifacts from Kerala’s rich history including bronze idols, Ancient ornaments, Ivory carvings, And more. The museum was built in 1880 during British rule and displays a mix of Indian, Chinese, And Western architectural styles.

The city also houses several other museums like Kuthiramalika Palace Museum which displays royal artifacts belonging to Travancore dynasty rulers; Natural History Museum showcasing flora & fauna found across Kerala; Science & Technology Museum featuring interactive exhibits on science concepts; etc. Thiruvananthapuram also serves as a hub for Ayurveda treatments with several Ayurvedic centers offering traditional therapies that help rejuvenate mind & body. Visitors can indulge themselves into Ayurvedic massages or try yoga sessions at these centers. Food lovers can relish some authentic South Indian dishes like dosa, Idli, Sambar, Etc. at local restaurants or street food stalls.

The city is also famous for its seafood delicacies like Karimeen Pollichathu (fish fry), Meen Curry (fish curry), Etc. Thiruvananthapuram offers a perfect blend of history, Culture and modern lifestyle making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking to explore the rich heritage of Kerala.



Important Landmarks

  1. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
  2. Kovalam Beach
  3. Napier Museum
  4. Thiruvananthapuram Zoo
  5. Kanakakkunnu Palace
  6. Shanghumukham Beach
  7. Vizhinjam Lighthouse
  8. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
  9. Neyyar Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary
  10. Agasthyakoodam Peak

Primary Industries

  1. Information Technology: Thiruvananthapuram is home to many IT companies, including Technopark, which is the largest IT park in India.
  2. Tourism: The city is a popular tourist destination due to its beaches, historical sites, and cultural attractions.
  3. Education: Thiruvananthapuram has several prestigious educational institutions like Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Kerala University, etc.
  4. Healthcare: The city has several hospitals and healthcare facilities that cater to the needs of the people.
  5. Fisheries: Fishing is an important industry in Thiruvananthapuram as it is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea.
  6. Agriculture: The region around Thiruvananthapuram produces crops like coconut, rubber, pepper, cardamom etc.
  7. Handicrafts: The city has a thriving handicraft industry that produces items like coir products, wood carvings and brassware items among others.
  8. Government Services: Being the capital city of Kerala, it houses various government offices including Secretariat, High Court, Legislature Complex etc.

Noteable History

  1. The establishment of the Travancore kingdom in the 18th century by King Marthanda Varma.
  2. The famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city is one of the richest temples in India.
  3. Mahatma Gandhi visited Thiruvananthapuram during his freedom struggle against British rule.
  4. Swami Vivekananda visited Thiruvananthapuram on his way to Kanyakumari during his journey across India to spread Vedanta philosophy.
  5. The first printing press in Kerala was established in Thiruvananthapuram by Benjamin Bailey, a British missionary.
  6. Famous Malayalam poet Kumaran Asan was born and raised in Thonnakkal village near Thiruvananthapuram.
  7. Dravidian leader E.V Ramasamy (Periyar) visited Thiruvananthapuram to deliver speeches on social justice issues.
  8. Former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Kovalam beach near Thiruvananthapuram for a holiday with her family.
  9. Renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray shot his film ‘Devi’ in parts of Kerala including some locations around Trivandrum city.
  10. The famous writer Arundhati Roy spent her childhood years growing up at Aymanmoola near Poojappura, which is now part of Trivandrum city limits.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Padmanabhaswamy Temple
  2. Napier Museum
  3. Kuthira Malika Palace Museum
  4. Kanakakunnu Palace
  5. Kerala Science and Technology Museum
  6. Shanghumukham Beach
  7. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
  8. Vizhinjam Lighthouse
  9. Thiruvananthapuram Zoo
  10. Kovalam Beach


Sports Teams

  1. Kerala Blasters FC: Kerala Blasters FC is a professional football club based in Kochi, but it has a significant fan base in Thiruvananthapuram as well. The team was founded in 2014 and plays in the Indian Super League (ISL). It has reached the final twice but lost both times.
  2. Kerala Cricket Association: The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) is responsible for promoting cricket in the state of Kerala, including Thiruvananthapuram. It was formed in 1951 and has been instrumental in developing cricket infrastructure across the state.
  3. Trivandrum Tennis Club: The Trivandrum Tennis Club was established in 1880 and is one of India’s oldest tennis clubs. It has hosted several national-level tournaments over the years and continues to be an important center for tennis enthusiasts.
  4. Sports Authority of India: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) operates multiple training centers across India, including one located at Kariavattom near Thiruvananthapuram. This center provides training facilities for athletes from various disciplines such as athletics, boxing, weightlifting etc.
  5. University Stadium: University Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located on the campus of University College, Thiruvananthapuram. It can accommodate up to 25,000 spectators during events such as football matches or athletic meets.
  6. Trivandrum Golf Club: Established way back on March 25th, 1891 by British officers stationed here, the club boasts about its rich history and heritage. The club is situated amidst a sprawling 55 acres of land, which is home to a 9-hole golf course.


Cultural Events

  1. Onam Festival is the most significant and widely celebrated festival in Kerala. It takes place in Thiruvananthapuram for ten days and marks the return of King Mahabali.
  2. Attukal Pongala is a distinctive festival that only women celebrate in Thiruvananthapuram. They cook rice pudding, known as Pongala, on the streets surrounding Attukal Bhagavathy Temple.
  3. Navaratri Festival lasts nine days and celebrates good triumphing over evil while honoring Goddess Durga. The city comes alive with colorful processions, dance performances, and music concerts.
  4. Nishagandhi Dance Festival is a popular cultural event held annually at Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds in Thiruvananthapuram showcasing classical dance forms from all over India.
  5. International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) attracts filmmakers, actors, critics, and cinephiles from worldwide to watch movies from different genres every year.
  6. Swathi Sangeethotsavam is a week-long music festival held every year at Kuthira Malika Palace showcasing various Indian classical music forms like Carnatic Music, Hindustani Music etc.
  7. Vettucaud Perunaal takes place every year during November-December at Vettucaud Church which includes a grand procession carrying statue of Mother Mary through streets accompanied by fireworks display and cultural programs like Kathakali performances etc.

Cuisine

  • Sadya is a traditional Kerala meal that is served on banana leaves and includes various vegetarian dishes like avial, sambar, rasam, thoran, and payasam.
  • Karimeen pollichathu is a popular fish dish made with pearl spot fish that has been marinated in spices and wrapped in banana leaves before being grilled or steamed.
  • Kappa and Meen curry is boiled tapioca (kappa) served with spicy fish curry (meen curry).
  • Puttu and kadala curry consists of steamed rice cake (puttu) served with chickpea curry (kadala curry).
  • Parotta and beef fry involves flaky layered flatbread (parotta) served with spicy beef fry.
  • Appam and stew are soft pancake-like bread made from fermented rice batter (appam) that are typically served with vegetable or meat stew.
  • Thattukada food refers to street food found in small roadside shops known as thattukadas selling dishes like egg roast, chicken fry, beef fry etc.

Some popular restaurants serving these dishes include:

  1. Hotel Rahmaniya – famous for its biryani, grilled chicken, and other non-vegetarian dishes.
  2. Ariya Nivaas – known for its authentic Kerala cuisine including sadya.
  3. Zam Zam Restaurant – famous for its parotta and beef fry.
  4. Villa Maya – offers fine dining experience serving traditional Kerala cuisine in a luxurious setting.
  5. Indian Coffee House – serves affordable snacks like dosa, samosa along with coffee/tea.
  6. Kethel’s Chicken– famous for its crispy fried chicken.
  7. Poovar Island Resort– offers seafood delicacies.

Parks and Recreation

  1. Napier Museum and Zoo
  2. Kovalam Beach
  3. Shanghumukham Beach
  4. Kanakakkunnu Palace
  5. Padmanabhapuram Palace
  6. Veli Tourist Village
  7. Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
  8. Magic Planet
  9. Priyadarshini Planetarium
  10. Thiruvananthapuram Zoo and Botanical Garden

Suitcase

Its All About The Journey.


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