Places of Attraction in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiru-v-anantha-puram is a three sylable name meaning the abode of the sacred snake god "Anantha". Lord Vishnu of the ancient Indian mytholgy rests on this huge serpent. This city and district are also popularly known by its anglicised name Trivandrum.

hiruvananthapuram and its famous beaches are one of the top tourist destination of Tourists in Inida. It is the capital city of Kerala, the "God's own Country". Thiruvananthapuram is well connected by air, rail and road. There are air links to almost all the countries in the Gulf, besides being well connected to the rest of India. South East Asia is connected through a daily air-link to Singapore.

Thiruvananthapuram is a Railway Division office and an important Railway Station. There are daily trains to Delhi, Bombay, Chennai, and Bangalore and local train services to all points in Kerala.

Shree Padhmanabhaswamy temple

Shree Padhmanabhaswamy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is held sacred by the Hindus from antiquity. The temple has a large complex with a huge gopuram. It has a tank beside it for ritual bathing.

Kovalam

Kovalam is 12kms to the south of Thiruvananthapuram and is one of the finest beaches in India. It has been developed into an integrated seaside resort. The beach complex has many hotels, cottages, yoga centres etc. Vizhinjam About 2kms south of Kovalam, it is believed to be an ancient port. The Dutch and Portugese had commercial establishments here. It is being developed as a modern fishing harbour. Ponmudi A pleasant resort at an elevation of 912m above sea level. It is 61 kms from Thiruvananthapuram and connected by road. There are many tree and rubber estates around the hills. Veli lagoon The boat club attracts tourists by providing facilities for pedal boating , row boating , swimming on the placid waters of the veli lake.

The Kanakakunnu Palace This palace in the heart of Trivandrum city is one of the most beautiful buildings. The palace and its sprawling grounds are today the venue for many cultural meets. The Museum building is an architectural splendour. The napier museum, the natural history museum, the reptile house and the Shri Chitra Art Gallery are in the same complex amidst a well laid out garden and park. The Science and Technology museum, the Government Secretariat, the Kowdiar palace, the Senate house, are some of the other tourist attractions in the city.

Places easily accessible from Trivandrum

Kanyakumari , the land's end of India is only 87kms from Trivandrum. Also known as Cape Comorin, this beautiful spot is in the neighbouring Tamilnadu state.

Varkala is a pilgrim centre for the devotees of Sree Narayana Guru, one of the patron saints of Kerala, whose motto was "One God, One Religion, One Caste". It is only 51kms from Trivandrum by road and also boasts of one of the best beaches in the State.

Cochin Carnival Festival

The Cochin Carnival Festival dates back to the time of the Portuguese colonial era. It was actually the Portuguese New Year that was celebrated and then with the passage of time the entire city started to participate and enjoy the merry making.

Starting since Solidarity Day on December 22, it is a ten-day long festival and is usually ended by a flag-off in dignified silence to pay tribute to the brave martyrs who died while fighting for their motherland. It was revived in 1984, and has now gained immense popularity and all the activities organized during the Carnival are centred around its five main slogans, namely, Participation, Peace, Progress, Adventure and Environment. Besides the adventure sports like Beach Bike Race and Sea Swimming, there are Beach Football, Beach Volleyball, Shuttle Badminton and Ball Badminton Tournaments are organized during the course of the festival. The Cochin Carnival Festival has gone through a lot of evolution and now it has become an occasion for all to enjoy the gaiety of the festivities. The Carnival is unique and it is indeed a pleasure for the youth. There are the special competitions and games that are held and many people participate in them. The city too is dressed up in all its splendor and bears a gay look. There are the special illuminations and during this time the Fort Kochi bears the festive look of the season.
Color white simply dominates the concluding 10 days of December, during the Kochi Carnival. All establishments in the city don white paper buntings. The available space on the streets host impromptu competitions and multi-faceted celebrations. Kalam Vara (floor drawing), tug-of-war, bicycle race, swimming in the sea, beach volleyball are some of the programs that take place during the Cochin Carnival at Fort Kochi. The festivities and revelries continue till midnight of December 31st with fireworks marking the grand finale.

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Kasargode

Kasargode, is the only Kerala district that grows tobacco. It is also the largest producer of arecanut. Before the formation of Kerala, a section of the district was with South Canara of Karnataka.
Language and life style of the Kasargode is till considerably influenced by Kannada culture. A dozen rivers give life to the farming community in the district which has 77 km seashore.
Tourist Spots
BAKKEL : Bekkal beach is being groomed as a major tourist hub in the western coast. Bekkal fort is one of the best preserved in Kerala.
Conveyance
Air: The nearest airport at Mangalore, 73 km away.
Rail: Kasargode, a major stop between Mangalore and Kannur.
Road : N H 17 goes through Kasargode. Kasargode-Puthoor( Karnataka) road leads to Madikkery, Mysore and Bangalore. KSRTC operates buses to Mangalore and several parts of Kerala

Wayanad

Wayanad is one of the districts in Kerala that has been able to retain its pristine nature. Hidden away in the hills of this land are some of the oldest tribes of people, who are yet untouched by the fast pace of civilization. Wayanad is known for its lovely mist clad hill stations, sprawling spice plantations, luxuriant forests and rich cultural traditions. The leading tourist centres of South India like Ooty, Mysore, Coorg, Kozhikode and Kannur are around this hill station.
Pakshipathalam: This place can be accessed only be trekking. Rare species of birds can be sighted from the watch tower of this bird sanctuary.
Chembra Peak: At 2100 m above mean sea level. Chembra is the highest peak in Wayanad and is an ideal area for trekking.
Lakkidi : Lakkidi, the gateway to Wayanad, is situated 700 m above mean sea level, at the crest of the Thamarasseri Ghat pass. Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant forests add magic to the journey up the winding roads ti this hill station.
Pookot Lake : This perennial fresh water lake, nestled among wooded hills, is the only one of its kind in Kerala. Boating facilities, a children's park, a handicrafts and spices emporium and a fresh water aquarium are among the tourist facilities available here. The lake is 3 Km south of Vythiri Resorts.
Wild Life Sanctuaries
Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary in Karnataka State extends over an area of 634.39 Sq. Km. The park houses diverse species of plant and animal life. It is about 40 Km from Mananthavady. Visiting hours are 6 am to 8 am and 3 pm to 5.30 pm.
Begur Wildlife Sanctuary: 20 Km from Mananthavady has a wide variety of animals.
Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary: 15 km from Sultan Battery. Contiguous with the protected area network of Nagerhole National Park and Bandipur. Tiger Reserve, Karnataka in the northeast and Mudumalai in the southeast, and falls under Project Elephant. The 345 Sq. Km. Muthanga Sanctuary is rich in fauna and flora. It is second largest in the state. Elephants roam freely here and tigers are sighted frequently. Various species of deer, monkeys, birds and so on are also found here. Trees and plants growing here are typical of the South Indian moist deciduous forests and West Coast semi evergreen forests. Best season to visit is June to October.
Bansura Project, Padinjarathara: A mini hydel project with the largest earth dam in India and the second largest in Asia is being built here. A sprawling sanctuary and park with ever flowering trees are major tourist attractions. 25 Km northeast of Kalpetta.
Mananthavady Kuruvadweep: This 950 acre, uninhabited island on the eastward bound Kabani river is an ideal picnic spot. The wooded stretch of land is home to rare species of birds, orchids and herbs.
Thirunelly Temple: Surrounded by Kambamala. Karimala and Varadiga, the Thirunelly temple is a marvel of temple architecture. The shrine is shielded with 30 granite. The crystal clear waters of the Papanasini river running downhill adds to the enchantment of the place.
Pazhassi Tomb: Memorial of the Lion of Kerala - Veera Pazhassi Raja, who organized the guerilla pattern of waterfare against the British East India Company.
Sultan Battery Edakkal Caves: The two caves are located at a height of 1000 m on Ambukutty Mala near Ambalavayal. The New Stone Age pictorial writings on the walls of these natural caves at Edakkal are evidence of the civilization that existed in these regions in prehistoric times. The caves can be accessed only by a 1 Km trekking trail from Edakkal. Morning hours are the best time to visit the caves. Entry is permitted only up to 5:00 pm.

Kannur

Kannur (earlier Canannore), has carved a niche in the socio-political history of the state. The capital of erstwhile Kolathiri Rajas, the ancient town had fallen to European forces in several occasions. In 15th century, the Portuguese were the first to establish a settlement here. St. Angelo’s Fort in the city was built by the first Portuguese Viceroy in 1505. The Portuguese factory built by Cabral in 1501 was captured by the Dutch in 1663. In 1708 the British built a fort at Thalassery ( earlier Tellichery), another coastal town in Kannur. The nearby Mahe became a French colony in the 18th century. In 1940's, Kannur became an effervescent political cauldron. Communism was the provocation. The district hamlets witnesses bouts of violence which left indelible impressions on the political landscape of the district.
Many folk art and dance forms have roots in the socio-religious culture of the district. Theyyam and Kavadiyattam were nurtured and nourished by artistes from Kannur. Another stronghold of the district is weaving. As many as hundred weaving units are ticking over here.
Kannur is boarded by Karnataka's Kodagu district.
Tourist Spots
EZHIMALA : Naval academy is coming up here. 55 km from Kannur.
THALASSERY : A trading centre of ancient times. Dr. German Gundert, a German Missionary, brought out the first Malayalam newspaper from Illikkunnu near Thalassery in 1856. He developed the first Malayalam dictionary. The historical city is also known as the cradle of Indian circus. Many a star circus artiste hailed from Thalassery. Leading circus troupes are still owned by people from this region. India's first gymnastic training centre functions here.
Conveyance
Air : The nearest airport at Karipur, Kozhikode 120 km away., Mangalore airport 170 km away.
Rail: Kannur railway station on Mangalore- Shornore Sector. A major station in north Kerala.
Road : N H 17 goes via Kannur, Thalassery- Virajpetta route is another Kerala-Karnataka route from Kannur. Private passenger buses for intra-district services. KSRTC operates buses to all parts of the state and to Mangalore and Bangalore in Karnataka