Thiruvananthapuram Travel and Tourism Guide

Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum (Anglicised name), is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the state. Thiruvananthapuram is the southern-most district of the state of Kerala. It is bordered by Kollam District in the north, Tirunelveli District and Kanyakumari District of the state of Tamil Nadu in the east and south and the Arabian Sea in the west. Thiruvananthapuram literally means City of Lord Anantha. The name derives from the deity of the Hindu temple at the center of the Thiruvananthapuram city. Anantha is the serpent Shesha on whom Padmanabhan or Vishnu reclines. It is divided into four taluks, Thiruvananthapuram, Chirayinkeezhu, Neyyattinkara, Nedumangadu. The urban bodies in the district are the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Varkala, Neyyattinkara, Attingal and Nedumangad municipalities. Thiruvananthapuram is the first city along the path of the south-west monsoon and gets its first showers in early June. However, pre-monsoon showers are common in April and May, accounting to about 35 cm on average. Annual rainfall is not very high compared to other districts of Kerala, but it is still a substantial 180 cm. The rainiest months are May, June, July, August, and October, but there are frequent showers in other months too between April and November. For travelers who wish to avoid the rain, the best period to visit is from December to March. Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the state of Kerala. It is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland spreading over a total of 2,192sq.km.Today the city has emerged as an important tourist destination and commercial centre and is fine blend of traditions and modernity. Thiruvananthapuram's most stunning landmark of Shri Padmanabhaswamy and its adjacent Royal Palace, Puttan Malika are the capital's two principal sights and the focus of its main festivals: Arattu ( held biannually in March/April and Oct/Nov) and the harvest celebration of Onam (late Aug/sept). It also plays host to of south India's major music events -Nishagandhi ( Mid Jan) and Swathi Sangeethotsavam (Oct/Nov), which draws eminent artists from all over India. In addition, there are monthly performances of Kathakali and Kudiyattam at the renowned Margi school. The economy of Thiruvananthapuram district mostly consists of Tourism and Leisure, Information Technology, Agriculture and Education.Thiruvananthapuram has internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, cultural institutions, palaces, art galleries, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage. Thiruvananthapuram is built on hills by the sea shore and sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Thiruvananthapuram is ranked first in the number of foreign tourists visiting Kerala and is a fascinating destination for holidaymakers. Tourism has also contributed heavily to the economy of Thiruvananthapuram. The district reflects the entire beauty of the state Kerala. The entire tourism package of the state such as hill stations, back waters, beaches, lagoons, and wild life sanctuaries are present in the district. Foreign tourists are flocking to Thiruvananthapuram, a major destination for chartered flights to India for Medical tourism, as there are more than fifty recognised Ayurveda centres in and around the city. This is primarily due to Ayurveda's immense popularity in the West. Medical tourism is further promoted by world class modern medicine hospitals in the city. Recuperation facilities are available at five star beach resorts and hill stations nearby. Thiruvananthapuram district is a major academic hub. The University of Kerala is located in Thiruvananthapuram City in the district.