Trivandrum
Renamed as Thiruvananthapuram, is Kerala’s seaside capital. Located on the west coast and near the extreme south of the state, Thiruvananthapuram, otherwise known as Trivandrum, is the capital of Kerala. For the uninitiated, the name actually comes from (thiru-anantha-puram) where ‘anantha’ refers to the idol of the giant serpent ‘Ananda’ on which the idol of the Hindu God Vishnu rests and ‘puram’ means abode (translating into abode of ‘ananda’). The British, during their rule, found the name to be too complicated and rechristened it ‘Trivandrum’.
Similar to ancient Rome, the city was built on seven low hills and today offers an interesting mix of commercial establishments, historical and modern structures, ancestral houses and, being the state capital, many majestic government buildings.
Apart from being the political nerve centre of Kerala, it is also a major academic hub and is home to several educational institutions, including the Kerala University, and to many science and technology institutions, the most prominent of them being the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
A long shoreline with internationally renowned beaches including Kovalam and Varkala, historic monuments and a rich cultural heritage make this district a much sought-after destination.
Near Trivandrum
More to see around Kerala.
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Agasthyakoodam
Part of the Shayadri range of mountains, Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak in Kerala at a height of 1890 meters above sea level.
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Alappuzha Beach
Alappuzha Beach is one of the most popular spots in the district of Alappuzha. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is around 140-years-old.
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Alleppey
Alleppey (or Alappuzha) is a small town situated along the Backwaters, which once bore the nickname ‘Venice of the East' because of its famed palm-fringed canal network, the…
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Anandasram
Founded by spiritual guru Swami Ramdas in 1939, this internationally renowned spiritual centre offers peaceful ambience, best suited for meditation and spiritual studies.