thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram (or Trivandrum) is the capital city of the south Indian state of Kerala, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea to the west.

Thiruvananthapuram is filled with British colonial architecture and many art galleries, apart from various religious centres as well as ecological attractions (esp. beaches). Here are some of the top places to see in the city –

• Thiruvananthapuram Zoo
• Kovalam Beach
• Shangumukham Beach
• Vizhinjam Lighthouse
• Poovar Island
• Priyadarshini Planetarium
• Agastya Mala (a hill)

• Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
• AttukkalBhagavathy Temple
• Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple
• Aazhimala Siva Temple

• Kerala Science & Technology Museum
• Napier Museum
• Kuthiramalika Palace Museum
• Natural History Museum (by Forest Department of Kerala)

Some major festivals celebrated in Thiruvananthapuram are -

• Onam – This is one of the most important festivals in Kerala state, and is also celebrated in Kochi majestically. Street parades happen with dancers dressed like animals, and people decorate their homes with flowers in the form of Rangolis (also called Pookalam).
• AluvaShivarathri – A festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. People usually fast during daytimes and pray to Lord Shiva during this festival. In Kerala, it is celebrated during the months of February/March.
• Diwali –Festival of lights; celebrated in November.

If you’d like to buy some souvenirs, the best things to buy from Thiruvananthapuram, are - handloom fabrics, carved wood and brass artefacts, local spices, jewellery and so on. Some of the best shopping spots to check out in this city are -

• Chalai Market
• Connemara Market
• Sarwaa Lifestyle
• Saphalyam Complex
• Mc Adils Antiques Store

MALLS:

• Mall of Travancore
• Central Mall Trivandrum

Public transport within Thiruvananthapuram includes bus, cabs, autorickshaws, bicycles, motorbikes and scooters.

Besides these, a rapid (train) transit system called Thiruvananthapuram Light Metro is also proposed to servethe whole city.

Following is a list of some of best restaurants in Thiruvananthapuram to try the local delicacies as well as other interesting foods and sumptuous meals –

• Garden Grille
• Villa Maya
• Ariya Nivaas
• Thakkaram
• Pathayam Naturopathic Food Restaurant
• Ajva
• ZamZam Restaurant
• Jasmine Bay
• Indian Coffee House
• Arul Jyothi
• Café Jade
• Kaffeehaus Trivandrum
• Paragon Restaurant

Some of the best hotels in Thiruvananthapuramfor a comfortable stay include the following -

• Vivanta Thiruvananthapuram
• Gokulam Grand Turtle on The Beach
• Hycinth Hotels
• The RavizKovalam
• Hilton Garden Inn Trivandrum
• Classic Sarovar Portico
• O by Tamara
• The Central Residency
• Hotel Karthika Park
• Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa
• Hotel Apollo Dimora
• Hotel Samudra (KTDC)

Thiruvananthapuram also has a few good bars and pubs for people to hang out or during late hours. These include –

• The Edge
• Ripples
• Sunset Bar
• Sayoojya Bar
• Purple Lounge
• Unlock Bar
• Poovar Pool bar
• Twist
• Brim
• Aqua Bar
• Oak Wood
• Spring Days

Thiruvananthapuram city STD Code – 0471 (to be used before dialling numbers from a number that is not locally registered)

Common emergency numbers:

• Police Control Room: 100
• Fire and Rescue: 101
• Ambulance: 108
• Child helpline: 1098
• Women helpline: 1091