TOURISM IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 

                  Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of Kerala. It is one of the beautiful places in Kerala. The main attraction is Sea shore. Kovalam and Sankhumugham are the beaches. Kovalam is one of the safest and finest seashore in Kerala. It is suitable for sea bathing. Many Ayurvedic resorts and other hotels are available nearby. Panchakarma and body massaging are available in Ayurvedic resorts around Kovalam. Sankhumgham is located nearby Thiruvananthapuram/Trivandrum International airport's Domestic terminal route. There is a park and a Mandapam also seen here. Veli  tourist village is also located nearby. In Veli Veli lake meets Arabian Sea. The park is beautiful with green trees and amusement's. Boating is also an attraction of Veli. Veli is in a distance of 8 Km from  Trivandrum Airport. 

Ponmudi

Ponmudi is a famous hill station around kerala. It is reached by road from Thiruvananthapuram. There are several tea, spices and rubber plantations around the hills. A hill tribe called Kani live in the located  in this area. Ponmudi is fast developing as a hill resort with room and dormitory accommodation facilities, hill-trails for hiking, a collection of flowering trees and a deer park. Ponmudi is around 61 km from Trivandrum city.

Agastyakoodam

Agastyakoodam is one of the highest peaks around the Western Ghats, about 1869 meters above the sea level . Tradition says that the great sage Agasthya, had his abode in this peak. The place is noted for its abundant ayurvedic herbs. The place is in the eastern side of the district. Agasthyarkoodam, a prominent peak of the Western Ghats, is in the form of a sharp cone. It is about 1869 metres above sea level. This peak, a pilgrim centre of the Hindus, according to tradition was home to the great sage Agastya, who was a confirmed bachelor. Hence, the aborigines dislike the presence of women on the hill. Women are not allowed up the peak.

Agasthyarkoodam is around 70 km from Thiruvananthapuram. Agasthyakoodam is famous for its abundant ayurvedic herbs and medicinal plants. Another major attraction of this spectacular peak is the ‘Neelakurinji’, a flower which flowers only once in twelve years. A forest pass has to be obtained from the Wildlife Warden at the Forest Department for trekking.

Aruvikkara

16 km north of Trivandrum city, with a beautiful landscape is Aruvikkara. Trivandrum city gets its water supply from the Aruvikkara reservoir. There is an ancient temple for Durga, on the banks of the river.

Akkulam

Akkulam is situated on the banks of Akulam Lake, which is an extension of the Veli Lake. The calm and serene atmosphere and its natural beauty are a fascination for tourists. The Boat Club, which started functioning in 1989, now operates speed, safari, pedal and row boats from Akkulam to Veli Tourist Village. A traditional style Kettuvallam(house boat) is available for overnight stay. The swimming pool at Akkulam is equipped with glider and other playing facilities. The Children’s Park is a unique amusement spot and has several new rides are included recently. The newly commissioned musical fountain is an added attraction. The international convention centre, which will be the largest in Kerala .

Meenmutti/Kombaikani Waterfalls

The two finest waterfalls on the upper reaches of the Neyyar reservoir. A trek of 2km, through forests, would take you to Meenmutty Water Falls and a further 2km, to the Kombaikani waterfalls. The waterfalls and forests around them are worth to watch.

Neyyar Dam 

Neyyar Dam was located in the Neyyar river. It was around 29 km from the city. The Dam and around place will offer facilities for boating and mountaineering. A three-hour climb over the hills across the reservoir affords the thrill of mountaineering. There are two beautiful waterfalls on the way. A Lion Safari Park and a Crocodile Rearing Centre have also been in the reservoir. Also on the lake is the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram.

Varkala

Varkala is a pilgrim centre and a beach that is situated 41km north to Trivandrum city by rail way and 51 km by road way. The Samadhi of Sree Narayana Guru, attracts devotees in thousands. The springs at the Papanasam beach are tourist attractions. The inland waterways system connecting Kollam in the north with Thiruvananthapuram in the south, passes through two tunnels in the hills.

Vizhinjam 

Near to Kovalam(almost 2km), Vizhinjam  to have been an ancient port. Now, Vizhinjam is a fishing harbour, with a beautiful light house. The Portuguese and the Dutch had business establishments here. The Portuguese have built a church in Vizhinjam near to the sea shore, which is still functional and is referred as the Old Vizhinjam Church. It is located in the vizhinjam fishing harbour area. This place is being developed into an International Deep Water Container Transshipment Terminal because of its proximity to International Shipping channel and its natural depth. The Vizhinjam International Deep Water Container Transshipment Terminal project is under construction.

Thiruvananthapuram

Trivandrum is, the capital of the Kerala State and is well connected by air, rail and road. Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple, the Kanakakkunnu Palace, the Observatory, the Science and Technology Museum, the Government Secretariat, the Kowdiar Palace, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the Tagore Centenary theatre and the Museum, Trivandrum Zoo.

Kovalam Beach

Kovalam is an international beach, 12 km south to Trivandrum city, is one of the finest beaches seen in India. A high rocky promontory jutting into the sea has created a beautiful bay of calm waters for sea bathing. The India Tourism Development Corporation had developed Kovalam as an integrated seaside resort which includes a string of cottages, the Halcyon castle, a shopping area, swimming pools, yoga centre, facilities for medicinal oil bath and massage and the Rajiv Gandhi Convention Centre with 1000 delegate capacity. The resort has 198 rooms with the four presidential suits in the Halcyon Castle, the Summer Retreat of the erstwhile Maharaja. The property has now been taken over by The Leela Group. There are many resorts and hotels managed by private groups.

Shanghumugham Beach

Shanghumugham Beach is  near to the International Airport and Domestic airport and it is easily accessible from the Kovalam Beach, Veli Tourist Village and Akkulam Tourist Village. Shanghumugham beach is noted for its cleanliness. The vast stretch of white sand and the wonderful atmosphere, provide all the ingredients for relaxation and for spending the evening’s. There is also a “Star Fish Restaurant” and open air theatre with car parking facilities. The sculpture of Jalakanyaka - Mermaid by Kanayi Kunhiraman is also an attraction. 

Veli Tourist Village

Veli Tourist Village and Boat Club attracts the city people and tourists. Veli providing facilities for pedal-boating, row boating, swimming, get together, etc. is just the right place for an exciting outing. The Youth Hostel at Veli which is hardly three km, from the international airport, provides inexpensive dormitory type accommodation. Veli tourist village is an amazing combination of lake and sea. You can rest in the park in the shore of the lake or take a walk on the beech.