Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum, Kerala's capital city, is an enticing combination of a deeply established heritage with a nostalgic colonial history. Thiruvananthapuram, which is constructed on seven hills, has long since moved on from its days as a port for nautical adventurers; now, it is a pricey city with charming urban appeal and lots of architectural and cultural sites to visit. Thiruvananthapuram also serves as a gateway to the neighbouring beach villages of Kovalam and Varkala.

Trivandrum's tourist attractions include the city's several beaches, such as the Kovalam beach and the Shankumugham beach. As an important transit centre inside Kerala, there are numerous tourist attractions nearby that either have natural fascination, are constructed marvels, or are religiously significant. Thiruvananthapuram itself offers a number of tourist attractions, including museums and zoos, as well as religious buildings such as temples and churches, that may be of interest to visitors. Thiruvananthapuram is also known for its Ayurveda therapeutic centres and spas. Thiruvananthapuram receives a large number of visitors throughout the year and is one of India's most tourist hotspots.

Discover the History of Thiruvananthapuram 

Thiruvananthapuram had minor trading stations and townships, but because the area was primarily jungle, larger city developments came much afterwards. The Travancore monarchs, who grew to power from the early eighteenth century until the mid-twentieth century, gave it its current status. The very first ruler of this dynasty, Marthanda Varma, transferred the kingdom's capital from Kanyakumari to Travancore in 1745, transforming it into a significant urban hub. The Travancore rulers acknowledged British Suzerainty and ruled the region as board of trustees, with Thiruvananthapuram as the capital. As a result, after the state of Kerala was formed in 1956, the royalty was dissolved, and this city became the natural option for the new state's capital.

The Beauty of Thiruvananthapuram is Found in its Culture

Thiruvananthapuram is a city with a rich cultural history. This arose as a result of the Travancore monarchs' encouragement and adoption of the arts and literature at their palaces, as well as the fact that Thiruvananthapuram was their capital. As a result, the town produces a large number of artists, sculptors, and singers. Raja Ravi Varma and Maharaja Swathi Thirunal were both renowned artists.

Throughout the year, Thiruvananthapuram hosts a number of exhibitions and conferences devoted to various genres of art, both eastern and western. Onam, which takes place in August or September, is the most important local celebration. During this time, there are a variety of cultural events, like food exhibitions. Trivandrum's cuisines include Kuttanad cuisine, Malabar-style food, Keralite cuisine, and various international cuisines.

Things to do at Thiruvananthapuram

• Go Boating at Neyyar Dam: Neyyar Dam, located in the foothills of the Western Ghats about 30 kilometres from Trivandrum, is a sight to behold and obviously, a popular tourist destination. The food and amenities supplied by the friendly and inviting locals will make you want to stay longer. While boating is the main attraction of Neyyar Dam, angling is also a fun sport.
• SkyDiving— Spread Your Wings: If you're looking for fun and excitement, head to Trivandrum's Academy of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports. This institution offers thrilling activities such as sky diving, scuba diving, and paragliding to adrenaline junkies. It offers a variety of training programmes and has cutting-edge equipment for a variety of adventure sports.
• Uncover the Nature at Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary: Nothing could be more relaxing and enjoyable than experiencing nature in its purest form. A visit to the Neyyar wildlife sanctuary, which is home to a variety of endangered animals, is a must for wildlife enthusiasts. There are a variety of hotel alternatives available, as well as the possibility of two-day excursions.
• Religious Tour: Thiruvananthapuram is home to a number of religious temples and landmarks. Tourists can solicit the graces of the holy Gods at ardent temples such as Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple, and others while on a Kerala vacation.

• Padmanabhaswamy Temple: The well-known temple is an excellent instance of Keralite and Dravidian cultural confluence. This location draws a large number of tourists due to its beautiful masonry and picturesque setting. This place is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Thiruvananthapuram because of its breathtaking architecture and quiet ambiance.

•  Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple: The temple is devoted to the Goddess Chamundi and features intriguing Keralite art and heritage. This 600-year-old temple is 7 kilometres north of Padmanabhaswamy Temple. 

• Treat yourself at Chalai Market: In comparison to the charming Kerala, here is the crowded and thronging Chalai Market street. This market is well-known for having an almost limitless selection of products, so you'll end up purchasing more than you really need. Shopping here is a must among the favorite features to do in Thiruvananthapuram at night, as it is an arranged market with contracts and a wide selection of choices.

Places to visit

• Naiper Museum: One of the top meet-up sites in Thiruvananthapuram is a beautiful museum built by a British commander named Napier in the mid-nineteenth century. Trivandrum's museum is an essential art and cultural centre point. An alluring museum, it is the best way to study Kerala's incredibly rich culture and historic heritage.
• Attukal Temple: Attukal temple has a befuddling architectural architecture, and the entire atmosphere is rather tranquil, making it one of Trivandrum's top tourist attractions. The temple boasts a variety of Guinness World Records, notably holding the largest festival crowd ever. In the temple complex, the Pongal festival is celebrated with considerable passion.
• Vellayani Lake: Vellayani Lake is the greatest lake in Thiruvananthapuram and one of the top places to go in Trivandrum. The lake boasts some enticing views of the village and the backwaters, making it a fantastic area to hang out. This lake is also a great place for anglers to try their hand at fishing.
• Poovar Island: Poovar Island is a popular island resort that is a tropical wonderland in the South, encircled by the tranquil backwaters of Kerala. Envision swinging coconut palm trees, golden sand beaches, ethereal blue oceans, and breathtaking sunset vistas accompanied by the sound of the waves crashing on the magnificent shoreline.
• Padmanabhapuram Palace: The Padmanabhapuram Palace, in all its magnificence, is situated 64 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram in Thuckalay. The desire of art enthusiasts is quenched in this 16th century palace. This interesting structure exudes a distinct aura. It is one of Kerala's best examples, with rosewood sculpted ceilings and a fine array of paintings.
• Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple: Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple is one of Trivandrum's most popular tourist attractions, located 17 kilometres from the city. The god of Vinandhara Dakshinamurthi is housed in this single-celled rock - hewn artwork from the eighth century. In addition, there is an unfinished Lord Shiva sculpture representing him dancing and wielding a bow. The wall's beautiful sculptures are well worth admiring.

How to Reach?

• By Road: Kerala's capital city has excellent connectivity to other important South Indian towns. Visitors can easily go to Thiruvananthapuram by taking direct buses from Bangalore, Ernakulam, Mumbai, Chennai, Thrissur, and Kozhikode.
• By Train: Thiruvananthapuram has its local railway station, which is well-connected to several of India's main cities. Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is also recognised as Kerala's biggest and busiest railway station.
• By Air: The closest airport to Thiruvananthapuram is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, which is around 6 kilometres from the city centre. The airport receives a considerable number of flights from both domestic and foreign destinations. Visitors can rent private taxis or any other cars to get to Thiruvananthapuram with no issues after landing at the airport.