Thiruvanthapuram
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Part of the Sahyadri range of mountains, Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak in Kerala, at a high of 1980 meters above sealevel. Teeming with wildlife, the forest of Agasthyakoodam abound in rare medicinal herbs and plants, and brilliantly hued orchids. A bird watcher’s paradise, this legendary mountain is accessible by foot from Kotoor, near Neyyar Dam, as also from Bonacoud. The season from December to April is advocated for trekking, for which a forest pass has to be obtained from the Wildlife Warden, Forest Department, PTA nagar, Thiruvanthapuram.
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Places to visit in Thiruvanthapuram
Padamanabha swamy temple
Padamanabha swamy temple
The temple is located inside the East Fort.dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is blend of the kerala and dravidan style of architecture. It is known for its mural painting and stone carvings.One among the 108 scared Vishnu Temple in India, the presiding deity here is Lord Vishnu reclining on the Anantha the Serpent .Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.
Kuthiramalika (puthenmalika) Place museum
Kuthiramalika Place museum
The palace was built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma –the King of Travancore,who was a great poet, musician, social reformer and statesman .This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore style of architecture also has exquisite wood carvings.The place museum displays paintings and various priceless collection of royal family and is located near the Sree Padmanabha Swmay Temple.
Museum complex
The Napier Museum
The Napier Museum
The indo-Saracenic structure dating back to the 19 th century, and boasting a “natural” air conditioning system, houses a rare collection of archeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, temple chariot and ivory carving. The use of plastic is banned in the Museum premises.
Sree Chithra Art Gallery
Located near the Napier Museum, this art gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India .Ths collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali.
The Zoological park
One of the first Zoological park in India, it is located in a well-planned botanical garden. With huge threes like frangipani and jacaranda dotting the sprawling lawns and wild fowl swimming in the lake, it is a small jungle in the heart of the city. A reptlie house with different species of snakes is also located in the premises.
The kanakakkunnu palace
The kanakakkunnu palace
The palace and its sprawling ground are today the venue for many cultural meets and programmes.
Scince and technological museum complex
The exhibits here are related to science , technology and electronics
Chacha Nehru children museum
Children of all age group will enjoy the vast collection of nearly 2000dolls, stamps and masks displays here.
Observatory
Located at the highest point in the city, near the museum complex 60 meters above sea level, one can have bird’s eye view of the city from here.
Secretarial
Built in the Roman architectural style, this is the Centre Of Government Administration in Kerala and houses the offices of ministers and the bureaucracy.
Shanghumukham beach
Shanghumukham beach
Just 8 Km from the city, this is a favouriate haunt of sunset watches. The beach is adjacent to the Airport and veli Tourist village. An indoor recreation club, the matsyakanyaka(a gigantic 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid) and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are some of the attraction here.
Veli Tourist village
Veli Tourist village
This is a picnic spot where the Veli lake meets the Arabian sea offers boating facilities. Pedal boats and paddle boats can hired to explore the charms of the lagoon in the leisurely manner. For quick ride over the waters, speed boats are available. Children enjoy climbing over the sculptures which dot the landscape.
Thiruvallam
This serene backwater stretch, enroute to Kovalam is famous for its canoe rides.
Aruvikkara Dam
Aruvikkara Dam
This picturesque picnic spot is on the bank of the Karamana river. Near the Durga Temple here is a stream full of fish that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors.
Kovalam Beach
Kovalam Beach
This internationally renowned beach resort has been a favourite haunt of tourists since 1930s.Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southern most, known as The Lighthouse Beahes, is the most popular .Kovalam offers accommodation option to suit all budgets.
Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave
There are rock cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple at Vizhinjam. The granite cave here encloses a one called shrine with the a loose sculpture of Vinandhara Dakshinmurthi. The outer wall of the cave depicts half complete reliefs of the Hindu God Shiva With Goddess Parvathi.
Koyikkal palce, Nedumangad
Located on the way to the Ponmudi hill station and the courttallam waterfalls, this ancient palace dates back to the 15th century. Here you can see a double storeyed traditional Nalukettu building with slanting gabled roofs, an inner courtyard and museums of folklore and numismatics set up by the Department of Archeology.
The folklore Museum established up in 1992 is a treasure house of quaint musical instruments, occupational implements, household utensils, models of folk arts etc. Displayed in the Koykkal Palace, they focus attention on the cultural background of the state.
The Numismatics Museum houses rare and historically valuable coins denoting the trade relations of the State.
Sree Mahadeva Temple
Situated in Kazhakuttam, this ancient temple is believed to date to the 14th century. Another old Temple in the district is the Mitramandapuram Temple on the outskirts of the city.
Neyyar Dam
Neyyar Dam
A popular picnic spot, Neyyar Dam has a watch towers, crocodile farm, lion safari park and deer park. Boating facilities are available at the reservoir.
Varkala
Varkala beach
Varkala is a seaside resort and spa. It is also an important Hindu centre of Pilgrimage. The Final resting place of the great social reformer Sree Narayana Guru is near Varkala, atop a hill called Sivagiri. High cliffs with mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline. In addition to the Papanasham Beach, the 2000 years old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are main attraction here.
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary spread over 53sq Km on the western Ghats, is accessible from Vithurai, which is on the way to ponmudi. With its rich flora and fauna, Peppara, dotted with hillocks, forests and eucalyptus plantations, is emerging as a great attraction for wildlife enthusiasts.
Ponmudi
Ponmudi
An idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding pathways and cool, green, wooded environs, Ponmudi is located 915 meters above sea level. Along with variety of beautiful mountains flowers, exotic butterflies, small rivulets, springs and the deer park nearby, this hill station also has excellent trekking trails.
Padmanabhapuram palace
Padmanabhapuram palace
The seat of the erstwhile rulers of Travancore, this splendid palace is situated at Thuckalai, on the way of Kanyakumari. This is a well preserved wooden srucrure, a glorious testimony to the traditional Kerala school of architecture. The extraordinary murals, exquisite floral carvings and the black glossy granite floor have withstood the rest of time.
Agasthyakoodam
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Information not available
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