An Insight :
God's own country with its psychedelic sunsets complete with palm trees
swaying to whatever music the wind chooses to play, the wafting aromas of
the land of coffee, spices and coconuts, the bastion of communism, a
literate people whose friendliness is only surpassed by their curiosity for
more. A place that fiercely retains and respects the ancient traditions
while viewing the modern with tolerance and invitation - Thiruvananthapuram
or Trivandrum is Kerala incarnate.
There is beauty and intelligence, the exotic and the mundane, there are
Ayurvedic massages that elicit equal amounts of pain and pleasure, beaches
and lagoons with the best part being the preservation of it all the way
Nature meant it to be.
Trivandrum is also a bustling city, where the business of life is carried
out like it is around the world, interspersed with everyday visits to the
nearby temple or mosque. Myth has it that the place derives its name from it
being the city of Anantha, the sacred serpent of Vishnu. History has it that
Thiruvananthapuram had once been the port of call for Romans and Jews, Arabs
and Christians. Believable, considering that it remains one of the biggest
centres for sea-bound labour.
Lets Explore Trivandrum :
Major Attractions of :
» Varkala - Varkala is a sea side resort, as well
as an important Hindu center of pilgrimage. High cliffs with rich mineral
springs rise majestically from the coastline. The 2,000 year old Janardana
Swamy Temple and the Nature Center are the two main attractions here more..
» Kanyakumari - Kanyakumari, located approx. 70 kms
from Trivandrum, is the southernmost tip of peninsular India, is where the
waters of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet, A
place from where one can see spectacular sunrises and also colourful
sunsets! on balmy evenings, one can watch the sun set while full moon is
rising in another part of the sky. It was a faith that Kanyakumari district
has been named after the Goddess Kanyakumari Amman, who is a well known
diety of this district and over throughout the country. The legend is that
the Goddess Parvathi is one of her incarnation as 'Devi Kanya' did penance
on one of the rocks of this land's end to obtain the hand of Lord Siva.
On a little rocky island just off the coast is the memorial to that great
Indian philosopher - Swami Vivekananda. He is supposed to have sat here in
deep meditation in 1892. On the island one canalso see the Shri Pada Parai -
the footprints of the virgin goddess.
The Gandhi Memorial at Kanniya Kumari is located at the place where his
ashes were kept before immersion. It is so designed that on 2nd October, his
birthday, the sun's rays fall directly on the spot. Kovalam Beach -- A
beautiful, curving, palm-fringed beach of golden sands and safe bathing have
made India's major beach resort. It is an internationally known holiday
destination. This natural bay is a safe sea-pool free from high waves and
surges - ideal for swimming, surfing and skiing. The more adventurous can
ride out into the sea on a catamaran. Among the many other attractions here
are water sports, a theatre that stages traditional Kathakali dance dramas,
a yoga centre and facilities for traditional oil bathing and massages
according to the ancient Kerala Ayurvedic system.
Festivals of Trivandrum (India)
Onam is the main festival of Trivandrum, which is celebrated in the month
of August or September. This is the harvest festival of Trivandrum and
signifies association of the people with agriculture. Christmas is the other
festival of this part of the country and Trivandrum wears a colorful look
during this time of the year. Classical Music Festival is celebrated from
January 27 to February 3 every year and is a great time to enjoy for the
lovers of pure classical music forms such as Carnatic and Hindustani music
in Trivandrum, India.
Where is Trivandrum?
» By Air - Trivandrum is well connected by air with
Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. Trivandrum is also an international
airport, with Silk Air, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Air Lanka
and Air India operating direct flights from there.
» By Rail - Long-distance express trains connect
Trivandrum with other important places in the state and to places outside
the state like Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, and Calcutta.
» By Road - Trivandrum is well connected by road
to Cochin, Kumarakom, Periyar, Alleppey and Madurai.
