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Kombaikani and Meenmutti Waterfalls
These are two magnificent waterfalls on the upper reaches of the Neyyar Reservoir. A trek of 2 kms through dense forests, would take one to Meenmutti waterfalls and a further 2
kms, to the Kombaikani waterfalls. The waterfalls and forecasts around them are worth experiencing.
Government Art Museum
Located in a park like complex with the Sree Chitra Art Gallery and Zoological Gardens, it was formerly known as 'Napier Museum', named after a former Madras Governor General, John Napier. It is an absolute gem of architectural exuberance, combining traditional Kerala styles with good doses of Chinese and Mughal influences. It has an excellent collection of bronze images, historical ornaments, ivory carvings and temple-chariots. In the 19th century, an English architect, Chisholm threw in a few torches and ended up with a building that is guaranteed to leave you smiling at its electric charm. The interior is every bit as intriguing as the exterior, with pink and blue stripes, alternating with stripes of yellow and cherry red, scalloped arches of a banana yellow, interpreting elaborately carved balconies, the whole linked together with red ad white lattice work and mock friezes. The collections are a varied and electric as the building and one likes to spend a pleasant few hours browsing through them. The unique natural air conditioning system is also good to have a look at, when explained well by the keeper.
Kanyakumari (Tourist Spot)
One of the most beautiful tourist spots, situated at the end of India's land is
Kanyakumari, which is now in Tamil Nadu, but only 87kms from
Thiruvananthapuram. ON the way to Kanyakumari is Padmanabhapuram, the old capital of
Travancore, where an ancient palace with antique murals is located.
Museum and Zoo
(Open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on all days except Monday). The museum building itself is an architectural splendor. The Napier Museum, the natural history Museum, the reptile House and Shri Chitra Art Gallery are well within the Zoo Complex amidst a well laid out garden and park. There is a lake and a boat club jointly operated by the department of Museums and Zoos, and the District Tourism Promotion Council.
Agasthyakoodam (famous peak)
About 1869 metres above sea level, Agasthyakoodam is a prominent peak in the Sahyadari ranges of the Western Ghats and can be approached on foot from
Bonacadu, which is 61 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram. Tradition says that the great sage,
Agasthya, had his abode in this peak. The place is also noted for its abundant Ayurvedic herbs.
Ponumudi (Hill Station)
An ideal little hill station, tucked away in the Western Ghats, Ponmudi is at an altitude of 1100 feet above sea level. Lush Green woods, lazily meandering streams and countless varieties of butterflies lend a strange magic to
Ponmudi. It is a panorama of pristine beauty cloaked in mist. There are several tea and rubber estates around the hills. A hill tribe called Kannikkar lives in the surrounding areas. Ponmudi is a fast developing hill station with room and dormitory accommodation facilities, restaurants, hill trails for hiking, a collection of hovering trees and deer park. Ponmudi is 61 kms from Thiruvananthapuram and is easily reached by road from here.
Kovalam (Beach)
12 kms south of Thiruvananthapuram, is one of the finest beaches in India,
Kovalam. With boundless blue of the Arabian Sea and unwinding miles of fine sand washed by surf, which roars and hisses at the feet
 of coconut palms, Kovalam is a sheltered natural bay. The setting has an illusory quality about it. A sheet of silvery and curve sand is bordered on one side by azure blue water and on the other by a never-ending spread of green palm groves. A high rocky promontory jutting into the sea has created a beautiful bay of calm waters for sea bathing. One can also sunbathe on the silver sands of the beach.
Shanghumugham Beach
Situated 8 kms from Thiruvanathapuram city, this is a popular city beach and favourite haunt for sunset watchers. The other attraction of this beach is
"Matsya Kanyaka"- a 35 metre long sculpture of a mermaid.
Veli Lagoon
On the outskirts of Kerala's capital, Thiruvanthapuram and by the side of the placid waters of Veli lake, the Boat club attracts the city people and tourists. Veli Lagoon, developed as a major tourist spot provides various facilities for entertainment like Pedal boating, row boating, swimming, get-togethers etc. It is just the right place for an exciting outing and is easily accessible by road. Hardly 3kms from the airport, the youth hostel at Veli provides inexpensive dormitory type accommodation.
Observatory
The observatory, situated 60 m above sea level is located on a hill near the Museum. It is one of the oldest in India. There is a well laid out garden in front of the hill, with a beautiful rose collection. From here one gets a bird's eye view of the whole city.
Onam Celebration in the Capital City
Annual Tourism Week is celebrated during Onam (Aug-Sep), as it is the main festival of Kerala. Streets are illuminated and main attractions during this period are a unique package of traditional and cultural
programmes, which is staged in Kanakakkunnu Palace and other landmark points in the city.
Poovar (Old Trading Centre)
Poovar is 29 kms from the city. It was once a famous trading center in early days and also one of the ancient ports in the district. It is said that the legendary Jesuit Missionary, St. Francis Xavier, visited the place in the 16th century.
Science & Technology Museum
Located near Hotel Mascot in Thiruvananthapuram city, the museum is of high educative value for students of Science and Technology.
Shree Chitra Art Gallery
Next to the Government Art Museum, this is in a smaller, traditional building. It homes the collections of the Travancore ruling family, and also has an interesting assortment of turn of the century Bengali School paintings, Rajasthani and Mughal miniatures, Tanjore paintings and a selection of works by a Russian emigrant, Svetosku Roerich and by Kerala's favourite artist son, Raja Ravi
Varma. The latter's works include a number of portraits of Maharajahs and their families, British residents and distinguished individuals and by studying their faces, one gets a glimpse of a part of Kerala's history.
The Great Elephant March
It is a four-day programme organized by the Department of Tourism, Kerala. Elephant pageantry, boat races and folk art performance are specially arranged during this four-day period for the tourists to have a glimpse of the Kerala culture. On the fourth day is the elephant pageantry at
Thiruvananthapuram. Here, tourists get an occasion to witness Kerala's folk art forms and its ancient martial art display,
Kalaripayattu. The grand finale is at Kovalam Beach. It is concluded with seaside barbecue.
Agasthyakoodam (famous peak)
About 1869 metres above sea level, Agasthyakoodam is a prominent peak in the Sahyadari ranges of the Western Ghats and can be approached on foot from
Bonacadu, which is 61 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram. Tradition says that the great sage,
Agasthya, had his abode in this peak. The place is also noted for its abundant Ayurvedic herbs.
Anchuthengu (Historical Place)
Situated 40 kms north of Thiruvananthapuram, along the seacoast Anchuthengu is a place of historic importance. IT was here, that the first settlement of English East India Company was established in 1864 AD. Historically the limits of the area were up to where five coconut palms stood. Anchuthengu
Anjengo, was given on lease to the company by the king of Travancore for trade purpose. The remains of the old English fort, which had withstood many a siege, can be seen here even today.
Neyyattinkara (Historical Place)
Neyyattinkara is an ancient town, situated about 20 kms, south east of
Thiruvananthapuram. The Sree Krishna Swami Temple, founded by King Marthanda Varma is of historical importance. Within the premises of the temple, there is a historic jack fruit tree, known as Ammachi
Plavu, in the hollow of which, Marthanda Varma is believed to have hid himself and escaped death at the hand of enemies.
Vizhinjam (Historic and Ancient port)
About 15 kms from Thiruvananthapuram and 2 kms South of Kovalam, this is a
historic spot, which was left unnoticed for a long time. It was once, the
capital of Ayvel Kings of the 8th and 9th century. The only thing there,
that has withstood time, is a rock temple, assigned to the period of the
Cheras, because of strong influence of the Pallava Pandya architecture.
The rock temple is just a little way off the main junction, and is a
protected monument under the Archeological Survey of India. Vizhinjam is
also believed to have been an ancient port, long time ago. The Portuguese
and the Dutch had commercial establishments here. Vizhinjam is being
developed as a modern fishing harbour, with a lighthouse.
Akkulam Kayal
10 kms away from the Central Railway Station, but easily accessible by
road, Akkulam, is one of the first beautiful picnic spots in the suburbs
of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. The spot is developed
on the Akkulam Kayal Lake, which is an extension of the Veli Kayal Lake.
The clam and serene atmosphere and its unique natural beauty are
fascinations for tourists. The village consists of a boat club, swimming
pool, children's park, an anthodium project and a snack bar.
Neyyar Dam
29 kms from the city, lying amidst the Southern low hills of the Western
Ghats, in the Neyyar Dam, a picnic spot and dam site. One gets a panoramic
view of mountains and the lake. The project area offers facilities for
boating and mountaineering. A 3-hour climb over the hills across the
reservoir affords the thrill of hiking. There are two beautiful waterfalls
on the way. A lion safari park, a lake garden, a swimming pool and a
crocodile-rearing centre have also been set up in the reservoir.
Kowdiyar Palace
The home of the late Maharaja Sree Chitra Thirumal Bal Rama Varma and his
family is off limits to visitors but one can have a glimpse, from the main
gate. If a friendly guard is on duty he will let you walk a bit inside the
grounds where you can get a view of the grand old building at the end of
its long drive
Koyikkal Palace
Located 18 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, on the way to the Ponmudi Hill
Station and the Kuttalam Waterfalls, this ancient place that dates back to
the 15th century is famous In the history of Kerala, as the official
residence of Perakom Thavazhi (The maternal lineage), especially of
Umayamma Rani of the Venad Royal family. Here, one can see a double
storeyed traditional Nalukettu building with slanting gabled roofs, an
inner courtyard and two museums of folklore and numismatics set up by the
Department of Archaeology. The 'Gajendra Moksham' Mural, which is one of
the larges mural paintings in Kerala, is seen on the ground floor of the
Palace. A museum with antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes is housed
inside the building. The palace is situated 47 kms from Alleppey.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
The legendary Kings of Venad ruled from this magnificent 16th century
wooden palace. The Padmanabhapuram Palace, 60 Kms. from Thiruvananthapuram,
is now within the State of Tamil Nadu, but it was once the traditional
home of the royal family of Travancore, so the Kerala Government maintains
it. The palace is one of the best examples of the traditional wooden
architecture of Kerala. Such stately homes were decorated with carved
wooden ceilings, curved and slatted shuttered windows, intricate
interlocking beams for the roof, sculpted door panels and pagoda like
tiled roofs. Intricate carvings and murals, and exquisite wall paintings
reflect the prolific talent of the sculptors and painters of the olden
times.
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