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DESTINATION GUIDE INDIA - TRIVANDRUM

ABOUT TRIVANDRUM CITY

Thiruvantapuram or Trivandrum is Kerala's gracious capital city with its palaces, museums and the beautiful bech resort of kovalam. Dominating the city is the Padmanabhaswamy temple with its tall gopurams or gateways. Built in the Dravidian style, the temple has within its sactum an immense image of the Lord Vishnu reclining on the coils of the sacred serpent Ananta. Thiruvantapuram derives the name  from this patron diety.
 

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND PLACES - TRIVANDRUM CITY

Varkala Beach
Varkala is a seaside resort. It is also 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 at Varkala.

Padmanabha Swamy Temple

The Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum is a very famous Hindu temple in the city of Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum. Primarily Lord Vishnu is worshiped in the famous temple. The Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum is located in the East Fort in city of Trivandrum. Another reason that the Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum is so immensely popular is that it is considered as one of the hundred and eight divya desam. These are the holiest domains of Lord Vishnu. Padmanabhaswamy is in fact another manifestation of Lord Vishnu in a sleeping position. Another interesting fact about this Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum is that the city of Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum got its name from this temple that belongs to the days of yore.

Napier Museum

The 150 years old museum was established by Maharaja of Travancore in 1855. Only few museums in India, like, Indian Museum Kolkata, Madras Government Museum Chennai, are contemporary to Napier Museum. In 1874, a new building was constructed and was named after Lord napier, the then governor of Madras Presidency. The Architectural masterpiece was designed by Mr. Chisoln, the consulting Architect of the Madras Government and the construction completed in 1880. This 120 year old structure is a landmark in the city with its unique ornamentation and architectural style with gothic roof and minarets.

The museum has a vast collection of artifacts of artistic, cultural and antique importance, which comprises sculptures in bronze and stone, carvings of wood and ivory, lamps, textiles, Kathakali models, handicraft items, Kuftgiri works, traditional musical instruments, a treasure of numismatic collections representing Chera, Chola, Pandya dynasties of Southern India. The bronze display include fascinating images of Siva, Vishnu, Parvathi and Lakshmi in 'Silpa Sastras'. The metal images illustrate the features of South Indian sculpture style of 8th to 18th Century. The Vishnu image of 8th Century collected from Ambalapuzha temple in central Travancore which has Pallava style is the oldest metal image in the State. The stone sculptures belong to 8th to 18th century. All the wood carvings exhibited here shows high degree of excellence. Each and every exhibit has a wonderful and fascinating tale twined around it.
 

HOW TO REACH TRIVANDRUM

» Air : Nearest - Thiruvananthapuram Airport.

» Rail : Nearest - Thiruvananthapuram Railway station.

» Road : There are a number of tourist attractions in Thiruvananthapuram which is a favorite destination of the tourists.