There are many things to do in Trivandrum and the surrounding region. Trivandrum, or Thiruvananthapuram, is the capital city of Kerala, God’s Own Country. The bustling city has many temples, museums, palaces, and art galleries, all distinct from one another. The region is also surrounded with beautiful landscapes, lush green spice estates, pristine beaches, and serene backwaters. Read on to find out more about things to do in Trivandrum.
Temples
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum is the richest Hindu temple in the world. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is known for its beautiful Dravidian architecture and rich history. The idol of Lord Vishnu can be seen in a reclining position on a celestial serpent. However, non-Hindus are not allowed in the temple, but it is still worth going to the area, as it is quite unique and breathtaking.
7 km north of Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the Karikkakom Chamunda Devi Temple, built 600 years ago! Dedicated to Goddess Chamundi, the temple worships all three forms of the Goddess. In olden times, the temple was the destination for punishing wrong-doers and getting justice for the honest victims.
The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Trivandrum holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the destination of the largest gathering of women for a religious activity. In 2009, 2.5 million women offered pongala at the temple at the same time! The temple is distinguished by its Tamil architecture and has a rich heritage. It is also known for its Attukal Pongala festival celebration.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Museums and art galleries
The Napier Museum is one of the popular museums in Trivandrum. The museum has around 550 exhibits rich in history and culture of South India. The museum is especially known for its collection of more than 5000 ancient south Indian coins, some even dating back to 100 BCE!
The Thiruvananthapuram Natural History Museum was established in 1964. It displays history, culture, art, and wildlife over three buildings.
The Science and Technology Museum and Planetarium is a great place for kids. Here, children can learn about science and technology through interactive methods.
Sri Chitra Art Gallery is home to some of the most beautiful paintings of Raja Ravi Verma, along with many miniature paintings, Tanjore paintings, as well as Rajasthani and Mughal artworks. There is also a lot of contemporary art from neighboring countries such as China, Japan, Bali, and Tibet.
Napier Museum
Shopping
Shopping in Trivandrum is a fun experience, as the different markets in the city offer different aspects of Trivandrum’s culture and history. There is a lot you can take home as souvenirs from the markets of Trivandrum.
The Papanasam market offers fresh seafood, if you want to cook something authentic. If not, there are many small eateries in the area offering some of the best seafood dishes. The Attakulangara Market is famous for selling ayurvedic herbs and spices. Many of the products on sale are used in ancient Indian medicine.
The Pazhavangadi Market, Connemara market, Chalai Bazaar, and Kowdiar Market are two other markets that sell a range of products you can buy.
Kanakakunnu Palace
The Kanakakunnu Palace is a blend of Kerala and colonial architecture styles, exuding grandeur and the heritage of the city. The palace was built as a guesthouse for the royal family of the Travancore King Sree Moolam Thirunal. Today, it is a cultural center where many events are held. The palace is located on a hilltop, offering majestic views of the cityscape and the Arabian Sea.
Kanakakunnu Palace
Beaches
Shankumugham Beach is a perfect spot for watching sunsets. Conveniently situated near the Thiruvananthapuram airport, it offers a respite from the chaos of the city. The beach is also known for a large sculpture of a nymph, or Jalakanyaka. There is also an indoor recreational club here.
Kovalam Beach is known for the Vizhinjam Lighthouse. The Vizhinjam Lighthouse is 36 meters long, the tallest lighthouse in Kovalam. It offers beautiful views of the landscape. Because of its proximity to a nearby beach, the beach is named Lighthouse Beach. The lighthouse is a sight to behold, as it rises tall amidst coconut trees.
Vizhinjam Lighthouse
Agasthyakoodam
One of the highest peaks in Kerala, Agasthyakoodam, or Agastya Mala, is a beautiful trekking spot for adventure seekers. The trekking season is usually from November to April, and visitors need a special permit for trekking. Up until 2019, women were not allowed to trek all the way to the top of the peak. The tribals believed that Sage Agasthya, to whom the peak is dedicated, was a celibate and would not be comfortable with women trekkers.
Agasthyakoodam
Ponmudi
Ponmudi is a charming hill station in Trivandrum. Known as the “Kashmir of Kerala”, the hill station literally translates to the “Golden Crown”. You will get mesmerizing views of the lush green hills and spice plantations, and beautiful springs and streams from the region.
Neyyar Dam and Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Neyyar Dam and neighboring Neyyar WIldlife Sanctuary are good spots to visit in Trivandrum. Built in 1958, the dam is built at the confluence of the rivers Neyyar, Kallar, and Mullayar. The dam offers stunning views, making it an ideal picnic spot.
The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located adjacent to the dam, with deer safari parks, lion farms, and elephant rides.
Neyyar Dam
Peppara Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary
Peppara Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the famous wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala. The dam was established in 1983 to provide drinking water supply to Thiruvananthapuram and neighboring areas. Because it was a part of the ecologically significant Paruthippally mountain range, it was declared a sanctuary.
The Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is home to more than 40 animal species, 230 species of birds, and many other reptiles and amphibians. You will find tigers, leopards, elephants, and sloth bears here.
The Aruvi Waterfall is located in the Peppara forest range. You will need to complete a 7 kilometer trek to reach the falls, but the end is completely worth it.
Peppara Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary
So, which of these will you be doing first? Let us know! At India Someday, we curate personalized itineraries to India for you based on your needs and requirements. Contact us and together we can plan the perfect trip to India for you!
About Aishwarya Shete
Aishwarya Shete is a content writer at India Someday. Her passions are writing, photography, and more importantly, food. She hopes to travel the world someday and document it through her pictures and words.
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