In south Indian destinations, Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram is one such place that proudly retains its cultural identity and traditional heritage, and clubs it perfectly with the modernity. The rich tradition of the city is believed to be evolved around 1000 B.C. Apart from being a perfect place for all the history buffs, Trivandrum is a hot and favourite destinations of nature lovers as well. Its lush green landscapes interspersed with crystal clear waterways and ancient temples showcasing the best of Dravidian architecture make this city the most visited tourist destination in the state of Kerala. The city also has museums, palaces and wildlife sanctuaries that are must visit for a traveller visiting Trivandrum.
Fascinating Features
The name of the city is believed to be derived from the words Thiru-Anantha-Puram, meaning the town of Anantha, sacred snake God. Some of the major attractions of the city are:
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Padmanabhaswami Temple
One of the 108 Vaishnav shrines (dedicated to Lord Vishnu) in India, Padmanabhaswami Temple is highly praised for its 400 beautifully carved pillars of granite, 100 feet high gopuram, stone basement, mural paintings, stone carvings, elaborate sculptures and ornamental works of figures from the Puranas and other ancient scriptures. The statue of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, is situated on the top of the temple.
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Kuthiramalika Palace Museum
Known for the collection of fine works of art including models of temple, antique jewelry, wood carvings, mural paintings etc.
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Napier Museum
This 19th century Indo-Saracenic style museum is popular for its rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings.
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Sree Chitra Art Gallery
Showcases amazing paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich. The gallery also reveals the extraordinary art work from Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of Art In India.
Apart from that, Durga Temple, Zoological Park, Priyadarshini Planetarium, Observatory, Shankhumugham Beach and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre are some of the other tourist attractions in the city.
The people celebrate Onam in the month of August/September with full enthusiasm and zeal. This is the occasion when one can enjoy the traditional art, music and dance forms of the city.
About the Author:
Go through the Trivandrum Travel Guide and choose from a wide range of Kerala tour packages. Trivandrum is the heart of the state and offers ample opportunities for all kinds of tourists. Plan a Thirunvananthapuram Tour and get indulged in the charm of age old traditions and divine nature.