Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the State and the headquarters of the district, is connected by air, rail and road. Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple, the Kanakakkunnu Palace, the Observatory, Science and Technology Museum, the Government Secretariat, the Kowdiar Palace, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the Tagore Centenary theatre and the Museum & zoo are some of the tourist attractions in the city.

Sree Chitra Art Gallery with its rich collection of exquisite paintings, is another attraction. The gallery has a special Ravi Varma section other than one for murals, water and oil painting. The S.M.S.M. Institute, Botanic Gardens at Palode and Chitranjali studios are added attractions.

The Raj Bhavan, Central Library, Victoria Jubilee Town Hall,University College, Residency, College of Fine Arts and the Wellington Water Works are but a few of the land marks that adorn the city.

There are three big stadia, namely; the University Stadium, the Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium and the Central Stadium, in the city. A velodrome at Kariavattom and the Jimmy George Indoor Stadium at Vellayambalam cater to sporting interests.

The neat and clean Shanghumughom beach is an attraction. The Aerodrome, the Government Engineering Workshop, the Trivandrum Rubber Works and the Travancore Titanium Products Ltd are situated in the vicinity of Shanghumughom beach.

Interesting places worth visiting in the neighbourhood of Thiruvananthapuram city are Aruvikkara Water Works, Kovalam Beach Resort and the resort of Ponmudi Hills, the Neyyardam at a distance of 29 kms also offers scenic splendour as well as opportunities for hikes, boating, camping and mountaineering

Kanyakumari, the land’s end of India now in Tamil Nadu, is only 87 kms. from Thiruvananthapuram.

On the way to Kanyakumari is Padmanabhapuram, the old capital of Travancore, where an ancient palace with antique murals is located.