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Many
spots in the district are breathtakingly beautiful and a treat to the
eye. A few are:
About 1869 meters above sea level, Agasthyakoodam is the highest peak in
the Western Ghats, next only to Anamudi. Tradition says that the great
sage Agasthya, had his abode in this peak. The place is also
noted for its abundant ayurvedic herbs.
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Akkulam is one of the beautiful picnic spots, in the suburbs of Thiruvananthapuram city. This place is only 10 kms. away and is easily accessible by road. The spot is developed on the banks of Akulam Lake, which is an extension of the Veli Lake. The calm and serene atmosphere and its unique natural beauty are a fascination for tourists. The Boat Club, which started functioning in 1989, now operates speed, safari, pedal and row boats from Akkulam to Veli Tourist Village. A traditional style Kettuvallom is also available for overnight stay. The swimming pool at Akkulam is equipped with glider and other playing facilities. The Children’s Park is a unique amusement spot. The newly commissioned musical fountain is an added attraction. |
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Situated 40 kms. north of Thiruvananthapuram, along the sea coast, Anchuthengu is a place of historic importance. It was here that the first settlement of the English East India Company was established in 1864 A.D. Historically, the limits of area where five coconut palms stood (Anchuthengu, corrupted as Anjengo) was given on lease to the Company by the King of Travancore for trade purposes. The remains of the old English Fort, which had withstood many a siege, can be seen here even today.
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Sixteen kms. north of Thiruvananthapuram, gifted with lavish scenic beauty is Aruvikkara. Thiruvananthapuram gets its water supply from the Aruvikkara reservoir. There is an ancient temple dedicated to Durga, on the banks of the river. |
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The place is about seven kms. from Neyyattinkara. There is a small waterfall here. A Siva temple founded by Sree Narayana Guru attracts a large number of worshippers during the Sivarathri festival. It is a beautiful spot for holiday seekers.
Balaramapuram is famous for its hand-spun cloth. Weaving is a cottage industry here with cooperative activity. It is 13 kms. south of the city towards Kanyakumari on National Highway 47.
Meenmutti and Kombaikani Waterfalls
These are two magnificent waterfalls on the upper reaches of the Neyyar
reservoir. A trek of two kms, through dense forests, would take one to
Meenmutti waterfalls and a further two kms, to the Kombaikani
waterfalls. The waterfalls and forests around them are worth
experiencing.
Lying amidst the southern low hills of the Western Ghats, 29 kms. from the city, the catchment area offers facilities for boating and mountaineering. A three-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 and a Crocodile Rearing Centre have also been set up in the reservoir.
Neyyattinkara is an ancient town, situated about 20 kms. South-east of Thiruvananthapuram. The Sree Krishna Swami temple, founded by King Marthanda Varma (1729-1758), is of historical importance. Within the premises of the temple, there is a historic jack tree, known as Ammachi Plavu, in the hollow of which Marthanda Varma is believed to have hid himself and escaped death at the hands of his enemies.
Peypara is 50 kms. from the city on the way to Ponmudi. The sanctuary
there, with its rich mammalian fauna and avis is emerging as a big
attraction to wild life enthusiasts and ornithologists. It was
established in 1938 over an area of 53 sq. kms. on the western ghats.
Elephants, sambar, leopard, lion-tailed macaque and cormorant are
commonly seen here.
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A pleasant resort with an elevation of 912 M above sea level, Ponmudi is reached by road from Thiruvananthapuram. There are several tea and rubber estates around the hills. A hill tribe called Kani live in the surrounding areas. Ponmudi is fast developing as a hill resort with room and dormitory accommodation facilities, hill-trails for hiking, a collection of flowering trees and a deer park. Ponmudi is 61 kms. from Thiruvananthapuram. |
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Poovar
Poovar is 29 kms. from
the city. It was a trading centre in early days and one of the ancient
ports of the district. It is said that the legendary Jesuit
Missionary, St. Francis Xavier, visited the place in the 16th
century.
Vizhinjam
About two kms. south of
Kovalam, Vizhinjam is believed to have been an ancient port. The
Portuguese and the Dutch had commercial establishments here. Vizhinjam
is a harbour, with a light house. This place is being developed into
an International Deep Water Container Transhipment Terminal.
Sarkara
Sarkara is 35 kms. north of
Thiruvananthapuram and six kms. west of Attingal. There is a famous
temple which is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. A grand festival, Sarkara
Bharani, is conducted in this temple during March-April.
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Varkala Thiruvallam |
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Kovalam
Hotel Samudra, run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation is also nearby. Besides, there are numerous hotels managed by private agencies. The resort has 198 rooms with the four presidential suits in the Halcyon Castle, the Summer Retreat of the erstwhile Maharaja. |
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The Museum building itself is an architectural splendour. The Napier Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Reptile House and the Shri Chitra Art Gallery are all 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.
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The zoo offers a rare opportunity for the visitors to experience an unparalleled, picturesque and panoramic sylvan landscape with a wide range of animal collections. The zoo has 75 different species of animals not only from India but also from abroad. It has several species of animals and birds from Ethiopian and Australian zoological regions. The Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Tahr, Manipur deer, Indian Rhino, Asiatic Lion and the Royal Bengal Tiger are prominent among the indigenous endangered fauna, while giraffe, hippo, zebra and cape buffalo are guests from the African region. A new era will be ushered in with the completion of the ongoing modernisation work in the zoo which will provide for thrilling encounters with the animals out in their open air landscapes. |
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Veli
Lagoon
On the
outskirts of Kerala’s capital, by the side of the placid waters of
Veli lake, the Boat Club attracts the city people and tourists. Veli,
developed as a major tourist spot by providing facilities for
pedal-boating, row boating, swimming, get together, etc. is just the
right place for an exciting outing.
The Youth Hostel at Veli
which is hardly three kms, from the airport, provides inexpensive
dormitory type accommodation. Veli, with its palm fringed lake is
easily accessible by road.
Shanghumugham Beach
Shanghumugham Beach is very near to the International Airport
and is easily accessible from the Kovalam Beach, Veli Tourist Village
and Akkulam Tourist Village. Shanghumugham beach is noted for
its cleanliness. The vast stretch of white sand and the serene
atmosphere, away from the crowd in the city, provide all the
ingredients for relaxation and for spending an ideal evening. There is
also a “Star Fish Restaurant” with eating kiosks and open air
theatre with car parking facilities.
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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.
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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. 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. |
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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.