Trivandrum India

Mahatma Gandhi referred to Thiruvananthapuram as the Evergreen City of India. Located on the southwestern coast of mainland India, the 150 square miles of Trivandrum Kerala are found on lush green hills cradled between the shores of the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats mountain range. The official city name of Thiruvananthapuram means Abode of Lord Ananta, referring to the Hindu deity honored in the city's popular temple, though many English-speakers refer to the city simply as Trivandrum.

Although Trivandrum doesn't currently have a port on its coast, the ancient city of Thiruvananthapuram has a rich trading history dating back to 1000 BC. In 1745, Marthanda Varma made Thiruvananthapuram the capital city of the newly formed state of Travancore, maintaining its independence from the British Empire's rule of much of India. During this period, Trivandrum India thrived as a center of arts and education, establishing many schools, libraries, and hospitals. When British rule ceased in 1947, Travancore joined the Indian Union. In 1946, the state of Kerala was formed and Trivandrum was named its capital. Kerala remains the most literate and socially developed state in India.

Trivandrum travel is easy, as the city is accessible and simple for visitors to navigate, and there are many comfortable Trivandrum hotels from which to choose. The Thiruvananthapuram international airport is less than four miles from the city center, and the central railway station is located right in the heart of Trivandrum Kerala. The official language of Kerala is Malayalam, though English, Tamil, and Hindi are also spoken. The three major religions of the area are Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam, with the vast majority of the population practicing Hindu. The dominant cuisine of the area is Keralite, characterized by a heavy use of coconut and spices, though other Indian food, Chinese cuisine, and various fast food establishments are common as well.

A lush natural environment and inviting tropical weather make Trivandrum travel irresistible to many tourists on a vacation to India. The average temperature in Trivandrum Kerala is between about 70 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Be advised the city gets a lot of rain during monsoon season, and the humidity is often near 90 percent; when planning your trip, it might be worth remembering that the driest months in Trivandrum India are between December and February. It is also the largest city in the deep south of India, making it an easy addition to any trip to Sri Lanka or the Maldives.

A major tourist draw of Trivandrum travel is the city's advanced technology in science and the arts, thanks to the rich cultural history of Travancore. Indulge in the artwork of the Napier Museum or the Sree Chithra Art Gallery, which display works from all over Asia, including some by Trivandrum's most famous artist, Raja Ravi Varma. Explore Trivandrum's numerous libraries or the historical campus of the historical University of Kerala, or learn about India's thriving space science program at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Museum.

Hindus are welcome to visit the landmark for which Thiruvananthapuram is named, the Sree Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, which includes an impressive seven-story tower, or gropuram. Visitors can wander the manicured grounds of the formerly royal Kanakakunnu Palace, and outdoor enthusiasts can get a taste of India's wildlife at the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary in the nearby Western Ghats mountains.

Many people flock to Trivandrum India in August and September for Onam, one of the most popular of India's festivals, which honors the mythical king of ancient Kerala. During this time, the city is alive with traditional Hindu dress and decorations. There is also an annual flower show, combining many exotic blooms with an aquarium of ornamental fishes in beautiful displays. Whatever your interests might be, you'll have no trouble finding plenty of things to do during a visit to Trivandrum.