| In
& Around Kovalam |
| |
Impressive
Palaces and Forts
|
Padmanabhapuram
Palace :
Located at 54 kms from Thiruvananthapuram across the border
in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district, the palace nestles at
the foot of the Veli hills. Built during the 14th cenury it
was called Darpakulangara, but later in the 18th century it
was renovated and renamed as the Padmanabhapuram palace. A place
of elaborate woodwork, it was the ancient seat of the Travancore
rulers Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma till the capital was
shifted to Thiruvananthapuram in 1780. It contains relics of
historical and artistic value.
|
 |
Kaudiar
Palace:
This palace is the home of the late Maharaja Sree Chitra Thirunal
Bala Rama Varma and his family. The view of the grand old building
from the gate is excellent, but unforunately it is off limits
to the public. If you are lucky, you could probably walk a few
steps inside to get a better view provided the gate keeper is
friendly enough.
|
 |
Anchuthengu
Fort:
Located 36 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, the historic remains
of the fort built by the British East India Company in the 17th
century and an adjoining cemetery are the noteworthy relics
of this first major British trading station on the Malabar Coast.
This colossal monument was once the trading station of the mighty
British. The monument built in the 1800s stands as an excellent
example of sturdy and lasting forts constructed in the English
style.
|
|
Koyikkal
Palace:
Classified as a double storeyed ‘nalukettu’, Koyikkal
Palace was the official residence of the of the rulers of the
erstwhile State of Travancore. This ancient palace, located 18
km from Thiruvananthapuram on the way to Ponmudi hillstation and
the Kuttalam waterfalls, dates back to the 15th century. In1979
this Palace was declared as a protected monument and further in
1990 after carrying out restoration work, it was converted into
a Folklore Museum and Numismatic Museum. |
 |
Famed
Museums
|
|
Napier
Museum:
The museum contains a fine collection of Kerala's bronzes, ornaments
and contumes, and a model of "Tharawad'-the traditional Nair
family home.
|
 |
Kuthiramalika
Palace Museum:
Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, a classic specimen of Kerala Architecture
is situated in 'Kuthiramalika'. The palace, with its excellent
carvings and amazing architectural designs, is by itself a slice
of heritage. The museum has a wide range of exhibits representing
the erstwhile state of Travancore. |
 |
Science
& Technology Museum:
The Science and Technology Museum, situated in Thiruvananthapuram
was established with the prime objective of setting up of galleries
with working, animated or participatory type of exhibits, on
all disciplines of Science and Technology.
|
|
| Alluring
Beaches |
|
Veli
Tourist Village:
The seemingly placid sheet of
water that backed away from the visibility reverberant sea offers
a general idea of the famous backwaters of Kerala. Located near
the airport this popular picnic spot offers landscaped gardens
and water-sports facilities.Pedal boats, rowboats, and motored
boats are available.Children
in particular have a lot of fun and frolic climbing over the huge
sculptures, which dot the landscape, and riding a ferry.
|
|
Sankhumugham
Beach:
Located 8 kms from Thiruvananthapuram city, the Shankhumugham
Beach is a favourite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent
to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Veli Tourist Village.the
'Matsya Kanyaka', a gigantic 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid
and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are the major attractions
here. |
 |
Varkala
Beach:
Varkala is a sea side resort, as well as an important Hindu
centre of pilgrimage. High cliffs with rich mineral springs
rise majestically from the coastline. The 2000 year old Janardana
Swamy Temple and the Nature Centre are the two main attractions
here. High cliffs border the excellent beach. Located 55 kms
north of Trivandrum with unusual land formations, Varkala beach
does has not many visitors. Cliffs, 3 kilometers of shining
white sands, the red soil of the hilltop and coconut trees makes
it unique. The beach named as Papanasam- an auspicious place,
for Hindus to worship their ancestors.
|
 |
Exciting
Get-Away's from Kovalam
|
|
| Sri
Ananthapadmanabhaswamy Temple:
This
ancient temple is the most dominating feature of Thiruvananthapuram.
Overlooking the Padma Theertham Tank, the temple is devoted
to Lord Vishnu who is depicted reclining on Sri Anantha,
the hooded snake from which the city derives its name.
Exquisite stone carvings and pavilions are worth admiring.
The temple is open only to Hindus and dress regulations
are strictly enforced. |
Kanyakumari
:
(Cape
Comorin)-Situated
87 km away from Thiruvananthapuram, it is located at a
junction at the southernmost tip of India where the three
water bodies, namely, Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and
the Indian Ocean meet. From here, one can see the sun
rise from the Bay of Bengal and set in the Arabian Sea.It
is a holy place for Hindus because of the Kanyakumari
Temple. The Gandhi Smarak Mandir and Vivekananda Rock
Memorial are additional tourist attractions.
|
Aruvikkara:
Sited
16 km from the capital Thiruvananthapuram,Aruvikkara is
both a pilgrim centre and a picnic spot, with a waterfall
nearby. On the banks of the Karamana River, the spot houses
a temple, where a rock cut shrine is dedicated to Goddess
Bhagvathy, the divine embodiment of female power. A stream
with fishes, which come up to be fed by visitors, is another
attraction. |
Ponmudi:
It
is a beautiful hill station which is around 61 km away
from the city. It is a centre of natural scenery, salubrious
climate and the scope of hiking in high trails which make
the visit an exhilarating experience.
|
Vettukad
Church:
About
7 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, The 'Madre De Deus' Church
popularly known as the Vettukad Church attracts thousands
of devotees from all religions. The annual celebration
here is called the 'Feast Of Christ, The King'. |
Vizhinjam:
Situated
near Kovalam, Vizinjam is a fishing port, and is also
important for an ongoing pioneer project to generate electricity
from wave energy. |
Public
Park:
Truly
a representative of the clean and verdant aspect of the
city, the Public Park houses many important institutions,
like the Zoo and the Botanical Gardens. The observatory
on the Observatory hill is also located in the Public
Park. |
Beema
Palli:
Located
at 5 kms south of Trivandrum it is an important Muslim
pilgrim centre dedicated to Beema Beevi, a pious Muslim
lady believed to have possessed divine powers. Devotees
of all faiths visit the mosque. |
Kuthiramalika
Palace:
A
gala event of music organised by the Government of Kerala
every year in the last week of January. A conglomeration
of great maestros from all over the country celebrate
Indian classical music in all its variety and grandeur.
It
is held in the premises of the famed Kuthiramalika Palace,
Thiruvananthapuram, where once upon a time the great poet-king
of Travancore, Sri Swathi Thirunal, composed many of his
verses.
|
|
|
|
|
|
What
to watch out for
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cultural
Programmes :
Kathakali dance - Hotel Neptune (during session), Jalatharangam
Seaside Cultural Evenings organised by Kerala tourism
every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from mid December to
mid March. |
Nishagandhi
Dance Festival :
A
coming-together of India's best dance exponents. Classical
dances share centre stage with folk, fusion and contemporary
dance forms. Performed under the night sky at the Nishagandhi
arena in Thiruvananthapuram.
(21- 27 February, every year) |
Onam festival:
Celebrated for centuries, it is a festival of
joy. Carnivals. Feasts. Dances. Fireworks. Music. Games
and parades give life to this fiesta. The occasion is
the retreat of the monsoon and the advent of the New Year
with the harvest. Natives believe that it is that time
of the year when the mythical, legendary king Mahabali,
visits his people once a year,after being banished from
earth by vamana,an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.It also
coincides with the tourism week celebration. (August/
September, every year). |
|
|
|
|
Gramam
: The Kerala Village Fair :
A
close up of vintage Kerala. Life in the 40's recreated
in a hamlet a little away from Kovalam Beach. Amazing
display of rare curios, traditional houses, village artisans
at work, art forms nearing extinction, and sale of exquisite
handicrafts and costumes. In all, a down-time travel to
a bygone era. (14-23 January, every year).
|
Flavour
: An ethnic food festival:
Offering
the best traditional cuisine of India. The famed Tandoori
sea food from Lakshadweep. The North-Eastern taste that
tantalizingly borders on Chinese. And Kerala's own exotic
menu. The way of discovering India. Mouthful by Mouthful. |
The
Great Elephant March:
It
is the time for the Great Elephant March of India (January
9 - 12) when a hundred odd tuskers, decked up in festive
style parade before the tourists.There are opportunities
for Elephant rides and Elephant feeding. |
|
| |
|
|
ATTRACTIONS 
