Thiruvananthapuram

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Thiruvananthapuram[1] (formerly and often still known as Trivandrum) is the capital (pop. 744,739 as of 2001) of Kerala in Southern India. The city is part of a district, also called Thiruvananthapuram, one of the 14 districts of Kerala.

Thiruvananthapuram lies at the southern-most part of the state. It is a fascinating destination for enjoying holidays [2].

[edit] Understand

[edit] Orientation

Trivandrum is a small strip of land with plenty of coconut & palm trees between the Sahya hills and the sea. The main arterial way is the MG Road or the Mahatma Gandhi Road which lies in the north south direction and connects almost all the important attractions.

[edit] When to go

  • The best time to go to Trivandrum is from October to January. Beach Holidays are best during this time. February to May is Summer and June to September is the monsoon season. The second rainy season, the North-East monsoon, is equally strong and occurs during the months of October and November.
  • Festival of Onam which occurs towards the end of August or early September is a good time to visit for the carnival atmosphere. There are usually many cultural programs during the official Onam celebration which is spread over a week.

[edit] Talk

Malayalam is the spoken language. English is commonly used for most official purposes. The literacy rate is quite high in Kerala and many can converse in English. Attempt to converse in Malayalam is always appreciated.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

  • Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (IATA: TRV) with direct flights from the Middle East, Singapore, Maldives and Sri Lanka. It is therefore considered as the doorway to Kerala. It is served by Air-India, Indian (formerly known as "Indian Airlines"), Silk Air, Gulf Air, Qatar Air, Emirates, Kuwait Air and Air Maldives.
  • Kochi International Airport, [3]. An alternate--then travel to Thiruvananthapuram by road. It is 4-5 hour journey.

[edit] By train

The central railway station is located at Thampanoor in the heart of the city, 8 km from the airport. It is very well connected and serviced by rail to all major cities in India. Thiruvananthapuram is the first major city along the second longest train route in the world, Kanyakumari to Jammu.

[edit] By bus

The long distance bus station is located next door to the railway station. Buses ply to all major towns and villages in the state as well as with the big cities like Cochin, Bangalore, Kozhikode, Coimbatore and Chennai. The city bus stand is located 1 km away at East Fort, near the Padmanabha Swamy Temple. Both state-run and private short distance buses connect the various important urban and suburban centres. City bus depots are also located at Peroorkada, Vikas Bhavan, Pappanamcode, Kaniyapuram and Vellanad

[edit] By car

Thiruvananthapuram is well connected to other cities like Kochi (230 km), Kozhikode (420 km), Chennai (780 km), Bangalore(791 km), Coimbatore(400 km), Chennai by road.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By bus

The local bus service system is the cheapest way to get around Thiruvananthapuram. There are city buses run by government and private companies. Most of these are very crowded especially during peak hours. Route descriptions on the buses are mainly in Malayalam. Route numbers are displayed. Pick pocketing is not very common. Women, especially of foreign origin, can some times be the subject of verbal harassment or the occasional groping.

[edit] By auto rickshaw

This is a cheap way of transport between attractions. It is always possible to get an auto rickshaw from a bus stand, railway station or special auto rickshaw stand. Agree on a fare before you start the journey. This is not usually necessary as fare is calculated by the taximeter affixed to every licensed rickshaw.

[edit] By taxi

Taxis are convenient and cheap, especially if you travel in groups. Taxis can be hired not only for short distances, but also for a few days at a stretch. Most of the taxis are Ambassador cars which are more suited for stuffing passengers at the expense of comfort or safety. Sometimes up to 10 passengers are crammed into these. Most of these cars lack the basic security features like seatbelts or airbags. Even if seatbelts are installed, most of the locals ignore them.

When you hire the taxi with a driver over a few days, a minimum charge is usually paid which covers the hiring charge for the car, the driver's fees and a certain distance. If the car covers more than that distance, additional charges are levied according to the extra distance covered as per kilometre. Most of the drivers expect to be paid for their meals during the day. If staying overnight, this will include the hotel charges as well.

[edit] By car

There are many car rental companies offering cars with drivers or "self drive". Many of them are unreasonably expensive by local standards. Ask someone with the local know how before you rent a car.

[edit] By two wheelers

Scooters and motorcycles are the favoured means of personal transport on the roads. Renting or buying the motorcycle is not for the faint hearted. The mix of fast and slow traffic makes it especially dangerous.

There are companies arranging tours on Enfield Bullet motorcycles out of Thiruvananthapuram . Most of the locals zip around in modern Japanese motorcycles like the Hero Honda, Yamaha or Kawasaki Bajaj.

[edit] On foot

Many places of attractions are nearby others, so you could walk between them.

[edit][add listing] See

Visit the official website of Kerala Tourism http://www.keralatourism.org/

  • The Napier Museum Named after a former Madras governor, General John Napier, this museum is a beautiful building in the museum compound near Kanaka Kunnu Palace. English architect Chrisholm created this building combining many architectural styles. This museum displays rare archaeological and historical artifacts including bronze idols and ivory carvings.(Open 10:00 - 17:00 hrs. closed on Mondays and before noon Wednesday.)
  • Sree Chithra Art Gallery is an art gallery located in the Museum compound and displays a rare collection of mainly Indian paintings. The main attractions are paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, Raja raja Varma and Nicholas Roerich. Also featured are miniature paintings from around the world, Kerala mural paintings and Tanjore miniature paintings.
  • The Zoological Park Closed M, Tu-Su 10AM-5PM. This is one of the first zoos in India. Situated in the Museum compound, this area is a rich botanical garden. There is a wide variety of animals, plants and birds. Not world class, but certainly with its own attraction.
  • Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple This beautiful temple stands by a tank,the Padmatheertham. The deity is Vishnu in a rare reclining posture.
  • The Padmanabhapuram Palace is entirely made of wood and was the erstwhile home of the Travancore princes. It is 65 km from Trivandrum City and is located in the Kanniyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.
  • Shanghumukham Beach This beach is 8 km outside the city, adjacent to the airport. Local people flock there to watch the sunset. There is an indoor recreation club nearby. Matsyakanyaka a gigantic sculpture of a mermaid by Kanai Kunjiraman arouses mixed reaction. There is also a peaceful temple nearby.
  • Science and Technology Museum There is a Planetarium within the campus. A 40 minute show costs Rs. 15/-. There are several galleries on Electrical Engineering, Biomedical, Mechanical Engineering, etc.
  • The Kanakakunnu Palace. Venue for many cultural meets and exhibitions.
  • Veli Tourist Village. A lake blending into the beach, almost as if it were teasing the sea. Boating, Horse Riding on the beach, a floating bridge, a shallow pond where you can feed the fish, beautifully maintained gardens.
  • Kovalam_Beach - 17 kms from Thiruvananthapuram City, famous for its stretch of beaches

[edit] Itinerary

  • See Trivandrum on foot. Get public transport to Kanaka Kunnu Palace. See this public building on top of a hill, used for cultural programs. Walk down to Napier Museum and Zoo. See the building, walk around the park and visit the zoo if you are interested. Also pay a visit to the Sree Chitra Art Gallery, Natural History museum and the Reptile House. Then walk towards Palayam along the MG road absorbing the roadside buzz of activities and shopping at the roadside shops. Usually there are cultural programs at VJT Hall which may be open to the public. Continue along MG road towards the Secretariat. The area around the secretariat is known locally as Statue, due to a few neglected statues of important figures. There are sometimes political protests or demonstrations along this place. Sample the food from some of the restaurants including Azad Hotel, Indian Coffee House or Hotel Aruljyothi. SMS Institute on a side road near Secretariat sells authentic Kerala handicrafts and gift items. Prices start from Rs.25 to a few thousands. Continue along the MG road. There are many local book shops including Paico[4], Modern Book House and Prabhat book store. The Ayurveda college , which teaches the traditional ayurvedic medicine will be on the right side. Opposite this, there is another handicraft store.Walk along the MG road and you will reach the junction with traffic signals known as the Over bridge locally. There are a few movie theatres nearby. The railway station and Bus station are towards the left, about half a mile. If you continue straight, you will eventually reach Pazhavangadi. You will see the remains of a fort (well hidden) on the right side (known as Kottakakam/East fort). The famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple is nearby, complete with a temple lake (Padmatheertham). The architecture of the temple is more in line with Tamil temples as compared to other Kerala temples. On the left is Chaalai Bazaar. This is a busy congested road teeming with all kinds of shops.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Stroll around the town during the dusk time when the city comes to life.It is advised not to venture out alone late into the night
  • Find local bargains and shop for souvenirs.
  • Watch the magical sunset from the Shankumukham or Veli beach
  • Get pampered with a traditional Ayurvedic massage
  • Visit the local museum and art gallery.
  • Visit a martial arts centre Kalaripayattu)
  • Watch traditional performers perform a Kathakali dance.
  • Watch a temple procession at the end of a local festival when the deity is taken out on the top of an elephant.
  • Watch a Malayalam / Bollywood movie (no subtitles) in a local cinema.
  • Check the newspapers for daily events, especially theatre/film/dance performances. Try to find out if anything is on at the Tagore theatre when you're there, especially during the film festivals which screen art house classics from around the world.
  • Take a rain walk - if you're there during the monsoons, buy an umbrella and walk from place to place in the magical monsoon.
  • Laze around on any of the pristine beaches.
  • Visit the public library for its stunning architecture and colonial charm.
  • If you're there during the Onam season, be sure to pass by the secretariat building and the kanakakunnu palace for the brilliant illuminations. If it's Christmastime, walk down a little further to the L.M.S compound to see the awesome collection of Christmas stars.
  • Stop by a thattukada (roadside stall) at dusk for parottas and probably the world's best fried chicken.
  • A long breezy stroll on Veli beach with its kilometres of the orange beach is precious. Take note, as you move past the 'Tourist Village' zone you'll come into areas where the locals live by the beach, they may question you. They're trying to be friendly to the 'new face', so feel free to chat up or move on giving them a friendly wave! Here you can witness the fisher men sail back in the evening and mend their nets. Perhaps join the local kids in a game of beach ball or cricket. There is a strip on the left of the boating club where you can find sea eagles circling in the air, it is a majestic sight to see them swoop in for their prey, and then devour it mid-flight.

[edit] Learn

  • Kathakali dance and associated arts including the percussion instruments and make-up
  • Kalaripayattu
  • Malayalam and its rich literature
  • Cheap advanced computing/software training!

[edit] Work

Opportunities for foreigners to work in Kerala used to be very limited. The dramatic advances in the information technology sector have probably changed this. But the companies still prefer to use the locally available and hence more economically viable manpower.

To work in India, you need employment visa. The prospective employer has to send a letter providing information about your qualification to the home ministry in India.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Haggling is quite acceptable and very much needed if you buy anything from the vendors who will pester you during your stay at any of the nearby beaches.

[edit] Shopping Plazas

  • Narmada Shopping Complex Kowdiar
  • Anna's Arcade Spencer Junction
  • Kedaram Shopping Complex Kesavadasapuram
  • Arcade Shopping Complex Killipalam
  • Karimpanal Arcade East Fort
  • De Options Nanthencode
  • Saphalyam Shopping Complex Palayam
  • Attukal Shopping Complex East Fort
  • Big Bazaar East Fort
  • Spencer's Palayam

[edit] Department Stores

  • Style Plus Nanthencode

[edit] Books and Music

  • Modern Book House , Statue
  • Paico , Statue
  • Mibiz Group , Palayam
  • Prabhat Book House , Statue
  • Galaxy

[edit] Handicrafts

  • Handicrafts and gift items from “SMS Institute” near secretariat in the heart of Trivandrum city or other genuine craft shops (Natesan’s opposite the Ayurvedic college). Do not buy them from the roadside shops at tourist places like Kovalam. You will be ripped off.

[edit] Textiles

When you come to cities like this in India, do not pack too many clothes. You can buy them cheap at the local shops. There are many shops around the east fort and over-bridge areas. KaralKada is the most famous for traditional clothes.

  • Parthas on the Powerhouse road is a major retailer. The collection of Indian traditional wear for women is excellent. The western style collection leaves much to be desired. When it comes to men’s wear, you will find all you need in this shop. For western clothes check out Naaz or Last Option, or branded clothes at the showrooms of Reebok, Benetton and the like.

[edit] Jewellery

  • Prince Jewellers East Fort Phone: 0471-2470667,2476519
  • Saravana Jewellers East Fort Phone: 0471-2470667,2477694
  • Bhima Jewellery Elankath Complex, Phone: 0471- 2461631, 2463645
  • Alappat Fashion Jewellery Attukal Shopping Complex, East Fort, Phone: 0471-2478716
  • Alukkas Jewellery East Fort Phone: 0471-2570481
  • Chemmannur Jewellers East Fort Phone: 0471-2463128
  • Josco Jewellers East Fort
  • Lekshmi jewellery East fort Phone: 0471-2470609,2470949

[edit][add listing] Eat

Sample the local cuisine at many of the roadside restaurants (known locally as "hotels").

There are plenty of restaurants in Thiruvananthapuram serving South Indian food. There are also quite a few eating places serving other cuisines, such as North Indian, Chinese and American food.

[edit] Budget

Non vegetarian Kerala cuisine is served in - Azad Restaurant/Hotel which has branches in a few places in Thiruvananthapuram. Most of the budget restaurants tend to be noisy / crowded, so it is best to use the take away facilities and eat at a local park.

  • Hotel Aiswarya (try their amazing chicken curry!)
  • Mubarak restaurant Ruby nagar, Chalai
  • Kaithal Restaurant Chalai
  • Balan's Tattukada Kaithamukku (try the fried chicken)
  • Open House Ayurveda College jn (good for the chilly chicken & mmm... the chilly beef)

The Cafe Coffee Day by the main road at Kowdiar is a branch of the popular national chain and ideal for a cappuccino / sandwich. Also, branches of Indian Coffee House serve cheap and traditional food in many locations.

Vegetarian options include:

  • Arul Jyothi (M.G. Road, tel: 2470240) serves delicious South Indian 'meals' (Veg). You won't go away hungry.
  • Anand Bhavan (Statue Junction)
  • Ariya Bhavan (Opp: Bus Stand, Thampanoor)
  • Ashok Bhavan
  • Arya Nivas

[edit] Mid-range

  • Ambrosia - a bakery with an eating outlet. Serves burgers, hotdogs and pizzas. Bakery junction and near Medical College.
  • Casa Bianca - a Pizzeria and Restaurant at Vazhuthacaud - owned and run by a lovely expatriate. Serves great, fresh tasting pastas, pizzas and all things Italian in a casual intimate setting. Definitely worth the trip from Kovalam if you're missing a good quality thin crust pizza.
  • Kalavara - at Kowdiar, behind the Trivandrum Tennis Club, and near Pulimoodu junction.
  • KTDC floating restaurant - at Veli. Amazing scenery across the lake.
  • Pizza Corner - at the Spencer junction.
  • Sindhoor - near the Cotton Hill Girls High School, Vazhuthacaud. Serves Chinese and Indian cuisine. The interior is designed to mimic a cave and results in a dark environment. Not very cosy or stylish. Tasty food, and good value for money.
  • Take Home - a popular roadside take-away joint in Kowdiar.

[edit] Splurge

  • Muthoot Plaza [5]
  • South Park [6]
  • Park Field
  • Ruby Arena,
  • Taj Green Cove Resort Kovalam.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Traditional drinks include Karikku(tender coconut water) and Sambharam (buttermilk with salt, ginger and green chilly). Karikku can be bought mostly from the streetside vendors while Sambharam can be bought from the ubiquitous Milma outlets. The Bakery Junction area has several fresh juice vendors, serving inspirted mocktails like Sharjah and Tsunami.

Alcoholic drinks are more difficult to obtain. Hotels/restaurants with "bar attached" signs sell alcoholic beverages. Public consumption of beer is not socially accepted. The local "toddy shops" and "arrack shops" sell strong local spirit which may sometimes contain artificial (and dangerous) ingredients.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Unless you are in Trivandrum on a business trip, it may be better to base yourself in Kovalam and go to the city as a day trip.

[edit] Budget

  • Hotel Chaitram, [7] is also owned by KTDC and is very close to the railway station and bus stand. Claims 2 star deluxe facilities.
  • Hotel Regency, [8]is 1 star hotel very close to the railway station and the bus stand. More convenience than comfort.
  • Hotel Navaratna YMCA Road
  • Jas Hotel Thycaud
  • Hotel Geeth Pulimoodu
  • Greens Galaxy Kunnumpuram Near Old GPO. Single Bedroom/Air conditioned. Walking distance from Railway St. and BusStand. Friendly atmosphere and a great place to stay if you're backpacking across Kerala. If interested send email to param.sasi@gmail.com
  • Second Home, [9]. If you plan to stay at Trivandrum for a considerably longer time, this would be your best option as it is very homely and cost effective at the same time.

[edit] Mid-range

  • Hotel Saj Lucia is situated in East Fort near Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple.
  • The Residency Tower, [10] is a 4 star hotel near the south gate of the secretariat.
  • Hotel Horizon is a 3 star hotel located on Aristo road with a roof top restaurant.
  • Ruby Arena Hotel, [11] - 3 star Business Hotel. Hotel Ruby Arena with ample parking facility provides luxurious accommodation. Elegantly appointed rooms which are set up in international standards provide a relaxing atmosphere.
  • Hotel Pankaj is a 3 star hotel located in a convenient location in Statue, near the secretariat.
  • Hostel Lailja Pappanamcode, near Regional Research Laboratory(CSIR)
  • Hotel Venus International On the Ayyappan Kovil Road (near BTC Tower). Fairly good. A single non-AC room came at Rs. 550 + taxes.

[edit] Splurge

  • Paradise Gardens Beach Resort & Ayurveda Centre, [12]. Karikatikuzhi Beach - The most beautiful beach. - South of Kovalam.
  • Muthoot Plaza, [13]. A 5 star hotel in Trivandrum at the centre of the city.
  • South Park, [14]. A 4 star hotel located on the MG road,near the secretariat, 3km from the Railway station.
  • Mascot Hotel, [15]. A KTDC [16] owned 5 star hotel in the heart of the Trivandrum city.
  • The Leela Kovalam is a 5 star hotel in Kovalam, overlooking the Arabian sea, about 15 kms away from the city.
  • Sankars Homestay Trivandrum, Diamond House, 2444444, 2448888, 9447100000., [17]. Your home away from home. Diamond House. Kerala Govt. Approved Homestay. Grade A Homestay Approved by Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.

[edit] Contact

[edit] Telephone and mobile

The dialling code for Trivandrm is 471. When calling from overseas, dial +91 471 XXXX XXX. If you have a non-working phone number with only 6 digits try to add a "2" in front of it.

If you don’t have an Indian phone number I strongly recommend that you get a pre-paid calling card if you planning on using your phone frequently. By government regulation you need a photocopy of your passport (visa and the id-page) and a color photo to be able to buy a pre-paid card. Pre-paid card are sold in most shops that sell mobile equipment.

'Telephone Booths' or public telephones are widely available usually painted with the letters PCO (Public Call office,local calls), STD (Subscriber Trunk Dialing) and ISD (International Subscriber Dialing). All booths have electronic metering and you pay what's displayed on the meter.

[edit] Internet

There are many internet cafes around Trivandrum. They offer cheap, tolerably fast internet access to the public. The railway station is also fully wi-fi enabled.

[edit] Stay safe

Drink only safe water ( boiled and cooled) or good bottled water. Take water purification tablets with you, though compared to the rest of India, the water quality is much better. Till recently, the tap water in Thiruvananthapuram was considered a high pressure system and hence safe to consume.

[edit] Cope

[edit] Hospitals

Trivandrum has world class medical facilities with very competitive rates. This attracts "health tourists" from other states and even other countries. If you are in need of medical care, try to go to one of the reputed private hospitals listed below.

[edit] State run

  • Medical College Hospital, Medical College, Trivandrum
  • Sree Avittam Thirunal Hospital Medical College,Phone: 0471-2444270
  • Regional Cancer Centre Medical College Campus, Medical College Phone: 0471-2442541
  • Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology Medical College, Phone: 0471-2443152

[edit] Private

  • Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS)Kumarapuram Poonthi Road, Anamukham, Anayara

Phone: 0471-2447575

  • Sree Uthradam Thirunal Hospital Pattom Phone: 0471-2446220
  • Chaithanya Eye Hospital and Research Center Kesavadasapuram,Phone: 0471-2447183
  • Cosmopolitan Hospital Murinjapalam, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram Phone: 0471-2448182
  • P R S Hospital Killippalam,Phone: 0471-2344443

[edit] ATMs

ATMs are widely available in Trivandrum, mainly along with branches of banks. A number of them are present along the MG road.

[edit] Money exchange

  • Thomas CookSoundarya Buildings, MG Road, Thiruvananthapuram, 0471-2338140, 2338141
  • Trivandrum International Airport 0471-2502470
  • T. T. Travels Ltd Vellayambalam, Thiruvananthapuram, 0471-2332127, 2333208
  • Air Travel Enterprises LtdPalayam, Thiruvananthapuram 0471-2327212
  • U.A.E Exchange Centre Pattom & Vazhuthacadu Branches,Tvm.

[edit] Car Rental

[edit] Banks

Most of the major Banks in India have a branch in Trivandrum and most of these are around the MG road.

[edit] Opticians

Sunshades and prescription glasses in stylish frames are much cheaper in India as compared to the western world.

  • Eye Designs 9-10, Kedaram Shopping Complex, Kesavadasapuram Phone: 0471-2440985
  • Solar Opticals Statue Convent Lane, General Hospital Junction Phone: 0471-2477596

[edit] Photography

  • Baba Studio East Fort Phone: 0471-2473399
  • Paramount Colour Lab MG Road, Ayurveda College Junction Phone: 0471-2331643
  • Sivans Studio Statue
  • Minerva Studio Station Road, Thampanoor Phone: 0471-2331575

[edit] Libraries & Cultural Centers

  • State Central Library widely known as "Public Library". At Palayam. Has books in English, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Sanskrit. Housed in an attractive Victorian Style building.
  • Alliance Francaise"Sudharshana", Forest Office Lane, Vazhuthacaud - 695008 Tel : 0471-2320666 / 5578808
  • Eloor Lending Library ABN Home, I Floor, Vellayambalam Jawahar Lane,Sasthamangalam P.O.,Tel:2318235
  • University Library Palayam

[edit] 'Travel Agents/Tour Operator

1. Kerala Travels Interserve, L M S building, Museum Junction, Trivandrum-695033 phone 91 471 3018601-629 fax 91 471 2314824 e mail keralt@md2.vsnl.net.in web address www.keralatravels.in

2. Liz travel solutions

3. The Great India Tour Company Pvt. Ltd. New Corporation Building, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - 695 033 (INDIA).

[edit] Get out

  • Ponmudi - A pleasant hill resort 61 kms away from city, elevation 912m above sea level.
  • Kovalam - famous for its beaches, among the finest in India. 17 km from the city.
  • Varkala - a pilgrimage centre for the devotees of janardhana samy and Sree Narayana Guru. 51kms away from Thiruvananthapuram city.
  • Thiruvananthapuram district has many more attractions which are a day trip away.
  • Kanyakumari - 87kms away in Tamilnadu state.

Other places in Tamil Nadu state like Kuttalam water falls, Madurai, Palani, Thanjavoor, Swamithoppe and Nagercoil

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

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