Pl suggest the places to visit in Trivandrum and Kannykumari?

Question

Pl suggest the places to visit in Trivandrum on 5th February 2008 (One Day + One Night) + in Kanyakumari on 6th and 7th February 2008 (Two day + One Night).

Reply immediately.

Answer 1

LOCATION - Kanyakumari :

The Kumari Amman or the Kanyakumari Temple, located on the shore, is dedicated to a manifestation of Parvati, the virgin goddess who did penance to obtain Lord Shiva's hand in marriage. The temple and the adjoining ghat, picturesquely situated overlooking the shore, attract tourist from all over the world. The diamond nose-ring of the deity is famous for its sparkling splendor said to be visible even from the sea. Two rocks reach out of the ocean, southeast of the Kumari Amman temple. One of these is Sri Padaparai, where the footprints of the virgin goddess are said to be imprinted on this rock, Swami Vivekananda is said to have sat in deep meditation and here also stands the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial built in 1970. There is a dhyana mandapam where one can sit in a serene atmosphere and meditate. Ferry services are available to reach the memorial. The striking Gandhi Memorial has been built on the spot where the urn containing the Mahatma's ashes was kept for public viewing before immersion. Resembling central Indian Hindu temples in form, the memorial was so designed that on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday (October 2), the first rays of the sun fall on the exact place where the ashes of the father of the nation were kept.

Places To See in Thiruvananthapuram (Earlier known as Trivandrum) :

Thiruvallam

( 10 km): This serene backwater stretch, enroute to Kovalam, is famous for its canoe rides.

Aruvikkara Dam

(16 km - 1/2 hour): This picturesque picnic spot is on the banks of the Karamana river. Near the Durga Temple here is a stream full of fish that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors.

Kovalam Beach (16 km - 1/2 hour): This internationally renowned beach resort has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular. Kovalam offers accommodation options to suit all budgets.

Museum Complex

The Napier Museum: Built in the 19th century, the Indo - saracenic structure boasts a "natural" air conditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The use of plastic is banned in the museum premises. Ph: 316275

Sree Chithra Art Gallery: Located near the Napier Museum, this art gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali.

The Zoological Park: One of the first zoos in India, it is located in a well-planned botanical garden. With huge trees like frangipani and jacaranda dotting the sprawling lawns and wild fowl swimming in the lake, it is like a small jungle in the heart of the city. A reptile house with different species of snakes is also located in the premises.

The Kanakakunnu Palace

The palace and its sprawling grounds are today the venue for many cultural meets and programmes.

Science and Technology Museum Complex

The exhibits here are related to science, technology and electronics.

Shankhumugham Beach

Just 8 km from the city, this is a favourite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Veli Tourist Village. An indoor recreation club, the matsya kanyaka (a gigantic, 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid) and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are some of the attractions here. Chacha Nehru Traffic Training Park here provides opportunity for children to learn the traffic rules.

Chacha Nehru Children's Museum

(Open 1000 - 1700 hrs. Closed on Mondays): Children of all age groups will enjoy the vast collection of nearly 2000 dolls, stamps and masks displayed here.

Observatory

Located at the highest point in the city, near the Museum complex 60 metres above sea level, one can have a bird's eye view of the city from here.

Secretariat

Built in the Roman architectural style, this is the centre of government administration in Kerala and houses the offices of ministers and the bureaucracy.

Kerala Legislature Complex

Located at Palayam, this is the new building where the Legislative Assembly of Kerala meets. With its towering dome, exquisitely carved galleries, ornate teak panelling and ceiling, combined with the most modern acoustic treatment and state-of-the-art sound systems, the hall is a beautiful blend of classical grandeur and modernity.

Veli Tourist Village

This picnic spot, where the Veli Lake meets the Arabian Sea, offers boating facilities. Pedalboats and paddleboats can be hired to explore the charms of the lagoon in a leisurely manner. For a quick ride over the waters, speedboats are available for hire. Children enjoy climbing over the huge sculptures which dot the landscape.

Akkulam Tourist Village

A picnic spot with boating facilities, Akkulam is a place children flock to. It has a well equipped children's park and a paddle pool. There is a swimming pool for adults too.

Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave

(17 km - 1/2 hour): There are rock cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple at Vizhinjam. The granite cave here encloses a one-celled shrine with a loose sculpture of Vinandhara Dakshinamurthi. The outer wall of the cave depicts half complete reliefs of the Hindu God Shiva with Goddess Parvathi.

Koyikkal Palace, Nedumangad

(18 km - 1/2 hour): Located on the way to the Ponmudi hill station and the Courtallam waterfalls, this ancient palace dates back to the 15th century. Here you can see a double storeyed traditional Nalukettu building with slanting gabled roofs, an inner courtyard and museums of folklore and numismatics set up by the Department of Archeology.

The Folklore Museum set up in 1992 is a treasure house of quaint musical instruments, occupational implements, household utensils, models of folk arts etc. Displayed in the Koyikkal Palace, they focus attention on the cultural background of the State.

The Numismatics Museum houses rare and historically valuable coins denoting the trade relations of the State.

Sree Mahadeva Temple

Situated in Kazhakuttom, this ancient temple is believed to date back to the 14th century. Another old temple in the district is the Mitramandapuram Temple on the outskirts of the city.

Neyyar Dam

(32 km - 1 hour): A popular picnic spot, Neyyar Dam has a watch tower, crocodile farm, lion safari park and deer park. Boating facilities are available at the reservoir.

Varkala (40 km - 1 1/2 hours): Varkala is a seaside resort and spa. It is also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. The final resting place of the great social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru, is near Varkala, atop a hill called Sivagiri. High cliffs with mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline. According to a myth, sage Narada was approached by a group of mendicants who confessed to having sinned. Narada threw his valkkalam (cloth made of the bark of a tree) into the air, and the place where it landed was subsequently named Varkala. The mendicants were directed by Narada to offer their prayers in the newly created place by the seashore. The place where they prayed for redemption, came to be known as the Papanasham Beach ( Papanasham means redemption from sins). The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are the two main attractions here.

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary (50 km from Thiruvananthapuram): This sanctuary spread over 53 sq. km on the Western Ghats, is accessible from Vithurai, which is on the way to Ponmudi. With its rich flora and fauna, Peppara, dotted with hillocks, forests and eucalyptus plantations, is emerging as a great attraction for wildlife enthusiasts.

Ponmudi (61 km - 2 1/2 hours): An idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding pathways and cool, green, wooded environs, Ponmudi is located 915 metres above sea level. Along with a variety of beautiful mountain flowers, exotic butterflies, small rivulets, springs and the deer park nearby, this hill station also has excellent trekking trails. * Food: KTDC restaurant; the government guesthouse

* Accommodation: Guesthouse: Cottages and rooms Rs. 250 - 600 Dormitory Rs. 800

For reservations contact: The Secretary, General Administration Department (Political), Govt. Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram.

Padmanabhapuram Palace (63 km - 2 1/2 hours. Closed on Mondays): The seat of the erstwhile rulers of Travancore, this splendid palace is situated at Thuckalai, on the way to Kanyakumari. This is a well preserved wooden palace, a glorious testimony to the traditional Kerala school of architecture. The extraordinary murals, exquisite floral carvings and the black glossy granite floor have withstood the test of time.

Padmanabha Swamy Temple

The temple is located inside the East Fort. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is known for its mural paintings and stone carvings. One among the 108 sacred Vishnu temples in India, the presiding deity in here is Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha the Serpent. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. Dress code: Men - Dhoti; Women - Saree and blouse

Kuthiramalika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum

The palace was built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma - the King of Travancore, who was a great poet, musician, social reformer and statesman. This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore style of architecture also has exquisite wood carvings. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family and is located near the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple.

Agasthyakoodam: Part of the Sahyadri range of mountains, Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak in Kerala, at a height of 1890 metres above sea level. Teeming with wildlife, the forests of Agasthyakoodam abound in rare medicinal herbs and plants and brilliantly hued orchids. A bird watcher's paradise, this legendary mountain is accessible by foot from Kotoor, near Neyyar Dam, as also from Bonacaud. The season from December to April is advocated for trekking, for which a forest pass has to be obtained from the Wildlife Warden, Forest Department, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram.

Answer 2

Tiruvantapuram -

Kovalam Beach - Kovalam is 12 kms to the south of Thiruvananthapuram and is one of the finest beaches in India.

Shree Padhmanabhaswamy temple - Shree Padhmanabhaswamy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is held legendary by the Hindus. The temple has a huge complex with a huge gopuram. It has a tank beside it for ritual bathing.

The Kanakakunnu Palace - This palace in the heart of Trivandrum city is one of the most beautiful buildings. The palace and its spanning grounds are today the sight for many cultural meets.

Vizhinjam - modern fishing harbour.

Ponmudi - A pleasant resort at an elevation of 912m above sea level.

Veli lagoon - The boat club providing facilities for pedal boating, row boating, swimming on the placid waters of the Veli lake.

Optional - Varkala-pilgrim sight for the devotees of Sree Narayana Guru (51km from here)

Kanyakumari -

Sea face - Both sunrise and sunset visible from here and both are of spectracular experience. You will feel here that you are standing at the tip of India.

Kanyakumari temple -  The temple overlooks the shoreline. It is dedicated to Parvati as Devi Kanya, the Virgin Goddess who did penance to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva.

Vivekananda rock - It is about 500 meters away from mainland.  This memorial stands on one of two rocks separated by about 70 meters. It was built in 1970. This memorial is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, the greatest social reformer

Gandhi Mandapam - Not far from the Kumari Amman Temple is the Gandhi Mandapam, constructed at the spot where the urn containing the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi was kept for public view before a portion of its contents was immersed in the three seas.

Padmanabhapuram -  Near Nagarcoil this was once the capital of the state of Travancore. There's an old fort and a pagoda-shaped palace with fine 17th and 18th century murals. It's actually close to the Kerala border and conveniently visited between Kanyakumari and Trivandrum.

Thiruvalluvar Statue - Located at the southern most tip of the Indian Peninsula where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, is Kanyakumari, the place famous for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

Suchindram Temple Just 13 kms. from Kanniyakumari, Suchindram has a temple dedicated to a deity who is the representation of the combined forces of Siva, Vishnu and Brahma.

Answer 3

Please have a stay at INDIAN HERMITAGE at Kanyakumari (cape comrin) its a beautiful nature resort amidst 3 mountains.

Answer 4

For complete details about Trivandrum & Kanyakumari, please check,

http://www.holidayiq.com/destinations/Th...

http://www.holidayiq.com/destinations/Ka...

Answer 5

www.incredibleindia.org

Answer 6

In Trivandrum you can visit Kovalam Beach, Sankumugam beach and veli ascuary if you are interested to see sea site.

If there is  childrens then go to zoo and museum. On can also

visit the most beautiful art gallary in india the beautiful paintings of raja ravi varma.

For the trip to kanyakumari you should go by train to kanyakumari via nagercoil or you can catch go by bus to martandam visit the famous padmanabhapuram palace near martandam and also suchentram temple. one should stay at kanyakumari go to swamy vivekananda rock in the early morning and return from there at noon.

should tip in the water at the congregation of two seas and

an ocean and can view and have a dip in the sea water.

It is a must to have a dip at the sea water and also view

the beauty of the land view from the rock which we may

feel that we are seeing the pennisular from  a rock