Sreepadmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvanathapuram

Sreepadmanabhaswamy Temple

Sreepadmanabhaswamy temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is situated the heart of the Thiruvanathapuram city. The Thiruvanatha puram city got its name after the name of the Lord. The meaning of the word is “The land of Sree Anantha Padmanabha Swamy”. 

The Temple architecture both Kerala and Dravidian Style. It is a grand seven storeyed structure adorned by innumerable stones carvings, ancient inscriptions and colorful murals. There are around 324 pillars in the temple corridor. 

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands Majestically beside the holy tank, named Padma Theertham, it means the Lotus spring. The Methan Mani or clock tower stands next to the Padmanabha Swamy Temple. It is a historic landmark which is constructed with a highly complex pulley system. 

In 3^rd January 1750, Maharajah Marthanda Varma dedicated the Kingdom of Travancore to Lord Padmanabha.  Marthada Varma vowed that the royal family will rule the state on behalf of Lord and he and his descendants would Serve the kingdom as Padmanabha Dasa or the Servant of the Lord Padmanabha. 

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple became the richest Hindu Temple in India as well as the world. 

Shankumugham Beach - Thiruvanathapuram

Shankumugham Beach

The beach is located 8 km from Thiruvanathapuram city and is adjacent to the Thiruvanathapuram International Airport.

Shankumugham beach is a favorite spot of sunset watchers. Shankumugham beach is considered as the Arattukadavu of Sri Ananthapadmanabhan – the presiding deity of the city.

On the Arattu ay at Thiruvanathapuram images of Lord Padmanabhaswamy, Lord Narasimha and Lord Krishna are taken in procession to the Arabian Sea at Shankumugham Beach.  Shankumugham is the prime location for Ganesh Nimarjan at the time of Vinayaka Chathurthi.

The sculpture of Jalakanyaka of mermaid named as Matsya Kanya is an important attraction seen in Shankumugham beach. This giant statue is more than 32 meter long. The Sculpture with amazing architectural beauty captures all eyes of tourists. 

An indoor recreation club and Chacha Nehru traffic training park present in Shankumugham beach widens the tourists interest.  Another attraction one is a starfish shaped restaurant.

And also the Military airport of the Southern Air Command of the Indian Air force is situated at Shankumugham.

Ponmudi - Thiruvanathapuram

Ponmudi

Another place to visit Thiruvanathapuram is Ponmudi. It is a hill station. The meaning of the Ponmudi is Golden Peak. Ponmudi is located 61 km away from the city.

Ponmudi is an enchanting hill station with narrow winding pathway and cool green environs. Along with a beautiful array of mountain, flowers, exotic butterflies and small rivulets. 

Ponmudi also has the advantage of being a hill station in close proximity to the sea and the famous beaches of Thiruvanathapuram. Ponmudi offers excellent opportunity for trekking. 

There is not a single visitor that has not been left spellbound by the cadence of the avian orchestra and the verdant shades of green that Ponmudi is known for. What more can you as for.

Varkala - Thiruvanathapuram

Varkala

Varkala is situated in South Kerala at North end boarder of Thiruvanathapuram district.  This beautiful beach destination is been ranked as one of the 10 top seasonal beaches in the world by Discovery Channel. Varkala beach is also known as Papanasam beach, it is a haven for sun-bathing and swimming. 

The evening views of the sunset are worth lingering over. Varkala is also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. The final resting place of the great social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru, is near Varkala, a top hill called Sivagiri. 

Kappil Lake is about 4 km north of Varkala Town, this serene estuary meanders through dense coconut groves before merging into the Arabian Sea. 

Anjengo Fort is near Varkala, it is a place of historic imortanat as well as beautiful natural setting. The beautiful Muthalapuzhi Lake is situated in Anjengo. 

Vakala Tunnel is a popular tourist highlight, it was a 924 ft long tunnel built in 1867. Vakala lighthouse is another tourist highlight in the vicinity. Ponnumthurut Island is a beautiful spot you can reach by cruise boat.

Kovalam- Thiruvanathapuram

Kovalam

Kovalam is situated 16 km away from the Thiruvanathapuram town. The meaning of Kovalam is “Groove of Coconut tree”.   Kovalam offers an excellent diversity with Kovalam beach to suit all desires and occasions. Three curve shaped beaches are alienated by stony outcroppings; all the bays are separated by rocks.  The Samudra beach, Kovalam beach, Hawa beach and the light house beach are what give Kovalam its beauty. Backed by precipitously mounting headlands and covered by fertile coconut palms, the beaches, especially the southernmost part of lighthouse beach. The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish. The proposed international Trans shipment at Vizhinjam.  The Kovalam is also famous for its Ayurvedic Massages and many yoga resorts. Kovalm is a beautiful tourist spot and tourists flock all year long but would advise not to visit during the Monsoon which starts from June to October. The tides are high and the shores are not safe for travelers.

Devikulam and Nyayamakad Watterfalls - Munnar

Devi kulam

The name of the Devikulam is derived from name of Sitha Devi Lake. (Devi means – Sitha devi from Ramayanam and Kulam means Lake). Devikulam is located 7 km away from Munnar. Here are many myths surrounding the lake and it is said that Goddess Sitha bathed in this lake. 

This is a hill station with its velvet grass lawns, exotic flora and fauna and also the cool mountain air is a rare experience. The lake is ideal for trout fishing. There is a waterfall called that Pallivasal waterfall a nice spot to visit.

Nyayamakkad

The nyayammakad is a land of breathtaking waterfalls. It is located between Munnar and Rajamala. Nyayamakad is 10 km from Munnar. The waters flow down a hill from a height of about 1600 meters. 

The charming surroundings make an excellent picnic spot and trekking point. Walk up to the Nyayamakad Gap to take in brilliant views of the Munnar valley covered with green carpet of tea plantations. 

Kanthaloor- Munnar - Idukki

Kanthaloor 

Kanthaloor is near Marayoor in Idukki district. It is a real land of fruits and vegetables.  Kanthaloor is 5000 ft above from the sea level.

That’s makes Kanthaloor is good for the natural farming of fruits like Apple.  The Apple is not commonly cultivated in the State.  

Along with this, guava, gooseberry, orange, eggfruits, peach, passion fruit, cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, beans, potato and garlic grow here aplenty.

Nilakirunji flowers covering a hill

The Nilakurinji is blooms here once in 12 years. They bloom in plenty in the beautiful valley of Kanthalloor making them more beautiful. 

The Government of Kerala declared Munnar, Marayoor and Kanthaloor as the “Neelakurinji Sanctuary” in 2006.

Kanthaloor is very beautiful place, that beauty we can’t express in the words.  

Marayoor - Near Munnar - Idukki

Marayoor

Marayoor, we can call heaven on earth. Marayoor is located 44 km from Munnar and 55 km from Idukki. The meaning of MArayoor in Malayalam is hidden village. Exotic and unspoiled, Marayoor is a unique place. Here natural beauty meets adventure.

Marayoor offers diversity in every aspect of its land, beauty and culture. Marayoor is the only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwoods trees. 

There is sandalwood factory run by forest department is the attraction of Marayoor. Another attractions is Muniyaras, Childerns park lies under a Banyan tree (it cover hectors of land) and Thoovanam waterfalls.

Marayoor occupies a vast area on the slopes of the Western Ghats in Idukki district and is an importat pre-historic site in Kerala. Apart from the Dolmenoid cists (Dolmenoids were burial chambers made of four stones placed on edges and covered by the fifth one called the cap stone) in Muniyara.

We can see lush green tea estates in the road from Munnar to Marayoor, and also we can see waterfalls and sandalwood forest.

The relics of the new stone –age culture, consisting of caves, paintings and the underground tunnels, together with places connected with the legendary wanderings of Rama and Sita of Ramayana and the Pandavas of the Mahabharatha make this place archeologically prominent.

Marayoor is known for its tribal culture. We can see cardamom plantations, coffee plantation and Orange grove wild Greek on the way to Marayoor.

In Marayoor, we can see lot of things, we cannot say that to words, you come and enjoy the natural beauty and cultre.

Cheeyappara, Meenuli and Chithirapuram - Munnar

Cheeyappara

The Cheeyappara waterfalls are located between Neriamangalam and Adimali on the Kochi Madurai highway. The Cheeyappara waterfalls cascade down in seven steps. It is an excellent or breathtaking experience for us. This place is also good for trekking.

Meenuli

Meenuli is famous for a gigantic prehistoric rock spread over 500 ares. Meenuli is a ficture on the itinerary of mountaineers who visit Munnar. At the top of this rocks, offer a wonderful or superb view o the Lower Periyar area, Bhoothathankettu Dam and on a clear day we can see   parts of the Eranakulam (Cochin).

Chithirapuram

Chithirapuram is 10 km away from the Munnar. It is old-world little sleepy town with flakes of Cottages, old time bungalows and cold charm. It is also the home of Pallivasal hydro-electric power station. Chithirapuram has an added attraction of tea plantation and spices nurseries owned by Kerala Spices Board.

Pallivasal Dam & Chinnakkanal - Munnar

Pallivasal Dam

Pallivasal is the first Hydro Electric Project in Kerala. It is located 8 KM from Munnar. This place is beautiful place and often favoured by visitors as a picnic spot.

A panorama of waterfalls and rolling hills, Attukal, located between Munnar and Pallivasal, is a feast for our eyes.

Chinnakkanal Waterfalls

One of the places to visit is Chinnakkanal. It is near to Munnar town, and the waterfalls here, it is popularly known as Power House Waterfalls.

This point will give scenic view of the Western Ghat Ranges, and is an ideal place for a break on the way to the Thekkady from Munnar.

Echo Point- Munnar

Echo Point- Munnar

Another attractive place of the Munnar is Eco point. It is situated 15 KM away from the Munnar and very good adventure destination for the tourists. This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here.

Echo point is on the way to Top station from Munnar A suitable place to disembark for some time, shriek and scream and enjoy the pleasure of your voice coming back.  Echo point will give the panoramic view to our eyes, clean mountain air, mist covered hill makes this place worth visiting.

The popular activity of the Echo point is Nature walks. Also we can go for trekking through the nearby coffee plantation, tea plantation, spice plantation and grasslands. Cool, light wind along with clam surroundings makes Echo Point a favorite place for us.

I was enjoyed the beauty of this place last vacation.