Eranakulam (Cochin)

Eranakulam

Eranakulam is the biggest metropolis in the state and the nerve centre of commercial and industrial activities, Eranakulam offers much potential for a casual or shopping spree visitor.  Cochin is known as the queen of the Arabian Sea.

From the Chinese fishing nets and heritage buildings of fort cochin to the old spice markets of Mattancherry and the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Eranakulam, buzzing with hotels, cinema halls, shops and restaurant, the city combines the finest in tradition and modernity.

The name of the Eranakulam is derived from the name of vary famous temple of lord Shiva called the Ernakulathappan temple. It is also said that the word Eranakulam was drawn from Malayalam words ‘ere nall kulam’, which means ‘pond for the long time’.

Eranakulam is called the commercial capital of the state of Kerala. The Kerala high court, the office of the corporation of Cochin and the Cochin stock exchange are situated here. Eranakulam was once the capital of the kingdom of Cochin. 

Neyyar Dam- Thiruvanthapuram

Neyyar Dam

Neyyar Dam is a popular picnic spot with a lake and a picturesque dam site.  Neyyar Dam is situated 32 km away from the Thiruvanthapuram city. This place is a repository of some rarest medicinal herbs. 

The lake formed by the dam across the Neyyar River in the bluest of blue, making boating irresistible for tourists. This place is suitable for trekking.

The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary of which the dam is a part is the habitat of over a hundred species of funa including Asian Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Slender Loris and reptiles like King Cobra, Travancore Tortoise etc.

A Crocodile breeding centre and a Lion safari park are also located in the dam site.

The kappukad elephant rehabilitation center is near the Neyyar Dam

Padmanabhapuram Palace -Thiruvanathapuram

Padmanabhapuram Palace 

The Majestic old wooden palace is situated Thuchlai, 63 kms from Thiruvanathapuram on the way to Kanyakumari. 

The antique interiors are replete with intricate rosewood carvings and sculptured decor. The palace also contains 17th and 18th century murals. One can see: the musical bow in mahogany, windows with colored mica, royal chairs with Chinese carvings, 'Thaikkottaram' or the Queen Mother's palace with painted ceilings, rose wood and teak carved ceilings with 90 different floral designs. 

Durbar Hall of the palace has a with shiny black floor specially made from a combination of egg white, jaggery lime, burnt coconut, charcoal and river sand, granite tubs to cool curd and buttermilk, secret underground passage, the King's bedroom with a four poster medicinal bed, mural paintings, pictures of Lord Krishna, hanging brass lanterns lit continuously since 18th century, open air swimming bath, granite dance hall, Saraswathi temple, large earthen urns, room for scribes and accountants, carved figures on columns holding oil lamps, pooja )worship) rooms with jackfruit tree columns, fish carvings on ceilings, enormous teak beams, Belgian mirrors and an outer cyclopean stone wall fitted together without mortar. 

This palace was once the capital of the State of Travancore. The palace is built in the Travancore architectural style. This is famous for its 17th and 18th century murals, carved mahogany ceiling, colored mica windows, secret underground passages, inner courtyards, durbal hall, museum, four poster medicinal bed, Belgian mirror, pictures of Lord Krishna, granite dance halls and special black shiny floors which are made from a unique combination of egg white, jaggery, lime, burnt coconut, charcoal and river sand. 

Padmanabhapuram palace is very important milestone in Kerala history.

Napier Museum - Thiruvanathapuram

Napier Museum

Napier Museum is built in the 19^th century. This is Indo-Saracenic structure boasts a natural air – conditioning system. It has rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The Museum building is a combination of the Kerala, Mugal, Chinse and Italian architectural style.

An exceptional piece of architecture, the Museum is named after the former Madras Governor General, John Napier. The Napier Museum is also called the Government Art Museum. 

The architectural masterpiece was designed by Robert Chisholm.  The Napier Museum is a land mark in the city with its unique ornamentation and architectural style with gothic roof and minarets.

The Sree Chitra Art Gallery here features a rare collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma and Roerich among other.

A visit to the Napier Museum complex reveals a glimpse of Kerala rich cultural heritage. The use of plastic is banned in the museum premises.

Agasthyakoodam - Thiruvanathapuram

Agasthyakoodam

Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak in Kerala. It is located in 61 kms north east of Thrivandrum. 

The mountain is reveres by both Buddhists and Hindhus, as it is believed to be the abode of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara as well as of the sage Agasthya a disciple of Shiva.

The forest of Agasthyakoodam is rich in rare medicinal herbs and plant, and hued orchids.

In 1992, an area covering around 23 sq kms was established as Agasthya Vanam Biological Park.  The intention was to restore the degraded forests and to use it for educational purpose.

Thiruvanathapuram

Thiruvanathapuram

Thiruvanathapuram is the capital of the Kerala, the God’s own country. The Malayalam word Thiru- Anatha – Puram, it means the City of Lord Ananta. Thiruvanathapuram is built on seven hills by the sea shore. Reffered to by Mahatma Gandhi as the “Ever Green city of India”.

This city is characterized by its rolling lad of low coastal hills and busy commercial alleys. It is an IT hub of the state. Thiruvanathapuram was ranked as the best city in Kerala to live in by a recent Times of India survey.

Thiruvanathapuram lies on the shore of Karamana and Killi rivers. Vellayani, Thiruvallam and Aakkulam backwaters lies in the city.

Thiruvanathapuram is a tourist hot-spot for both international and domestic tourists. Being the capital of Kerala often known as God’s own country, Thiruvanathapuram is also called as God’s own Capital.

Ther are many tourist destinations in the city including Kovalam beach, Snaghumugham Beach, Napier Museum and Zoo, Agasthyarkoodam peak, Neyyar wild life sancturary and Neyyar Dam, Kuthira Malika Palace, Sree Padmanapha swamy Temple, Ponmudi, Poovar and many others.

Veli - Thiruvanathapuram

Veli

Veli is the most popular picnic destination in Thiruvanathapuram. It is situated 8 km away from the city centre and very close to the Thiruvanathapuram Airport.

The picturesque Veli Lagoon separated by a narrow sandbar from the Arabian Sea, this sandbar is the Veli Tourist Village complete with a waterfront park, floating bridge and great water sports facility. 

A major draw to Veli is the large inland lake separated from the ocean by a narrow sandbar. Set out on a sunset cruise into the Veli Lagoon and watch the water change color from bluish – green to burn orange. Enjoy the tranquil beauty of the lagoon and the Arabian Sea beyond on a pedal boat or row boat.

Fish ponds, wave pools, beautifully landscaped gardens enhance the ambience of the village, and make it look like a jewel, an emerald, on the shimmering waters of the Arabian Sea. 

The Veli Lagoon is famous for sunset boat rides. I visited here number of times with my friends, I enjoyed the beauty of the Veli is very much.