Thiruvananthapuram - more important destinations

• Koyikkal Palace

The Koyikkal Palace, located at Nedumangad – about 18 km from Trivandrum city, was actually built for Umayamma Rani of the Venad royal family who ruled the land between 1677 and 1684. The palace is a double storeyed traditional nalukettu with slanting gabled roofs and an inner courtyard. Today, the palace houses a Folklore Museum and a Numismatics Museum set up by the Department of Archaeology.

The Folklore Museum, housed on the first floor of the palace, is a treasure trove of quaint musical instruments, occupational implements, household utensils, models of folk arts etc. Set up in 1992, the exhibits here draw attention to the rich cultural background of the State. They include rare and wonderful musical instruments, a wide range of household utensils including wooden kitchenware, brass/copperware etc. representing the lifestyle of the Keralites during different eras, ancient manuscripts, anklets etc. in well preserved condition. The headgear and dress used by Ottanthulal artistes exhibited here give an insight into the performing as well as the ritual art forms of Kerala.

The Numismatics Museum , occupying the ground floor of the palace, showcases coins belonging to different parts of the world as well as to different eras. This rare and historically valuable collection is a vestige of the trade relation of the State in the bygone ages. Among the exhibits are some of the oldest coins of Kerala as well as a Venetian coin named Amaida, believed to have been presented to Jesus Christ.The most valuable among the Indian coins found here are 'Karsha, which are nearly 2500 years old. Rasi, the world's smallest coins are also on display here. Nearly 374 Roman gold coins, each worth up to five hundred thousand rupees today, depicting Roman gods and goddesses like Venus, Hercules, Mars, Ceres, Genius, etc and rulers like Hardin (AD 117 - 138) are also among the collection. The museum also has coins used by various Indian dynasties - the Gwalior royal family, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Tipu Sultan, Hyder Ali, etc.

• Padmanabhapuram Palace

A magnificent wooden palace of the 16th century, Padmanabhapuram Palace lies at the land's end of mainland India. An enticing experience for any lover of art and architecture, this old palace of the Rajas of the erstwhile Travancore (1550 to 1750 AD) is a fine specimen of Kerala's indigenous style of architecture. The antique interiors are replete with intricate rosewood carvings and sculptured decor. The palace also contains 17th and 18th century murals. The musical bow in mahogany, windows with coloured mica, royal chairs with Chinese carvings, the Queen Mother's palace with painted ceilings, rose wood and teak carved ceilings with 90 different floral designs are all wondrous sights

Other features
· Durbar Hall with a shiny black floor
· Granite tubs to cool curd and buttermilk
· Secret underground passages
· The King's bedroom with a four poster medicinal bed
· Mural paintings
· Hanging brass lanterns lit continuously since the 18th century
· Hanging cage through which eagles tore criminals to death
· Granite dance hall
· Saraswathi (goddess of knowledge) temple
· Large earthen urns
· Carved figures on columns holding oil lamps
· Pooja (worship) rooms with jackfruit tree columns
· Fish carvings on the ceilings
· Belgian mirrors
· Outer cyclopean stone wall fitted together without mortar.
All these are more than enough to overwhelm any visitor.Though the palace is situated in Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu State, it comes under the administration purview of the Government of Kerala

• Ponmudi

It is an enchanting hill resort, 915 m above sea level, located about 60 km from Trivandrum.
With its narrow winding pathways and beautiful array of mountain flowers, exotic butterflies and small rivulets, tea estates and mist covered valleys, Ponmudi comes as a breath of fresh air, in every sense. This hill resort is developing at a fast pace with cottages and dormitories coming up aplenty for its visitors.

• Agasthyarkoodam

Located about 70 km from Thiruvananthapuram, this majestic peak in the Western Ghats rises to an awe inspiring 1890 m. Its slopes are a haven of rare herbs and medicinal plants.
The Agasthya forest is believed to have been the abode of Sage Agasthya, a character from Hindu mythology. Women are not allowed up the peak, since it is believed that the sage was a confirmed bachelor.
The season from December 2nd week to February is excellent for trekking for which a forest pass has to be obtained from the Wildlife Warden, Forest dept., Thiruvananthapuram.

• Akkulam Tourist Village

This is an attractive backwater destination and a beautiful picnic spot about 10 km from the city. With its boating facilities, well equipped children's park and paddle pool, Akkulam attracts plenty of children.There is a swimming pool for adults too.

• Veli Tourist Village

Located about 8 km from Thiruvananthapuram city, this picnic spot, where the Veli Lake meets the Arabian Sea, offers excellent 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 as well. Children enjoy climbing over the huge sculptures which dot the landscape.

• Neyyar reservoir

The Neyyar Dam, about 32 km from the city, is a popular picnic spot with a lake and a picturesque dam site. The lake, formed by the dam across the Neyyar river, is a charming blue in colour, making boating an irresistible proposition for tourists.The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, of which the dam is a part, is the habitat of over a hundred rare species of fauna including elephants, wild buffaloes, wild boar, porcupines, tigers and a variety of snakes. A crocodile breeding centre and a lion safari park are also located in the dam site.

• CVN Kalari

Kalarippayattu is considered to be the mother of all the martial art forms in the world and is a priceless asset to Kerala's heritage. An intricate blend of physical prowess, mindset, martial techniques and indigenous medical system, this form of armed, close quarter, hand-to-hand combat is unique to this State.

The Kalari is a practice ring or training centre on the lines of a gymnasium and Payattu is a duel. Hence, Kalarippayattu means martial skills learnt in a ring or training centre.

Located at East Fort at a walkable distance from the central bus station, the C V N Kalari Sangham in Thiruvananthapuram was established in 1956 following the lifelong dedicated efforts of C V Narayanan Nair, C V Balan Nair and Kottackal Karunakara Gurukkal, who popularised the art which was on the verge of dying, by staging demonstrations, collecting information and establishing Kalaries all over the State.
The C V N Kalari is built in an east-west direction about 4 feet below ground level, and is closed on all sides except for a small door on the eastern side. This cocoon-like traditional Kalari architecture is greatly suited for the tropical, humid climate of Kerala. There is not much light within the Kalari other than the light from the traditional wick lamps or nilavilakku.

• Kallar
  

Kallar is an idyllic location, situated en route to the popular hill station of Ponmudi, about 50 km from Thiruvananthapuram city. The place gets its name from the River Kallar, which flows through the region. The river is well known for its abundance of attractive, round-shaped boulders and pebbles, especially in the upper reaches and middle portion of its course. It is a favourite haunt for picnickers and attracts many with an interest in trekking, angling and bird watching. The nearby Golden Valley and the Meenmutty waterfalls are great attractions. Unlike the Meenmutti waterfall, the Golden Valley is easily accessible from the main road. Here one can take a dip in the crystal clear waters to cool off, and also watch the many rapids and small pools that dot a good part of the river in this area. Those with a zeal for trekking and bird watching can take the narrow track, starting from the right from the side of the Kallar Bridge,which leads to a medium sized, but captivating waterfall, popularly known as Meenmutty. The waterfall is situated 3-4 kms from the main road. On the way to the waterfall, one comes across varied bird life, and many species of butterflies. The forest here is mostly tropical in nature and, during the rainy season, one has to be on the alert for leeches.

Thiruvananthapuram - travel and sightseeing

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