TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AT KOVALAM

Travel guide for Kovalam and Trivandrum

We describe Kovalam as the best beach in the world which is lying south of Trivandrum! Kovalam has three beaches- Lighthouse Beach, Hawah Beach, Samudra Beach- separated by rocky outcroppings in its 17 km coastline. It has a special area for tourists and has wide swimming area for safe for swimming with big but comfortable tides (waves). Rocky headlands meet clear waters and atmospheric cafes on a serious of crescent beaches complete the seen in Kovalam. Enjoy the panoramic view of the sand and surf from the red and white tall Vizhinjam lighthouse. The tourism department provides a vigilant life guard service on both Lighthouse and Hawa beach. There are strong currents, so please follow their instructions.

The sandy beach is best for sun bath. Many luxury resorts located in this area those offer wonderful Ayurveda massage to their guests. Kovalam is 16 Kilometers away from Trivandrum city and 24 Kilometers from Trivandrum International Airport. We hope you will thumbs up after visiting this exotic location.

Trivandrum -the capital of Kerala state has stored many things for the tourists to see such as Palaces of the Kings of Trivandrum. Those great kings paved foundation stones for modern Kerala.

Here we are listing the top tourist spots at Trivandrum:-

Padmanabhaswamy Temple

At Trivandrum, there is a grant temple called Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple which built with fusion of the Kerala and Dravidian style of architecture. It became world famous recently because of its rich treasures and gems. Its 16th- century Gopuram and the statues in the inner sanctum all chatter with stories. There are some customary rules and have to follow the dress code for entering this temple. But if you visit, it is worthy.

Kuthira Malika

In the vicinity of Padmanabhaswamy Temple you can see a beautiful palace museum called Kuthira Malika (Mansion of Horses) which is built by King Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma. 22 horses are carved into the wooden wall brackets that support the southern roof of the museum.

This palace is also called Puthen Malika and is a fine example of traditional Kerala architecture, with its typical sloping roofs, overhanging eaves, pillared verandahs and enclosed courtyards. It has beautifully carved wooden ceilings and each room built in a distinctive pattern.

The palace is made from teakwood, rosewood, marble, and granite. The floor inside the museum is made of egg whites, charcoal, and limestone, which make it cold even in hot weather conditions. The concert venue built in the palace premises uses traditional sound reflectors comprising fifty clay pots hung upside down from its ceiling.

The palace has a collection of 14 life-size Kathakali mannequins, Belgian and Italian mirrors, crystal chandeliers, paintings, a giant Belgian harpoon, armaments, musical instruments, traditional furniture, Greek statues, a musical tree which produces 8 sounds on tapping, and many other things. The palace has on display two royal thrones, one made from 24 elephant tusks and the other of Bohemian crystal with the Travancore emblem adorning the top of the backrest.

There are 80 rooms in the palace, but 20 are open for visitors. You can sign up for a guided tour available inside the palace which helps you to get more details about this unique palace museum and be sure to visit the armory.

Napier Museum

Napier Museum is striking red and black Indo- Saracenic structure designed by Robert Chisholm, the consulting Architect of the Madras Government, and the construction was completed in 1880. The building was named after Lord Napier, the Governor of Madras from 1866-1872.

Napier Museum is a landmark in Trivandrum city with its unique ornamentation and architectural style with gothic roof and minarets. The museum has a collection of archaeological and historic artefacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings.

Sri Chitra Art Gallery

Sri Chitra Art Gallery is a part of this museum, which contains works of artist such as Raja Ravi Varma, Rabindranath Tagore and Nicholas Roerich. You can see displays form Mughal, Rajput and Tanjore schools of art as well as Indian mural paintings, some are of prehistoric times. It also has a collection of paintings from China, Japan, Bali and Tibet.

This Indo- Saracenic structure gives the museum a natural air-conditioning system.The museum is about 6 km from the city and you can visit between 10am to 4.45 pm.

Trivandrum Zoo

A Zoological garden is there in the premises of this museum, which is one of the oldest in India. This Zoo was established in 1857 and is spread over 55 acres of land and is the biggest Zoo in Kerala.

Kanakakkunnu Palace

Kanakakkunnu Palace is situated in Thiruvananthapuram near the Napier museum. Travancore royal family once entertained their guests here and was a venue for royal banquets especially for non-vegetarian food as the royal family was vegetarian. Kanakakunnu Palace is one of the last architectural vestiges of the colonial era. Today this alluring palace and its grounds are the venue for many cultural meets and programs.

Priyadarsini Planetarium

You can visit Kerala Science and Technology Museum (Priyadarsini Planetarium) which offers night sky observation with a fully automatic 11 inch telescope.

You can also find the time to see Shanghumugham beach which is very close to Trivandrum airport. Beach side attractions are the mermaid, star fish restaurant, indoor recreation club and Nehru Park.

Ponmudi

Ponmudi is a hill station located western part of Trivandrum district near Meenmutty waterfalls. The road leads to Ponmudi has 22 hairpin bends unveils valley that abounds in the bounty of nature. The fluid sketch of the lush greenery spread beautifies Ponmudi hills and the cool breeze embracing the bald hills with gives special ambiance. Major attractions here are watchtower and view point. There are many resorts and cottages in this area offers lodging as well as different trekking and camping options. But if you are physically healthy, we recommend you to explore this area by foot.

Ponmudi

Location
District	Thiruvananthapuram
Nearest Bus station	Nedumangad
Location Coordinates	8.766955, 77.116235
Bus route	Thiruvananthapuram-Nedumangad-Vithura- Kallar- Ponmudi

Attukal Temple

Attukal is located in the district of Trivandrum. Major attraction is Atukal Temple. Famous festival called Attuakal Ponkkala is celebrated yearly in the premisses of this temple.

Varkala Beach- Sivagiri

Kerala is blessed with many sandy beaches and Varkala is one of them. Famous pilgrim center Sivagiri is located near Varkala Beach.

Chempazhanthy

Chempazhanthy is the birth place of Kerala's major social reformer Sri Narayana Guru.

Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari is not located in Kerala, but very nearest location near trivandrum district. It is the meeting point of Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean.

You may need two full days to complete Kovalam and Trivandrum tour.

Other 22 Major Tourist Places in the Trivandrum District are listed below

1. Vizhinjam
2. Nayyar dam & Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Anchuthengu
4. Kottoor Elephant Sanctuary
5. Agasthyakoodam
6. Poovar
7. Sucheendram
8. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary- Pandipathu
9. Vazhvanthol Waterfalls
10. Chittar Dam
11. Mankayam Waterfalls
12. Koyikkal Palace
13. Anchuthengu Fort
14. Meenmutty Waterfalls (Kallar)
15. Perumathura Beach
16. Veli Tourist Village
17. Aakkulam tourist village
18. Kilimanoor Palace
19. Vellanickal Para
20. Kadalkani Para
21. Vellarada Kurisumala Pilgim Centre
22. Madavoorpara

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