!! Travel to Trivandrum!!

Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, changed its name to Thiruvanthapuram in an attempt to shake of the colonial past and progress towards the dreams of an independent India. For a traveler, however, a city drenched in the symbols and the laid-back ambience of the past where modernization is slowing creeping through the narrow winding streets lined with red-tiled roofs is worth a visit.

Literally translated to 'The City of Serpents', a fact captured by the slithering streets lined with pagoda-shaped buildings, travel to Trivandrum offers a rich cultural experience that is distinct to Kerala, South India. Besides the uncluttered beaches with uninterrupted view of fabulous sunsets and moonrises riding on the waves in the Arabian Sea; temples and palaces carved in Chola and Chela styles; a strong martial arts tradition and the famous Elephant March, Trivandrum is home to the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma too.

Travel to Trivandrum offers a mix of spectacular festivals, traditional dance forms, musical treats, temple processions, palatial lavishness and mouthwatering seafood most of which can be easily accessed on the animated MG Rd.

Places to visit on your travel to Trivandrum :

Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple - An awe-inspiring 30m high gateway tower (eastern gopuram) welcomes visitor to this Hindu temple designed in Kerala architectural styles of the Cholas and Chelas. The Goddess Padmanabha reclines on the sacred serpent in the 260-year-old temple in Trivandrum. The temple especially comes alive during the festival days of Navaratri. Kathakali dances are performed through the night amidst the acoustically tuned pillars that are equal in number to the number of days in a non-leap year. Tradition folk dancers move along with the procession of silk umbrellas, men dressed in white lungis and the thundering sound of the drums.

Puthe Maliga Palace Museum - Travancore royals once lived in this 200 year old Kerala architectural marvel. The former palace of maharajs, built over a period of 4 years by nearly 5000 years, exhibits items involved in common spice trade practices with China and Europe. The annual carnatic music festival is a crowd puller.

Veli Tourist Park - Sculptures adorn this well designed park meant fro tourists to visit and revel in its beauty and balance.

Sri Chitra Art Gallery - To appreciate the artistic heritage of Kerala, you ought to visit this gallery that is treasure-trove of paintings from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art. It is also home to some of the most famous pieces from Raja Ravi Varma's collection of paintings.

Napier Museum - With a diverse collection of bronze and ivory items, temple carts and life like figures of Kathakali dancers in the full traditional costumes, it is a quick way to gain access to the customs of a modern Trivandrum deeply rooted in its rich cultural past.