Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. Situated on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland, Thiruvananthapuram is the largest and most populous city in Kerala. With numerous picnic spots and enchanting beaches, Thiruvananthapuram is also one of the prominent tourist destinations in India and abroad.
Thiruvananthapuram is an ancient city steeped in legends and myths. In Malayalam, Thiruvananthapuram means "Abode of Lord Ananta". The Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple, the temple of Vishnu reclining on Anantha, is the iconic landmark of the city. Anantha is the serpent on whom Padmanabhan or Vishnu reclines.
According to ancient records, Thiruvanathapuram has trading traditions dating back to 1000 BCE. It is assumed that the ships of King Solomon landed in a port called Ophir (now known as Poovar) in Thiruvananthapuram in 1036 BCE. The city, thus, became a renowned trading post of spices, sandalwood and ivory. The earliest rulers of the city were the Ays. With the fall of the Ays in the 10th century, the city was conquered by the rulers of Venad.
In 1750, Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of the Raja of Travancore. The rulers began to call themselves "Padmanabha-Dasa" or the "Servants of Lord Anantha Padmanabha". They ruled the state as the representatives of Lord Anantha Padmanabha. Until 1991, the city was officially referred to as Trivandrum in English. However, later, the government decided to reinstate the city's original name Thiruvananthapuram in all languages.
Today, Thiruvananthapuram has turned into a much sought-after tourist destination with in the country and abroad. The city hosts lots of attractions for the quintessential traveller. Some of the prominent tourist attractions in the city of Thiruvananthapuram include the ancient temple of Sri Padmanabhaswamy, the Napier Museum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Zoo, Observatory Hill, Science and Technology Museum, and Chacha Nehru Childrens Museum. Kovalam, located 16 km away from Thiruvananthapuram, is a globally renowned beach. You can also take a visit to Varkala, a tranquil and comfortable place famous for its beaches as well as temples. A few of the other attractions include Padmanabhapuram Palace, Ponmudi, Aruvippuram and Neyyar Dam.
