THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala has conquered the pages of literature with its historical and cultural importance. The city, which was in the hands of Aryans was taken over and controlled by the rulers of Venad in the 10th century AD. In 1864, English East India Company came to the picture after which it went in the hands of Dutch and Portuguese. The English then gradually dominated the other parts of Thiruvithamcore (Travancore). It was in 1729 AD that the reign of Marthanda Varma began. The city then grew both culturally and intellectually. Later, when Maharaja of Swathi Tirunal ascended the throne in 1829, the city prospered economically. After his rule till 1880, the city came under the control of Sri Moolam Thirunal in 1885 and turned into an educational center. It was in 1937 during the rule of Maharaja Shri Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma that a separate University for Travancore was formed, which is now known as the Kerala University. After Indian independence in 1947, many changes took place in the city. With the emergence of Kerala State on November 1, 1956 that Thiruvananthapuram attained the capital status. It has now flourished a lot to become the largest city in the state. Earlier known as Trivandrum changed its name to Thiruvananthapuram, which means the abode of the sacred snake-god Ananthan.
» Area & Location
Being the southern- most district of Kerala, Thiruvana- nthapuram lies along the shores of Arabian Sea for about 78kms. The city has Kollam district on the north, Thirunelveli on the east and Kanya- kumari districts of Tamil Nadu on the south. It spreads along 2,192sq. km.
TOURISTS GUIDELINES
Borders: East - Sahya Mountain Ranges, West - Arabian Sea
South- Kanyakumari Dist. (Tamilnadu State), North - Quilon Dist
Coastal Are: 78 km
Rivers : Neyyar, Karamana, Vamanapuram.
Backwaters: Idava, Nadayara, Anchuthengu, Kadinakulam, Veli.
Interesting Places:
KOVALAM - 18 km away from TVM town. A world famous Tourist Centre.An amazing sea coast. Low depth sea is suitable for
sea bath. Sea side is also suitable for Sun bath. Ayurveda massaging facilities are available. Ashoka Beach Resor (ITDC), Samudra (KTDC), Oberoi and Taj Groups provide accommodation.
NEYYAR DAM: North- east of Tvm. 29 km away from TVM town.Wild life sanctuary, Lake surrounded by hills are attractive.
VARKALA PILGRIMAGE CENTRE: Janardhana Swami Temple
THIRUVANANTHAPURM TOWN: Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple, Kanakakunnu Palace, Art Gallery, Acquarium, Obervatory, Museum, Zoo, Sankumughom Sea shore, Aruvikkara Water works will give memorable experience.
PONMUDI HILL STATION: 56 km away from TVM gives a delightful sight.
» Language
Although the local language is Malayalam, the Dravidian language, people all over Kerala speak different dialects that vary from place to place. The people of Thiruvananthapuram can be identified easily from their language. The tone and style of the usage, the words and their meanings differ from other districts. Eg: In Kottayam people use the word aano for is it while Thiruvananthapuram people use thanne.
» Assembly Constituencies
1. Varkala
2. Attingal
3. Kilimanoor
4. Vamanapuram
5. Aryanad
6. Nedumangadu
7. Kazhakuttam
8. Thiruvananthapuram North
9. Thiruvananthapuram West
10. Thiruvananthapuram East
11. Nemam
12. Kovalam
13. Neyyattinkara
14. Parassala
» Economy
The city, which is rich in agricultural crops and vegetation, fills its cash box with the largescale cultivation of rice, pepper, ginger, cashewnut, coconut, tapioca, arecanut, tea and rubber. In addition to this, there are other various sectors that contribute much to the growth of citys economy. Tourism plays a major role in economic prosperity of the city. The myriad of Information Technologies industries and other industries such as fertilizer, oil refining, power generation, ship building, machine tools and electronics, which has dug its roots deep in its soil is another source of revenue to the city. It can be forecasted that with the addition of more industries, the city will definitely flourish to its heights in the coming years.
» Population
The city being the state capital provides more and more job opportunities not only for the people residing in other parts of the state, but also from other parts of the country. This increases the flow of people to the city hiking its population to 889, 19 with a density of 3500 per sq. km. According to the census reports, the female population stands out in the city than the male population having a ratio 1037: 1000.
» Thiruvananthapuram Tour
The city of Thiruvanathapuram is a well-know tourist destination, paying host to millions of tourists every year. With its power sand beaches and historically significant monuments, the city is one of the widely chosen holiday destinations. A fort that takes us to the days of Marthanda Varma Maharaj gives an outlook about his ability and strength.
The Kovalam beach, which is 20kms away from the city, welcomes its visitors with its cool breeze. A boating through the Veli Lagoon is simply fabulous. It also has a boat club that offers pedal boating, row boating, swimming on placid waters. Veli Tourist Village, an 18-acre waterfront with floating bridge is only 8kms from Thiruvananthapuram. The Kanakakunnu Palace is another major highlight of the city. The beauty of the palace having several museums such as Napier Museum, Natural History Museum, Reptile House and Shri Chitra Art Gallery in its compound is ineffable. Thiruvallam Backwaters at the confluence of Killi and Karamana Rivers, which is only 6kms away from the city, is worldly known for its canoe rides. The Thumba rocket launching station and the other beaches like Shangumugham beach make the city an amazing place to visit.
» Accessibility:
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport that operates both domestic and international flights daily provides main access to the city from various parts of the globe. The airport operates flights to and from Middle East, Singapore, Sri Lanka, USA and all other parts of the world. Thampanoor Railway Station, the nearest railway station to the airport is another way of entry to the city. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus station that operates bus services to other parts of the state is a mode of commutation to and from the city. Private buses that ply in the city helps people to travel from one place to another in the city. It is a means to access the remote parts of Thiruvananthapuram. Pre-paid taxis, auto rickshaws are also available in plenty. For the majority of the residents own a vehicle either four-wheeler or two-wheeler, traveling in and around the city is not a matter of concern.
» Places of Worship:
With 65% of Hindus, 18% of Christians and 15% of Muslims, Thiruvananthapuram has a number of worshipping places for each religion.
* Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Sree Kandeswaram Temple, Aruvipuram Siva Temple, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Hanuman Temple are the main temples in the city. It also has several other temples considered as the family temple (Kudumba Kshetram).
* Christ Church Palayam, CMS Church, St Joseph’s Church and St Mary’s Church are the main churches in the city that are often visited by tourists.
* The main mosques in Thiruvananthapuram are Jama Masjid Palayam, Mosque in Thampanoor and Jama Masjid Beemapally.
» Hospitals:
The state-run and private-run hospitals in the city extend treatment to the people from in and outside the city. Most of these hospitals that run with qualified doctors and most modern equipments are worldly crowned. Dial these numbers and run to these hospitals in case of emergency.
* Medical College Hospital
* Sree Avittam Thirunal Hospital , Phone–0471-2444270
* Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Science & Technology- 0471-2443152
* Regional Cancer Center – 0471- 2442541
* Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Kumarapuram Poonthi Road Anamukham, Anayara. Phone: 0471- 2447575
* Sree Uthradam Thirunal Hospital, Pattom. Phone: 0471-2446220
* Chaithanya Eye Hospital & Research Center, Kesavadasapuram. Phone: 0471-2447183
* Cosmopolitan Hospital Murinjapalam Pattom. Phone: 0471-2448182
* PRS Hospital Killippalam. Phone: 0471- 2344443
» Hotels:
Thiruvananthapuram is home to wide range of hotels and restaurants that serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are a comfortable place to relax. The Kerala Tourism Department (KTDC) owned hotels in the city such as the five star accredited Mascot Hotel and two star accredited Hotel Chaithram aimed at tourists offer cozy accommodation. The other hotels in the city include Hotel Regency, Hotel Navaratna, Jas Hotel Thycaud and Hotel Geeth Pulimmodu. Hotels Saj Lucia East Fort, the four star accredited Residency Tower, three stars Hotel Horizon, Ruby Arena Hotel and Hotel Pankaj near Secretariat are the mid-range hotels whereas, five-star accredited Muthoot Plaza, four star accredited South Park and KTDC owned Mascot Hotel are the recognized high class hotels in the city. The vegetarian restaurants in the city are Indian Coffee House, Anand Bhavan at Statue Junction, Arya Bhavan near Thampanoor bus stand and Ashok Bhavan.
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