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Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Bekal Fort
Bekal Fort
Place : Bekal, Kasargod District, Kerala
Best time to visit : Throughout the year
This fort is more than 300 years old and is believed to have been built in the 1650's by Sivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty. There is also another belief that it was originally built by Kolathiri Rajas and later captured by Sivappa Naik. The fort was occupied Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1763 A.D and then the Huzur of Canara during Tipu Sultan's reign and later the British. During the British rule, the erstwhile Bekal taluk was part of South Canara district and encompassed the present Kasaragod and Hosdurg taluks.
The fort with its zigzag entrance, strategically designed openings on the outer walls for defense and trenches around, has no palaces inside and was probably build just for Defence purposes. The sea bastion, underground tunnels and the observation tower in the fort are impressive. The Bekal Fort has been a source of attraction for historians, tourists and nature - lovers for centuries since it embodies memories of a glorious past.
Just outside the fort there is a mosque built by Tippu Sultan of Mysore. At the entrance is 
There is a sea side pathway with a magnificent view of the fort to the east and the sea to the west linking the beaches north and south of the battlement. The Pallikere beach with its shallow waters is just a km. away from the fort.
Due to its historic relevance, the fort is controlled by the Archaeological Survey of India. Coins and other historical artifacts were unearthed by archeologists making it an interesting excavation site. Bekal is also one among the five centres selected by the Government of India to be developed into a 'Special Tourism Area'.
How to get there
Air: Nearest airports are at Mangalore (50 km); Karipur International Airport, Calicut (Kozhikode) International Terminal (180 km)
Rail: On the Kozhikode-Mangalore-Mumbai route. Enquiry Ph: 430200
Road: There are regular buses every 30 minutes from Kanjagad to Bekal. An excellent network of roads connects Kasaragod to major towns in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Places to Stay
-
Palika Bhavan
Bank Road, Kasaragod - 671 121
Phone: +(91)-(499)-42290 -
Enay Tourist Home
M.G. Road, Kasaragod, Kasaragod - 671 121
Phone: +(91)-(499)-421164 / 422464 -
Welwisher Boarding and Lodging
Anangoor, Vidya Nagar P.O., Kasaragod - 671 123
Phone: +(91)-(499)-430472/425820 -
Hotel City Tower, Kasaragod
M.G. Road, Kasaragod - 671 121
Phone: +(91)-(499)-430562 / 430563 / 430564 Fax: +(91)-(499)-430235 -
Government Guest House, Kasargod
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PWD Guest House, Kasargod
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PWD Guest House, Bekal.
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PWD Guest House, Hosdurg
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Tourist Bungalow, Kanjangad
Thiruvananthapuram
| |
| Area | : 141.74 km² |  |
| Population | : 744,739 (2001 census) | |
| Season | : September to May | |
| STD Code | : 0471 | |
| State | : Kerala | |
| Picture Gallery |
Thiruvananthapuram previously called as Trivandrum the capital of Kerala, is located at the south western tip of India. Situated between north latitudes 8º 17' and 8º 54' and east longitudes 76º 41' and 77º 17', this is an an ancient city with a trading tradition dating back to 1000 BC. The name is derived from 'Tiru Ananta Puram', the abode of the Sacred serpent Ananta upon whose coils Vishnu lies in the main temple.
Thiruvananthapuram, is a peaceful attractive city built on the low hills by the sea. Away from the transport hubs and busy Mahatma Gandhi (MG) road, Thiruvananthapuram had managed to retain some of the ambience characteristics of Kerala such as local traditional wooden houses, narrow winding lanes, historic monuments, intimate corner cafes and also a rich cultural heritage.
Thiruvananthapuram is an important entry into India with communication link to Maldives, Sri Lanka and many countries to the west Arabian sea. It is also an excellent base to explore the interiors of Kerala, the southern most region of India. The city offers all modern facilities needed by a visitor and is a center for cultural activities.
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Varkala Beach
Varkala Beach
Place : Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Highlights : A beautiful beach with rocky cliffs and coconut groves which is a pilgrimage destination as well
Best time to visit : September to May
Varkala Beach, is a very secluded beach situated at a distance of 51km from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. The beach lying on the south west coast of India, is also known as Papnasam beach and is an important Hindu center of pilgrimage. Hundreds of Hindu devotees perform 'Vavubali', a ritual performed for the ancestors soul to rest in peace, on the new moon day of the Malayalam month Karkidam. There is a belief that a dip in the holy waters of this beach will purify your body and soul, washing out all your sins. The beach offers its visitors a perfect beach holiday plus Ayurvedic treatments, Yoga and meditation courses.
Varkala Beach is an ideal location for those looking for a relaxed and quieter holiday. The beach with its brown sand, panoramic landscape and seascapes is a tropical paradise. Today, this beach attracts hundreds of locals, as well as tourists, all year round.
The main attraction of the beach is that it provides lovely sunset views over the Arabian Sea. The sunset at Varkala Beach is absolutely astounding with the sun dipping slowly down the horizon and the sky filled with red and orange hues. The beach is surrounded by high rocky cliffs and coconut groves. There are two main cliffs, the North and the South. The cliffs are steep and rugged and are made of red brown stone. Waves crash on the off-shore rocks. The blend of the cliffs, brown sand and the sea makes the beach an outstanding sight. The stone blocks on the beach protect from erosion and the invasion of the grounds by water.
Swimming can be fun here. But the waves are quite strong and usually break very close to the beach. Apart from swimming and sunbathing, the beach offers a variety of beach activities including volleyball, water sports such as Parasailing, Scuba diving, wind surfing etc.
Varkala town is not on the beach side but a little away. Besides the main beach, there are several smaller beaches further north with black volcanic sand. The smaller beaches are serene and provide more privacy. The beach coast is lined with souvenir shops and restaurants. Vendors in their small stalls selling a wide variety of decorative items, mainly conch shells and beads adds colour to the place.
There are a number of tourist attractions close to the beach. The mineral water springs near here are known for their medicinal properties and many people come here to drink and bath in the water from the springs. There is the Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and Hanuman, atop a hill believed to be between 800 - 2000 years old. Devotees visit this temple to seek divine blessings. Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the inner sanctum. Sivagiri Mutt founded by the Hindu Philosopher and reformer Sree Narayana guru and his Samadhi here attracts a large number of devotees every year during the end of December. A Nature Centre and a 2000 year old shrine of Lord Vishnu, are the other attractions near the beach.
Contacts
*
Department of Tourism
Government of Kerala
Park View, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - 695 033
Phone: 91-471-2321132 Fax: +91-471-2322 279
Tourist Information toll free No:1600-444-747
E-mail: Contact Us
*
Tourist Amenity Centre
Varkala
Phone : 0470-2602227
How to get there
Air : The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport about 57 km away from Varkala
Rail : The nearest railway station is at Varkala town, 3 kms from the beach. There is direct connects from major towns in the states as ell as neighbouring states.
Road : Varkala is 51 km away from Thiruvananthapuram and 37 km away from Kollam. Buses ply regularly between Thirvananthapuram and Kollam.
Accommodation
Accommodation is no problem in Varkala where a place to stay is easy to find. There are several well developed beach resorts and hotels besides a profusion of small hotels. You may pick any one according to your budget ranging from luxury to economy class. Click here for more hotels in Trivandrum
*
Taj Garden Retreat (Four Star)
Janardana Puram, Trivandrum , Varkala- 695141
Ph 0470 - 2603000, Fax : 0470 - 2602296,
E-mail: Contact Us
Access: 55 kms. from Trivandrum Airport; 3 kms. from Varkala Railway Station; 3 kms. from Varkala Bus Stand Multi-cuisine
*
Taj Kerala Hotel & Resorts Ltd
Kizhakkebhagath Veedu Kurakkani
Ph: 0470 - 2600232
*
Oriental Hotel Ltd
Taj Garden Retreat Kilithattumukku
Ph: 0470 - 2604043
*
Taj Kerala Hotels (resorts) Ltd
Janardhanapuram
Ph: 0470 - 2602786, 0470 - 2602285
*
Preeth Beach Resorts
Manglavil Rd
Ph: 0470 - 2600942
*
Akshay Beach Resort
Beach Road Papanasam-141
Ph: 0470 - 2602668
*
Anandan Tourist Home
Opp Varkala Railway Station
Ph: 0470 - 2602135
*
Raja Park Beach Resort
Near Papanasam Cliff, Varkala,
Kerala, India.
Ph: 0470 -2608060
Kovalam Beach
Kovalam Beach
Place : Kovalam, 16km from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Highlight : A picturesque tropical beach with Ayurvedic massage and treatment facilities
Best time to visit : December to March
Kovalam, a small town located 16km from Thiruvanathapuram is famous for its beautiful beaches. Its sandy beaches are lined with palm-fringed lagoons and rocky coves. Kovalam with its unique and wonderful beaches is a sheltered bay and is endowed with unusual natural beauty. The Arabian sea coast at many places is lined with beautiful patches of coral reefs. An hours drive from the capital, it is the most famous south Indian beach, popular for sunbathing.
It was during the 1930's, that the potentiality of Kovalam beach as a tourist destination was discovered by the European guests of the then 'Travancore' kingdom. But the real fame as an ideal beach resort was won later for the Kovalam beach in the early seventies with the arrival of masses of 'Hippys'. In the seventies Kovalam became a hippy idyll, a fishing village providing fresh fish, fruit and toddy (coconut bear) nestling a picture perfect tropical beach. Later it developed into a laid back tourist hangout with a few basic but comfortable lodges and makeshift restaurants. But today this tiny beach is ferrying thousands of tourists from all around the world and has a wide range of accommodation for the budget as well as luxury tourists.
Kovalam consists of three adjacent coconut palm fringed crescent beaches separated by rocky promontories. The southern most beach, marked by a prominent red and white striped Light House, known as the Light house beach, is the most popular of the three. It is lined with cafes/restaurants serving delicious seafood especially prawns and lobsters, bars and vendors selling clothes, crafts, carpets, fruits etc. Further south beyond the light house, is the small village of Vizhinjam. Vizhinjam, scarcely visited by tourists is a major centre for fishing. It has a beach of its own.
The northernmost beach is the Samudra, dotted with traditional fishing boats and is least affected by the changing times. In between lies the Hawah or the Eve's beach. North of the Eve's beach on a rocky promontory lies the award winning resort, the Ashoka beach resort which divide the beaches into north and south sections. The resort has its own small section of private beach and provides windsurfing and sailing boat facilities. Its a 15min. walk between the Ashoka and the Light house.
The beaches are generally safe and clean. The best season is from December to March. There are life guard patrols on the beach, but you still need to be careful when swimming. It is safest to swim between the flags in the area patrolled by the life guards. Besides swimming and sunbathing, the natural bay is ideal for kayaking, surfing and skiing. Surfboards and boogie boards can be hired on the Kovalam beach. Marine Angling for deep-sea fishing is also available at the beach. The sunrise and sun set cruises in country rafts or on logs of lashed woods on catamarans, provided by local fishermen are quite popular.
Beyond the season from between April and October the powerful Arabian Sea can roughen with swells of up to 6m. From May the sea level rises removing the beach completely in places and swimming can become very dangerous.
Kovalam is also a centre for the traditional Ayurvedic treatment. Many hotels offer complete health and revitalization packages. Apart from Oil massages, intensive treatments that last up to 21 days including special diet's and daily massages are offered. Yoga schools offering meditation and yoga classes, are also plenty in and around Kovalam beach. Cultural programmes at the beach include performances of the traditional Kerala art form, Kathakali and ethnic martial art, Kalarippayattu.
Tourist Information
There is a helpful tourist office just inside the entrance the the Ashok Beach Resort. The Central Bank of India has a counter at the Ashok Resort which changes travelers cheques. It is only open Monday to Friday from 10.30 to 2 pm and on Saturday from 10.30 am to noon. Up the road towards Kovalam village, Pournami Handicrafts is an authorized money changer, and is open from 9 am to 6.30 pm daily. Wilson Tourist Home also has an official money changing counter.
How to reach there
Air : Nearest Airport is Thiruvananthapuram (16 km from Kovalam)
Rail: Nearest Rail head is at Thiruvananthapuram (16km from Kovalam)
Road: Kovalam can be reached by direct and regular bus services from Thiruvananthapuram. Buses also link the place from Ernakulam, Kanyakumari and Periyar wildlife sanctuary. At Kovalam, the main bus stand is at the entrance of the Ashoka hotel.
Places to Stay
Kovalam has an abundance of places to stay, ranging from cheap comfortable lodges to five star resorts, and there is an equally wide range of restaurants. ITDC-run Ashoka (Phone: 0471-2480101,Fax: 0471-2481522) and the Kerala tourism department's 'Samudra' at the Kovalam beach provide five-star accommodation. The area behind the light house has a good range of hotels, cottages and lodges. Achutha, Dwaraka Lodge (Phone : 2480411), Paradise Rock (Phone:2480658), Shangrila House, Wilson Tourist home (Phone:2480051) etc are some of them. It is also possible to rent rooms in private houses, near the Samudra beach and G.V Raja rd.
* The Travancore Heritage
Chowara P.O.
Trivandrum, Kerala,
Tel: 91-471-2267828/2267829/2267830/2287831
Fax: 91-471-2267201
Contact Now : E- mail
* Kadaloram Beach Resort
G .V. Raja Road,
Kovalam P.O,
Trivandrum
Phone : 91.471.2481116 to 2481120
Fax : 91.471.2481115
Contact Now : E- mail
* Isola Di Cocco Ayurvedic Heritage Beach Resort
Poovar .P.O,
Trivandrum
Kerala
Ph - 91-471 2210008,2210800,2210918
Contact Now : E- mail
* Manaltheeram Beach Resort
Chowara P. O,
South of Kovalam,
Trivandrum - 695 501,
Kerala,
Tel +91 - 471 - 2266222
Fax +91 - 471 - 2267611
Contact Now : E- mail
* Coconut Bay Beach Resort
Mulloor P.O.
Vizhinjam
Trivandrum, Kerala
Tel : +91 - 471 - 2480566 / 2480668
Tel : City Office +91 - 471 - 2343524.
Fax : +91 - 471 - 2343349
Contact Now : E- mail 1,E- mail 2
* Poovar Island Resort
A unit of Floatels India Private Limited
K.P. VII/911 Pozhiyoor,
Trivandrum - 695513,
Kerala,
Tel - + 91 471 2212068, 69, 73
Fax - + 91 471 2212092
Contact Now : E- mail|
* Beach and Lake Ayurvedic Resort
Pozhikkara Beach, Pachalloor P.O. Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala,
Ph: 91-471-2382086,91-471-2382066
Fax : 91-471-2382066,
Contact Now : E- mail 1,E- mail 2
* Hotel Rock Holm
T.C 16/918/1, Panchami Gardens
Sree Krishna Nagar
Jagathy, Trivandrum 695014
Phone: 91-471-2320724
Contact Now : E- mail
* Estuary Island
Poovar P.O, Trivandrum
Kerala 695525,
Ph: +91 471 221 4355/66/88/99
Fax: +91 471 221 0019
Contact Now : E- mail
* Surya Samudra Beach Garden
Pulinkudi, Mullur P.O.
Thiruvananthapuram - 695 521,
Kerala,
Tel: +91 471 2267333, 2480413
Fax: +91 471 2267124
Contact Now : E- mail
* Hotel Marine Palace
NUP Beach Road
Kovalam - 695 527
Ph: +91-471-2481428, 2481428
Fax: +91-471-2481428
Contact Now : E- mail
* Karikkathi Beach House
Cliff Beach Garden, South of Kovalam,
North of chowara,
Via Nagar Bhagavathi Temple, Mulloor Thottam, Pulinkudi, Kerala,
Ph: +91-471-2400956,
Mobile- 98470 - 69654.
Contact Now : E- mail
* Sagara Beach Resort
Light House Road, Kovalam,
Vizhinjam P.O., Thrivandrum,
Kerala
Ph-+91-471-2481995,+91-471-2484077
Mob :+91-98472 13830
Contact Now : E- mail
Place : Kovalam, 16km from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Highlight : A picturesque tropical beach with Ayurvedic massage and treatment facilities
Best time to visit : December to March
Kovalam, a small town located 16km from Thiruvanathapuram is famous for its beautiful beaches. Its sandy beaches are lined with palm-fringed lagoons and rocky coves. Kovalam with its unique and wonderful beaches is a sheltered bay and is endowed with unusual natural beauty. The Arabian sea coast at many places is lined with beautiful patches of coral reefs. An hours drive from the capital, it is the most famous south Indian beach, popular for sunbathing.
It was during the 1930's, that the potentiality of Kovalam beach as a tourist destination was discovered by the European guests of the then 'Travancore' kingdom. But the real fame as an ideal beach resort was won later for the Kovalam beach in the early seventies with the arrival of masses of 'Hippys'. In the seventies Kovalam became a hippy idyll, a fishing village providing fresh fish, fruit and toddy (coconut bear) nestling a picture perfect tropical beach. Later it developed into a laid back tourist hangout with a few basic but comfortable lodges and makeshift restaurants. But today this tiny beach is ferrying thousands of tourists from all around the world and has a wide range of accommodation for the budget as well as luxury tourists.
Kovalam consists of three adjacent coconut palm fringed crescent beaches separated by rocky promontories. The southern most beach, marked by a prominent red and white striped Light House, known as the Light house beach, is the most popular of the three. It is lined with cafes/restaurants serving delicious seafood especially prawns and lobsters, bars and vendors selling clothes, crafts, carpets, fruits etc. Further south beyond the light house, is the small village of Vizhinjam. Vizhinjam, scarcely visited by tourists is a major centre for fishing. It has a beach of its own.
The northernmost beach is the Samudra, dotted with traditional fishing boats and is least affected by the changing times. In between lies the Hawah or the Eve's beach. North of the Eve's beach on a rocky promontory lies the award winning resort, the Ashoka beach resort which divide the beaches into north and south sections. The resort has its own small section of private beach and provides windsurfing and sailing boat facilities. Its a 15min. walk between the Ashoka and the Light house.
The beaches are generally safe and clean. The best season is from December to March. There are life guard patrols on the beach, but you still need to be careful when swimming. It is safest to swim between the flags in the area patrolled by the life guards. Besides swimming and sunbathing, the natural bay is ideal for kayaking, surfing and skiing. Surfboards and boogie boards can be hired on the Kovalam beach. Marine Angling for deep-sea fishing is also available at the beach. The sunrise and sun set cruises in country rafts or on logs of lashed woods on catamarans, provided by local fishermen are quite popular.
Beyond the season from between April and October the powerful Arabian Sea can roughen with swells of up to 6m. From May the sea level rises removing the beach completely in places and swimming can become very dangerous.
Kovalam is also a centre for the traditional Ayurvedic treatment. Many hotels offer complete health and revitalization packages. Apart from Oil massages, intensive treatments that last up to 21 days including special diet's and daily massages are offered. Yoga schools offering meditation and yoga classes, are also plenty in and around Kovalam beach. Cultural programmes at the beach include performances of the traditional Kerala art form, Kathakali and ethnic martial art, Kalarippayattu.
Tourist Information
There is a helpful tourist office just inside the entrance the the Ashok Beach Resort. The Central Bank of India has a counter at the Ashok Resort which changes travelers cheques. It is only open Monday to Friday from 10.30 to 2 pm and on Saturday from 10.30 am to noon. Up the road towards Kovalam village, Pournami Handicrafts is an authorized money changer, and is open from 9 am to 6.30 pm daily. Wilson Tourist Home also has an official money changing counter.
How to reach there
Air : Nearest Airport is Thiruvananthapuram (16 km from Kovalam)
Rail: Nearest Rail head is at Thiruvananthapuram (16km from Kovalam)
Road: Kovalam can be reached by direct and regular bus services from Thiruvananthapuram. Buses also link the place from Ernakulam, Kanyakumari and Periyar wildlife sanctuary. At Kovalam, the main bus stand is at the entrance of the Ashoka hotel.
Places to Stay
Kovalam has an abundance of places to stay, ranging from cheap comfortable lodges to five star resorts, and there is an equally wide range of restaurants. ITDC-run Ashoka (Phone: 0471-2480101,Fax: 0471-2481522) and the Kerala tourism department's 'Samudra' at the Kovalam beach provide five-star accommodation. The area behind the light house has a good range of hotels, cottages and lodges. Achutha, Dwaraka Lodge (Phone : 2480411), Paradise Rock (Phone:2480658), Shangrila House, Wilson Tourist home (Phone:2480051) etc are some of them. It is also possible to rent rooms in private houses, near the Samudra beach and G.V Raja rd.
* The Travancore Heritage
Chowara P.O.
Trivandrum, Kerala,
Tel: 91-471-2267828/2267829/2267830/2287831
Fax: 91-471-2267201
Contact Now : E- mail
* Kadaloram Beach Resort
G .V. Raja Road,
Kovalam P.O,
Trivandrum
Phone : 91.471.2481116 to 2481120
Fax : 91.471.2481115
Contact Now : E- mail
* Isola Di Cocco Ayurvedic Heritage Beach Resort
Poovar .P.O,
Trivandrum
Kerala
Ph - 91-471 2210008,2210800,2210918
Contact Now : E- mail
* Manaltheeram Beach Resort
Chowara P. O,
South of Kovalam,
Trivandrum - 695 501,
Kerala,
Tel +91 - 471 - 2266222
Fax +91 - 471 - 2267611
Contact Now : E- mail
* Coconut Bay Beach Resort
Mulloor P.O.
Vizhinjam
Trivandrum, Kerala
Tel : +91 - 471 - 2480566 / 2480668
Tel : City Office +91 - 471 - 2343524.
Fax : +91 - 471 - 2343349
Contact Now : E- mail 1,E- mail 2
* Poovar Island Resort
A unit of Floatels India Private Limited
K.P. VII/911 Pozhiyoor,
Trivandrum - 695513,
Kerala,
Tel - + 91 471 2212068, 69, 73
Fax - + 91 471 2212092
Contact Now : E- mail|
* Beach and Lake Ayurvedic Resort
Pozhikkara Beach, Pachalloor P.O. Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala,
Ph: 91-471-2382086,91-471-2382066
Fax : 91-471-2382066,
Contact Now : E- mail 1,E- mail 2
* Hotel Rock Holm
T.C 16/918/1, Panchami Gardens
Sree Krishna Nagar
Jagathy, Trivandrum 695014
Phone: 91-471-2320724
Contact Now : E- mail
* Estuary Island
Poovar P.O, Trivandrum
Kerala 695525,
Ph: +91 471 221 4355/66/88/99
Fax: +91 471 221 0019
Contact Now : E- mail
* Surya Samudra Beach Garden
Pulinkudi, Mullur P.O.
Thiruvananthapuram - 695 521,
Kerala,
Tel: +91 471 2267333, 2480413
Fax: +91 471 2267124
Contact Now : E- mail
* Hotel Marine Palace
NUP Beach Road
Kovalam - 695 527
Ph: +91-471-2481428, 2481428
Fax: +91-471-2481428
Contact Now : E- mail
* Karikkathi Beach House
Cliff Beach Garden, South of Kovalam,
North of chowara,
Via Nagar Bhagavathi Temple, Mulloor Thottam, Pulinkudi, Kerala,
Ph: +91-471-2400956,
Mobile- 98470 - 69654.
Contact Now : E- mail
* Sagara Beach Resort
Light House Road, Kovalam,
Vizhinjam P.O., Thrivandrum,
Kerala
Ph-+91-471-2481995,+91-471-2484077
Mob :+91-98472 13830
Contact Now : E- mail
SPECIAL EVENTS
SPECIAL EVENTS
Back Water Trips - Alappuzha-Kollam Backwater Trip | Trips arranged by DTPC | Kuttanadu Boat Cruise | Tourist Boat Cruises
Boat Races - Nehru Trophy Boat Race | Rajiv Gandhi Trophy Boat Race | Payippadu Boat Race | Champakkulam Moolam Vallamkali | Other Boat Races
BACK WATER TRIPS
Alappuzha-Kollam Backwater Trip
Daily backwater cruises during September to March and on request during offseason. The trip is an interesting one, the boat passes through palm fringed backwaters and one can have a close view of the country side and fishing activity in the lake. The boat stops for lunch in between. The trip is organised by the ATDC (Alappuzha Tourism Development Corporation) and starts at 10.30 am near the ATDC tourist information centre and reaches Kollam at around 6.00 pm. District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is also arranging the daily backwater tours.
Phone : 0477 - 2253308 /2251796/2243462
Trips arranged by DTPC
Half way journey from Alappuzha to Alumkadavu /Alumkadavu to Kollam (Concession offered to International Student Card holders). Tour covers Karumadikuttan Buddha idol, Kumarakody, Matha Amrithanandamayi Madom, Alumkadavu. Chinese fishing nets, vast paddy fields, coir making and typical Nalukettu Kerala houses are the sights you can see in this trip.
Kuttanadu Boat Cruise
This trip covers the journey from Alappuzha to Kumarakom and back to Alappuzha. The Boat will depart from DTPC boat jetty at 10.00 hrs. Kottayam is 2 1/2 hours by water from Alleppey. The cruise through winding canals and backwaters is an unforgettable experience.
Tourist Boat Cruises
The mechanised and motorised tour section of DTPC has a wide range of luxury boats and speed boats for backwater cruises on the Vembanadu Lake.
Some of the boats operated by DTPC are given below :-
*
Kaliyodam (luxury cruiser)
*
Pamba (luxury cruiser)
*
Raja Hamsam (speedboat)
*
Safari No. II (Safari boat)
You can contact following addresses for more details :-
*
The Administrative Office, DTPC, Near Boat Jetty, Alappuzha
Phone : 0477- 2253308, Fax: 0477- 2251720
Email: atlanda@poboxes.com
*
Tourist Reception Centre (DTPC), Near KSRTC Bus Station, Alappuzha
Phone : 0477- 2251796 or Sea View Park (A project of DTPC Alappuzha)
BOAT RACES
Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race (Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada)
This Boat Race held at the Vembanad lake, east of Alappuzha town. It is the most famous boat race held on the second Saturday of August every year. Boats of all sizes compete in different events. Most prestigious and interesting event is the competition of the "Chundan Vallam". This boat (Chundan Vallam) containes 100 rowers, 4 helmsmen and 25 cheer leaders. The boat is well decorated with colorful umbrellas. Champakulam, Kavalam, Karichal, Jawahar Thayangari, Kallooparamban, Pacha, Pulincunnu, Nedubhagam, Cheruthana, Kandangari and Paippad are the chief competitors for the trophies. Tickets are available at various stalls on the way. Carrying Packed food and an umbrella to the venue will make you very comfortable.
Rajiv Gandhi Trophy Boat Race (Pulinkunnu Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race)
This boat race is held on two weeks after the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. It is held at Pulinkunnu, 10 km away from the Alleppey town. The boat race is conducted in memory of Late Mr.Rajiv Gandhi, the former Indian Prime Minister.
Payippadu Boat Race : (Payippad Jalotsavam - August/September)
Held in memory of the Prathista ceremony of Haripad Subramanya Temple and therefore has a religious significance. Payipad Boat Race is celebrated for three days, commencing from the Onam festival day. Snake boat Processions are taken out on the first two days. The competitive boat-race takes place on the third day.
Champakkulam "Moolam Vallamkali" (July)
The traditional annual boat race of Kerala begin in July at Champakulam. This festival is known as ' Moolam Vallamkali' . Moolam signifies a Malayalam asterism (star or Nakshathram), Moolam of the month Mithunam.
OTHER BOAT RACES
* Tourism Boat Race (connected with Great Elephant March - 11th January)
* Neerattupuram Boat Race (conducted during Onam - August/September)
* Pamba Boat Race, Thiruvalla
* Karuvatta Boat Race, Haripad
* Mannar Boat Race
Back Water Trips - Alappuzha-Kollam Backwater Trip | Trips arranged by DTPC | Kuttanadu Boat Cruise | Tourist Boat Cruises
Boat Races - Nehru Trophy Boat Race | Rajiv Gandhi Trophy Boat Race | Payippadu Boat Race | Champakkulam Moolam Vallamkali | Other Boat Races
BACK WATER TRIPS
Alappuzha-Kollam Backwater Trip
Daily backwater cruises during September to March and on request during offseason. The trip is an interesting one, the boat passes through palm fringed backwaters and one can have a close view of the country side and fishing activity in the lake. The boat stops for lunch in between. The trip is organised by the ATDC (Alappuzha Tourism Development Corporation) and starts at 10.30 am near the ATDC tourist information centre and reaches Kollam at around 6.00 pm. District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is also arranging the daily backwater tours.
Phone : 0477 - 2253308 /2251796/2243462
Trips arranged by DTPC
Half way journey from Alappuzha to Alumkadavu /Alumkadavu to Kollam (Concession offered to International Student Card holders). Tour covers Karumadikuttan Buddha idol, Kumarakody, Matha Amrithanandamayi Madom, Alumkadavu. Chinese fishing nets, vast paddy fields, coir making and typical Nalukettu Kerala houses are the sights you can see in this trip.
Kuttanadu Boat Cruise
This trip covers the journey from Alappuzha to Kumarakom and back to Alappuzha. The Boat will depart from DTPC boat jetty at 10.00 hrs. Kottayam is 2 1/2 hours by water from Alleppey. The cruise through winding canals and backwaters is an unforgettable experience.
Tourist Boat Cruises
The mechanised and motorised tour section of DTPC has a wide range of luxury boats and speed boats for backwater cruises on the Vembanadu Lake.
Some of the boats operated by DTPC are given below :-
*
Kaliyodam (luxury cruiser)
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Pamba (luxury cruiser)
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Raja Hamsam (speedboat)
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Safari No. II (Safari boat)
You can contact following addresses for more details :-
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The Administrative Office, DTPC, Near Boat Jetty, Alappuzha
Phone : 0477- 2253308, Fax: 0477- 2251720
Email: atlanda@poboxes.com
*
Tourist Reception Centre (DTPC), Near KSRTC Bus Station, Alappuzha
Phone : 0477- 2251796 or Sea View Park (A project of DTPC Alappuzha)
BOAT RACES
Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race (Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada)
This Boat Race held at the Vembanad lake, east of Alappuzha town. It is the most famous boat race held on the second Saturday of August every year. Boats of all sizes compete in different events. Most prestigious and interesting event is the competition of the "Chundan Vallam". This boat (Chundan Vallam) containes 100 rowers, 4 helmsmen and 25 cheer leaders. The boat is well decorated with colorful umbrellas. Champakulam, Kavalam, Karichal, Jawahar Thayangari, Kallooparamban, Pacha, Pulincunnu, Nedubhagam, Cheruthana, Kandangari and Paippad are the chief competitors for the trophies. Tickets are available at various stalls on the way. Carrying Packed food and an umbrella to the venue will make you very comfortable.
Rajiv Gandhi Trophy Boat Race (Pulinkunnu Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race)
This boat race is held on two weeks after the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. It is held at Pulinkunnu, 10 km away from the Alleppey town. The boat race is conducted in memory of Late Mr.Rajiv Gandhi, the former Indian Prime Minister.
Payippadu Boat Race : (Payippad Jalotsavam - August/September)
Held in memory of the Prathista ceremony of Haripad Subramanya Temple and therefore has a religious significance. Payipad Boat Race is celebrated for three days, commencing from the Onam festival day. Snake boat Processions are taken out on the first two days. The competitive boat-race takes place on the third day.
Champakkulam "Moolam Vallamkali" (July)
The traditional annual boat race of Kerala begin in July at Champakulam. This festival is known as ' Moolam Vallamkali' . Moolam signifies a Malayalam asterism (star or Nakshathram), Moolam of the month Mithunam.
OTHER BOAT RACES
* Tourism Boat Race (connected with Great Elephant March - 11th January)
* Neerattupuram Boat Race (conducted during Onam - August/September)
* Pamba Boat Race, Thiruvalla
* Karuvatta Boat Race, Haripad
* Mannar Boat Race
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Ducati set to launch new Monster
By Ben Purvis
New bikes
18 May 2007 11:14
Ducati insiders have revealed that the firm will launch a new generation of Monster at the Milan show this November.
The bike, shown here as a computer-generated image, will feature evolutionary styling, but is the first completely new Monster since the bike was launched in 1992.Powered by the air-cooled 1100cc engine from the Hypermotard, plus the 675cc motor of the smallest current Monster, it hopes to take the old bike’s place as the firm’s best-selling machine.
The styling is said to be instantly recognisable as a Monster, but with a more modern overall appearance. Twin high-mounted exhausts, one either side of the seat, and a sloping headlight similar to that on the Aprilia Shiver are said to be the main styling cues of the bike.
Ducati is concentrating on air-cooled versions of the Monster, so the current Testastretta-engined S4R is likely to be dropped, and eventually replaced by a sportier machine based on a stripped-naked version of the 1098.
By Ben Purvis
New bikes
18 May 2007 11:14
Ducati insiders have revealed that the firm will launch a new generation of Monster at the Milan show this November.
The bike, shown here as a computer-generated image, will feature evolutionary styling, but is the first completely new Monster since the bike was launched in 1992.Powered by the air-cooled 1100cc engine from the Hypermotard, plus the 675cc motor of the smallest current Monster, it hopes to take the old bike’s place as the firm’s best-selling machine.
The styling is said to be instantly recognisable as a Monster, but with a more modern overall appearance. Twin high-mounted exhausts, one either side of the seat, and a sloping headlight similar to that on the Aprilia Shiver are said to be the main styling cues of the bike.
Ducati is concentrating on air-cooled versions of the Monster, so the current Testastretta-engined S4R is likely to be dropped, and eventually replaced by a sportier machine based on a stripped-naked version of the 1098.
HOW TO PLAN YOUR TRIP
Planning and Preparation
All of us have at some time or the other just jumped into a car and taken off for a trip on an impulse. This is fine as long as it's a short trip on familiar roads. Being impulsive when it come to long distance trips means you are very heavily depending on lady luck and she's as fickle as fickle can be. So always plan and prepare well. This leaves little room for error and will go a long way in making your driving holiday enjoyable. Remember that a well planned holiday that runs along without any glitches will encourage you and have you looking forward to taking more such holidays with your car.
Planning a Driving Holiday
Birds of a feather. . . Try and plan a trip with like-minded people. It's okay if a person doesn't drive, but he or she should enjoy road travel. When you are travelling with family too, it vital that they enjoy motoring. All members should have a passion for it, albeit even a very minor one, the passion has to be there.
Come together Meet up over a drink or a meal and plan your holiday. This can be a lot of fun as it builds up the excitement of an upcoming holiday. Plus, together you'll have more ideas coming forth. Even if you can't meet up due to tight schedules plan over the net. Have a group chat!
Essentially you've got to decide in order of priority
1. When you want to go?Start planning at least 3 weeks before your planned departure date. This will give you ample of time to apply for leave and to get your car serviced and prepared.
2. Where you want to go and if that place is feasible during that time.Choose a place that is nice to go during the time you are planning to go. It is ridiculous to plan to go to Ladakh in May because the passes are snow- bound, but Kinnaur and Spiti would be ideal.
3. Which car?If you have a choice of cars, try and choose the car that will be most suitable for your destination. For example, if there are just two people travelling a small car is suitable because it's not fully loaded and the engine would give you enough pep to overtake trucks and buses on the highway. For long distances and three to four people, a midsize or big car is more suitable as they have more luggage-carrying capacity and can eat miles at a faster rate, which means less driving time and fatigue.
4. Decide on a budgetKeep in mind that fuel efficiency drastically reduces on hill roads -- figure that into your fuel calculations too. Remember to consider incidentals and consumables too like tips, water, tea, biscuits and cigarettes. Over a number of days these add up to a considerable sum. Once you've come to a figure, carry twice that amount. The extra bit should be your emergency money. If you have a breakdown and your car needs to be towed, the towing charges itself can cost anything between Rs 500 to Rs 5,000.The more desolate the place, the more your emergency amount should be.
5. Book AccommodationPlaces to stay can be all booked up, especially if you're going in peak tourist season. If you decide to change your plans en route, inform the hotel about the same. There is nothing more frustrating than arriving after a long drive looking forward to a shower and a bed, and then running from pillar to post to look for a room.
Work out a rough timetable Okay, the advantage of your own car is that you don't need to stick to timetables. But yet it is better to make a rough one that will give you an estimate about the time you have and the number of extra days you can spend in places you like best.
Read about the places This will help you plan the number of days you need to spend in a particular place. This book will also tell you the condition of roads and the time you'll need to cover them. But road conditions change, so you could also try and find out the present conditions of the roads around the places you plan to visit. Remember the 100km from Mumbai to Lonavala will take less time than say 70-odd km between Ranikhet and Kausani due to narrow mountain roads.
Plan your journeys so that you avoid driving at night Not only is this dangerous but it also doesn’t allow you to admire the scenic beauty of places you drive past. But, there’s something exciting about driving up desolate roads like the one from Dindigul to Kodaikanal or the one from Pipariya to Pachmarhi at night. Be warned that it is not an adventure without risk and you need to be extra careful while doing this. Make a note of authorised service stations on the way in case your car needs attention. Some car manufacturers also have 24-hour helpline numbers and it is good sense to keep that number handy.
Short and sweet Ideally the distance you drive should reduce every day to flatten out at a comfortable distance of 250 to 300km a day. This means that you could easily put in 650 to 700km on the first day, but this would be very strenuous and quite pointless, to maintain throughout. So what you could do is drive around 600km the first day, 400 on the second and then maintain the distance at 250km a day. It is also very advisable to have at least two drivers to share the driving. Remember that you're on a holiday, not in a rally. Factor in days with no driving at all too. Keep in mind that an early morning start can reduce your driving time by up to three hours. Read about your destinations Invest in a good guidebook that focuses on the place and things to do there.
All of us have at some time or the other just jumped into a car and taken off for a trip on an impulse. This is fine as long as it's a short trip on familiar roads. Being impulsive when it come to long distance trips means you are very heavily depending on lady luck and she's as fickle as fickle can be. So always plan and prepare well. This leaves little room for error and will go a long way in making your driving holiday enjoyable. Remember that a well planned holiday that runs along without any glitches will encourage you and have you looking forward to taking more such holidays with your car.
Planning a Driving Holiday
Birds of a feather. . . Try and plan a trip with like-minded people. It's okay if a person doesn't drive, but he or she should enjoy road travel. When you are travelling with family too, it vital that they enjoy motoring. All members should have a passion for it, albeit even a very minor one, the passion has to be there.
Come together Meet up over a drink or a meal and plan your holiday. This can be a lot of fun as it builds up the excitement of an upcoming holiday. Plus, together you'll have more ideas coming forth. Even if you can't meet up due to tight schedules plan over the net. Have a group chat!
Essentially you've got to decide in order of priority
1. When you want to go?Start planning at least 3 weeks before your planned departure date. This will give you ample of time to apply for leave and to get your car serviced and prepared.
2. Where you want to go and if that place is feasible during that time.Choose a place that is nice to go during the time you are planning to go. It is ridiculous to plan to go to Ladakh in May because the passes are snow- bound, but Kinnaur and Spiti would be ideal.
3. Which car?If you have a choice of cars, try and choose the car that will be most suitable for your destination. For example, if there are just two people travelling a small car is suitable because it's not fully loaded and the engine would give you enough pep to overtake trucks and buses on the highway. For long distances and three to four people, a midsize or big car is more suitable as they have more luggage-carrying capacity and can eat miles at a faster rate, which means less driving time and fatigue.
4. Decide on a budgetKeep in mind that fuel efficiency drastically reduces on hill roads -- figure that into your fuel calculations too. Remember to consider incidentals and consumables too like tips, water, tea, biscuits and cigarettes. Over a number of days these add up to a considerable sum. Once you've come to a figure, carry twice that amount. The extra bit should be your emergency money. If you have a breakdown and your car needs to be towed, the towing charges itself can cost anything between Rs 500 to Rs 5,000.The more desolate the place, the more your emergency amount should be.
5. Book AccommodationPlaces to stay can be all booked up, especially if you're going in peak tourist season. If you decide to change your plans en route, inform the hotel about the same. There is nothing more frustrating than arriving after a long drive looking forward to a shower and a bed, and then running from pillar to post to look for a room.
Work out a rough timetable Okay, the advantage of your own car is that you don't need to stick to timetables. But yet it is better to make a rough one that will give you an estimate about the time you have and the number of extra days you can spend in places you like best.
Read about the places This will help you plan the number of days you need to spend in a particular place. This book will also tell you the condition of roads and the time you'll need to cover them. But road conditions change, so you could also try and find out the present conditions of the roads around the places you plan to visit. Remember the 100km from Mumbai to Lonavala will take less time than say 70-odd km between Ranikhet and Kausani due to narrow mountain roads.
Plan your journeys so that you avoid driving at night Not only is this dangerous but it also doesn’t allow you to admire the scenic beauty of places you drive past. But, there’s something exciting about driving up desolate roads like the one from Dindigul to Kodaikanal or the one from Pipariya to Pachmarhi at night. Be warned that it is not an adventure without risk and you need to be extra careful while doing this. Make a note of authorised service stations on the way in case your car needs attention. Some car manufacturers also have 24-hour helpline numbers and it is good sense to keep that number handy.
Short and sweet Ideally the distance you drive should reduce every day to flatten out at a comfortable distance of 250 to 300km a day. This means that you could easily put in 650 to 700km on the first day, but this would be very strenuous and quite pointless, to maintain throughout. So what you could do is drive around 600km the first day, 400 on the second and then maintain the distance at 250km a day. It is also very advisable to have at least two drivers to share the driving. Remember that you're on a holiday, not in a rally. Factor in days with no driving at all too. Keep in mind that an early morning start can reduce your driving time by up to three hours. Read about your destinations Invest in a good guidebook that focuses on the place and things to do there.
kerala - Government Directory
kerala - Government Directory
Chief Minister
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Governor
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Speaker
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Speaker- Deputy Speaker
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Vishu
Vishu
Place : Kerala
Month : April 14th
Significance: Malayalam New year
Vishu is one of the important festivals of Kerala. It comes in the month of April usually on the 14th. According to the traditional Malayalam calendar, it is the 1st day of Malayalam month Medam which is the astronomical New Year. Traditional rituals are followed to bring in another year of prosperity.
The families then celebrate the day with joyous abandon by bursting fire crackers. The feast or the 'sadya' is prepared by the women of the household and the whole family sits down to enjoy the vishu lunch together.
Navaratri
Among the innumerable festivals that take place all over Kerala, almost all the prominent ones are connected with religious institutions. The Utsavas of the Hindu temples and the Perunals of Christian and Muslim churches are of utmost importance to the community. There are certain festivities like the boat races, which originated to commemorate religious events but subsequently turned out to be events of social importance.
Navaratri
This is the Durga Puja of Bengal, Dussera of Bombay and the Saraswati Puja and the Ayudha Puja of the south. Its entire course runs over 9 days. It is the last three days that are most important. These are known as Durga Ashtami, Mahanavami, and Vijaya Dasami. On the night of the Durga Ashtami day, there is the ceremony known as 'Puja Vayppu'. It consist in decorating a room splendidly, illuminating it with many lights and arranging on a platform, raised in the middle of the room, the things necessary for doing Puja to Saraswati,
In Travancore the Navaratri is a state ceremony celebrated with great magnificence. During the old times in Padmanabhapuram, all gates of the city were beset with soldiers, and no one was allowed to go out or enter. The festival continued for eight days, and when it was over, the king distributed presents to Brahmans. Each received a rupee. The high priest presented to the king a Vastram; which is a piece of silk or cotton stuff, a Viraghen; worth about three scudi and a cow as the support of life because these people lived chiefly on milk and butter. Such a present is called Godanam. It is said that there is no evidence for that the Godanam or gift was made to the king by the high priest. The gift must have been made by the king to the high-priest.
On Vijay Deshami day the Maharaja goes in state accompanied by the state officers and escorted by the military to a place called Pujappura a couple of miles from the fort at Trivandrum and shoots an arrow into consecrated tender coconut placed for the purpose. After this the procession returns and his highness standing in the Verandah of the 'Karivelappura Malika' in front of the Trivandrum temple strews money amongst the crowd collected below.
Kochi
Kochi
Kochi, known as the Queen of Arabian Sea, tucked in the beauty of coconut palms and endless blue waters is one of the important towns in south India, with a natural harbour. It is the commercial hub of Kerala. Kochi is a dynamic city with soaring land prices and rapidly industrialising suburbs.
A trading port since Roman times, it lies on the main trade route between Europe and China. The town has three main parts- Fort Kochi, Willingdon Island and Ernakulam. Fort Kochi (Fort Cochin) occupies the South promontory on the sea ward side of the Bay. In 1920, Willingdon Island was created by dredging the bay to increase the depth of the entrance to the harbour. Across the causeway from Willingdon Island is Ernakulam. The Bolghatty Island, a long narrow peninsula, is situated at the opposite side of Ernakulam jetty. The Vypeen island is another peninsula situated beyond the Bolghatty island. Being situated very close to the sea, Kochi has a moderate climate. Best time to visit Kochi is December to May.
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram which was previously called Trivandrum is an ancient city with trading tradition dating back to 1000 BC. Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of Raja of Travancore in 1750. The name is derived from 'Tiru Ananta Puram', the abode of the Sacred serpent Ananta upon whose coils Vishnu lies in the main temple. It is bounded by Kollam district in the north, Tirunelvelei district of Tamil Nadu in the east, Kanniyakumari district of Tamil Nadu in the south and Lakshadweep Sea in the west. It is a peaceful attractive city built on the low hills by the sea. Away from the transport hubs and busy Mahatma Gandhi (MG) road, Thiruvananthapuram had managed to retain some of the ambience characteristics of Kerala such as red tiled roofs, narrow winding lanes, intimate corner cafes. The typical gabled pagoda like roof style is unique to Kerala and Coastal Karnataka.
Thiruvananthapuram is an important entry into India with communication link to Maldives, Sri Lanka and many countries to the west Arabian sea. It is also an excellent base to explore the interiors of Kerala, the southern most region of India. The city offers all modern facilities needed by a visitor and is a center for cultural activities. The traditional handicraft industry in the District is flourishing since time immemorial. Ivory carving is the major handicraft industry of the District.Best time to visit this place is September to May
Sri. Padmanabhaswami Temple | Kanakakunnu Palace | Kuthiramalika Palace Musuem | Padmanabhapuram Palace | Koyikal Palace | Observatory | Veli Tourist Village | Aruvikkara Dam | Neyyar Dam | Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave | Agasthyakoodam | Ponmudi | Museum | Beaches
Sri. 
Thiruvananthapuram's most interesting temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian style of architecture. It is a best example of south Indian architecture, with an impressive seven -story gopuram (tower). It is known for its murals and carvings. In the main courtyard, the Kulashekara mandapam, there is some intricate granite sculpture; more can be appreciated on nearly 400 pillars supporting temple corridors. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple and they have rules of clothing even for male Hindus, who must enter wearing only a white dhoti. The temple opens from 04:15-05:15hrs, 06:45-07:30hrs, 08:30-10:30hrs, 11:30-12:00hrs, 17:15-19:30hrs. Ph : 0471-450233
Kanakakunnu Palace :
It is situated 800meter NE of the Napier museum. Now it belongs to the Government. Today the palace and its sprawling grounds are the venue for many cultural meets and programmes. An all India Dance Festival (October to March) is organised by the Department of Tourism every year. During this period the classical Indian Dance Performances are conducted every day. Ph : 0471-314615.
Kuthiramalika (Puthemalika) Palace Musuem :
The palace was built by Maharaja Swathi Tirunal Balarama Varma, the King of Travancore who was also a great poet, musician, social reformer and state man. This palace has wood carvings in the traditional Travancore style. The palace museum displays various painting collections of the royal family. It is situated on the South East side of Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple. It will be open from 8:30-12:30hrs and 3:30-5:30hrs. It will be closed on Monday.
Pa
This majestic old palace is 63kms from Thiruvananthapuram. It is situated at Thucklai, on the way to Kanyakumari. This palace was once the capital of the State of Travancore. The palace is built in the Travancore architectural style. This is famous for its 17th and 18th century murals, carved mahogany ceiling, colored mica windows, secret underground passages, inner courtyards, durbal hall, museum, four poster medicinal bed, Belgian mirror, pictures of Lord Krishna, granite dance halls and special black shiny floors which make a unique combination of egg white, jaggery, lime, burnt coconut, charcoal and river sand. It will be closed on Mondays. Read More
Koyikal Palace :
This is at Nedumangad which is on the way to the Ponmudi hill station and the Courtallam Water falls. This ancient palace built during the 15th century on a traditional nalukettu style.
Observatory :
Located at the highest point in the city (60mt above the sea level), near the museum complex. It is one of the oldest in India. There is a well laid out garden in front of the hill with a beautiful rose collection. From here, one can have a bird's eye view of the city.
It is about 10km from the city and boating facilities are offered at this picnic spot. Speed boats and restaurant in well landscaped gardens with sculptures are available. It is open from 8:00am-6:00pm. Ph : 0471-500785.
Aruvikkara Dam :
It is situated 16km north of Thiruvananthapuram. It is gifted with lavish scenic beauty and this international renowned beach resort has been a favourite haunt for tourist since 1930's. On the banks of the river, an ancient temple is situated which is dedicated to Durga.
Neyyar Dam, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary :
It is situated at 30km east of Thiruvananthapuram, at the foot of western ghats. It was established in 1958. It is occupying the basin of the Rivers Neyyar, Mullayar and Kallar. This popular picnic spot has a watch tower, crocodile farm, lion safari park and deer park. The 128sqkm Neyyar sanctuary occupies a beautiful wooded and hilly landscape, dominated by the peak of Agasthya malai. Wild life includes gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr, jungle cat and Nilgiri langur but most commonly seen animal are wild elephants and sambar deer. Boating facilities are available at the reservoir.
Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave :
It is about 17km from the city. It is a historic spot which was left unnoticed for long time. There are rock cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple. The granite cave here encloses a one celled shrine with a loose sculpture of Vinandhara Dakshnimurthi.
Agasthyakoodam :
Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak in Kerala, at a height of 1890mts above sea level and is a part of the Sahyadri range of mountains. The forests of Agasthyakoodam is rich in rare medicinal herbs and plant, and hued orchids. In 1992, an area covering around 23 sq kms was established as Agasthya Vanam Biological Park. The intension was to restore the degraded forests and to use it for educational purpose. The season from December to April is advocated for trekking.
Ponmudi :
Ponmudi is the nearest hill station to Thiruvananthapuram (65km). It is located 915metres above sea level. It is an idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding path ways and cool, green wooded environs. It serves as a good base for trekking, bird watching and visiting the near by dear park. The natural scenery, salubrious climate and the scope of hiking in high trails make the visit an exhilarating experience. There is a charming deer park which is only 3kms from Ponmudi.
Napier Museum :
It is situated north of the city, at Museum road and 400m east of Indian airlines. It displays an eclectic assortment of historical and contemporary ornaments, temple carts, ivory carvings and life-size figures of kathakali dances in full costume. It has a famous collection of 8th-18th century south Indian bronze. The visiting time is from 10am to 5pm, closed on Monday and forenoon of Wednesday.
Natural History Museum :
It is situated to the east of Napier museum. Ticket covers entry to all museum and galleries in the complex. It has a rudimentary ethnographic collection as well as an interesting replica of a Nayar wooden house built in the Keralian style.
Sri Chittira Art Gallery :
It is situated to the North of Napier museum and has an excellent collection of Indian art with examples from early to modern schools. Paintings by Raja Ravi Varma and works from Mughal and Rajput miniature paintings and Tanjore paintings embellished with semi- precious stones are displayed. There is a Zoo and Aquarium nearby. It will be open from 10am to 5pm and closed on Monday and Wednesday mornings.
Museum of Science and Technology :
It is situated near the mascot hotel. It highlight the science, technology and electronics. Open from 10am to 5pm, closed on Monday. There is a small entry fee.
Botanical Gardens and Zoo :
Open from 9am to 4.45pm, closed on Monday. It is situated 400m east of Indian Airlines. It has a wide collection of animals. There are other parks and gardens in the city around the secretariat, Gandhi park, waterworks gardens and at veli tourist village.
Chacha Nehru Children's Musuem :
This museum is established in 1980 and is named after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who is remembered for his great love towards children. The museum displays a vast range of objects like traditional and proclaim dolls from all over the world, a mini aquarium and the first issue of children's literature in Malayalam. It will be open from 10am-5pm and closed on Monday.
Shanghumugham Beach :
It is situated about 8km from the city and is a popular city beach adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram airport. An indoor recreation club, the children's traffic training park, the matsya kanyaka, a gigantic 35mt long sculpture of a mermaid and a restaurant shaped like a star fish are some of the attractions here.
Kovalam 
Kovalam beach is 16kms away from Thiruvananthapuram. This unique and wonderful beach will get pride of place amongst the loveliest beaches in the world. It is a sheltered bay and is endowed with unusual natural beauty. Kovalam's sandy beaches are lined with palm-fringed lagoons and rocky coves. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southern most, known as the Light house beach, is the most popular of the three. Kovalam is becoming one of the governments majors tourist centers. Kovalam is filled with restaurants, most of which serve, delicious sea food. Kovalam is also a centre for Ayurvedic treatment. Many hotels offer complete health and revitalization packages. Best seasons to visit is from December to March. More Details
Varkala Beach:
Varkala Beach, is a very secluded beach situated at a distance of 51km from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. The beach lying on the south west coast of India, is also known as Papnasam beach and is an important Hindu center of pilgrimage. Hundreds of Hindu devotees perform 'Vavubali', a ritual performed for the ancestors soul to rest in peace, on the new moon day of the Malayalam month Karkidam. There is a belief that a dip in the holy waters of this beach will purify your body and soul, washing out all your sins. More Details
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