THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Thiruvananthapuram Located at the southwestern tip of India The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the in eastern and north eastern borders give Thiruvananthapuram some of the most enchanting picnic spots. A long shoreline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make the district a much sought after tourist destination. Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of Kerala.
Padmanabha Swamy temple: The Temple is located inside the East fort. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidan styles of architecture. It is known for its mural paintings and stone carving. One among the 108 sacred Vishnu temples in India, the presiding deity in here is Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha the Serpent. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. Dress code: Men-dhoti. Women-Saree and blouse.
Open:04 15 to 05 15hrs. 06 45 to 07 30 hrs. 08 30 to 10 30 hrs. 11 30 to 11 45 hrs. 17 15 to 19 30 hrs. Phone: 450233.
Kuthiramalika Palace Museum:
The palace was built by Maharaja Swati Thirunal Balarama Varama -the king of travancore, who was a great poet musician, social reformer and statesman. This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore style of architecture also has exquisite wood carvings. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collection of royal family and is located near the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple. (Open 08 30-12 30 hrs & 15 30- 17 30 hrs Closed on Mondays. Phone: 473952 Entrance fee: Adults Rs 5 Children Rs 3 foreigners Rs 20 Camera Permit: Rs25.
Museum Complex:
Built in the nineteenth Century, the indo-Saracenic structure boasts a "natural" air conditioning systems and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The use of plastic is banned in the museum premises.(Open 10 00-17 00 hrs. Closed on Mondays & Wednesday forenoon.) Phone: 316275.
Sree Chitra Art Gallery:
Located near the napier museum, this art gallery displays selected paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Sevtlova and Nicolas Roerich and esquisite works from the Rajput Mughal and tanjore schools of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali. Entrance Fee(Museum and Art Gallery) Adults-Rs.5/- Children Rs.@/-(Open 10 00-17 00hrs. Closed on Mondays & Wednesday forenoon.)
The Zoological Park:
One of the first Zoos in India, it is located in a well planned botanical garden. With huge trees like frangipani and jacaranda dotting the sprawling lawns and wild fowl swimming in lakes, it is like a small jungle in the heart of the city. A reptile house with different species of snakes are also located in the premises. (Open 10 00-17 00 hrs. Closed on Mondays. Entrance Fee: Adults: Rs:4/- Children Rs: Rs:2/- Camera Permit Rs. 5/-)
The Kanaka Kunnu Palace:
The Palace and its sprawling grounds are today the venue for many cultural meets and programmes. Ph: 314615
Science and technology Museum: Complex:
The exhibits here are related to Science technology & electronics(open 10 00-17 00 hrs. Closed on Mondays. Phone: 446024. Entrance fee: Adults Rs.2/- and Children Re.1.)
Priyadarshini Planetrium:
(Show time 10 30, 12 00, 15 00 & 17 00 hrs. Entrance fee: Adults: Rs.10/- children(between 3 to 10 years): Rs.5/- Biotechnology Museum: Entrance fee: Adults: Rs: 5/- children: Rs.2/-
Chacha Nehru Children's Meseum:
Children of all age groups will enjoy the vast collection of nearly 2000 dolls, stamps & masks displayed here. (Open 10 00-17 00 hrs. Closed on Mondays)
Observatory:
Located at highest point in the city, near the museum complex 60 meters above sea level. One can have a bird's eye view of the city from here.
Secretariat:
Built in the Roman architectural style, this is the centre of government administration in Kerala and houses the offices of ministers and the bureaucracy.
Kerala legislature Complex:
Located at the palayam, this is the new building where the Legislative Assembly of Kerala meets. With its towering dome, exquisitely carved galleries, ornate teak planelling and celling combined with moist modern acoustic treatment and state-of-the-art sound systems, the hall is a beautiful blend of classical grandeur modernity.
Shanghumukham beach:
Just 8 km from the city, This is a favourite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the Trivandrum airport and Veli tourist village. An indoor recreation club, the matsya kanyaka(a gigantic 35m long sculpture of a mermaid) and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are some of the attractions here.
Veli tourist village:
This picnic spot where the Veli lake meets the Arabian sea, offers boating facilities. Pedalboats and paddle boats can be hired to explore the charms of lagoons in a leisurely manner. For a quick ride over the water, speed boats are available for hire. Children enjoy climbing over huge sculptures which dot the landscape.)Open 08 00-18 00 hrs. Ph: 500785 Boat rentals(10 00-18 00hrs) Safari boats Rs. 10/-head, Speed boats Rs 120/-, Pedalboat: 4 seater-Rs.50/-for half an hour; 2 seater Rs.40/-for 1/2 hour.
Akkulam Tourist village:
A picnic spot with boating facilities, Akkulam is a place Children folk to. It has a well equipped Children's park and a paddle pool. There is a park and a paddle pool. There is a swimming pool for adults too. Ph:443043. Boat rentals: Open 10 00-17 00 hrs. Safari boat: Rs.15 for 4 per head. speed boat Rs.150 for 4 person. Entrance Childrens Park: Open 09 30-19 30 hrs Adults: Rs.2 Children:Re.1, Swimming pool Open 07 30-18 30 hrs. Adults: Rs. 15/-, and Children Rs. 10/-
Neyyardam(32 km-1 Hour):
A popular picnic spot Neyyar Dam has a watch tower, crocodile farm, lion ,safari park and deer park. Boating facilities are available at the reservoir.
Thenmala:
Nature own lap surrounded by tense forest, situated just 58 km from Kollam. Themala Vam is site is opened for tomits Boaling facilities are arranged.
Thiruvallam(10 km):
This serene backwater stretch, enroute to Kovalam, is famous for its Canoe rides.
Kovalam Beach(16 km-1/2 hour):
This internationally renowned beach resort has been a favoutire haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent cresent beaches.
Seasons-June to January.
Tourist Information Centres:
Department of Tourism Kerala Park View Office Ph: 321132.
Tourist Information Centre, Inter national Air Port Ph: 502298
Cinemas: Phone:
Sri Kumar/Sri Visakh, Thampanoor 331222
Sree Padmanabha, East Fort 473999
Kairali/Sree, Thampanoor 329060
Ajanta, East Fort 472825
Athulya/Athira/Aswathy/
Anjali, Overbridge 475579
New Theatre, Thampanoor 323244
Kripa, Overbridge 471655
Dhanya/Remya, Ayurveda College 476773
Kalabhavan, Vazhuthacaud 322314
Post and Telecom Offices:
Railway Mail Service Thampanoor 330216
Central Telegraph Office Statue 321494
GPO, Pullimoodu 473071
Speed Post counter 329696
Enquiry 448060
Head Post Office, Statue 323007
Medical College Post Office 444761
East Fort 451602
Pattam Palace 437816
Blood Bank:
Medical College Hospital 445270-Ext.230
Premises Blood Bank 443740
Superior Blood Bank 331156
Cultural Centres:
International Centre Cultural
Development, Anayara 465368
Indian Council for Cultural Relations,
Cotton Hill 326712
Noopura Dance School, Poojappura 341466
Magri Fort 434066
Alliance Francis, Sasthamangalam 326926
Kerala Chalachitra Academy 310322
International Centre For Kerala Studies,
University of Kerala, Kariyavattom.
Yoga Centres:
Sivananda Ashram, Trivandrum 290493
Sivanda Ashram, Neyyar Dam.
Banks & Currency exchange:
Banking time Monday to Friday: 10 00 to
14 00 hrs. Saturday:10 00 to 12 00 hrs.
Andhra Bank, MG Road 471161
Visa/Mastercards Bank of Baroda,
Palayam: travellers 325929
Cheques/Currencies/Visa Card
Canara bank: Spncr Bldg: 331536
Currency/Travellers Cheques/Visa Card
Central bank Of India. 471294
Pulimoodu. Currency/ Travellers Cheques/
Visa/Master Card
Federal Bank, Palayam 328273
Currency/travellers Cheques
SBT Statue. Airport: 330429
Currency TIC visa mastercard
Thomas Cook Airport: 502470
Currency and travellers Cheques
Hospitals:
Medical College 444270
General Hospital 443874
Ophthalmic Hospital 445046
Fort Hospital 471766
Regional Cancer Centre, Medical College 442541
Sree Rama Krishna Ashram Charitable
Hospital Sasthamangalam 322123
Cosmopolitan Hospital 448182
PRS Hospital, Killipalam 344443
Sree chitratirunal MD centre,
Medical college 443152
SSUT Hospital Pattom 446220
Woman's & Children's Hospital Thycadu 323442
GG Hospital 445832
Medical Hospital 433868
Vrindavan Ayurvedic health Centre,
Kumarapuram 44037
Post and Telecom Offices:
Enquiry 338060
Head Post Office, Thycaud 323007
Railway Mail Service 331866
Techno Park 418991
Speed Post countres:
Fort 451662
GPO 476661
Palayam 323696
Tele Communications:
Directory Enquiry 197
International Trunk Booking 186
Cancellation 181
Foreign Exchange:
Global Exchange Co. thampanoor 324257
L.K.P. Forex, Over Bridge Jn., 473106
Nucleus Securities, Sasthamangalam 321520
Pournami handi crafts, Kovalam 481647
Computer- Interner- E-mail Services:
Compuneeds 319055
Nizcome 540227
Telenet 550708
Tourist Information:
Kerala Tourism, Park View 321132
Central Bus Station 327224
Railway Station 334470
Akkulam Boat Club 443043
Kovalam 480085
Air Port domestic 502298
Restaurants:
Ananda Bhavan 477646
Ariya Nivas 330788
Arul Jyothi & Sree ram Sweet Stall 478497
Ashok Bhavan 479395
Cafe Magnet 323301
Kerala House Restaurant 476144
lekshmi Bhavan 478030
Sree Arulakam Restaurant 479788
Zam Zam 453046
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