Thiruvananthapuram - the capital
exploring the diverse attractions this picturesque state has on offer to the discerning tourist
- District Area - 2192 sq.km
- Population - 32,34,707 (2001 census)
- Altitude - Sea level
- Tourist Season - September to May
- Annual Rainfall - 170 cm (avg)
Located at the southwestern tip of India, Thiruvananthapuram district is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west and Tamil Nadu on the east. The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the eastern and northeastern borders provide Thiruvananthapuram with some of the most enchanting picnic spots. A sprawling shoreline with renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage are its much sought after features
Important destinations
- Kovalam Beach
Located 16 km from the city, Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky outcrop on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse- sunbathing (the tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes), swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes, catamaran cruising etc. Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night. The beach complex includes a string of budget cottages, ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, yoga centres etc. September to March is the ideal period to visit, though it is an all year destination.
- Varkala
Located 51 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city, Varkala is a calm and quiet hamlet. It has several places of tourist interests like a beautiful beach, a 2000 year old Vishnu temple and 'Sivagiri Mutt" - the ashramam- a little distance from the beach. At the serene Varkala beach is a quiet sea resort rich in mineral water springs. A dip in the holy waters at this beach is believed to purge the body of impurities and the soul of all sins. A two thousand year old shrine, the Janardhanaswamy Temple , stands on the cliffs overlooking the beach, a short distance away. The Sivagiri Mutt, founded by the great Hindu reformer and Philosopher Sree Narayana Guru (1856 - 1928) is also close by. The Samadhi (the final resting place) of the Guru here attracts thousands of devotees every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days - 30th December to 1st January. Varkala offers excellent accommodation facilities for the tourist and is fast becoming a popular health resort.
More travel and sightseeing....Kollam
Kerala Tourism - the official site
Labels: Travel and sightseeing
posted by Vicky @ 8:11 PM
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