Thiruvananthapuram

The capital of the state of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram or the City of the Sacred Snake, is built over seven hills. Named after Anantha, the thousand - headed serpent of Hindu mythology, the city once formed a part of the Travancore kingdom, its capital at Padmanabhapuram, now a part of Tamil Nadu.

Thiruvananthapuram is, decidedly, one of the cleaner and well-planned cities of the country. The city's scenic appeal, its enchanting beaches, and overwhelming greenery only add to its uniqueness. It embodies the magical feel of Kerala, as a whole, and lends terrific insight into the culture of the state. The red-tiled roofs, the never-ending stretches of palm trees, the maze of narrow, winding streets and above all, the sea, make for a fascinating mixture. There is an element of understated and effortless elegance about the city, which leaves a lasting impression on the visitor.

Festivals :
The festival, that the entire city, anticipates with great enthusiasm is Onam, which marks Kerala's new year and harvest season, and comes around in August-September. The other spectacular event that transfigures the entire city is Thrissur Pooram, the annual temple festival.

How to Get There :
Thiruvananthapuram is well connected with the other major cities of the country by air, and railways. By road, the city is connected via the National Highway 47 to Kanyakumari, Coimbatore, Madras, and Bangalore.