Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala in southwestern India, sits along the Arabian Sea coast. You can walk through the stone-carved corridors of the 16th-century Padmanabha Swamy Temple, swim in the warm waters of Kovalam Beach, or examine 8th-century bronze sculptures at the Napier Museum.

Getting to Thiruvananthapuram

The city's international airport connects to major Indian cities and Middle Eastern destinations with daily flights. The central railway station serves as a major hub for trains from Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore. Within the city, auto-rickshaws and taxis run on meters, while air-conditioned buses connect to beaches and hills on fixed routes.

Exploring Kovalam Beach

Located 16 kilometers from the city center, Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost section, Lighthouse Beach, fills with swimmers and sunbathers throughout the day. The water temperature stays around 27°C (80°F) year-round, making it suitable for swimming and water sports. Local fishing boats line the northern end of the beach, where you can watch fishermen bring in their morning catch.

Ancient Temple Architecture

The Padmanabha Swamy Temple's architecture includes sloped roofs typical of Kerala and tall Dravidian towers. The temple walls contain mural paintings depicting stories from Hindu epics, while stone carvings illustrate scenes from daily life in medieval Kerala. A 5.5-meter-long deity of Vishnu lies in the main shrine, though non-Hindus cannot enter this area.

Museums of Thiruvananthapuram

The Napier Museum's Indo-Saracenic building uses high ceilings and perforated walls to create natural air circulation. Inside, you'll find bronze sculptures from the 8th century, ivory carvings, and a 200-year-old temple chariot. The neighboring Sree Chithra Art Gallery contains paintings from Rajput, Mughal, and Tanjore schools, including works by Raja Ravi Varma.

Local Food and Markets

At Connemara Market, vendors sell jasmine garlands, fresh mangoes, and spices like cardamom and pepper. The market's food stalls serve Kerala breakfast dishes including appam (rice pancakes) with coconut milk stew, and puttu (steamed rice cake) with spiced chickpea curry. Many restaurants serve the traditional Kerala sadya - a 20-dish meal with rice, vegetables, and payasam (sweet pudding) served on banana leaves.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Visit between October and February when temperatures stay between 20-30°C (68-86°F) with low humidity. March to May sees temperatures rise above 35°C (95°F), while June to September brings heavy monsoon rains that can limit beach activities.

Royal Buildings

The Kuthiramalika Palace Museum contains the Travancore royal family's collections in rooms with teak ceilings and granite floors. You'll see 122 wooden horses carved into the palace's eaves, which gave it the name 'Horse Palace.' The rooms contain ceremonial weapons, musical instruments, and other objects from royal life.