Thiruvananthapuram
Metropolis and capital of Kerala, India
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram (thih-roo-vuh-nuhn-thuh-poo-ruhm), with a tradition dating back to 1000 BC, lies on a small strip of land covered with coconut and palm trees. Thiruvananthapuram means "City of Lord Ananta" (the serpent on which Lord Padmanabha/Vishnu reclines) in Sanskrit and Malayalam. Historically, it was a trading post for spices, sandalwood and ivory. Thiruvananthapuram is the largest city in Kerala. The city is the state capital and houses many central and state government offices, organisations and companies. Besides being the political nerve centre of Kerala, it is also a major academic hub and home to several educational institutions, including the University of Kerala, and many science and technology institutions.
Nearby Destinations
Highlights
- Buraq
- Indian Coffee House
- sri gavuri nivas
- West Fort
- Ariya Nivas
- Sindoor Palace
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Traveller Reviews
Ananya Menon
2026-05-18
Trivandrum surprised me -- clean, green and far more relaxed than other Indian metros. The Napier Museum grounds and Kuthiramalika Palace were highlights, and Kovalam sunset was unforgettable.
James Whitfield
2026-04-02
Used the city as a base for Kovalam and Poovar. Autos are cheap and drivers speak English. Took off one star only because traffic near the centre can be slow in the evenings.
Priya Nair
2026-02-27
The sadya on a banana leaf was the best meal of our trip, and the beaches at Kovalam were beautiful. Padmanabhaswamy Temple is stunning even from outside. Highly recommend.
Daniel Fernandes
2026-01-15
The city and beaches are lovely, but our January visit still caught a couple of humid, overcast days. Some sights close early, so check timings. Ayurveda spa experience was excellent though.
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