A 1000-year old city of legends and royalty, Trivandrum is the capital of Kerala. A long shoreline with world-class beaches, a profusion of architectural landmarks, vast expanses of blue-green backwaters and a rich cultural heritage make it one of the most favored tourist destinations. The Padmanabha Swamy temple, the Kuthiramalika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum, Napier Museum, Sree Chithra Art Gallery and the Kanakakunu Palace are priceless treasure-houses of period furniture, culture, art collections and paintings.
Thiruvananthapuram literally means the city of Lord Anantha, a holy serpent in Hindu mythology on whose hood Lord Vishnu or Padmanabhan reclines. Sree Padmanabha temple is situated in the heart of the city attracting devotees from all over the State. The Aaarat of Padmanabha Swami Temple is celebrated with great fervor here and the other major festivals include Attukal Pongala, the Beemapally Uroos, and Vettucaud Perunaal. During Onam season, State Government organizes a week long celebration to attract tourists. Kovalam, a tourist hotspot in the district, is one of the most visited tourist destinations in South India.
