1. Padmanabhaswamy Temple Visit: Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is among the 108 Vishnu Temples or ‘Divya Desams’ located in the country of India. The temple is dedicated to the Supreme god Vishnu in the form of an idol or statue which is known as the presiding deity. The temple is covered in gold-plated covering and is considered to be one of the richest temples in the world. Padmanabhaswamy Temple timings are from 3.15 am to 12 pm and 5 pm to 7.20 pm daily. On the east side, there is a broad passage that goes into the sanctum sanctorum and it has sharp sculptured granite-stone pillars with exquisite carvings. There is also a drama hall where kathakali-a classical art form from Kerala is performed during the annual ten-day festival which takes place in the temple during the Malayalam months of Meenam and Thulam. You can stay in one of the hotels near Padmanabhaswamy Temple for a comfortable visit.
2. Kuthiramalika Palace: The century-old Kuthiramalika Palace was established in the 1840s by the great Maharaja Swathi Thirunal. Kuthira Malika means ‘Mansion of horses’ and this name seems appropriate as there are 122 horses sculpted in the many pillars that support the southern roof of this grand structure. The purpose of constructing this palace indeed was to try and keep alive all the many arts of India, mainly the southern states. Right at the heart of this, you will also find theKuthiramalika Palace Museum. It has ethnic jewelry once used by queens, wooden paintings and carvings, armory, and idols of the purest metal also can be seen in the museum. The palace is mainly constructed with teakwood, rosewood, marble, and granite and it is believed that around 5,000 Vishwabrahmins constructed this palace in 4 years. Kuthiramalika Palace timings are from 9 am to 12.30 pm and 2 pm to 4.45 pm.
3. Napier Museum: The Napier Museum is located in the colorful city of Thiruvananthapuram and has collections of art, culture, and even nature. The museum has a distinguished Indo-Saracenic style reflecting Indian, Chinese, Kerala, and Mughal architectural designs. The Napier Museum Trivandrum is under the Department of Museums and Zoos of Kerala and has a various archaeological specimen, ancient historical articles and bronze images, ornaments, sculptures, and gorgeous carving works on ivory. It has huge collections of exhibits such as the temple chariots, the Javanese shadow play leather puppets derived from epics such as Mahabharata and Ramayana, along with special pieces that are centuries old. It also has a garden and an area of greenery, which enhances the aesthetics of the place, and has the oldest rubber tree planted in 1876. Napier Museum timings are from 10 am to 4.45 pm on Mondays and 1 pm to 4.45 pm on Wednesdays.
4. Shanghumukham Beach Relaxation: Shankumugham Beach is one of the best beaches in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. There is a “Star Fish Restaurant” with eating kiosks and there is an open-air theatre with car parking amenities too. You can also go to the Old Coffee House, right across the beach where you can try some good food. Experiencing a sunset at this beach is counted as one of the best things to do in Trivandrum. While there are people who come here in the evening to watch the sunset, others visit the place in the daytime to enjoy a great view of the scenery. Also, there are many beautiful spots which are made for a picnic. You can also see a gigantic 35-meter-long mermaid structure, a special Indoor Recreation Centre, and a beautiful Children’s Park. You can also check hotels near Shanghumukham Beach for a stay as the famous attractions are near this place.
5. Kathakali Performance: Thiruvananthapuram tourism presents Kathakali which is another classical dance of South India and people can easily identify the popular features such as fluid costumes, bright makeup, and gestures of the face. Originally this was a dramatic form of artwork that had the dimensions of drama, dance, and music to enunciate the Shakuntalam or the Gita, Mahabharata, or the Ramayana kind of stories. Enjoy an amazing vacation and Kathakali performance by booking our Kerala tour packages. Actors apply different face painting, headgear, and clothing, and all of these depict different figures including gods, demons, and heroes. Along with the performance, there will be Chenda and Maddalam being played by musicians and there will be people singing the story in Malayalam. Kathakali’s gestural language, exaggerated facial expressions, and makeup help to make this conventional art form a fascinating experience. Watching a Kathakali performance is one of the fun things to do in Thiruvananthapuram.
6. Veli Tourist Village: The Veli Lake Tourist Village which is situated at the edge of the Veli Lake and the Arabian Sea offers excellent possibilities of boating and picnicking. Pedal boats or paddle boats are available at the site and visitors can hire any of the two depending on their preference. You can also walk around the gardens and may try food and spend a lovely time having a picnic or one can hire the boats for the whole tour. The beauty of the place is remarkably different and all this is just 12 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram. It is fun to watch the children having a lot of fun climbing through the sculptures present here and the speed boat taking them across the water. An exclusive Children’s Park and Floating Restaurant under the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) add worth to this interesting village. The Veli Tourist Village entry fee is ?5 per person for tourists above 14 years.
7. Science and Technology Museum: The Kerala Science and Technology Museum at Thiruvananthapuram is a fascinating place for anyone interested in science, technology, and innovation. Its main focus is the stimulation of scientific curiosity and education for students, families, and tourists. The museum is divided into several galleries and it displays different items and objects as electronics, mechanics, space science, and physical science. Yet, one of the significant sites of interest in the city is the Priyadarsini Planetarium, which provides visitors with an amazing space show along with programs related to astronomy and the universe. There are models, replicas, touch screens, games, and experiments that make the concept easily understandable and interesting for everyone. Apart from normal displays, the museum carries out science fairs, workshops, and learning sessions for children with the aim of innovativeness. If you are interested in gaining science information then visiting the Science and Technology Museum is one of the unique things to do in Thiruvananthapuram.
8. Trivandrum Backwaters: The Trivandrum backwaters have several water bodies and thus a different flavor of backwaters to the tourists. It is worth visiting because of the picturesque beauty of the place. The backwaters in Trivandrum can be described as an enchanting journey into the nature and landscape of Kerala with an impressive body of water surrounded by natural greenery. This place has quite many areas of interest, for example the beautiful Poovar. It offers a serene boat ride through the village where people can get to see the native lifestyle of the people and the forests as well as the houseboats. Trivandrum to backwaters distance is around 35 kilometers. Upon reaching you can board a Ketuvallam (houseboat) and enjoy the ride with peaceful surroundings. Visiting the backwaters is one of the ideal things to do in Trivandrum for nature lovers and anybody seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of city life.
9. Magic Planet: Famous as the first magic park in the whole world the Magic Planet is a delight for children and adults as well. This magical universe tourist site and attraction wants the change in the lens through which one looks at magic – instead of revering it as something mysterious as you know it is, the Magic Planet invites the adoption of ‘science goggles’ and views magic as a practical science segment. Magic Planet Trivandrum was inaugurated by Mr Oommen Chandy, the then Chief Minister of Kerala on 31st October 2014. The magicians here are extraordinarily talented and capable of charming you with shocking magic moves and surprising tricks. Some of these famous tricks are the ‘Indian Mango Mystery’ and the ‘Indian Basket Trick’. The Magic Planet hosts many unusual things menaced whose exceptional ideas and perfect look will make you completely spellbound. The Magic Planet ticket price is ?490 per person.
10. Traditional Ayurvedic Treatment: Thiruvananthapuram tourism is also the center for Ayurveda where the treatment and cure of diseases in often done naturally. Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of medical practice that was developed more than 3,000 years ago in India. Tourists who are interested in Ayurveda will relax in wellness centers and Ayurvedic resorts in Thiruvananthapuram including Somatheeram Ayurvedic Health Resort and Kairali Ayurvedic Health Village. To name a few, there is Abhyanga where warm herbal oils have to be relieved all over the body to detoxify the body and relax the muscles and then there is Shirodhara where oil is simply poured over the forehead to cure stress and mental depressants. Another treatment for which the centre is well known is Panchakarma which is a five-step detoxifying process. These therapies accompanied by a special diet and Yoga are a perfect treatment for a complete revamp. With Kerala honeymoon packages, you can enjoy a ayurvedic treatment in Thiruvananthapuram.
