The city of Thiruvananthapuram is considered the art capital of the state of Kerala. It is believed that the history of Thiruvananthapuram is largely disassociated from that of the state of Kerala. While most of the Kerala had the hold of the Brahmin Namboodaris, Trivandrum was under the Ays, a clan known for its rich traditional and religious heritage. The rule of Ays date back to the early tenth century and it extended from Nagercoil in the South to Tiruvala in the North.

The Ays rule fell to the Venad rulers in the 12th century. The Venad rulers were known for their efficient administrative systems and the kingdom saw its pinnacle under the Varma King, Udaya Marthanda. The Venad rule brought about development of Kerala into a capital of art and learning. Ravi Varma Kulasekhra was a renowned scholar and musician. He was the mentor the artists, musicians, poets of Thiruvananthapuram craved for. A great writer himself, he has penned the Sanskrit play Pradyumnabhyudayam. The efficient rule of the Venads made Trivandrum, the region then known by the name of Travancore, a bustling trading center.

Though Portuguese were the first Europeans to land on the West coast in the early sixteenth century but the Dutch craftily expanded their domain by signing treaties and pacts with the British to ensure trading centers. The middle of 1600 saw the Dutch firmly entrenched in Travancore, the modern Thiruvananthapuram. The Mysore invasion and iron rule of Marthanda Varma drove the Dutch out from the region. The Varmas continued to rule the region for decades with Rama Varma. The rise of Tipu Sultan and Haider Ali brought misery for Rama Varma but it is believed that his defenses were impenetrable even to the might of Tipu's army.

The British started their great design to oust all the Europeans in the later part of 1600 and by 1680s they were ruling over most of the Kerala including the Travancore. The stiff resistance from the French yielded no results. The story goes that the East India Company grew in Travancore from a sandy strip, bought from Umayamma Rani, just 20 miles north of the modern day Thiruvananthapuram.

Thiruvananthapuram with its salubrious environs and great scenic beauty has been the favored abode for saints, hermits and religious minded. The city has an eclectic mix of hills, plains, rivers winding down to the ocean and lush green forests; perfect setting for the art of Yoga to develop.

The hills and the fertile land help in the growth of exotic herbs, used in manufacture of medicines. The science of Ayurveda has matured in Thiruvananthapuram and people from all over the world throng to the Ayurveda clinics for treatment to a myriad number of diseases. However it is sad that Ayurveda is considered only when all other systems of medicine fail.

Yoga

Yoga is a way of living in complete harmony with oneself and nature. Some say it is an art whereas it has now been proved that it is a scientific process to achieve a fuller and healthier living. Yoga literally translates into "summation" or "union". The ancient Hindu texts divide the human form into five earthly elements; water, fire, breath, earth and ether. Disease appears when one of the elements is out of sync or proportion. The Yoga and Ayurveda revolve around a balance and synergy of all the bodily functions. The medical science today is realizing the importance of relaxation techniques as practiced in Yoga.

Thiruvananthapuram is host to a number of Yoga Centers; many are located at the beach resorts of Kovalam and Varkala. All the good hotels will arrange Yoga practice camps for groups or even individuals at a steep price. There are many volunteer based Yoga centers like the Sivananda and Brahama Kumari Yoga Centers. Here private lessons can be arranged at less than $10 per hour and if you are willing to join an ongoing class, it would be just $1 per class. Generally these centers do not arrange for your boarding and lodging but no harm giving it a try. A saying in Thiruvananthapuram goes, "if you ask you may get an elephant".

Ayurveda

The science of longevity or Ayurveda has evolved earlier than 1500 BC. The precepts of Yoga and Ayurveda merge to evolve a perfect healing for an ailing mind and body. Thiruvananthapuram has been famous for the Ayurvedic massage with special herbal oils. The oils are heated to the right temperature and applied to your body with bare hands. The tired sinews are then massaged and even pummeled into submission.

Thiruvananthapuram with its thousands of years of varied legacy in the field of art, culture and architecture is replete with historical, religious and cultural hotspots. The capital city of God's Own Country with its natural beaches with hills as backdrop to the scenic beauty is the Caribbean vacation destination for Indians.

The city attracts all kind of tourists; the religious for the sacred temples, the explorers looking for the old relics in the ruins of forts, the beach lovers looking for those sunny days away from freezing winters and few come in search of that elixir of life in Yoga, Ayurveda and the nature. The reasons are numerous but the destination is one, Thiruvananthapuram.

The Beaches

The beaches of Thiruvananthapuram are known for their scenic beauty all around the world and the name on the top spot is Kovalam Beach. It is located just about 8 miles from the city. The second is the Varkala beach country, just about half an hour away from the city; it is the Caribbean experience in India. The Veli Tourist Village though not a beach, offers much more than that. The lake which merges in the Arabian Sea has been developed into a family picnic spot with parks, gardens and a number of water sports. The Shanmugham beach is located close to the village and has a Keralite version of the mermaid, the Matasya Kanyaka, a 35m long stone sculpture.

The Temples

The city can be termed a temple city of Kerala with dozens of temples of various deities and religions located there. The prominent ones are Attukal Bhagavathy Temple or the Sabrimala of Women, Sivagiri Mutt setup by Sree Narayana Guru and the 2000 years old Janardhana Swamy Temple of Varkala. The Varkala temple is atop a step hill and revered by all the devotees of Vishnu in India. The secular tradition of Thiruvananthapuram is upheld by the Palyam Juma Masjid, a mosque and Beemappalli Dargah, a pilgrim center for the Muslims. The Church at Vettukad or the Madre De Deus Church is not for the Christians alone but attracts devotees cutting across all religious faiths for the annual Feast of Christ.

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of the southern state of Kerala, is also the culture capital of the region of erstwhile Travancore. The rulers of Travancore, also known as Thirunals, not only patronized the development of fine arts but they themselves were consummate artists and performers. Swathi Thirunal, a composer in the Karnatic style of music and Raja Ravi Varma, an accomplished painter are notable rulers who have contributed immensely to the art scene of Thiruvananthapuram.

The people of Thiruvananthapuram are friendly and respect all the religions. The place is truly secular place and all the communities have been thriving in the region. The Palyam Junction is a palpable proof of the profoundly secular Thiruvananthapuram with a Hindu temple, a Muslim Mosque and a Church within tens of yards of each other.

Fairs and Festivals

The people are very religious and festivals like Onam and Navaratri are celebrated with untold religious fervor. Onam is the State Festival of Kerala. The other notable festivals are Vishu and Maha Shivratri. The Vishu is the Kerala New Year festival and celebrated in April.

Onam is the food festival of Kerala. The villagers gather together in a big community kitchen and prepare hundreds of dishes for a few days. Then on the day of Onam the food is served to the whole of the village on plantain leaves. The community luncheons are a part and parcel of the life of Indians. The Sikhs in the North Indian have Langars where all sit down to have their meals in Gurudwaras and here in the deep South, the Onam.

The Navaratri festival is a music festival with concerts in the Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple, in the heart of the city. The huge precincts of the temple houses thousands of devotees and even processions within the temple are organized. The old construction and design of temple precincts reverberate with the rhythm of the drums. It is believed that the natural frequency of the pillars in the temple enhance various tones of instruments. The musical extravaganza is truly a divine and spiritual experience.

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of God's Own Country, is the favorite destination of a Western traveler for a number of reasons; the pristine country, the tropical sun, the azure beaches, the backwaters of the Arabian Sea, the singular Kerala massage or the Yoga. The tourist infrastructure in Thiruvananthapuram has matured over the last decade with addition of numerous Star category hotels, beach and spa resorts and even private cottages by the sea. The tourist with every kind of budget is accommodated in the city of Trivandrum.

The accommodations in Thiruvananthapuram are conveniently located. The city has a range of options to choose from and if you decide to stay close to the beaches then you can decide about Kovalam or Varkala. The Kovalam beach is about eight miles from the city of Thiruvananthapuram and Varkala, 25 miles. Both the places can be easily reached from the airport as most of the prepaid taxi services or even a hotel pickup can be easily arranged.

Hotels at Thiruvananthapuram

The city has a number of Five Star hotels. The famous Mascot Hotel is the KTDC, the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, Five Star hotel with about 64 well furnished rooms. The other prominent ones are the Residency Tower, South Park Hotel, Hotel Muthoot Plaza and Hotel Saj Lucia. If you plan to visit the city temples or old forts, then it is worthwhile to stay in the city. However for the nature lover, the beach resorts would be the preferred option.

Staying Options at Kovalam

Kovalam, the beach district, has all the star spangled luxuries; the beach resorts, resorts and spas, and even a beach village. The nature will enthrall you in this world famous beach of Kerala. To name a few; Uday Samudra Beach Hotel, Santha Theeram Beach Resorts, Green Cove Beach Resort and Spa, and Manaaltheerum Beach Village are convenient staying options. All the exotic luxuries like Kerala Massage, Hath Yoga and even folk dance performances are available for asking. A stay at the Manaatheerum Beach Village is highly recommended. It has a complete Ayurvedic rejuvenation program along with Ayurvedic food for a body and soul experience.

Trivandrum, the capital of the state of Kerala, the God's Own Country, now known by the name Thiruvananthapuram, literally translates into the "abode of Lord Anantha". The Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, a highly venerated temple for Keralites, in the heart of the city is devoted to the deity Lord Anantha. The city of Thiruvananthapuram is located in the South of the state and bordered by Tiruneveli in the East, Kanyakumari to the South and Kollam district located to its North. The city is a must on the itinerary of any visitor to the South India.

The city being the capital is the center spot for the political activities of the State. The people of Kerala known for their leftist leanings have always supported the Marxist precepts of the CPI(M) or the Communist Party of India. The city is the hub of all the political upheavals in the state and is considered to be the most politically active. No wonder polls draw more than ninety percent of the polling percentage on a regular basis.

The political background notwithstanding, the city in itself is a marvelously beautiful place with its seven green hills, numerous beaches and a typical sunbathed tropical climate. The city has many other facets, the low undulating hills, narrow by lanes in the city center, the Yoga & massage centers and traditional medicine practitioners, the Ayurveda doctors. You sure will find many a quacks promising rejuvenation and restoration of sexual prowess with just one course of their special herbal medicine. Be careful, you may just get some bitter pills with a bitter experience.

There are many Kerala massage parlors, a craze with the tourists, promising authentic massage with herbal oils but here you must take advice of authorized travel centers or your friends. The better hotels of the city may also recommend the authentic ones.

The people of the city are lovers of art and the traditional dance form Kathakali, which literally means "the art of telling a story", is just not to be missed when you are in Thiruvananthapuram. The people generally speak Malyalam, the official language of Kerala. However Tamil is also spoken and understood widely.