Thiruvananthapuram, also known as Trivandrum, has always been the center of activity. It boasts of a rich historical background and colorful culture, and thus it houses a number of important historical monuments and places. Some of them are as follows:
Vizhinjam Rock- Cut Cave
Vizhinjam rock-cut cave temple, etched out on the 18th century, consists of rock- cut sculptures. Located southwards of the Kovalam junction, this granite cave consists of a one-celled shrine that has a loose sculpture of Vinandhara Dakshinamurthi. On the outer wall of the cave, half- complete relics of the Hindu Lord Shiva with his wife Goddess Parvathi are carved.
Kuthiramalika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum
Standing adjoining the well-known Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple at the East Fort in Trivandrum, Kuthiramalika or Puthenmalika palace was erected by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma - the King of Travancore. He is quite famous as a fine statesman, poet, musician and social reformer. This palace is a great example of very few left specimens of the traditional Travancore style of architecture where exquisite wood is also used. Now transformed into a museum, it consists of paintings and various other priceless collections of the royal family.
Zoological Park
One of the first zoological parks in India, the Trivandrum Zoo is located in the heart of the city and is counted as one of the best designed ones in Asia. Established in 1859, this zoo covers 55 acres of woodland, lakes and lawns. The zoo also houses a reptile house with various snake species and a vulture house as well. There is a lake and boat house too within the zoo’s premises. The park is home to around 75 mammal species as well as resident and migratory birds from Australia and Ethiopia. You can spot animals like niligiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, royal Bengal tiger, Indian Rhino, Zebra, Giraffe, cape buffalo and so on.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
Padamanabhapuram Palace, located at a distance of around 65 km from Trivandrum on the way to Kanyakumari is a magnificent wooden palace. Erected during the 16th century, it was the home of the Venad rulers. This traditional home of the rulers of Travancore, it is taken care of by the government of Kerala. This Palace is an excellent example of traditional Kerala wooden architecture. It was constructed by Iravi Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal around 1601 A.D and was also known as Kalkulam Palace. Some of the enchanting features of this palace include carved ceilings, curved shuttered windows, pagoda-style tile roof, intricate beamed roof, sculpted door panels, exotic murals, and beautiful wall paintings.
Koyikkal Palace
Koyikkal Palace, situated in Nedumangad, is around 18 km from Thiruvananthapuram and is quite popular for its architectural magnificence. Situated on the route to Ponmudi, the beautiful hill station of Kerala, this palace was erected during the 17th century and was the official residence of the royal family of Venad. The double –storied palace is traditional Nalukettu (typical Kerala architecture) with slanting gabled roofs and an inner courtyard. Today, the palace contains 2 museums, exhibiting precious specimens of folklore and numismatics The Folklore Museum displays the rich cultural heritage of Kerala including household utensils, occupational instruments, folk art models, musical instruments, other rare articles and more. The Numismatic museum contains a detailed collection of rare ancient coins, weights and seals, badges and much more.
Napier Museum
Founded by the Maharaja of Travancore in 1855, Napier Museum is one of the earliest museums in India with counterparts like the Indian Museum Calcutta and Madras Government Museum. It was designed by a popular English architect of the British India, Robert Fellows Chisholm (1840-1915). In 1874, the old building of the museum was pulled down. In its place, the foundation of a new building was laid, which was named after Lord Napier, the Governor of Madras presidency. This 120- yr building with gothic minarets, roof and unique ornamentation is now a landmark in Trivandrum.
Padmanabhaswami Temple
Dedicated to Lord Padmanabha or Vishnu, Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is a Hindu temple run by a trust headed by the royal family of Travancore. One of 108 Divya Desams, the Holy Abodes of Vishnu, it is one of the main worship centers of the deity in Vaishnavism. This temple is a blend of architectural styles of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The idol of the deity of the temple in the posture of the ‘Anantha-sayanam’ (in the perpetual sleep of Yoga-nidra on the serpent Anantha).
