Thiruvananthapuram Favorites

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Favorite thing: Nishagandhi festival is an event organised by the Kerala Tourism department in the first quarter of every year. This event showcases the cultural and art forms of Kerala and some of the other states. The event is for 7 days and this is held in Kanakakunnu Palace (Open Air Auditorium ) in Trivandrum. The museum road is illuminated during the entire festival and there are noted artists performing in the week long event. The event also includes the annual flower show, in the Sooryakanti show grounds.

An event to watch, if one is in Kerala during that time.

Favorite thing: The all-vegetarian food was served from huge containers on to banana leaves placed on the table. No cutlery or crockery was available. You eat with your right hand is considered "dirty". To ensure I made no faux pas, I spent most of the time sitting on my left hand.

After the meal, a long trough in an other room with maybe one hundred taps in a row, ensured that you could clean your hands.

Fondest memory: Even the lassi (yogurt drink) was ladled into your cupped hands. I found the whole experience of eating with my hands, the number of people present, the sheer honour of being invited and the fact that we were treated as long-lost friends, the absolute highlight of our trip to Inida. Sheer magic!

Favorite thing: Once the wedding was over, we made our way out of the building to leave. The bridegroom's father came running after us and declared: "You must stay for the food". So, we went back in again and hung around unil all the tables were laid.

They'd invited 2500 people to the wedding, but only about 1500 had turned up. We were the only westerners.

Fondest memory: There was a huge throng of people waiting to enter the dining room through steel gates. I have never seen so many people and so many dining tables in one place.

As we approached, the sea of people opened up, and we were allowed through first. We were treated like royalty. We were placed on the top table along with the family of the bride and groom who went out of their way to ensure we were enjoying ourselves. I never did see where the happy couple themselves ate.

Favorite thing: As soon as we arrived, we were told that we were going straight out again, as we'd been invited to a wedding. The happy couple were friends of the guest house owner.

Although we were too late for the actual ceremony, we did turn up in time for the photographs. The outfits were stunning and the whole affair had a grand aura about it.

Fondest memory: As the only westerners there we were invited to be present for the photographs. They seemed to be genuinely proud to include four strangers they'd never met to be in the pictures of the happiest day of their lives. I wish we'd spent a bit more time getting ready and put on some glad rags. I didn't realise we were going to be guests of honour.

Favorite thing: The East Fort in Trivandrum is a treat to watch in the night .The colorful lights brights up the heritage monument.

Fondest memory: The floodlights put up at central points, lights up the gates in alternating colors, bringing out the hidden splendor of the monument.

Favorite thing:
Padmanabha Swamy temple is important temple for Hindus.
Here the presiding deity is Lord Vishnu,only here he is in recline position.
Can see the Vishnu on thousand head serpent coil bed in when he sleeps on cosmic ocean.Temple cant see at one window,have to see 3 windows.
Photogrphy is not allowed inside.
The pic is temple tower,and infront of this temple tank.
Non hinuds are not allowed inside.

Favorite thing: Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 53 sq. km. This is on the Western Ghats and was established in 1938.

The placehas a dams, thick forests , eucalyptus plantations, crystal clear streams and rocky terrains. One can indulge in adventure .
The sanctuary is rich in rare mammalian fauna . One can see elephants, sambar, leopard, lion-tailed macaque and cormorant . One can also see gaur, barking deer, mouse deer, wild boar, tiger, panther, wild dog, lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Malabar squirrel etc. Water birds like darter, little cormorant, pied king fisher and egrets are also common. Many kinds of snakes including the king cobra and python are also present in this sanctuary. The area has a variety of moth and butte

Fondest memory: Location: 50 km from Thiruvananthapuram city enroute to Ponmudi.
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary consists of Part of Palode reserve (24sq.kms) and part of Kottoor reserve (29sq.kms). The total area of the sanctuary is 53 sq.kms. The total water spread of the reservoir is 5.82 sq.kms

Getting there:
Nearest railway station : Thiruvananthapuram, about 50 km from the sanctuary.
Nearest airport : Thiruvananthapuram, about 56 km from the sanctuary.

Favorite thing: It is belived that Sage Agasthya lived here. One can recah this place only by trekking through dense forests. Agastiyarkodam is a cone shaped mountain situated at 1890 m from the sea level.

The area is full of rare herbs and medicinal plants and the 'Neelakurinji', a flower which blooms only once in twelve years.

Women are not allowed up the peak. The belief is that sage Agasthyar who lived here was a confirmed bachelor.He disliked the presence of strange women.

Fondest memory: Location :70 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
Attractions :Rare herbs and medicial plants.

The best strekking season from December 2'nd week to February. One has to obtain a forest pass has to go to Agastiarkoodam.

This is obtained at Wildlife Warden, Forest Dept., P.T.P.Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram.

Getting there: Buses available to the local valley .After this point it is accessible only by foot from Kotoor, near Neyyar Dam and also from Bonacaud.

Nearest railway station : Thiruvananthapuram central, about 61 km from Bonocaud.
Nearest airport : Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 69 km from Bo