Trivandrum: Gateway to the World of Backwaters
Caressed in the lap of God's Own Country, Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum is endowed with exquisite natural beauty. The capital city of Kerala, Trivandrum is the gateway to the world of backwaters. Beautiful picnic spots, historical monuments, enchanting beaches and shoreline makes Trivandrum travel attractions all-in-one hot spots of South India. The city is called as Thiru-Anantha-Puram, meaning home of the sacred serpent Anantha, on whose coil Lord Vishnu resides. Legend has it that Trivandrum played a very major role in the spice trade of the region. The Poovar Port in Trivandrum was once used to exchange goods for sandalwood and ivory by King Solomon's men. With the formation of Travancore in 1729, the city saw the rise of modernity. Though, one can still spot the blend of historic and modern architecture in its identity.
Sri Padmanabham Swamy Temple in Trivandrum is the soul of the city with divine deities residing in the high walls of the temple within peace and tranquillity. Regarded as one of the great 108 Lord Vishnu Temples in India, it presumably belongs to the pre-Christian era. Another major attraction of Trivandrum is the Napier Museum which was built by a British architect Robert Fellowes Chisholm, the pioneer of Indo-Saracenic architecture. This museum has intricately gabled tiled roofs, tall pillars, arches and wooden ceiling. Other sightseeing options include places like Kuthiramalika Palace which exemplifies the rich architecture of Kerala. One can also check out the Chitra Art Gallery exhibiting a rare collection of traditional and contemporary paintings.
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