Also known as Tiruvananthapuram, the seaside capital of Kerala state, Trivandrum is surrounded by numerous hills and hilloks on which stand building and parks. Trivandrum literally means the 'Holy city of Ananta' and is a city of magnificient buildings of ancient and modern Architecture. Trivandrum is one of the most beautiful cities of India. Perched on undulating terrain of low coastal hills near the southern edge of the Indian mainland, clean and green Trivandrum, is an ancient city with trading tradition dating back to 1000 BC.

Thiruvananthapuram formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland.It is characterized by its undulating terrain of low coastal hills with wide, clean roads and busy commercial alleys. India's Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi had referred and designated this lovely beach side city built on hills as the "Ever Green City of India"

With almost 745,000 inhabitants at the 2001 census [1], the city itself is the largest and most populous city in Kerala; the wider urban agglomeration has a population of about 1 million [2].

The city is the State Capital and houses several Central and State Government offices, organizations and companies. Apart from being the political nerve center of Kerala, it is also a major academic hub and is home to several premier educational institutions including the Kerala University, and to many science and technology institutions, the most prominent being the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). The city also has the first Information technology park of its kind and first Biotechnology Center, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) of its kind in India. Situated near Kazhakoottam, Technopark is home to many of the world's leading technology companies.

Thiruvananthapuram is an ancient city with trading traditions dating back to 1000 BC. It was a trading post for spices like the rest of ancient Kerala. However the ancient political and cultural history of the city was almost entirely independent from that of the rest of Kerala. The early rulers of the city were the Ays. With their fall in the 10th century, the city was taken over by the rulers of Venad.

The rise of modern Thiruvananthapuram began with accession of Marthanda Varma in 1729 as the founding ruler of the princely state of Thiruvithamkoor (Travancore). Thiruvananthapuram was made the capital of Travancore in 1745. The city developed into a major intellectual and artistic center during this period of time. The golden age in the city's history was during the mid 19th century during the reign of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal and Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal . This era saw the establishment of the first English school (1834), the Observatory (1836), the General Hospital (1839), the Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library and the University College (1873). The first Lunatic Asylum in the state was also started in the same period. Sanskrit College, Ayurveda College, Law College and a second grade college for Women were started by Moolam Thirunal(1885-1924).

The early 19th century was an age of tremendous political and social changes in the city. The Sree Moolam Assembly, established in 1904 was the first democratically elected legislative council in any Indian state. Despite not being under direct control the British Empire at anytime, the city however featured prominently in India's freedom struggle. The Indian National Congress had a very active presence in the city. A political conference of the Congress was held in the city under the presidency of Dr.Pattabhi Sitaramaiah, in 1938.

The period of HH Chitra Thirunal Bala Rama Varma who took the reign of administration in 1931, witnessed many-sided progress. The promulgation of "Temple Entry Proclamation"(1936), was an act that underlined social emancipation. This era also saw the establishment of the University of Travancore in 1937 which later became the Kerala University.

After the withdrawal of the British in 1947, Travancore chose to join the Indian union. The first popular ministry headed by Pattom Thanu Pillai was installed in office on 24th March, 1948. In 1949 Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of Thiru-Kochi, state formed by the integration of Travancore with its northern neighbour Kochi. The King of Travancore, His Highness Chitra Thirunal Bala Rama Varma became the Rajpramukh of the Travancore-Cochin Union from July 1, 1949 until October 31, 1956. When the state of Kerala was formed on November 1, 1956, Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of the new state.

With the establishment of TERLS (Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station) in the 60s, Thiruvananthapuram became the cradle of India's ambitious space program. The first Indian space rocket was developed and launched from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) located in the outskirts of the city in 1966. Several establishments of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) were later established in Thiruvananthapuram.

A major milestone in the city's recent history was the establishment in 1995 of Technopark, India's first IT park. Technopark has developed into the largest and greenest IT Park in India and is home to IT giants like Infosys and TCS, employing around 12,000 people in close to 100 companies. This placed Thiruvananthapuram on the IT map of India and it is today one of the most promising in the country in terms of competitiveness and capability.

Thiruvananthapuram is located at 8.5° N 76.9° E on the west coast, near the southern tip of mainland India. The city covers an area of about 250 square kilometers, sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. The average elevation is at sea level.

The city is built on hills by the sea shore. The region can be divided into two geographical regions, the midlands and the lowlands. The midland region comprises of low hills and valleys adjoining the Ghats. The lowland is a narrow stretch comprising of shorelines, rivers and deltas, dotted with coconut palms. Vellayani lake, biggest fresh water lake in the district is in the suburbs of the city. The major rivers that flow through the city are the Karamana river, and the Killi river.

A third region the highlands form the eastern suburbs of the city. Several cash crops like rubber, tea, cardamom etc. are grown here. The highest point in the district is the Agasthyarkoodam which rises 1890 m above sea level. Ponmudi and Mukkunimala are hill-resorts near the city.

The city has a tropical climate and therefore does not experience distinct seasons. The mean maximum temperature 34 °C and the mean minimum temperature is 21 °C. The humidity is high and rises to about 90% during the monsoon season.

Thiruvananthapuram is the first city along the path of the south-west monsoons and gets its first showers in early June. The city gets heavy rainfall of around 1700 mm per year. The city also gets rain from the receding north-east monsoons which hit the city by October. The dry season sets in by December. December, January and February are the coldest months while March, April and May are the hottest. The winter temperature comes down to about 15 °C and summer temperatures can sometimes go as high as 37 °C.

Padmanabhaswami Temple

The temple is located inside the East Fort. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is known for its mural paintings and stone carvings. One among the 108 sacred Vishnu temples in India, the presiding deity in here is Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha the Serpent. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple in a complete traditional attire.

Zoological Gardens

Zoological Gardens, set in sylvan surroundings and acclaimed as one of the best and second oldest zoos of the country with an interesting collection of reptiles - these are some of the places which you are bound to enjoy during your stay in Trivandrum. The zoo is located in a well-planned botanical garden. With huge trees like frangipani and jacaranda dotting the sprawling lawns and wild fowl swimming in the lake, it is like a small jungle in the heart of the city.

Shankhumugham Beach

Just 8 km from the city, this is a favourite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Veli Tourist Village. An indoor recreation club, the matsya kanyaka (a gigantic, 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid) and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are some of the attractions here. Chacha Nehru Traffic Training Park here provides opportunity for children to learn the traffic rules.

The Napier Museum

Built in the 19th century, the Indo - saracenic structure boasts a "natural" air conditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The use of plastic is banned in the museum premises.

By Air

Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Mumbai.

By Rail

Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Guwahati, Calcutta, Cape Comorin, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai.

By Road

Trivandrum is well connected to all the major cities of the south India.

A speciality of Thiruvananthapuram is Arammula metal mirror produced by mixing certain herbs with molten metal to give it a highly reflective surface. Carved rosewood, teak furniture and decorative items, masks depicting various characters of Indian mythology (usually worn in Kathakali performances, Thyyams and other classical dances), are important products in the markets of Triuvandrum, Kerala.

The main shopping area of the city is the stretch On M.G. Road between East Fort and Palayam. Most emporia are located in this area. Gram Sree, the village crafts centre, is one of the best places.