Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram is the capital city of the beautiful state of Kerala. `Thiru-Anantha-puram' means the city of Lord Anantha or the abode of the sacred thousand-headed serpent Anantha, who forms the couch on which reclines Lord Vishnu, the preserver. The name also reflects the city's best-known temple and a famous landmark, Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, dedicated to Padmanabha or Lord Vishnu and - so goes legend - built in stages to house an idol discovered in a forest by a devotee.

Built on seven hills, and liberally covered by the green of low-lying paddy fields and coconut palms, Thiruvananthapuram has not lost this holy glory, having accepted diverse cultures and religious traditions in its warm and hospitable embrace. It still retains a leisurely and laid-back ambience, helped by the great diversity of quaint colonial and traditional buildings. more...