Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala or "God's Own Country". Referred to by Mahatma Gandhi as the ‘Evergreen city of India’ the city is characterised by its undulating terrain of low coastal hills and busy commercial alleys. Located in the South Western tip of India, Thiruvananthapuram is bound by the Arabian Sea in the West and Tamil Nadu in the East.

Named after Anantha Padmanabha or Lord Vishnu, the city is home to many ancient temples. Spicy dishes flavoured with coconut are a local favourite and Malayalam is the main language of communication. A long shoreline with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage, make Thiruvananthapuram a much sought-after tourist destination.

Best time to visit:

The climate in Thiruvananthapuram remains dry and humid in most part of the year. The best season to visit this place is from October to February.

Top five places to see:

The Kanakakunnu Palace – A reflection of magnificent architecture and intricate craftsmanship, the Kanakakunnu Palace stands testimony to the rich heritage of Thiruvananthapuram back in the days.

Lighthouse Beach – The name of the magnificent Lighthouse Beach comes from the towering Vizhinjam lighthouse which is built on a rocky headland. The beach is a long sandy strip and the illuminated lighthouse makes it a great place to enjoy a quiet evening. Delicious and fresh sea food available along the shore is just the thing to round up a relaxed evening.

Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple – Located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram is the famed Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple has lent its name to the city – 'Thiru' 'Anantha' 'Puram' meaning Sacred Abode of Lord Anantha Padmanabha.

The Zoological Park – India's first Zoological Park in India is located amid a well laid out garden. The Zoo with a lake and boat club within its premises is an ideal day outing for children and adults alike. Around 75 different species of animals and birds from India and countries like Ehtiopia and Australia are found here.

Priyadarshini Space Planetarium – This is one of the largest planetariums of India rated as one of the best horizontal planetariums of the world, with a good collection of astronomical science objects from ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization). It has two major shows regarding various secrets of the universe. It has a good Sky Theatre, a large conference hall and venue of regular space related programmes.