Thiruvananthapuram, also known as Trivandrum, was the erstwhile capital of Travancore and is today the state capital of Kerala. This sprawling city is built on seven hills and is known better for its famous beach resort at Kovalam (11km away), recognised amongst the ten best in the world. Thiruvananthapuram, literally ''the place of the sacred serpent', takes its name from the idol of Lord Vishnu in the magnificent Padmanabhaswamy temple where he reclines on the world-supporting serpent, 'Anantha' or 'Adisesha'.

Today, its splendid past is to be seen in its old buildings, most of them built in wood with tiled roofs and carved gables in the Kerala style, in its botanical garden and zoo with its quaint museum; in its wide roads and public buildings; and in its lively intellectual life. Some of Kerala's leading film makers, poets and writers live here.

Trivandrum has an international airport, good shopping areas and a variety of comfortable and reasonably priced hotels. 

Today, it's splendid past is to be seen in it's old buildings, most of them built in wood in the Kerala style, with tiled roofs and carved gables, in it's botanical garden and zoo with it's quaint museum; in it's wide roads and public buildings; and in it's lively intellectual life. Some of Kerala's leading film makers, poets and writers live here. Trivandrum has an international airport, good shopping areas and a variety of comfortable and reasonably priced hotels.