Thir Uva Natha Pur Am

8/8/2019 Thir Uva Natha Pur Am

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` Thiruvananthapuram(Malayalam: ,

tiruvaantapura ?, also known as Trivandrum(Anglicized name), is the capital of the Indian state ofKerala and the headquarters of theThiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the westcoast ofIndia near the extreme south of the mainland.Referred to by Mahatma Gandhi as the "Evergreen city

of India", the city is characterized by its undulatingterrain of low coastal hills and busy commercial alleys.With almost 745,000 inhabitants per the 2001 census, itis the largest and most populous city in Kerala; thewiderurban agglomeration has a population of morethan one million. Apart from being the IT hub of the

state with over 80% of the state's software exports,Thiruvananthapuram ranks first in the number ofinternational tourists in Kerala also.


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` The city is the state capital and houses many

central and state government offices,organizations and companies. Apart from beingthe political nerve centre ofKerala, it is also amajor academic hub and is home to severaleducational institutions including the University of

Kerala, and to many science and technologyinstitutions, the most prominent being the VikramSarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Techno park, theIndian Institute of Space Science and Technology(IIST) and the Indian Institute of Science,Education and Research (IISER). It is also

considered as one of the cleanest cities in India


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` Thiruvananthapuram is built on seven hills by the seashore and is located at 8.5N 76.9E on the west

coast, near the southern tip of mainland India.

` The city situated on the west coast of India, and is

bounded byArabian Sea to its west and the WesternGhats to its east. The city and the suburbs spans an

area of 250 km2 (96.53 sq mi). The average elevation

of the city is 16 ft (4.9 m) above sea level. The

Geological Survey of India has identified

Thiruvananthapuram as a moderately earthquake-prone urban centre and categorized the city in the

Seismic III Zone.


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` Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple is located insidethe East Fort,Thiruvananthapuram.It is the state temple oferstwhile Travancore.The temple is dedicated to LordVishnu,who is depicted reclining on Sri Anantha,the hoodedsnake from which the city derives its nameThiruvananthapuram. This ancient temple is the most

dominating feature of Thiruvananthapuram,Overlooking thePadma Theertham Tank.

` The temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles ofarchitecture.It is known for its mural paintings and stonecarvings.Exquisite stone carvings and pavilions are worthadmiring one among the 108 sacred Vishnu temples inIndia, the presiding deity in here is Lord Vishnu reclining onAnantha the Holi Serpent.


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` It is an 18 feet long imposing figure built with

Salagrama stones brought from Nepal and it iscovered with gold and precious stones.This holyshrine attracts thousands of Hindu devotees.Outside the temple courtyard,there is a medley ofshops that sell handicrafts, woodcarvings and

handiwork of sandal.One can witness thecraftsmen do their work right from carving thewood to polishing.

` In the October/November months of everyyear,there is held the Navarathri Festival of

musical concerts at the NavarathriMandapam,adjacent to the main building of thetemple.


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` This temple in its present form is built by Maharaja

Marthanda Varma (1729-1758),one of the most

powerful rulers of Travancore. The work on the

temple was started in 1731.In 1750,the Maharajadedicated his kingdom to Lord Padmanabha, the

presiding deity of the kingdom and assumed the

title Padmanabhadasa or the servant of Lord

Padmanabha.


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` The Kuthiramalika Palace Museum in Thiruvananthapuramis one of the most renowned and most popular museums inthe city and was established by Maharaja Varma, theformer King of Travancore, in 1800 AD. Noted for his lovefor poetry, music and art, he established the Kuthiramalika

Palace Museum in Thiruvananthapuram in order toencourage and promote the traditional forms of Indian art.` The Palace Museum is an apt testimony of typical

Travancore-style architecture. The interiors of theKuthiramalika Palace Museum are adorned with royalpaintings and the exquisite collections of the Travancore's

imperial family are also preserved there.


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` The name Kuthiramalika means 'palace of horses'and is derived from the frieze of 122 wooden

horses on the exterior walls. The roof beams aredesigned in the shape of horse faces and its uniquearchitectural design truly reflects the meaning ofKuthiramalika, the horse bungalow. Besides thepaintings, the exhibits also include jewelers items,

metal idols and weapons used by the members ofthe royal family.` Noted for the Kerala-style architecture, the palace

took 5,000 workers over 4 years to complete.` The visiting hours at the Palace Museum are 8.30AM to 12.30 PM and from 3.30 PM to 5.30 PM.


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`

The section that attracts all visitors alike is the

one that is dedicated to Raja Ravi Varma.

This famous painter has carved a separate

niche for himself in the world of art. His

paintings look so real that it seems as if they

speak. Raja Ravi Varma was fondly called as

"Prince among painters and painter among

princes". Apart from his paintings, one can

find the works of Rabindranath Tagore, Jamini

Roy and K.K. Hebar.


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` Location : The Kanakakunnu Palace is situated nearthe Napier Museum in Thiruvananthapuram.The Kanakakunnu Palace was constructed in the reignof the Travancore King, Hiss Highness Sree MoolamTirunal (1885-1924). The Palace was the main venuefor Royal banquets. Later Hiss Highness Sree ChithiraTirunal modified the Palace and constructed tenniscourts in the palace premises.

` This stunning piece of architectural excellence wasused by the Travancore royal family to entertain their

guests in the earlier days. The interiors are decoratedwith large crystal chandeliers and exquisite pieces ofroyal furniture.


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` Established in 1984, the Kerala State Science &

Technology Museum, is an autonomous

organization, setup by the Government of Kerala,

to serve as a dynamic medium of sciencecommunication for the public and for inculcating a

sense of inquiry and scientific temperament in the

minds of the young. This is also a study cum

recreation centre and an important touristattraction.


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On the Malabar coast along the Kerala shore

line is a small village, called Kovalam. Thissleepy town suddenly came on the tourist

map when its fabulous beaches were

discovered.

Today Kovalam has become one of the most

popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam

means a grove of coconut trees and truly the

coconut trees along the beaches give aravishing look.


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` Location : 41 Kms From ThiruvananthapuramCity, Kerala

` Famous As : Janardana Swamy Temple

` M

ain Attractions : Papanashini` Best Time To Visit : September to May.


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`

Varkala is a sea side resort, as well as animportant Hindu centre of pilgrimage. High cliffs

with rich mineral springs rise majestically from thecoastline.

Varkala is a beautiful beach that has a more than2000 years old shrine of Lord Vishnu. This beach

of Kerala is rich in mineral water springs that areknown for their medicinal value.

` A dip in the holy waters of Varkala beach isbelieved to purge the body and the soul of all the

sins hence the name 'Papanashini' for this shore.


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` The southernmost tip of the Indian mainland,Kanyakumari is truly unique destination.` Sprawled out on the shore of this great Triveni

sangam, the confluence of the Bay of Bengal,Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean,Kanyakumari is known for its beautiful temples,chief among them is the Kumari Ammantemple, a colorful beach bazaar and theVivekananda Rock Memorial standing sentinel

over the sea.


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` Just as famous is the Padmanabhapuram

Palace, an 16th century monument made

entirely of wood. Less than 100 kilometers

Trivandrum, Kanyakumari is just a few hoursdrive away, through smooth metalled roads that

offer gorgeous views of the surrounding

countryside.


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` Thiruvallam is a green backwater getaway about 6kilometers (3.75 miles) from Trivandrum, popular

for canoe rides. At the confluence of Killi and

Karamana rivers, Thiruvallam opens up a vista of

sleepy fishing villages thick with exotic flowersfringing the serene backwaters. The place is also

popular for its temple dedicated to Lord

Parashurama believed to be the creator of Kerala..


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` It is situated at 30km east of Thiruvananthapuram, at thefoot of western Ghats.

` It was established in 1958. It is occupying the basin ofthe rivers Neyyar, Mullayar and Kallar. This popularpicnic spot has a watch tower, crocodile farm, lion safaripark and deer park.

` The 128sqkm Neyyar sanctuary occupies a beautifulwooded and hilly landscape, dominated by the peak of

Agasthya malai. Wild life includes gaur, sloth bear, NilgiriTahr, jungle cat and Nilgiri langur but most commonlyseen animals are wild elephants and sambar deer.

Boating facilities are available at the reservoir.


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` Nehru Trophy Boat Race:

` Ambalapuzha : The Sri Krishna temple

` Mullakkal Rajarajeswary Temple :The temple is

in the heart of the town.` Pathiramanal: beautiful island in the Vembanad

Lake

` Karumadi :9th century black granite sculpture of

Buddha.


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` Situated between the palm-fringed backwaters on

the west and Western Ghats on the east,

Kottayam presents some of the most beautiful

natural scenes of Kerala. Kottayam town is thedistrict headquarters. The town can be accessed

by rail or road from other places of the state. The

nearest airport is Kochi 100km north of Kottayam.


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` Situated on the banks of Astamudi Lake, Kollam is

the district headquarters. The town is situated

about 71km from Thiruvananthapuram and is a

major railway junction. National highway NH47passed through it. The nearest airport is

Thiruvananthapuram. Kollam was an ancient

seaport where spices with Chinese, Arabs and

Europeans were traded. It is still one of the

important commercial centers' in Kerala


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` Ashtamudi Lake : one of the largest lakes in

Kerala

` Thankassery : 18th century church

` Palaruvi : water falls` Krishnapuram PalaceMuseum : The

Krishnapuram Palace, a fine example of Kerala

style architecture, is fully restored and converted

into a museum


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134 feet in height, built in the best traditions of SouthIndian temple architecture. Sheer poetry exudes in thesculptures and inscriptions that make up the exterior,promising equal brilliance inside.While non-Hindus and foreigners are permitted inside,men have to take off their shirts. Nor are anyelectronic items - hence photography - allowed inside.The temple complex is ringed by a single corridor thatenvelopes the compound and its many mandapamsinhabited by the priests and pilgrims alike. Inside, the

crowd of worshippers begins welling towards thesanctum where a large lingam reposes.


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Thir Uva Natha Pur Am

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