Thiruvanathapuram, India

Flying time: 1hr 20mins

Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland. Referred to by Mahatma Gandhi as the 'Evergreen city of India', the city is characterized by its undulating terrain of low coastal hills and busy commercial alleys. With almost 745,000 inhabitants per the 2001 census, it is the largest and most populous city in Kerala.

Attractions & Sights

Beaches:

Kovalam is an internationally recognised beach and has been a favourite haunt for tourists since 1930's. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for swimming. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse water sports activities.The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes. Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night.

The opposite of Kovalam Beach can be found at Varkala Beach, a serene and quiet beach with a 2000 year Vishnu Temple and the ashramam - 'Sivagiri Mutt' a little distance from the beach. The beach is quiet sea resort rick in mineral water springs. It is believed that a dip in these holy waters will purge the body of all inpurities and the sould of all sins.

The Alappuzha Beach is also referred to as the Venice of the East and has always enjoyed an important place in the maritime history in the state of Kerala. The beach is infamous for its boat races, back water holidays, beaches, marine products, coir industry and also the old lighthouse.

Flora & Fauna:

The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live here in flocks are a fascination for visitors.

Eravikulam National Park is a sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr. The Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world is a unique inhabitant of the park. Another rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed macaoque, leopards, tigers, etc.

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the pride of Kerala and a testimony to nature's splendour and human innovation. The Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs. In addition to elephant rides, cruises on the lake and treks to the ruined Mangaladevi temple - a beautiful old stone temple situated in the heart of the Thekkady forest, this sanctuary offers the unique opportunity to watch and photograph wild elephants at close quarters.

Maldives Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram

The consulate of Maldives in Thiruvananthapuram was established on 12th July 2005. The Consulate address and contact details are mentioned below:

The Consulate of Maldives
T.C 13/1245 Kumarapuram
Thiruvananthapuram 11
India
Tel: +91 471 2558 189
Fax: +91 471 2558 195
Email: maldives.consulate@gmail.com

Office Hrs: Monday to Friday 0900 to 1600hrs

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Information