The capital of the state of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram or
the City of the Sacred Snake, is built over seven hills. Named after
Anantha,
the thousand - headed serpent of Hindu mythology, the city once formed a
part of the Travancore kingdom, its capital at Padmanabhapuram, now a part
of Tamil Nadu.

Thiruvananthapuram is, decidedly, one of the cleaner and well-planned cities
of the country. The city's scenic appeal, its enchanting beaches, and
overwhelming greenery only add to its uniqueness. It embodies the magical
feel of Kerala, as a whole, and lends terrific insight into the culture of
the state. The red-tiled roofs, the never-ending stretches of palm trees,
the maze of narrow, winding streets and above all, the sea, make for a
fascinating mixture. There is an element of understated and effortless
elegance about the city, which leaves a lasting impression on the visitor.
Festivals The festival, that the entire city, anticipates with
great enthusiasm is
Onam, which marks Kerala's new year and harvest
season, and comes around in August-September. The other spectacular event
that transfigures the entire city is Thrissur Pooram, the annual temple
festival.
How to Get There Thiruvananthapuram is
well connected with the other major cities of the country by air, and
railways. By road, the city is connected via the National Highway 47 to
Kanyakumari, Coimbatore, Madras, and Bangalore.