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KERALA, GOD’S OWN COUNTRY
With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500
- 2700 m in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys
unique geographical features that have made it one of the most
sought after tourist destinations in Asia.
With an equable climate, a long shoreline with serene beaches,
tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush hill stations and
exotic wildlife, Kerala offers a unique experience. Its numerous
waterfalls, sprawling plantations and paddy fields, Ayurvedic
health holidays, enchanting art forms, magical festivals,
historic and cultural monuments, and an exotic cuisine make
Kerala ‘A Must See Destination of a Lifetime’. A singular
advantage no other destination offers is that every one of these
charming attractions is only a 2 hour drive from the other.
Kerala is home to India’s most advanced society with a hundred
percent literate people, World-class health care systems,
India’s lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy
rates. This tiny state also has the highest Physical Quality of
Life in India. Peaceful and pristine, Kerala is also India’s
cleanest State.
For more details, log onto
www.keralatourism.org
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Area: 2192 sq. km
Population: 3,234,707 (2001 census)
Altitude: Sea level
Located in the southwestern tip of India, Thiruvananthapuram
district is bound by the Arabian Sea in the west and the state
of Tamil Nadu in the east. Named after Anantha Padmanabha or
Lord Vishnu, the city is home to many ancient temples. But the
landmark is the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple around which the
city has been built on seven low hills. The wooded highlands of
the Western Ghats in the eastern and northeastern borders give
Thiruvananthapuram some of the most enchanting picnic spots. A
long shoreline with internationally renowned beaches – Kovalam &
Varkala, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich
cultural heritage make Thiruvananthapuram a much sought-after
tourist destination. Clean and green, Thiruvananthapuram, the
capital of Kerala is one of the most beautiful cities in the
country.
ACCESSING THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Telephone access code: +91-471
Air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (6
km from the city) has over 30
air links with convenient connections to Colombo, Maldives,
Singapore and the Middle East. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways
operate domestic flights to different parts of the country.
Airline offices:
Airport Authority of India Ph: 2501424
Indian Airlines Ph: 2316870, 2501537
Jet Airways Ph: 2721018 Airport Ph: 2500710
Air India Ph: 2310310, 2501426
SriLankan Airlines Ph: 2471810
Gulf Air Ph: 2728003, 2501206
Oman Airways Ph: 2728950
Kuwait Airways Ph: 2720013
Saudi Arabian Airlines Ph: 2723141
Silk Air Ph: 2314142, 2314141
Qatar Airways Ph: 3919091, 3919092
Rail: There are direct trains from
Thiruvananthapuram to all the main towns in Kerala as well as
the major cities in India. Railway enquiry Ph: 131, Railway
reservation Ph: 132
Road: Long distance buses operate from the Central
Bus Station at Thampanoor, opposite the Railway Station.
KSRTC Ph: 2323886
Thiruvalluvar Ph: 2327756
Short distance buses operate from the City Bus Station, East
Fort Ph: 2463029
Tourist information offices: Tourist Facilitation
Centre, Department of Tourism, Park View Ph: 2321132 Tourist
Information Centre, Railway Station, Thampanoor Ph: 2334470
Tourist Information Centre, KSRTC Central Bus Station,
Thampanoor Ph: 2327224 Tourist Information Centre, Domestic
Airport Ph: 2501085 Tourist Information Centre, International
Airport Ph: 2502298 Tourist Facilitation Centre, Kovalam Ph:
2480085 Tourist Reception Centre (KTDC), Thampanoor Ph: 2330031
Central Reservations (KTDC), Hotel Mascot Ph: 2316736 District
Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Vellayambalam Ph: 2315397 Fax:
2313606
Short-tour options from Thiruvananthapuram
- Kovalam Beach
- Vizhinjam Harbour
- Thiruvananthapuram City
- Napier Museum & Zoological Gardens
- Sree Chithra Art Gallery
- Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Veli-Akkulam Backwater Tourist Village
- Shankhumugham Beach
- Neyyar Dam
- Varkala Beach
- Padmanabhapuram Palace
- Ponmudi Hill Resort
Map of Thiruvananthapuram
http://in.ourcity.yahoo.com/thiruvananthapuram/maps
For accomodation details - click
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