Spread over an area of 2,400 sq. meters, the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple is believed to be over 260 years old. The temple with its gopuram (tower) towering majestically is believed to be among the 108 shrines sacred to the Vaishnav in India. The main entrance of the temple is through the eastern gopuram which towers to over 30 meters and is built in the Dravidian style.
SRI PADMANABHASWAMY TEMPLE
NAPIER MUSEUM
Dating back to 1880, the Napier Museum building combines the Mughal, Kerala, Chinese and Italian architectural styles. The building has a natural air-conditioning system. The museum offer glimpses of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage. The museum showcases an excellent collection of bronzes historic ornaments, ivory carvings and chariots, and life-size figurines of the Kathakali dancers in full costume.
SHANGHUMUGHAM BEACH
Headquarters of Southern Naval Command of India, Willingdon is manmade island having a seaport, railway terminus, airport, and a customs house. The regular ferry services on the lake around the island offer inexpensive backwater cruise. The island gets its name from Lord Willingdon, a British Viceroy to India. Some of the city’s best customs and trading centers and hotels are located here.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM
Located in the centre of the city, the Science and Technology Museum showcase interactive displays and scores of other items highlighting the science, technology and electronics. Near the museum lies a planetarium. The planetarium offers a daily 40-minute show that provides a panoramic experience of the universe.
ZOO AT TRIVENDRAM
The spacious zoological garden at Trivandrum is set amidst the pleasant surroundings of woodlands and lakes. It provides delightful shaded walks for the visitors. The zoo also has a wide variety of animals and birds. The Reptile House has snakes worth seeing. The nearby botanical gardens offer a large number of trees which can be identified by their labels.
SRI CHITRA ART GALLERY
The Sri Chitra Art Gallery displays paintings from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art. Besides these, the gallery houses some rare collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, Svetoslav and Nicholas Roerich. An Oriental collection of paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali are a visual treat to the visitor.