Situated at the edge of the Padma Theertha Pond, the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple has two main attractions; the Gopuram which is a multi-tiered, 100-meter (30-feet) tall structure, and the Garbagriha, where the idol of Lord Vishnu is placed. The temple and its premises gained prominence during the reign of the Travancore dynasty and a fort was built around it with the temple at its center. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the most popular landmarks of the city, where you will see people gather to offer their prayers. It is definite must visit for those who wish to witness the religious and cultural scene of the city.
Natesan’s Antiqarts is a prominent art gallery in Kovalam which showcases a variety of hand made showpieces. Designed and perfected by a set of skilled craftsmen, Natesan’s Antiqarts has galleries and shops spread all over India. Besides the fine paintings, this gallery is known for housing a wide range of beautiful sculptures and statues. If you are an art connoisseur, Natesan’s Antiqarts is a pure heaven where you can buy the charming artifacts and enrich your collection. Located very close to Kovalam Beaches, this place is definitely worth a visit for all art aficionados.
Built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma, the Puthen Malika Palace Museum or Kuthira Malika Palace Museum is one of the most beautiful sights in the city. It will give you a glimpse of Kerala's past which is a symbol of honor and glory. The museum holds exquisite items and artifacts that once belonged to the Travancore royal family. The architectural valor of the palace, reflecting the Travancore style architecture, will take your breath away. Located in one of the most historic parts of the city with Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple to its west, Kuthiramalika Palace Museum is a must-visit!
Initiated in 1970s, Margi began as a society for organizing performances of classical Indian dance. These performances mainly focused taditional dance forms of Kerala namely, Kathakali and Kutiyattom, in addition to the other dance performances like Manipuri, Odissi, Bharatha Natyam and many more. Soon, Margi started providing training to the artistes in different forms of dance. Offering both long and short term courses, Margi follows the Gurukul system where the students and teachers stay together and worship their art. Margi is increasingly expanding its horizons and is going global by performing in various countries abroad. In a nutshell, this is truly an aesthetic place exhibiting true talent and complete devotion.
The Lighthouse Beach beach is rightly named after the Kovalam Lighthouse which overlooks its ivory white sands and turquoise waters of the Lakshadweep Sea. Lined with palm trees and always breezy, the Lighthouse Beach comes recommended during summers and monsoons alike. If you are here when the sun is shining brightly, head out into the deep blue and frolic in the waves. Rains are best enjoyed at the coast at one of the many shacks serving piping hot seafood. A number of water sports are carried out at the beach, of which paragliding comes most recommended if you wish to soak in an amazing view of the beach town. Those here with someone special, they can skip the day time and head out to the Lighthouse Beach to see the sun go down.
Creating the perfect blend of great food, fine art and music, Nirvana Lounge is an upbeat place that will dazzle your senses with everything that it has to offer. Dig into pan-Asian cuisine weighted towards Thai, Nepali and Chinese fare. Complement the savory flavors with a cup of expertly-brewed coffee and feast your eyes on contemporary, thoughtful artworks that adorn the wall. Stuff like cushion seating, a Buddha painting behind the main stage, bookshelves, and the rule of leaving your slippers outside the restaurant are some quirky touches that add to the overall peculiar atmosphere. The peppy music playing in the background also lends a fun, festive vibe to the place and adds to the casual, laid-back feel of the place. Jam sessions also take place every weekend, and open mic nights where people from the audience can sing, perform a dance or do stand-up comedy are also quite common. The place is great for both reconnecting with friends, making new ones or spending a cozy evening with your companion. If you are looking for a dining experience that you’ll remember for a long time, head to Nirvana Lounge and create some unforgettable memories.
This 18th-Century archaeological marvel is located in Vizhinjam close to Kovalam. There is a sculpture of 'Vinandhara Dakshinamurti', the god of wisdom, enclosed in a granite cave as the major deity of the temple. The walls have carved structures of 'Shiva and Parvati' which is incomplete and artistic. The temple is located near to the Vizhinjam Harbor and is easily accessible by road. Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple is a protected monument of the Archaeology Department of India and is a must-see place in the city.
An ancient temple with a rich history to its credit, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is one of the busiest in Kerala. As the devotees here mainly comprise of women, the temple is also known as 'Women's Sabarimala'. The primary deity here is Goddess Bhagavathy. Governed by the Attukal Bhagavathy Trust, this temple has daily offerings, prayer meetings, and devotional events. The annual festivals here are renowned, with 'Pongala' being a major one. Women devotees offer a pot of naivedyam (a pudding made of rice and jaggery) made in the temple premises to the goddess as part of the festival rituals.
Madre de Deus Church is an important Catholic pilgrim center set in a backdrop of the turbulent and beautiful Arabian Sea along the road to Veli. The history of the church is traced back to the middle of the 16th Century and was made popular with the visit of the renowned Christian missionary St. Francis Xavier. The church in its present form was built in 1936 and is also known as Vettukad Church. The popularity of the church is owed to the 10-day 'Feast Of Christ, The King' celebration that takes place in the month of November. Activities during the celebrations include a procession of hundreds of people covering the entire parish on the second last day with the image of Christ. A grand feast on the last day of the celebration attracts more than 50,000 people of all creeds from across the world. Located four kilometer from the International Airport, this church is a beautiful place of worship in the line of churches that adorn the coastal Thiruvananthapuram.
A popular honeymoon destination, the town of Poovar is worth that short drive from Thiruvananthapuram. Known for its sandy beaches, jade waters and tropical climate, a visit to Poovar is a delight in every sense. The Chola Empire chose Poovar for several trades due to its proximity to the sea, and it also had many European as well as Middle Eastern ties during 1000 BCE. Today, those historic traces can still be experienced at this quaint town. Poovar is also one of the very few places on earth that sees a confluence of three different water bodies and land.
Surrounded by trees in a serene environment, Sreekanteswaram Temple is a famous Shiva temple. Located south-west from the Old Sreekanteswaram temple, this temple is a major point of convergence for Hindu devotees during the festivals of Maha Shivratri (March) and the annual Thiruvathira Mahotsavam (March-April) which stretches for a period of 10 days. Pilgrims visit the temple to worship Lord Shiva in the form of Shiva lingam that faces the east and offer milk and pure water by pouring it on the idol. One could also hear a constant buzz created by people chanting the mantras of Lord Shiva. Apart from Shiva, there are shrines of other deities such as Lord Krishna, Ganesha, Swamy Ayyappa, Lord Hanuman and Lord Subramanya, all of which face east. The temple pond on the east is used by devotees for holy bath and also for performing poojas (religious rituals).
Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, who is considered by devotees as a remover of obstacles from one's life. The main temple is built of stone and features a Lord Ganesha idol, seated with one folded leg. During Vinayaka Chaturthi and Sankashti Chaturti, two holy days dedicated to the deity, several devotees of all ages come to the temple to worship and offer prayers to the Lord. Apart from the Ganesha shrine, one can also worship the shrines of other deities such as Nagaraja and Goddess Durga. Among the most notable features of this temple are the beautiful sculptures denoting Ganesha's many forms inside the complex.