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| Kovalam Beach |
| Shanghumukham Beach |
| Varkala Beach |
| Thangasseri Beach |
| Thirumullavaram Beach |
| Allapuzha Beach |
| Marari Beach |
| Fort Kochi Beach |
| Cherai Beach |
| Beypore Beach |
| Kappad Beach |
| Tellicherry Beach |
| Dharmadam |
| Payyambalam Beach |
| Ezhimala Beach |
| Bekal Beach |
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| Kovalam Beach |
On the Malabar coast along the Kerala shore line is a small village, called Kovalam. This sleepy town suddenly came on the tourist map when its fabulous beaches were discovered.
Today Kovalam has become one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look.
The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories, makes this beach paradise. This marvellous beach is a tourist's dream come true. |
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A sheltered natural bay with cool soothing palms and gentle waves. Where when you are tired of aquatics, swimming or sunbathing, you can explore the handicrafts, jewellery and cloth shops spread along the waterfront. Not to speak of the delightful sea-food fare including lobsters available at the beachside restaurants. |
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The crescent-shaped beaches of Kovalam can be divided in three parts. The southern most beach, and the most popular, is the Lighthouse Beach. Further south on the beach one can have a spectacular view of the Vizhinzam mosque. Photography is prohibited here.
The middle beach is called Hawah. Each morning this beach acts as a base for the local fisherman. The northern most beach, Samudra, is least affected of all by the changing times.It is dotted with few rudimentary wooden fishing vessels. |
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In the evening the quiet atmosphere of the place is enlivened by Kathakali performances, the classical dance-drama of Kerala. This mellow Kerala coastal village was once a picturesque settlement built next to two palm-fringed coves enclosed by rocky headlands, but development has been almost unplanned. |
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| There's a plethora of places to stay, ranging from cheap concrete boxes to up-market resorts, and a large number of under-equipped restaurants catering to standard Asian travellers' menus. The ITDC-run Ashoka and the Kerala tourism department's 'Samudra' at the Kovalam beach provide five-star accommodation.
There are other hotels as well to suit every pocket. Kovalam is developing not only as a beach resort but is fast developing as a Yoga and health center. One can have Ayurvedic massages and oil baths or learn the intricacies and dynamics of Yoga and meditation taught by experts.
Kovalam can be reached by direct and regular bus services from Thiruvananthapuram. Buses also link the place from Ernakulam, Kanyakumari and Periyar wildlife sanctuary. Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Railway head serves the requirements of Kovalam. |
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Places of Interest
Government Art Museum
This museum has much to impress the visitor with. Built in an exquisite blend of Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian styles of architecture, the museum is also known as the Napier Museum after the erstwhile Governor General of Madras John Napier. This 19th century building boasts of a unique natural air-conditioning system and the displays include exquisite bronzes, ancient ornaments and costumes, ivory carvings and musical instruments, and a whole temple chariot.
Puttan Malika Palace Museum
Built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balrama Verma of Travancore, an accomplished poet and musician, the traditional Travancore style museum is made better with its exquisite woodcarvings. There is a priceless art collection among other exhibits and the palace also hosts an annual classical music festival between 27th January and 3rd February.
Sree Chitra Art Gallery
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Located in the museum compound is this Art Gallery featuring an eclectic collection of works by Roerich and Raja Ravi Verma. This of course is only among the many other paintings from the Mughal, Rajput, Bengal and Tanjore schools of art. There is also a fabulous collection of oriental art from the Far East and Bali. The Zoological Gardens With a setting that includes woodlands and beautiful lakes, this is arguably one of Asia's best laid-out zoos. Whether it is love for the animals or just a need for a good day out, this is an excellent place to visit. |
Indian School of Martial Arts (ISMA)
A definite must see is the ISMA, which continues to preserve and impart training in the 5,000-year-old martial art of Kerala - Kalarippayattu. Established in 1983 it is in Vazhuthacaud in the heart of the city. A three-storied building, the main attraction is the traditional kalari - the arena for practising the art,built 10 ft
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below ground level. ISMA is also a renowned healing centre where the traditional kalarichikitsa - an exclusive branch of medicine - has been practised for years. The rare collection of olagranthas - palm leaf manuscripts also makes it a place with historical value |
Excursion
Varkala
Located at 40 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city,A quiet, secluded stretch of sand, the Papanasam beach in Varkala is known for its mineral springs and rocky cliffs. The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are the two main attractions of Varkala. |
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Aruvikkara Dam Aruvikkara Dam ia located at about 23 km from the city of Kollam. This picturesque picnic spot is on the banks of the Karamana river. Near the Durga Temple here is a stream full of fish that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors. Boating facilities are available at the reservoir.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
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Padmanabhapuram Palace is located 64 km from Thiruvananthapuram, is a magnificent wooden palace of the 16th century, Padmanabhapuram Palace lies at the land's end of mainland India. An enticing piece to any lover of art and architecture this old palace of the Rajas of the erstwhile Travancore (1550 to 1750 AD) is a fine specimen of Kerala's indigenous style of architecture. |
The antique interiors are replete with intricate rosewood carvings and sculptured decor. The palace also contains 17th and 18th century murals. One can see: the musical bow in mahogany, windows with coloured mica, royal chairs with Chinese carvings, 'Thaikkottaram' or the Queen Mother's palace with painted ceilings, rose wood and teak carved ceilings with 90 different floral designs. Durbar Hall with a shiny black floor specially made from a combination of egg white, jaggery lime, burnt coconut, charcoal and river sand, granite tubs to cool curd and buttermilk, secret underground passages, the King's bedroom with a four poster medicinal bed, mural paintings, pictures of Lord Krishna, hanging brass lanterns lit continuously since the 18th century, hanging cage through which eagles tore criminals to death, open air swimming bath, the King's sister's dressing room, granite dance hall, Saraswathi (goddess of knowledge) temple, large earthen urns, room for scribes and accountants, carved figures on columns holding oil lamps, pooja (worship) rooms with jackfruit tree columns, fish carvings on the ceilings, enormous teak beams, Belgian mirrors and an outer cyclopean stone wall fitted together without mortar, Though the palace is situated in Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu State, it comes under the purview of the Government of Kerala's administration. |
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| SRI PADMANABHASWAMY TEMPLE - Trivandrum |
Covering an area of about 2,400 sq. metres, the temple of Sri Padmanabhaswamy is believed to be around 260 years old. The temple with its gopuram (tower) soaring majestically upwards is believed to be one of the 108 shrines sacred to the Vaishnavites in India. The main entrance to the temple is through the eastern gopuram that towers to over |
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30 metres and is devised in the Dravidian style.The deity of the temple, Padmanabha (an incarnation of Vishnu) reclines on the sacred serpent in the inner sanctum. The main shrine inside the temple is well guarded with a number of massive doors and darshan (audience) can be had through the three-door openings into the sanctum sanctorum. |
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