CAPITAL CITY · KERALA
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) is Kerala's capital city, built across seven hills along the coast. The city revolves around the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of the richest temples in the world with vaults containing treasures estimated at over $20 billion. Trivandrum also houses the Napier Museum, a 19th-century architectural gem, the Kuthiramalika Palace with 122 carved wooden horses, and the Priyadarsini Planetarium. As the gateway to Kerala's southern coast, Trivandrum provides easy access to Kovalam (16km) and Varkala (50km).
October to March for comfortable weather. December–February is the coolest period. April–May can be hot and humid. Monsoon (June–September) brings rain but temple festivals are vibrant during this period.
Trivandrum International Airport is 6km from the city centre. Trivandrum Central is a major railway station on the Mumbai–Kanyakumari line. Located 350km south of Cochin, the drive takes about 6 hours via NH66.
