The city of Trivandrum is probably one of the India's most ancient cities. Steeped in legends, myth and a royal past, the history of Trivandrum goes back to more than a thousand years before the birth of Christ. The city of Trivandrum is one of the cities in the country that still carries an unmistakable flavor of its regal and heritage drenched past. Also known as “Thiruvananthapuram”, the establishment of the city dates back to around the 1000 BC.
The city was then named after the dwelling place of the mythical serpent ‘Ananta‘– ‘Tiru Ananta Puram' – who serves as the Lord Vishnu's familiar. Literally translated it means, ‘the town of Lord Anantha'. A city constructed around seven hills; Trivandrum reached fame in sometime around the year 1750, when it became the famed capital city of the Raja of Travancore. However, even long before that, the city of Trivandrum was a popular trading post; mainly doing business in spices, ivory and sandalwood. Most of these business and trading transactions took place mostly with the traders from the Far East.
However, the city of Trivandrum began to reach for new heights with the ascension of the Marthanda Varma. He came into power in 1729 and founded the royal state that was named as “Trivancore” or “Thiruvithamkoor”. By the year 1745, Trivandrum had flourished and become a name and set as a benchmark in art, culture and intellectual capacity.Today Trivandrum stands as the capital of the state of Kerala. However, much of the city remained unchanged politically and socially until early in the 19 th century. What can be seen of Trivandrum today is the result of the joint efforts of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal and Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal. Together they changed the face of Trivandrum and made as it stands today. Also, the freedom movement had its own impact; finally resulting in the city as it stands today.
Trivandrum India, Trivandrum, India, India Trivandrum, Tourism in Trivandrum India There are a number of tourist attractions in Trivandrum, India. A must on every tourist itinerary for Trivandrum, the Padmanabhaswami temple with its gopuram (tower) soaring majestically upwards, is believed to be one of the 108 shrines sacred to the Vaishnavites in India.
Besides this magnificent temple, Trivandrum offers a great deal more. There is the Observatory to start with, established over a hundred years ago in Trivandrum in India. Several kings have also built their palaces in and around the Trivandrum, India, each more impressive than the other. Despite a few attempts at modernity, Trivandrum retains its discreet, old-world charm.
In Trivandrum one can visit the Museum with its profusion of gables and turrets. A repository of fine works of art, the chief attraction here is the 250-year-old temple car made for Lord Vishnu, artistically designed and ornamented. Besides this, objects carved out of wood, models of temple, antique jewelry, etc., make the museum worth a visit.
Lying within the museum compound of Trivandrum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery proves to be an ideal place for art lovers. The piece de resistance is the large section devoted to the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, an Indian painter of distinction in the history of the country's modern art. Besides him, the Indian section also contains works of Rabindranath Tagore, Jamimi Roy, K. K. Hebar, miniatures from the Rajput and Mughal schools of painting and the famous Tanjore paintings encrusted with semi-precious stones. The gallery's collection also includes paintings from Indonesia, China, and Japan.
Then, of course, a trip to Trivandrum in India is incomplete without a boat-ride on its enchanting backwaters. These waterways of Trivandrum in India teem with life. One can be seduced by the panorama of beautiful landscapes, beaches and waterways, coconut palms and, of course, beautiful, friendly people of Trivandrum in India.
Two nearby places worth visiting while in Trivandrum, India are Veli and Shankhumuggam; the former has been converted into a superb tourist village while the latter boasts of lovely temples and a huge statue of a mermaid presently being worked upon by a famous sculptor.
An absolute must is Kovalam that lies barely 18 km away Trivandrum. The beach is considered one of the finest in the world and provides ingredients for an ideal holiday excursion from Trivandrum. Besides swimming, there are opportunities for surfing and water skiing-even an exhilarating catamaran ride into the sea.
Deer Bus takes you to the Trivandrum and makes the journey comfortable.
Chengannur Deer Bus (in Malayalam), is a municipal town in Alappuzha district of the state of Kerala in South India. Chengannur (also spelled Chenganoor, Chenganur, and Chengannoor) is located in the extreme eastern part of Alappuzha district.
1) In Chengannur, Paandavan Para, a Rock collection where it is rumoured that the Paandavas stayed during their Vanvaas 2) In Chengannur, poomal chaal, which is going to be an tourist place. it is in ala gram panchayath. Important Locations in Chengannur
Chengannur Hatchery is a landmark place this road will lead from chengannur town Govt. hospital junction via olivet aramana road or thittamel trinity marthoma church.
1)Neervilakom
Neervilakom is a very beautiful township situated 4 km East of Chengannur.The main attraction of this place is the ancient temple namely "Shree Dharma Shastha Temple".Lord Ayyappa is the main deity.Thousands of devotees from various places of Central Travancore worship here.It is a place where the beauty of nature and advancement of technology merge together.
2) Puthencavu
2 km East of Chengannur, situated along the southern bank of the river Pamba, is famous for religious Harmony. Metropolitan High School, puthencavu has produced many stalwarts in many fields. Mahakavi Puthencavu Mathen Tharakan and his son Dr. K.M.Tharakan from this village has made memorable contributions to the Freedom Movement and the Malayalam language. It is on the way to Kozhencherry.Puthencavu is a small settlement in Chengannur, Alappuzha District of Kerala. It is situated around 2 km from Arattupuzha and can be easily accessed from Chengannur and Arattupuzha. Puthencavu St Mary's Orthodox Church situated here is a major attraction. The village is famous for 'Samskrithy', a center for Indian performing arts. Emmayavaramban Temple, Thrichittattu Vishnu Temple, Tiruppuliyur Maayappiraan Temple, Tiruvamundur Temple and St Mary's Knanaya Jacobite Syrian Church are the nearest places of worship Chengannur Railway Station and Cochin International Airport are the nearest railhead and airport.
3) MUNDANCAVU
Mudancavu is located approximately 2km from Chegannur Town, on the banks of river Pampa. In the old age, "VANJIPUZHA PRINCIPALITY"PALACE,was here.(The palace is destroyed) Major attractions include many notable places of worship and buildings
* ERAPUZHA BRIDGE, across pamba in MC road is one of the oldest narrow bridge. * SREE VADASSERRIKAVU BHADRA KALI TEMPLE, is one of the oldest temples, established around 1150.PADAYANI festival going on in the months of March- April every year. * THIRCHITTATTU MAHAVISHNU TEMPLE.
Legend has that the pandavas left on a pilgrimage and moved to south and reached south kerala in central travancore. They built Mahavishnu Temples in various places in the bank of holy river PAMBA. Elder brother YUDHISHTIRA (DHARMA PUTHRER) installed VISHNU at THRICHITTATTU, 1.5 km north from Chengannur Town in Chengannur -Pandanad- Parumala road. Connected temples. BHIMA built Vishnu Temple THRIPULIYOOR,ARJUNA built KRISHNA(PARTHA SARADHY)Temple at THIRU-ARUNMULA,NAKULA Built VISHNU temple at THIRUVANVANDOOR and SAHADEVA at THRIKUDITHANAM.
* Kodayattukara Sreekrishna temple. * Uliyanattussery lord Ayyappa temple (destroyed) * Two palliyodams-Mundancavu&Kodayattukara. * Viswakarma Mahasaba head office. * NSS taluk Union. * Illams of Sabarimala Thanthries.
4) Edanadu
Edanadu is a village situated on the bank of river Pampa. It is part of the Chengannur Municipality. Edanadu is an island that shares its border with the river Pampa on one side and with Varattar on all other sides. The place is located 3 km away from Chengannur and 10 km away from Aranmula, the land of God Krishna. Edanadu is situated in the extreme eastern part of Alappuzha district. It is the geographical border of Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta district. It shares its border with Othara, Arattupuzha, Puthancavu, Koipram and Mangalam villages.
Mulakuzha
Mulakuzha panchayat is situated around 6 km from Chengannur on the MC Road. It is blessed with beautiful nature. It borders on Pathanamthitta district.
The famous "Century Hospital" is in this panchayat. It is the biggest corporate hospital in Central Kerala, and is owned by Central Travancore Specialists Hospital Ltd.
Other attractions include "Mulakuzha Gandharvamuttam Devi temple" which is famous for legends besides 'Juma Masjid'. st.george orthodox chatholicate simhasana church piralassery, St. Thomas Marthoma Church and St Mary's orthodox church are famous pilgrim centres. Temples, mosques and churches are situated nearby showing brotherhood among all communities.
Important educational institutions are MMARS, GVHSS Mulakuzha, St. Gregorios Public School, and Christian College. It borders Pathanamthitta district.
5) Kozhuvalloor
Kozhuvalloor is a village in Mulakkuzha panchayat. It is the site of Kozhuvallor Devi Temple and Kuthiravattom Ayyappa Temple, which are famous for their legends. Kozhuvalloor Devi Temple's "Kettukazha" during the Kumbha Kaarthika festival is very famous. The "Changappadam Chal" separates Mulakkuzha Panchayat and Venmony Panchayat on the south side. Divya Jyothi Sree Narayana Guru temple is a pilgrim centre. The famous Bible school is also in this village.
Cheriyanad
Cheriyanad is a village situated 8 k.m south-west of Chengannur on the northern shores of Achankovil river. It comes under Chengannur taluk. Its situated 8 k.m equidistant from Mavelikkara and Chengannur on Kozhencherry-Mavelikkara Road.
Cheriyanad is India's first Litigation-controlled cum 100% legally literate grama panchayat.
" The little hamlet of Cheriyanad, not far from the busy Chengannur town on the border of Alappuzha district, was on Saturday declared the country’s first litigation-controlled and legally-literate grama panchayat. -The Hindu"
Cheriyanadu is famous for the pallivilakku maholsavam in Sree Subahmanya Swami Kshethram..
6) Puliyoor
Puliyoor is located 4 kilometre away from Chengannur and falls under Chengannur taluk. Puliyoor is the home of the Pancha Pandava or Panchamballam; a series of 5 temples situated at near, but disjointed geographical location. A pilgrimage path covering all the five temple in a day is considered to be auspicious by the devotees. Among the five temples, a considerable majority of devotees considers Puliyoor temple to be more prominent and auspicious. The annual festivities of Puliyoor temple, which last for 10 consecutive days draws a sizable crowd and the Makara Thiruvathira aarattu held in conjunction with the festival also enjoys good participation from the local natives in and around Chengannur. Puliyoor is also abode of other places of worship including the Mahaganapthy temple, Malankara Catholic Church, St Mary's Orthodox Church, St. George's Orthodox Church and St. Thomas's Marthoma Church. Puliyoor orthodox church serves as one of the refreshment points for the annual pilgrims to Parumala church. The 10 acre Thamara Chaal (Lotus Lake) is also located here. Prominent families- Kattilparampil, Kunnil, Paramalayil, Unethu, Parayil
Pennukkara
Pennukkara is a small village, 5 km away from Chengannur. It is under Ala village, situated between Mulakkuzha and Kodukulanji. Pennukkara is famous for its greenery, mainly its lagoons, pond and a lake(Poomala Chal).
Poomala Chaal
Poomala Chaal is a very scenic and sere location where there is a natural lotus lake formation, hardly 3 km from Chengannur. Being more into a country side like area, it is untouched by the fast pace of life of the modern day. Vattamala thottam is at bank of it.Prominent families- Anathattu,Ebenezer (Eng. T M George), Thundiyil ( Fr.Abraham) etc.
Poomala Chaal has Thinkalamattom as one of its boundaries. The famous Pilgrim Ceneter, Malayil Palli (An ancient church founded by St.Gregorios of Parumala) is also siutated at Thinkalamattom. This is also developing, peaceful and calm area, being the first choice to live for lots of NRIs and Retirees and this is one of the densily populated areas in Alleppy district.
7) Pandanad Muthavazhy
Pandanad panchayath belongs to chengannur Taluk and just 3 kilometres away from the town. Muthavazhy is extreme east of pandanad, at the southern bank of holi pampa river. Muthavazhy is famous with its palliyodam and kumaramangalam shree subrahmanya swamy temple, which is very peculiar with its construction, which cannot be seen at any other temples of same era. Muthavazy palliyodam is also very ancient which can accommodate 65 to 80 people at a time.
Chengannur is one of the tourists place in kerala and also beautiful place which can make journey through Deer Bus