Idea of India@75 – learn more about India, its aspects & culture
In celebration of IndiaAt75, the Consulate General of India Hamburg is featuring stories from each state and every corner of India every week on Wednesday, taking you on a journey into irresistible India and its diverse and captivating beauty, art, culture, cuisine, people and places.
WEEK 67 – Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Thiruvananthapuram, or Trivandrum, as it was conveniently re-christened by the English, is the southern-most district and district headquarters as well as the State capital of Kerala. Thiru Anantha Puram, or the city of the Holy Anantha, is named after Ananthan, the cosmic serpent with a thousand heads, on whose coils Lord Mahavishnu reclines. Thiruvananthapuram, built on seven hills, has today grown into a sprawling metropolis; but thankfully the city still retains her past glory and charm, and in spite of the frenetic pace of modern life, perhaps it is the most sedate of the big cities of the State.
The old quarter of the city clusters in and around the East Fort, a protected landmark that dates back to the Royal days. The rightly famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple, the Navarathri Mandapam, where the annual musical fest is held as an offering to Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, Kuthira Malika, a uniquely wonderful example of traditional architecture and the venue of the annual Swathi Thirunal music festival honouring the composer-king of Travancore are the best among the traditional structures that adorn the Fort enclave. Mahatma Gandhi Road, the chief artery of the city, is lined by traditional mansions that proclaim the grandeur of times past and modern high-rises that testify to the city’s new-found affluence. What is special about the ambiance of Thiruvananthapuram is the wonderful blend of the strongly traditional, the nostalgically Colonial and the outright modern elements, be it in architecture, in food or in the dress and manners of her people. The city’s spirit of ‘live and let live’ is nowhere more evident than at Palayam (the Garrison, the seat of the old Cantonment), where three centres of worships of three faiths rub shoulders – the ancient Ganapathy Temple, the Palayam Juma Masjid and the St Joseph’s Cathedral with its distinctive Gothic tower.
Blessed with a pleasant climate virtually throughout the year, Thiruvananthapuram city sparkles after the monsoon rains. After the ‘hot’ summers, the welcome summer showers augur the festival season when Kerala decks herself out, and traditional colours and rhythms and characters straight from the pages of her ancient lore entice the visitor to another world. The festivities are crowned by Onam, the Spring harvest festival, today marked by traditional fare throughout the State, including the spirited race of the picturesque and majestic snake boats, the grand elephant parade, when hordes of caparisoned pachyderms lend an air of fantasy to the setting, and the special presentations of Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Koodiyattom and other traditional arts of Kerala.
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
India in Germany (Embassy of India, Berlin)
Indian Council For Cultural Relations
Amrit Mahotsav
Incredible India
Kerala Tourism
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
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