Thiruvananthapuram - The capital of Kerala.

Thiruvananthapuram - The capital of Kerala.

Thiruvananthapuram is the southern most district of Kerala Its headquarter is Trivandrum (now officially known as Thiruvananthapuram-the capital of Kerala) It has an area -250 square Kilometers and a population about a million. Location.- South-western end of Indian peninsula. There are a lot of interesting things about this place other than the facts stated above. It is Trivandrum which nurtured Swathi Thirunal the great composer of Karnatic music and Raja Revivarma one of the world’s most well known painters.

Raja Ravivarma is the artist who presented the Hindu mythological figures their faces, masculinity to the gods, beauty, costumes and ornaments to the goddesses. His paintings decorate not just the galleries of rich ones who are well known art collectors throughout the world. The mass produced copies of his famous works add beauty to the poor man’s hut. Indians stand with folded hands before Ravi Varma paintings invoking gods in to their soul. Some of his original paintings are preserved in the Trivandrum art gallery.

Trivandrum can be considered as a blessed place as it got a chance to be ruled by god fearing progressive and ideal kings (the Travancore dynasty) for a considerable period of time. The Travancore dynasty which ruled Kerala just before India gaining its independence, voluntarily discarded its reign to the Indian union and did tremendous things for the progress of this state with all the resources they had. The dynasty’s contribution before and even after it losing its power is remarkable remembered by the people even now. Most of the land marks which crown this beautiful city were previously owned by them.

Then king Sri. Chithira Thirunal who came to power on 1931 was responsible for historical changes by his reformist rules. One would feel it difficult to believe that during that time people belonging to lower castes were not allowed to enter in to temple As it was believed that they may pollute the sacred places!

There was social unrest against this sort of primitive rituals. Sri Ayyankali, Sri Narayana guru, Sri Mannathu Padmanabhan Sri Sahodaran Ayyappan etc, were leaders who led struggles for changes in the rules. Sri Chithira thirunal took the activists’ demand in its proper sense and issued a royal proclamation allowing people to enter in to temples without any consideration to their caste. When the social set up prevailing in the state at that time, it was nothing less than a social revolution.

This drastic action from the king attracted the wrath of the orthodox communities. The benevolent but brave king stood firm in his stand and made the order implemented in letter and spirit. This proclamation is known as the “temple entry proclamation” it was in 1936, which is a land mark in the social events took place in Kerala.

Sri Chithira Thirunal was under tremendous pressure from the British rule under Mc Cauley, who wanted a greater say in Kerala’s day today affairs. The king un ceremoniously surrendered his status symbols to the deity of Sri Padmanabha temple and continued to rule the state as a mere servant of his beloved deity. Instead of struggling for a king’s powers with the British the king was busy in dealing with the problems of the state. He succeeded in transforming the state from a medieval and archaic state to a modern one. Many educational institutions including The Kerala university, big hospitals, roads water supply schemes etc are standing testimonies for the far sightedness of the dynasty.

Trivandrum is an educational hub one big medical college, Ayurveda college, dozens of Engineering and other technical institutions dot entire panorama of this city. Thiruvananthapuram is also a center of excellence for technology. The technopark at Kazhakootam is a beehive of information technological research and development. Here more than five thousand engineers are busy finding solutions to the problems of the world! The botanical institute (Tropical Botanical Garden of India) at Palode about thirty five kilometers from here is a center of excellence for biotechnology. There are several varieties of plants which had been rescued by the scientists of this institute from the verge of extinction. Their efforts have brought to light several varieties orchids which were previously not known to the world. The tissue culture techniques have helped to mass produce rare varieties to popular ones for the world to enjoy.

For a tourist there are numerous locations to visit. Trivandrum museum and zoo, planetarium, Veli lake (the largest backwater area in this district). The Kovalam beach, Sankhumugham beach, Neyyar dam and the crocodile park attached to it, Trivandrum art gallery etc. are rare sights no tourist can afford to miss. Trivandrum has a number of good hotels and restaurants.

The international airport at Shankumugham is just 10 kilometers away, from where flights to international locations are operated. Trivandrum is well connected to all parts of India both by road and rail. Road transport is mainly nationalised and operated by Kerala Road Transport Corporation(KSRTC). It- though a loss making one, performs its duty with some amount of success.

Trivandrum was lucky enough to play host to generations of good kings as rulers for a long time, whether its luck was repeated in hosting the present democratic regimes -which keep on coming and going in five year span- is anybody’s guess. The luck of Trivandrum in this aspect is a case in which each and every people if Kerala has a stake. Let Trivandrum be lucky again and again. Sri Padmanabhan is there in the temple every thing will be right with Thiruvanathapuram (The Sri Padmanabha temple is a must see for any tourist as it has one of the most beautiful granite sculptures and a well preserved look)

. Good Luck dear tvm may thy chairs be blessed with righteous occupants..

Author: Sasi Kumar

Source: Naturemagics.com - website on Kerala Tourism

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