365 Places: Thiruvananathapuram

Day 45: Thiruvananathapuram, Kerala, India

Today I will meditate a little longer on our dream trip to India to contemplate Thiruvananathapuram, close to the southern tip of India and the capital city of the Kerala region, where we will probably end our journey to India.

I know very little about India in real terms. Although I have Indian friends, love Indian food and interested in learning about Ayurvedic health principles, I know very little about the country itself – its history, its cities and its landscape; making this project a real learning experience for me.

Thiruvananathapuram’s history dates back to 1000BC and is one of India’s oldest cities, and is referenced in Greek and Roman literature.

In terms of the geography, Thiruvananthapuram is a seaside town, built on seven hills, making it seem like a powerfully symbolic and spiritual place, which would appear to be true. The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Website says:

Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of Travancore in 1750. The city gets its name from the word, Thiru-anantha-puram, meaning the city of Anantha or “the town of Lord ANANTHA”, the abode of the sacred Serpent Anantha on which Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu trinity, reclines.

It is also a place with beautiful beaches, by the look of Kovalam Beach pictured below.

Over the coming months, I am looking forward to learning much more about India. I am also keen for people to offer their own advice and suggestions for great places to visit, to help shape this pipe dream into a reality.

References
Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Website
Thiruvananthapuram Travel