Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram District is the southernmost district of Kerala. The headquarters is in the city of Thiruvananthapuram(Trivandrum) which is also the capital city of Kerala.
The district has an area of 2192 km˛, and a population of 3,234,356 (as per the 2001 census), the second largest in Kerala. It is divided into four talukas: Thiruvananthapuram, Chirayinkil, Nedumangad, and Neyyattinkara. The urban bodies in the district are the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Attingal, Neyyattinkara, Varkala and Nedumangad municipalities.
Thiruvananthapuram literally means City of Lord Anantha. The name derives from the deity of the Hindu temple at the centre of the city. Anantha is the mythical thousand hooded serpent- Shesha on whom Padmanabhan or Vishnu reclines. The temple of Vishnu reclining on Anantha, the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple, which dates back to the 16th century, is the most recognizable iconic landmark of the city as well as the district. Along with the presiding deity of Sri Padmanabha, this temple also has temples inside it, dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Narasimha, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Ayyappa.
The city was the capital of the Travancore state before the independence. Consequent to the recommendations of the state Reorganisation Commission, the Vilavancode taluk from Thiruvananthapuram was merged with Tamil Nadu along with three other southern taluks of Thovala, Agastheewaram and Kalkulam from Travancore and the state of Kerala came into being on 1 November 1956.
One of the other major landmarks in the district is the Government Secretariat. This white coloured building that was built by the Kings of Travancore is the seat of power. The central Durbar hall was where the assembly used to meet during the imperial rule. Less than a mile away, complementing this gothic structure, stands the modern legislature complex, the largest legislature building in India.
Tourism
Tourism has also contributed heavily to the economy of Thiruvananthapuram. The district reflects the entire beauty of the state Kerala. The entire tourism package of the state such as hill stations, back waters, beaches, lagoons, and wild life sanctuaries are present in the district. Foreign tourists are flocking to Thiruvananthapuram, a major destination for chartered flights to India for Medical tourism, as there are more than fifty recognised Ayurveda centres in and around the city. This is primarily due to Ayurveda's immense popularity in the West. Medical tourism is further promoted by world class modern medicine hospitals in the city. Recuperation facilities are available at five star beach resorts and hill stations nearby
Access
Thiruvananthapuram is well connected by air, rail and road. There are air links to almost all the countries in the Gulf, besides being well connected to the rest of India. South East Asia is connected through a daily air-link to Singapore. Thiruvananthapuram is a Railway Division office and an important Railway Station. There are daily trains to Delhi, Bombay, Chennai, and Bangalore and local train services to all points in Kerala.
By Air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is linked by flights to Cochin, Madras, Delhi, Goa and Bombay. International flights also operate from here. The International Airports are situated 7 km away from the city.
By Rail: There are trains from various places in India. Trains to various places are accessible from Trivandrum Central and Trivandrum Pettah rail way stations.
By Road: Long distance buses depart from the Central Bus Station (KSRTC, Thampanoor bus terminal), opposite the Railway station.
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The number of women offering Pongala is increasing each year, and is expected to be the largest event in world where the maximum number of women gather together on a single day. The temple's name was published in Guinness book of Records, for being the world's largest religious union of women.