Thiruvananthapuram Fact File
Location	Central-east Kerala, India
Tourist Season ( Best time to visit Thiruvananthapuram ) :	August to May
Climate	The climate of Thiruvananthapuram like the rest of Kerala can be classified as an equatorial type of climate. It is hot and humid but in comparison to other inland cities, the ocean makes the climate quite pleasant. From June to Sept. it experiences torrential rains brought by the monsoon clouds. However from October to February, the climate remains relatively dry and cool and it is the best period to visit the city.
Travelling within Thiruvananthapuram	There are 3 options. You can either hire a car preferably from a government-approved agency or take a taxi or if you prefer a cheaper mode of transport, hire an auto rickshaw

Thiruvananthapuram which was previously called Trivandrum is an ancient city with tradition dating back to 1000 BC. Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of Raja of Travancore in 1750. The city gets its name from the word, Thiru-anantha-puram, meaning the city of Anantha or the abode of the sacred Serpent Anantha on which Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu trinity, reclines. Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the state of Kerala is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland spreading over a total of 2,192sq.km.

History
The city gets its name from the word, Thiru-anantha-puram, meaning the "Abode of Lord Ananta".[12]The name derives from the deity of the Hindu temple at the centre of the city. Anantha is the serpent Shesha on whom Padmanabhan or Vishnu reclines. The temple of Vishnu reclining on Anantha, the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple remains the iconic landmark of the city. The city was officially referred to as Trivandrum in English until 1991, when the government decided to reinstate the city's original name Thiruvananthapuram in all languages.

Climate
The city has a climate that borders between a tropical savanna climate and a tropical monsoon climate. As a result it does not experience distinct seasons. The mean maximum temperature 34 °C and the mean minimum temperature is 21 °C. The humidity is high and rises to about 90% during the monsoon season.

Tourist Attraction in Kerala

• AGASTHYAKOODAM :
  Agasthyakoodam is a prominent peak in the Sahyadri ranges of the western Ghat next to Anamudi.It is about 1869 metres above sea level. It can be approached on foot from Bonacaud which is 61 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram. The forest Department issues special pass for the entry with some conditions. Tradition says that the great sage Agasthya had his ‘Tapas’ there. In the period of British rule, there was a friction between the rulers of Travancore and tamil Nadu over the right of ownership of the place.
  
  
• PONMUDI :
  Ponmudi, an idle hill station is popular for its green meadows, flowering trees, countless varieties of butterflies, slowly meandering streams and wet deciduous forest. A pleasant resort with an elevation of 3002 feet above sea level, is situated at the sour of western ghat. The pathways to this place are narrow. The atmosphere is cool, the ground is lush green and the place is woody. The air is filled with the fragrance of mountain flowers. Exotic butterflies can be spotted. Springs and small rivulets are enchanting and enlivening.
  
  
• MANKAYAM :
  Mankayam is 45 kms from Thiruananthapuram. It is situated near Palode in Nedumangad taluk and is 500 mts above sea level. A beautiful hill area surrounded with varieties of ever green trees and beautiful waterfalls. Lot of learning and entertaining materials related to nature has been arranged there for visitors. Convenient place for observation of nature, tracking arrangement have been constituted for interested visitors.
  
  
• VELI LAKE :
  Veli is an ideal picnic spot, which has been developed as a tourist village. The placid Water of back water lake merges here with boundless blue of sea water A water front park with a wadding pool ,a floating restaurant ,aqua sports facilities, and beautiful gardens thrill children along with grown up people .Children can watch different varieties of back water fishes in the wadding pool Beautiful statue on the meadows and sculpture by renowned sculpture Kanayi Kunjuraman are the distinct features of veli. There are facilities for pedal boating, row boating.
  
  
• KAPPIL LAKE :
  A lake, 53 kms from the city and 8 km north of Varkala, is a natural lake by the side of Arabian Sea. The white and blue sands on the beach are washed by surf, which roars and hisses at the feet of coconut palm.The view of the blue water playing in the chimes of bells of the wind on one side and the never ending spread of the green palm groves and the green veiled hill top on the other side, thrill the visitors most.