Thiruvananthapuram facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thiruvananthapuram
Metropolis
Trivandrum
Left to right, from top: Thiruvananthapuram City Skyline, Kovalam Beach, Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station, Niyamasabha Mandiram, Kanakakkunnu Palace, East Fort, Technopark
Seal
Nickname(s):  Evergreen City of India God's Own Capital
Thiruvananthapuram Location in Kerala Show map of Kerala Thiruvananthapuram Location in India Show map of India
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Thiruvananthapuram
Government
• Type	Municipal Corporation
• Body	Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation
Area
• Metropolis	214 km2 (83 sq mi)
• Metro	311 km2 (120 sq mi)
Area rank	1st
Elevation	38.93 m (127.72 ft)
Population
• Metropolis	1,057,730
• Density	4,943/km2 (12,801/sq mi)
• Metro	1,890,406
Demonym(s)	Trivandrumite, Trivian
Languages
• Official Language	Malayalam, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	695xxx
Area code(s)	+91471xxxxxxx
Vehicle registration	KL-01 Thiruvananthapuram KL-15 KSRTC KL-16 Attingal KL-19 Parassala KL-20 Neyyattinkara KL-21 Nedumangad KL-22 Kazhakootam KL-74 Kattakkada KL-81 Varkala
GDP Nominal	$2.47 billion
Percapita	$3,323 or ₹2.34 lakh
International airport	Thiruvananthapuram International Airport
International Seaport	Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram
Climate	Am/Aw (Köppen)

Thiruvananthapuram, also known as Trivandrum, is the capital city of Kerala, an Indian state. It is the most populated city in Kerala. The city is located on India's west coast, very close to the southern tip of the mainland.

Thiruvananthapuram is a major center for information technology. It contributes a lot to Kerala's software exports. Mahatma Gandhi called it the "Evergreen City of India." The city is famous for its rolling hills along the coast.

Long ago, the area was ruled by the Ays. They were connected to the Chera dynasty. In the 12th century, the Kingdom of Venad took over. Later, in the 18th century, King Marthanda Varma expanded the area. He created the state of Travancore and made Thiruvananthapuram its capital. After India became independent in 1947, Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of the Travancore–Cochin state. It remained the capital when the new state of Kerala was formed in 1956.

Thiruvananthapuram is a big hub for learning and research. It has the University of Kerala and many other schools and colleges. It is also home to important research centers. These include the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology. The city also has media companies and film studios.

Being India's largest city in the deep south, it is important for defense. It hosts the Southern Air Command of the Indian Air Force. Thiruvananthapuram is a popular tourist spot. People visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple and the beautiful beaches of Kovalam and Varkala. It was named the best city to live in Kerala in 2012. It was also ranked among the best cities in India in other surveys.

What Does Thiruvananthapuram Mean?

The city's name comes from the Malayalam and Tamil words thiru-anantha-puram. This means "The City of Lord Ananta." Ananta refers to the main god of the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the city.

Thiruvananthapuram is also known as Ananthapuri. This name comes from the Sanskrit word Syanandurapuram. It means "The City of Bliss." The city was officially called Trivandrum until 1991. Then, the government changed it back to its original name, Thiruvananthapuram.

A Look Back: Thiruvananthapuram's History

Painting by Raja Ravi Varma showing a historic meeting in Thiruvananthapuram in 1880.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple is known as the richest temple in the world.

Thiruvananthapuram has a long history of trade. It goes back to 1000 BCE. It is believed that King Solomon's ships landed in a port here. This port was called Ophir, now known as Poovar. The city was a trading spot for spices, sandalwood, and ivory.

The early rulers of the city were the Ays. Their capital was Vizhinjam, which is now part of Thiruvananthapuram. Vizhinjam was an important port city very early on. During the Ay rule, the Chola and Pandyan dynasties tried to capture this port.

After the Ay king Vikramaditya Varaguna died in 925 AD, their power faded. Most of their lands became part of the Chera dynasty. In the 10th century, the Cholas attacked Vizhinjam. They destroyed the port and the Kanthalloor Sala education center. A part of the Ay family later joined the Kingdom of Venad in the 12th century.

A map from 1733 showing Travancore as a small area. Later, it grew into a powerful kingdom.

In the early 18th century, Marthanda Varma became king of Venad. He made the kingdom much larger by conquering nearby areas. In 1729, he founded the state of Travancore. In 1795, Thiruvananthapuram became its capital. It grew into a major city under Marthanda Varma.

Artists and scholars moved to Thiruvananthapuram. This made it a center for culture. Marthanda Varma supported different temple art forms. Famous artists like Ramapurathu Warrier and Kunchan Nambiar were his court poets. Travancore became the strongest state in Kerala. It defeated the Zamorin of Kozhikode in 1755.

The city became a center for learning and arts. This was especially true in the mid-19th century. During this time, the first English school opened in 1834. An observatory was built in 1837. The General Hospital opened in 1839. The University College was established in 1873.

The early 20th century brought big changes. The Sree Moolam Popular Assembly started in 1904. It was the first elected council in any Indian state. Thiruvananthapuram played a key role in India's fight for freedom.

Kowdiar Palace, built in 1915, was the home of the Travancore Royal Family.

The Thiruvananthapuram Municipality began in 1920. It was the first municipality in the Travancore region. It became a larger corporation in 1940. The city made great progress during this time. The "Temple Entry Proclamation" in 1936 was a big step for social fairness. The University of Travancore was also founded in 1937.

After British rule ended in 1947, Travancore joined India. Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of the Travancore-Cochin state in 1949. When Kerala state was formed on November 1, 1956, Thiruvananthapuram became its capital.

In 1962, the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) was set up. This made Thiruvananthapuram important for India's space program. The first Indian space rocket was launched from here in 1963. Many other Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) centers were built in the city.

A big step in the city's recent history was Technopark. It was India's first IT park, started in 1995. Technopark is now the largest IT park in terms of area. It employs about 62,000 people in 450 companies.

City Layout and Weather

Thiruvananthapuram's Geography

A view of Pattom, in the city's northeast. The Western Ghats mountains are in the background.

Thiruvananthapuram is built on seven hills by the sea. It is on India's west coast. The Laccadive Sea is to its west. The Western Ghats mountains are to its east. The city is about 16 feet (4.9 meters) above sea level.

The city is in a moderately earthquake-prone area. This means it is in Seismic III Zone. Thiruvananthapuram is on the banks of the Karamana and Killi rivers. Lakes like Vellayani, Thiruvallam, and Aakulam are also in the city. The soil in the middle of the city is dark brown laterite. This soil is rich in phosphates.

The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation covers an area of 214.86 square kilometers (82.96 sq mi). The larger Thiruvananthapuram metropolitan area includes the corporation, three municipalities, and 27 smaller local areas. The city is important for military and civil aviation in southern India. It is the headquarters of the Southern Air Command of the Indian Air Force.

Thiruvananthapuram's Climate

The city has a tropical climate. This means it has distinct rainy seasons rather than big temperature changes. The average high temperature is 34°C (93°F). The average low temperature is 21°C (70°F). The air is very humid, especially during the monsoon season.

Thiruvananthapuram is the first city to get the south-west monsoons. These rains start in early June. The city receives a lot of rain, about 1835 mm (72.2 inches) each year. It also gets rain from the north-east monsoons in October. The dry season begins in December. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the city was 17.8°C (64.0°F) in January 1974. The highest was 38.2°C (100.8°F) in February 2019.

People and Languages

Others include Sikhism, Buddhism & Other religions (0.06%)

In 2011, the city of Thiruvananthapuram had a population of 957,730 people. The city is quite crowded, with about 4,454 people living in each square kilometer. For every 1,000 males, there are 1,040 females, which is more than the average for India. Most people in Thiruvananthapuram can read and write. The literacy rate is 93.72%, much higher than India's average of 74%.

Most people in Thiruvananthapuram are Malayalees. There are also smaller groups of Tamils and North Indians. In 2011, 68.5% of the people were Hindu. About 16.7% were Christians, and 13.7% were Muslims.

Malayalam is the main language spoken in the city. It is the official state language. English is also used a lot, especially by people who work in offices. Tamil is the second most spoken language. Some people also speak Tulu, Kannada, Konkani, Dhivehi, Telugu, and Hindi.

How the City is Managed

City Government

The Kerala Legislative Assembly Building.

The Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation (TMC) manages the city's services. The city is divided into 100 areas called wards. Each ward chooses a councilor to the Corporation. The TMC acts as the local government for the city.

The Mayor leads the TMC. The Mayor is chosen from the councilors. They are in charge of how the TMC works. The Corporation has different departments for things like water, health, and waste. There are also eleven Zonal Offices to help manage the city.

Thiruvananthapuram is where the Government of Kerala is located. It has the Kerala Legislative Assembly and the state secretariat. The city also has two areas that elect members to the national parliament. These are Attingal and Thiruvananthapuram. It also elects five members to the state legislature.

The Kerala Government Secretariat is where the Government of Kerala works.

Safety and Order

The Thiruvananthapuram City Police keeps law and order in the city. A Police Commissioner leads it. It is part of the Kerala Police. The Thiruvananthapuram city police is the largest police group in Kerala. It has many police stations and officers. The Central Prison is the oldest prison in Kerala.

Military and International Presence

The Southern Air Command of the Indian Air Force is based here. There are also police battalions and a unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The city also has units of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Border Security Force (BSF). A large army camp is located in Pangode.

Thiruvananthapuram also hosts consulates from other countries. These include the United Arab Emirates, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Russia, and Germany.

City Services

The Kerala Water Authority provides water to the city. The water comes from the Karamana River. It is cleaned at the Aruvikkara pumping stations. The Wellington Water Works, built in 1933, is one of India's oldest water supply systems. Dirty water is treated at a special plant. Electricity is supplied by the Kerala State Electricity Board. Fire services are handled by the Kerala Fire And Rescue Services.

Thiruvananthapuram's Economy

View of Technovalley, in the northwestern part of the city at night.

A part of Infosys campus. Thiruvananthapuram is a major IT hub in India.

Thiruvananthapuram's economy is based on Information Technology, education, farming, space technology, business, and tourism. The district contributes over 10% to Kerala's total economy. It is the fastest-growing district in Kerala. Many people in the city work for the state and central governments.

Thiruvananthapuram is a big center for aerospace research in India. The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre is here. It is the most important center of ISRO. Other ISRO centers are also in the city. BrahMos Aerospace Trivandrum Limited is a top missile and defense production unit.

A highway in Thiruvananthapuram.

The city is a major hub for IT and IT-enabled services. It provides about 55% of Kerala's software exports. Many big international technology companies have offices here. Technopark is India's largest IT park by built-up area. It employs 52,000 IT professionals. Other IT and media campuses include Kinfra Film and Video Park.

Tourism is also a very important part of the economy. The city has beautiful beaches, backwaters, and hills. It also offers heritage sites, history, and Ayurveda treatments. These attractions bring many tourists.

The Vizhinjam International Seaport is being built. This port will be a major stop for large ships. It is close to important international shipping routes. The port is naturally deep, which means it can handle very large container ships.

Places to Visit

Harvesting lotus leaves from Vellayani Lake.

Thiruvananthapuram is a big tourist spot in India. Kovalam and Varkala are popular beach towns nearby. Other nice beaches include Poovar, Shankumugham Beach, and Veli Beach. You can also visit the Agasthyamala rain forests, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Ponmudi hills.

The city is known for its unique architecture. It mixes Kerala Architecture with British and Dravidian styles. The Napier museum, Thiruvanathapuram Zoo, and Padmanabha Swamy temple are great examples.

Main museums include the Kerala Science and Technology Museum and the Napier Museum. The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is a special nature area recognized by UNESCO.

Thiruvananthapuram's Culture

The Napier Museum, opened in 1855, has many old paintings and artifacts.

The Attukal Pongala festival is the world's largest gathering of women.

Thiruvananthapuram is called the "Evergreen City of India." This is because of its green spaces and many parks. It has always been a cultural center in South India. This is due to the arts and architecture developed by its past rulers. Famous artists like Maharaja Swathi Thirunal and Raja Ravi Varma are from here.

Two of the three famous Malayalam poets, Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer and Kumaran Asan, are from Thiruvananthapuram. The city hosts annual literature festivals. The State Central Library, one of India's oldest public libraries, was founded in 1829.

Thiruvananthapuram has been a hub for classical music for a long time. Many music festivals are held here. The 111-day-long Soorya Festival is the biggest art and cultural event in Kerala. It includes film, theater, dance, music, and art shows.

A banner for the 16th IFFK in 2011 at Kairali Theater Complex.

The Malayalam film Industry started in Thiruvananthapuram. The first Malayalam film, Vigathakumaran, was released here. J. C. Daniel, the "father of Malayalam film industry," also built Kerala's first film studio here in 1926. The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is held every December. It is one of Asia's largest film festivals.

Besides the famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple, other important buildings include the Napier Museum and Thiruvananthapuram Zoo. The Attukal Pongala festival brings millions of women from all over the world. It is the largest gathering of women globally.

The local food is Keralite cuisine. It uses a lot of coconut and spices. Other South Indian foods are also popular. You can also find Chinese, Arabic, Italian, Thai, and Mexican food.

Getting Around Thiruvananthapuram

Kowdiar road, also known as the royal road.

Another road in the city.

Public Transportation

A KSRTC Double-decker bus in the city.

Most bus services are run by the government. There are also private buses. The city buses run by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) are a good way to travel. The main bus stations are in Thampanoor and East Fort. Three-wheeled auto-rickshaws and taxis are also popular. A metro rail system is planned to help with traffic.

Roads

Thiruvananthapuram has good roads. The city roads are managed by the Thiruvananthapuram Roads Development Company Limited (TRDCL). This company works with the government to improve roads. This project has won international awards.

National Highway 66 serves the city. It connects to the North-South Corridor of India's highway system. The State Highway 1, also known as the Main Central Road, is a key highway. The Mahatma Gandhi Road is the main road in the city.

Trains

Thiruvananthapuram is a major railway center. Long-distance trains start from Thiruvananthapuram Central and Kochuveli railway terminals. Thiruvananthapuram Central is the busiest railway station in Kerala. Other stations in the city include Thiruvananthapuram Pettah and Kazhakoottam railway station. Many long train services start from here.

Air Travel

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

The city is served by the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. It is about 6.7 kilometers (4.2 miles) from the city center. This airport started in 1935 and was the first in Kerala. It has direct flights to major Indian cities and other countries. The airport also serves the Indian Air Force for strategic operations.

Sea Travel

Small cruise ships often stop at Vizhinjam Harbour. A cruise terminal is being built at the Vizhinjam Transshipment Terminal. The government has made Vizhinjam port an official immigration check-post for international ships.

Learning and Research

Schools for Kids and Teens

Model School Trivandrum, founded in 1885, is one of Kerala's oldest schools.

Schools in Thiruvananthapuram are government-run, aided, or private. Government schools follow the state syllabus. Malayalam and English are the main teaching languages. Some schools also use Tamil and Hindi. Schools are connected to different education boards like CBSE and ICSE. Thiruvananthapuram is ranked as the best city in Kerala for education.

Some well-known schools include St. Mary's Higher Secondary School, which is one of Asia's largest. Others are Government Model Boys Higher Secondary School and Holy Angel's Convent Trivandrum.

Colleges and Research Centers

Clock Tower at the University of Kerala.

Main gate of Medical college.

Observatory in Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology.

Thiruvananthapuram is a big center for higher education and research. It has many institutions for space science, information technology, and medicine. There are three universities here: the University of Kerala, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST). IIST is the first of its kind in India.

The city also has two important national institutes: Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER).

The Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram was founded in 1951. It is the first and a leading medical school in Kerala. Other medical schools include SCTIMST and the Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.

The Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram, started in 1875, is one of India's oldest law schools. There are over 23 engineering colleges in Thiruvananthapuram. The College of Engineering, Trivandrum (CET) was the first engineering college in Kerala.

The University College Thiruvananthapuram (1866) and H.H. The Maharaja's College for Women (1864) are two of India's oldest higher education institutions.

Key research institutes include the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology and the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS).

News and Entertainment

Thiruvananthapuram has many newspapers, TV, and radio stations. Most of Kerala's media companies are based here. The first Malayalam TV channel, Doordarshan Malayalam, started broadcasting from the city in 1981. Asianet, the first private Malayalam channel, also began here in 1993.

Other Malayalam TV channels based in the city include Asianet News, Amrita TV, and Kairali TV. All major Malayalam channels have offices or production facilities here.

Major Malayalam newspapers like Mathrubhumi and Malayala Manorama are available. English newspapers include The New Indian Express and The Hindu.

All India Radio, the national radio broadcaster, has stations here. There are also several FM radio channels like Big FM and Club FM 94.3.

Sports and Games

Sports Hub (Greenfield Stadium) during an international cricket match.

A football match in CSN Stadium.

Badminton at TOSS Academy.

The most popular sports in Thiruvananthapuram are cricket and football. The city hosted Kerala's first international cricket match in 1984. It also hosted the first Twenty20 International cricket match. The Kerala Cricket Association is based here. Famous cricketers like Sanju Samson are from Thiruvananthapuram.

The Sports Hub, University Stadium, and Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium are the main sports grounds. The Sports Hub, Trivandrum, also known as Greenfield Stadium, is one of India's largest cricket and football stadiums. Thiruvananthapuram hosted the 2015 SAFF Championship football tournament.

The city has facilities for most sports. Thiruvananthapuram was a main venue for the 2015 National Games of India. Athletic events are held at the University Stadium and Central Stadium. The Trivandrum Marathon is a yearly running event.

The Jimmy George Indoor Stadium is a major indoor sports venue. It is used for basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics. It has the first altitude-simulated training facility in South India.

Surfing is popular on the beaches, especially at Kovalam Beach and Varkala Beach. Paragliding is another adventure sport seen at Varkala Beach. The SAI Trivandrum golf club, founded in 1850, is one of India's oldest golf courses.

See also

In Spanish: Thiruvananthapuram para niños