Kerala Guide
Trivandrum, the capital of the state of Kerala, the God's Own Country, now known by the name Thiruvananthapuram, literally translates into the "abode of Lord Anantha". The Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, a highly venerated temple for Keralites, in the heart of the city is devoted to the deity Lord Anantha. The city of Thiruvananthapuram is located in the South of the state and bordered by Tiruneveli in the East, Kanyakumari to the South and Kollam district located to its North. It is a beautiful seaside city built on the seven hills and is famous for its beaches. The city is a must on the itinerary of any visitor to the South India.
The city being the capital is the center spot for the political activities of the State. The city is the hub of all the political upheavals in the state and is considered to be the most politically active. No wonder polls draw more than ninety percent of the polling percentage on a regular basis.
Referred to by Mahatma Gandhi as the "Evergreen city of India", the city is characterized by its undulating terrain of low coastal hills and busy commercial alleys. Apart from being the IT hub of the state with over 80% of the state's software exports, Thiruvananthapuram ranks first in the number of international tourists in Kerala also.
Thiruvananthapuram is a major academic hub and is home to several educational institutions including the University of Kerala, and to many science and technology institutions, the most prominent being the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Technopark, the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and the Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER). It is also considered as one of the cleanest cities in India.