Kanakakunnu Palace

Kanakakunnu Palace

 Timings: 10:00A.M-5:00P.M

 Monday closed

 Time required: 1 hour
for sight seeing .

     After finishing your trip to Zoo and Museum you can come to kanakakunnu palace in the evening to sit and relax ,as the Kanakakunnu Palace is surrounded by green meadows on all sides. Palace is on the top of small hill with green area on all three sides, a beautiful view for photography. It is just 500m from the zoo gate.

     

     History of kanakakunnu palace says it was built during the reign of his highness Sree Moolam Thirunal Maharaja, who was king of Travancore from 1885-1924. And was used as the guest house by the Travancore king. But the palace now belongs to the Kerala State Government.

Nishagandhi open-air auditorium:
Nishagandhi open-air auditorium is a part of Kanakakunnu palace.
Where many cultural event take place time to time.

Nishagandhi Dance festival 2017

Nishagandhi Dance festival take place every year in month of January. Showcase India's rich Cultural heritage. Dance forms like Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattam, kathak,

Odissi, Manipuri and also vocal, instrumental music are performed by renowned artists.

Artist from all over India come to enjoy this cultural treat.

Ticket: Its free of cost no entrance ticket required.

Also can enjoy handicraft, and food festival at Sooryakanthi fair ground adjacent to it.

      Monumental Flag

      Your visit to Kanakakunnu palace can also witness giant National Flag of India, that fly day & night. The flag pole is illuminated at night. And the government has granted permission to fly the Flag round the clock . It is a permanent attraction for the visitors.

     Time to visit kanakakunnu Palace:

     During Onam Week celebration, as the full palace is lit during that time.

Onam Week

Flower Festival February 2017

 And if you want to see the interior of the palace you have to come during the period when various cultural events are organised. As palace is generally kept closed and opened during some events only. The main event organized here is, All India Dance Festival organised by the Department of tourism every year some where in October. For more detail you can check the schedule by contacting Kerala State Government online or on there contact number.

Contact Address:
Department of tourism, Government of Kerala,
Phone no-0471-2321132
Tourist information
 toll free No -1-800-425-4747

One place many destinations..Trivandrum Zoo & Museum.

Trivandrum Zoo & Museum

A place which has many reasons to come. Can say it's a one place with many destinations. Place for art, science, history & the place of kids interest.

Museum & Zoo Layout

It has:-

• Zoo
• Zoological Park
• Sree Chitra art gallery 
• Napier Museum( Art Museum)
• Natural history museum 
• Sree Chitra Enclave 
• K.C.S Panicker gallery 
• Aquarium 
• Botanical Garden 
• Museum library 
• Butterflies and birds Museum
• Children park
• 3D theatre

Facilities available:-

Battery car-

•  For zoo visitors on pavement basis.
•                  Rs 50/-per head
•                  Rs 20/-for Senior citizens
•                  Rs 15/- for specially abled person.

Resting area-

• Opposite to open enclosure for Tiger, around the Napier museum.

Drinking water-

•  Opposite to Leopard enclosure, a mushrooms shaped structure.
•  And adjacent to children park on left side of the way to Zoo office.

Toilet-

•  Near to small pond.
•  Also near Zoo hospital and car parking.

Eating joint-

• KTDC restaurant & ice cream parlour on right side of the zoo entrance.
• Canteen near the Natural History Museum.

     Thiruvananthapuram Zoo  Main attraction

 

   White Tiger

 Reptile House

And many more.....

Visiting Time: 9.00 AM to 5:15 PM       Monday holiday

Ticket Charges:

     Person above 12 years Rs 20/-

    Person below 12 years and above 5years Rs 5/-

       Family ticket (Father, mother and two children below 12 years) Rs 40/-

       Group (35 or less number of students and two teachers) Rs 200/-

Car parking Rs 150/-

Camera Rs 50/-

Hand held Video Rs 100/-

Electric car inside the Zoo (single person) Rs 50/-

Electric car inside the Zoo (Family) Rs 350/-

Electric car inside the Zoo (senior citizens) Rs 20/-

Electric car inside the Zoo (Specially abled persons) Rs 15/-

     Sri Chitra Art Gallery and KCS Paniker Gallery 

         Is located in a beautiful building, which depicts the element of Kerala architecture. On top of that it has the art work of India's famous artist Raja Varma & Raja Ravi Varma a classic Indian painter who excelled in depicting scenes from Indian literature & epics such as Mahabharata and Ramayana. And what made Raja Ravi Varma unique was that he fused Indian tradition with European techniques and came with a new genre of painting in India. And many of us also have a print of his art work on our walls.

                     Sri Chitra Art Gallery

K.C.S Paniker gallery, shows the art work of K.C.S Paniker. He was a metaphysical and abstract painter of 1950s & 1970s.

Visiting Time: 10:00 AM to 4:45 PM (Wednesday 1:00 PM to 4:45 PM)Monday holiday

Person above 12 years Rs 20/-

Person below 12 years and above 5years Rs 5/-

Family ticket (Father, mother and two children below 12 years) Rs 40/-

Group (35 or less number of students and two teachers) Rs 150/-

      Napier Museum (Art Museum) and Sree Chitra Enclave

        
  Art Museum is red and black brick structure, designed by Robert Fellows Chisholm in the 19th century and is a combination of the Kerala, Mughal and Italian architectural styles.The Museum is also called the Government Art Museum.

 Napier Museum

Sree chitra Enclave has chariot used by the Maharaja. Medals, stamps, coins, swords and other belonging of Maharaja are exhibited. 

Mural painting a traditional art form of Kerala made by using natural colour are also displayed here.

Shree Chitra Enclave

 Chariot of Maharaja

                    Mural painting

Visiting Time: 10:00 AM to 4:45 PM (Wednesday 1:00 PM to 4:45 PM)Monday holiday

        Person above 12 years Rs 10/-

Person below 12 years and above 5 years Rs 5/-

Family ticket (Father, mother and two children below 12 years) Rs 25/-

Group (35 or less number of students and two teachers) Rs 100/-

      Natural History Museum

Kids will love this place.

Visiting Time: 10:00 AM to 4:45 PM (Wednesday 1:00 PM to 4:45 PM)Monday holiday

  

Entrance

             

  Elephant skeleton

Person above 12 years Rs 10/-

Person below 12 years and above 5years Rs 5/-

Family ticket (Father, mother and two children below 12 years) Rs 20/-

Group (35 or less number of students and two teachers) Rs 100/-

Aquarium (Fish Galaxy)

Fish Galaxy

Person above 12 years Rs 5/-

Person below 12 years and above 5 years Rs 2/-

Family ticket (Father, mother and two children below 12 years) Rs 10/-

Group (35 or less number of students and two teachers) Rs 50/-

Film shooting in the Museum premises

Feature film Rs 30,000/-

Video film (Betacam) Rs 1,500/-

Video (telefilm) Rs 8,000/-

 Renting of Museum Auditorium

       

          Entertainment programme conducted by societies with ticket or pass (per day)           Rs 2,000/-

  Entertainment programme conducted by societies without ticket (per day)        Rs 1,500/-

  For conference, seminars etc. (upto 6 hours) Rs 1,000/-

 Film show (with ticket or pass)        Rs 2,000/-

 Film show (without ticket) LCD – VCD- DVD. Rs 1,500/-

 For conducting science and Art exhibitions (per day) Rs 600/-

3D Theatre – Rs.20/-per head

   Summary:

       As it's a one place with many destinations, so can't be completed in 

one day. A perfect place for art lover and art student's as there's lot to learn and a good place to see Kerala architecture. And zoo is well maintained and also has reptile house. History museum is also a good attraction for kids. Napier museum is not the place of interest for small kids.

Museum of SCIENCE....

Kerala State Science & Technology

Museum & Priyadarsini Planetarium

  Food for the eye's of Science lover's...
And located in the heart of the City.

Established by Government of Kerala in 1984.

Aimed:

     -For popularization of Science & Scientific temper,among the general public.

            -For Growth of science & technology through the ages.

           -Provide opportunity to the youth and generate intrust in science,among the young generation.

         -Also a study, cum recreation centre & an important tourist attraction..

      This place is very popular among school, college and university students.

Museum regularly conduct Quiz Competition, in Science & Technology for school &College's.

FACILITIES Offered:

Museum, Gallery & Park-

          It has all the things related to Science and Technology, separate gallery for Solar energy, Mathematics, Computer Science & Space Science.

Timing:10:00am-5:00pm

Ticket Rates: Adults-Rs 25/- per head

                     Children- Rs 15/-per head

Priyadarsini Planetarium-

Timing:10:00am-5:00pm

Ticket Rates: Adults-Rs 60/- per head

                     Children-Rs 30/-per head

Thrillarium(6D Theatre)-

Timing:10:00am-5:00pm

Ticket Rates: Adults-Rs 30/- per head

                     Children- Rs 20/-per head

3D Theatre-

Timing:10:00am-5:00pm

Ticket Rates: Adults-Rs 30/- per head

                     Children- Rs 20/-per head

Book online after checking the show timings.

Laserium & Fountain-

Timing:07:00pm

Ticket Rates: Adults-Rs 30/- per head

                      Children-Rs 20/- per head

Night Sky Observation-

       It aims to develop in trust in Solar system, by looking into it so closely. Have fully Automatic 11 inches Telescope.

Ticket Rates -Adults-Rs 20/- per head

                      Children-Rs 15/- per head

It's only on Thursday and Friday. And contact the museum office for timings.

 Other than this, it offers many programs, time to time. 
Like:

-Summer Creative Science Workshops-

          Conducted during April & May. From class 3rd to 8th.

For these workshops you have to apply somewhere in first week of March, Application form is available online. In 2016 fee for this program was Rs 1000/- per child.

Admission is based on screening test, conducted in mid of March. Check in February end, so that you don’t miss it.

School Adoption Program-

          For neighbourhood Schools.

The Children from neighbouring school, are allowed to stay for one full day and explore science and its facts.

   I think I have written a lot but still have missed a lot.

It has Study Centre- which has Centre for Scientific and talent development, C.V.Raman centre for basic Astronomy and Astronomy classes.

     Smart STUDENTS- having Edusat Talk back Terminal, Basic Science laboratory to develop concept of science, by doing on their own.

 Have Electrical Gallery, Astronomy Gallery. Conduct mobile Science exhibition as well.
The address is given below. 

PMG JUNCTION

VIKAS BHAVAN P.O,

TRIVANDRUM

KERALA-695033

CONTACT NO.-0471-2306024/2306025

SITE ADDRESS-kstmuseum.com

       Summary:

            GENERALLY PEOPLE TAKE 2HOURS TO SEE THE PLACE, BUT YOU CAN SPEND SOME MORE TIME.

Worth watching place for science enthuse kids & develop there interest in science, As kid's here learn by doing and seeing by themselves. And really a good opportunity for local people to learn science facts. MUST VISIT PLACE..

The World's first magic mansion..as they mention.

Magic Planet

   

Address: KINFRA Film & Video Park, Kazhakuttom, Thiruvananthapuram,

Kerala695585

Timing:10a.m-5p.m
 Monday Closed

Ticket: Adult-Rs450/-

              Child-Rs400/- 

Note: 
    -Book online in advance, as the entry per day is limited due to the capacity limitation.

-Language can be a issue but still worth watching.
   -Clock room available on first come basis.
-Food court- provide Kerala and Chinese cuisines.
- Learn magic corner -Can buy magic toys ,t-shirts, caps,CD's and magic related books are available here.

  Contact No:9447014800/9446540395
Site Address:WWW.magicplanet.in

Its

16km from Trivandrum International airport.

   And 19km from Trivandrum central Railway Station.

Magic Planet -Is totally a new concept with entirely magic themed park .

This Project was the dream of Gopinath muthukad to hand down the elixir of Magic to the young generation.

 And dedicated completely for the rehabilitation of India's street magician's.
 

Will suggest that you should plan a full day trip to this place..Must visit place for any one travelling through..
If you are staying in Trivandrum you must visit this place...children will surely love this.And even you will also enjoy the magical journey....
Summary:
Pros:Theme park so must visit place for magic lovers.Good place to visit once ,kids will surely enjoy.
Cons:Can't plan all of a sudden, as they offer limited entry so have to plan well before.Its a full day affair so need lot of time .

Our next destination...

Moving further as there is lot more to see...
I will introduce you to the most interesting places within Trivandrum, followed by the places of interest on the out skirt's.

 I assume your preference will be to visit most beautiful places...

Veli Tourist Village

Ideal place for having a small picnic and to enjoy the relaxing view of the Arabian Sea.Highlights include a floating Cafe, children's park ,boating, veli lake and a swimming pool. Tourist love coming to valley because of its Majestic scenic beauty and the various local markets that are ideal for Souvenir shopping and traditional craft.  Also can have horse riding, long walkway connecting Akkulam lake..

Its Around 3km from Airport

8km from Trivandrum railway Station

Timing: 0900-1800hrs

Contact no.+914712500785

Entrances fee-Rs 5/- per person

Parking charges-Rs 10/-

Boat rides:

10a.m to 5:30p.m

.Safari boat- Rs 60 per head 

.Speed Boat- Rs 600 for 4 persons 

.paddle boat 2 seater -Rs 60 for half an hour

 Swimming

7:30a.m to 6:30p.m

 adult Rs 25/-for 1 hour

 children Rs15/-

If you are going to veli tourist village from airport side then you must try the food of Sagara restaurant which come on left, and offer traditional meals in the afternoon. And if you are a fish eater you must try the  fish prepared in Sagara restaurant..
Summary:
   Pros: A good picnic spot as it offer so many thing's under one roof .
Cons:A good picnic spot but not well maintained, can't go inside the Beach as its not very clean,life jacket very old and stinky but have to wear coz its compulsory.

Welcome to "Gods Own Country"...kerala

Just starting my journey as a blogger.....

As I always thought of sharing my experience travelling around .... So here I am .  

Kerala calling.....
'GOd's Own Country ' ,I think you have to see it to believe in the words...
People generally feel October to March is the best time to visit Kerala. But its really very hot during this period, still if you are coming to Kerala just to see the beaches, then for sure this is the time,but I will suggest you to visit from April to September and enjoy the pleasant weather and witness all the cultural,Kerala.But its totally up to you..so let's start from....

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (Trivandrum) ....Cultural capital of KERALA.
As you come out of Trivandrum Airport, the first place that welcomes you is

 Shanghumugam beach along the coast of Arabian sea -

       Just 500m from Domestic Airport and around 3km from International Airport ..

Beach is not safe for swimming.. but the beach can offer 

 Good sculpture of Sagarakanyaka means a Mermaid

It is 35m long .The place is a good picnic spot in the evening because of rides for kids which are there throughout the year and local street food that it offers during evening timing.

    And if you want to sea fisherman with their fresh catch..be there by around
   9-10 AM. 

   And if you are art lover like me u must visit "One&Only "

It's a beach palace of the Travancore Royal family ,which is converted to antiques & a furniture shop which is having a collection from all over the world.

 Also, if you are lucky, you can also witness sand art sculptures at the beach.

There is a small locality about 5kms south of airport known as Beemapally.It is famous for Mosque Dargah Shareef having historical value.
I personally visit this place for shopping of electronics and imported stuff like chocolate's, Cosmetic's ,Perfumes, even some shops offer imported Gourmet stuff .

   Nearest place to stay is Uday Suites

 which is just 1km from  Shanghumugam beach . 

   The OLD COFFEE HOUSE on the beach  and Sindhoor park which is just 2 minutes distance from beach.....offers traditional and well prepared keralite dishes. My suggestion is that you specify the level of spices as per your tolerance. 

 You can also view some beautiful churches along the beach road.
Summary:
Pros:Good picnic spot in evening. Kids will love swings there & even good place for art lovers .Beemapally is my personal favourite because of availability of rare stuff out there.
Cons:Beach is very unsafe to go inside,after sunset gards will not allow you to go inside,over crowded on Sunday's and festival times so never plan to go to Shanghumugham Beach during that time.Never plan to go to Beemapally after 7:30p.m as most of the shops will be closed.