They say you can take a person out of Trivandrum, but you can never take Trivandrum out of the person.
If you were born here, you know exactly what I mean. It’s that specific feeling of relief when the train crosses the Veli lagoon, or when the flight begins its descent over the coconut canopy near Shankumugham. It’s the realization that the air just smells different here – a mix of salty sea breeze, wet earth, and the faint, comforting aroma of burning camphor.
I’ve walked these streets since I was a child. I’ve seen the city transform from a quiet, sleepy pensioner’s paradise into a bustling IT metropolis. Yet, miraculously, the soul of Thiruvananthapuram remains untouched.
Whether you are living here right now, watching this city from a faraway land with a pang of nostalgia, or planning a visit for the first time – this is why our city is unlike anywhere else on the map.
1. The “Padmanabha” Connection
For us, the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple isn’t just a tourist spot or a holder of immense wealth. It is the common connection. There is a strange comfort in knowing that the Padmanabhan reposes there, watching over the city. Ask any local: no matter how much the city evolved, the city’s heart still beats around the areas of the temple and the larger areas surrounding the fort. The sight of the Gopuram lit up at night, reflecting in the Padmatheertham pond, is an emotion. It reminds us that we all share a common tradition, and share the ananthapuri connection.
2. The Art of “Slow Living” (Before it was a Trend)
The world runs on 5G, but Trivandrum still enjoys a cup of tea and a newspaper. We are often teased for being “laid back.” But in reality, It’s not laziness; it’s just contentment.
- The Museum Compound: This is our collective backyard. From morning joggers to evening debaters, everyone ends up here. It’s where we learned to cycle, where we had our first dates, and where we take our children today.
- Manaveeyam Veedhi: The cultural corridor where art, music, and rebellion spill onto the streets. In how many other cities can you find people reciting poetry on the roadside at 7 PM?
3. The “Sadhya” Rule: Boli and Palpayasam
To my non-resident friends and future visitors, listen closely. You have not eaten a Sadhya until you have eaten it in Trivandrum. Elsewhere in Kerala, they might serve you Palada. But here? It is the holy union of the golden, sweet Boli crumbled into hot and sweet Palpayasam. It is a flavor bomb that defines weddings and festivals in this city. If you leave Trivandrum without trying this, you haven’t really visited.
4. We Have It All (Literally)
I always tell my friends from other parts of the country that Trivandrum is geographically spoiled.
- Want the beach? Kovalam and Shankumugham are 20 minutes away. watching the sunset at Shankumugham with a packet of salted peanuts or the hit combo of crispy Baji and hot tea is a rite of passage.
- Want the hills? Ponmudi is an hour’s drive. You can go from sweating on the coast to shivering in the mist in the time it takes to watch a movie.
- Want the city? We have the malls, the chaos of Thampanoor, and the tech-savvy buzz of Technopark.
5. The Intellectuals
We are a city of opinions. You will get into an auto-rickshaw and discuss/argue international or national politics on the way. This is the home of the State Central Library, the Napier Museum, and the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). The “Trivandrum vibe” is intellectual, slightly argumentative, but deeply warm. We might stare at you initially (we are famous for the “stare”), but ask us for help, and we will likely walk you to your destination.
6. The Modern Heartbeat
To those who left years ago: You would be proud of how we’ve grown. The bypass is no longer a lonely stretch; it’s a neon-lit corridor of growth. Technopark has expanded, bringing in bright young minds from across the country, blending their energy with our traditions. We have the fancy malls and the burger joints now, but we haven’t bulldozed our heritage to build them. We’ve managed to stay green. The trees still line the avenues of Kowdiar, standing tall like sentinels of the past.
A Note to the Visitors
If you are coming here, don’t just visit the landmarks.
- Wake up early and walk through the Fort area or drive through the coastline.
- Drink coffee at any small tea shops hidden in the city bustles.
- Stand on the cliff at Varkala and look at the endless horizon.
And to my fellow Trivandrumites in other parts of the world: The city misses you just as much as you miss it. The streets still vibrates the same lively welcoming vibes, the breeze still cools down the evenings, and the city is waiting for you to come home.
Ananthapuri was, is and always will be an emotion.
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