Trivandrum: Life, Culture, History, Greenery & Cityscapes

[Rajith]

This Fort Gate is 115yrs old. This stands near on the North Eastern side of the fortified wall sorrounding the Padmanabha Temple. The photo was taken when the renovation work was going on.

[Ajaypp]

This Gate has a legend attached to it. It goes that a ruler of Travancore once had a section of the Fort demolished and this gate built, since he had been advised by an astrologer not to use the Main Gate. To this day, the Gate is called the "Vettimurichakota" or "Cut Open Fort" It is part of the Fort Heritage Zone, which has won national and international acclaim.

[Rajith]

There is one more story with associated with this, which is narrated in the book 'Aithihyamala' (chain of myths).
It is said that a famous astrologer once came to Travancore kingdom...
To test his skills, The King asked astrologer to predict the fort gate through which the King is going to enter in to the temple area. The astrologer wrote his prediction and locked it in a box and the key was given to the ministers.
His Highness decided to raze down the wall to the northern side of the East Fort Gate and entered in to the Temple Area through that way.
To his surprise, the prediction which was locked in the box said the same.
A new Entrance was built in that knocked down part of the fortified wall.

(Well, I am not remembering the name of the King and the name of the saint/astrologer.. may be Ajay can help.... )

[rajeshdxb]

About Kuthiramalika Palace

Originally Posted by Rajith

and this.... (this is inside Kuthiramalika Palace)

A secret, private passage is believed to connect Padmanabhaswamy Temple with this Travancore-style palace, built in the early 18th century by the social reformer Maharajah Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma, a poet and distinguished musician. Known as the Horse Palace because of the 122 carved horse brackets that buttress the exterior walls, the buildings include some elaborate carvings, among them two extravagant thrones -- one made from 25 elephant tusks, another made entirely from Bohemian crystal. Visitors are also allowed into the Maharajah's music room, from where you get the same view of the temple that was apparently a source of inspiration to the erstwhile ruler.

[rajeshdxb]

Originally Posted by Rajith

The 8th century old temple was renovated by the King "Marthanda Varma" in 1733 A.D. The temple is a fine specimen of South Indian architecture. Lord Vishnu is the diety and He reclines here on the coils of Anantha the serpent.
The temple is in the heart of the city and is protected by Fortified walls and Fortified wall gates on four sides. The city bus stand is in the East Fort Area.
The magnificent temple tower rises in ten stories against the reflecting pool in front.

More info:

This Dravidian-style Vishnu temple is said to be the largest in Kerala. Because the temple is located in the heart of the Trivandrum, it is likely that the city was built around it. The temple is believed to have come into existence on the first day of the Kaliyuga era (Dec 28, 3101 B.C.) -- legend has it that the temple "materialized" after a sage prayed to Vishnu asking him to appear in a form that he could comprehend with his limited human vision -- but the greater part of the complex was built during the 18th century. The temple is fronted by a massive tank, where devotees take ritual dips. Alongside a promenade are stalls selling ritual items, religious souvenirs, and flowers for use inside the temple.

[Ajaypp]

- Great updates, Rajesh and Rajith. Yup, Trivandum being an ancient capital has a lot of history associated with it! Something we should all be very proud of!

[Rajith]

The picture that I posted after University College was of The State Central Library (also called Trivandrum Public Library).

First library to came into existence in Kerala was the Trivandrum Public Library, which was started by the King of Travancore Swathi Thirunal in 1829.
The Library was managed by an Association known as Trivandrum Public Library Committee. Membership in those days was limited to only those persons invited to the Royal Durbar.

In 1847 the Public Library Society was organized with a limited membership. Later, the Society was registered as a Joint Stock Company and became the Public Library Association, membership being open to all persons residing in Trivandrum who conformed to the rules. The Library was then known as “Trivandrum People’s Library”.

In 1889 the society entered into an agreement with Government and accordingly Government took over the management of the institution and was opened to the Public; thus changing the name to "Trivandrum Public Library".

The King, His Highness Sree Moolam Thirunal , ordered the construction of a beautiful building for housing the library.

In 1900 AD the present building of architectural beauty in the Gothic style was put up in Trivandrum City in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Victoria.

In the year 1938 A. D. the administration of the Trivandrum Public Library was handed over to University of Travancore (which is now known as University of Kerala).
In 1948 by a resolution of the State Legislature, the State Government was directed to take over the administration of the Library from the University.

In the year 1958 , the 'Trivandrum Public Library' was declared as ‘State Central Library’

The library has a total collection of around 3,50,000 documents in different languages such as English, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Sanskrit in various disciplines (excluding the journals and magazines).

[Rajith]

This beach is near to the International Airport.

[Ajaypp]

- This is called the "Kallmandapam" - the stone pavilion. It's been a star in many a famous movie!

[Ajaypp]

A smartlooking road junction! This one is on the IT Corridor, where the road from the Trivandrum International Airport crosses it.

[Rajith]

The seed for a legislative body was sown in Travancore, when in January 1888, the Dewan T.Ram Rao proposed to the Maharaja, the organisation of a Legislative Council. This proposal was readily approved by Sri Mulam Thirunal Maharaja and a regulation was passed on 30th March, 1888.

[rajeshdxb]

Originally Posted by Rajith

The seed for a legislative body was sown in Travancore, when in January 1888, the Dewan T.Ram Rao proposed to the Maharaja, the organisation of a Legislative Council. This proposal was readily approved by Sri Mulam Thirunal Maharaja and a regulation was passed on 30th March, 1888.

Beautiful Picture Rajit, which building did you take this from ? If you could take all sides and stich it up, we could get a beautiful panorama of the secretariat bulding.

Rajesh

[Ajaypp]

Nice one there...lemme see if I have few more!

[Rajith]

Originally Posted by rajeshdxb

If you could take all sides and stich it up, we could get a beautiful panorama of the secretariat bulding.

Rajesh

I will try for it Rajesh....
I am in Bangalore now; and will be going to tvm only after a month..
i will go for it then...

[Ajaypp]

How's this?

[Rajith]

Originally Posted by Ajaypp

How's this?

wow... that was a stunning picture, Ajay....

I think you took this from the terrace of Hotel Pankaj(***), rite ?

[rajeshdxb]

Originally Posted by Ajaypp

How's this?

Good one...Here is a cropped version.

(c) Ajaypp

[Rajith]

This imposing building in the lines of Roman-Dutch architecture, was built during the reign of His Highness Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma, Maharaja of Travancore who reigned from 1860 to 1880.

[sudheeshnairs]

TRDP works has started in this stretch also, demolition of structures taken up from Spencer Jn to Pulimoodu. Soon this stretch will also have a modern look..

A busbay would be constructed by taking space from the Secretariat grounds..

Originally Posted by Ajaypp

How's this?

[Ajaypp]

Thanks Rajith.

This stretch is about to be demolished. The new 6-lane road will extend upto the front of that ATM we can see in the lower left corner of the frame. The grey building in the centre - the Bata building - once a landmark, will be demolished in the next few weeks.