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| Places of Interest |
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Angengo | Ponmudi | Agasthyakoodam | Govt. Observatory | Aruvi Waterfalls | Neyyar Dam & Lion Safari Park | Neyyar Wild Life Sanctuary | Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary | Kovalam Beach | Sankhumugham Beach | Varkala Beach | Akkulam Lake | Veli Tourist Village | Aanchunthenghu Fort | Padmanabhapuram Palace | Kuthiramalika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum | Kanakakkunnu Palace | Koyikkal Palace | Kaudiar Palace | Napier Museum | The National History Museum | Chacha Nehru Children's Museum | The Science and Technology Museum | Government Art Museum | Sree Chithira Art Gallery | Places of Worships | Padmanabha Swamy Temple | Sree Mahadeva Temple | Attukal Bhagavathy Temple | Varkala | Beemapalli | Churches | Mosques
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Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
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Peppara wildlife sanctuary is a 'gene pool' sanctuary, with a rich variety of flora and fauna over a rugged terrain with running rivulets, rolling hillocks and green meadows. The sub tropical and tropical evergreen forests are populated with a variety of wildlife. This sanctuary with its rich fauna and birds is emerging as a big attraction to wildlife enthusiasts. The sanctuary is home to Elephants, Sambhar, Lion-tailed Macaques, Leopards, and assorted birds. Gaur, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Tiger and the Nilgiri Langur are also among the main inhabitants of the park. A boat ride on the site is a fulfilling experience.
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| Although Peppara is theoretically open all year, the main season is from January until May. |
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Kovalam Beach
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Kovalam is just 16 kms away from Trivandrum. This unique internationally renowned wonderful beach will get pride of place amongst the loveliest beaches in the world has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s.
Today Kovalam has become one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look.
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The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories, makes this beach paradise. This marvellous beach is a tourist's dream come true.
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A sheltered natural bay with cool soothing palms and gentle waves. Where when you are tired of aquatics, swimming or sunbathing, you can explore the handicrafts, jewellery and cloth shops spread along the waterfront. Not to speak of the delightful sea-food fare including lobsters available at the beachside restaurants.
The crescent-shaped beaches of Kovalam can be divided in three parts. The southern
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most beach, and the most popular, is the Lighthouse Beach. Further south on the beach one can have a spectacular view of the Vizhinzam mosque. Photography is prohibited here.
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The middle beach is called Hawah. Each morning this beach acts as a base for the local fisherman. The northern most beach, Samudra, is least affected of all by the changing times.It is dotted with few rudimentary wooden fishing vessels.
In the evening the quiet atmosphere of the place is enlivened by Kathakali performances, the classical dance-drama of Kerala. This mellow Kerala coastal village was once a
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picturesque settlement built next to two palm-fringed coves enclosed by rocky headlands, but development has been almost unplanned.
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There's a plethora of places to stay, ranging from cheap concrete boxes to up-market resorts, and a large number of under-equipped restaurants catering to standard Asian travellers' menus. The ITDC-run Ashoka and the Kerala tourism department's 'Samudra' at the Kovalam beach provide five-star accommodation.
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There are other hotels as well to suit every pocket. Kovalam is developing not only as a beach resort but is fast developing as a Yoga and health center. One can have Ayurvedic massages and oil baths or learn the intricacies and dynamics of Yoga and meditation taught by experts.
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Kovalam can be reached by direct and regular bus services from Thiruvananthapuram. Buses also link the place from Ernakulam, Kanyakumari and Periyar wildlife sanctuary. Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Railway head serves the requirements of Kovalam.
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