|
INTRODUCTION: The contemporary Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the beautiful land of Kerala and was previously termed as Trivandrum. Under the royal regulation of the Venad Royal family, it was called Thiruvithamkoor and known by its anglicized name Travancore.It was among the oldest inhabited places in India. Located found on the west coastline of India close to the extreme south of the land, it was constantly the political nerve centre of Kerala. Ruled by some of the most effective and liberal rulers, its existence was constantly structured on the Padmanabha Swamy temple whose presiding deity is Sree Padmanabha or Vishnu. According to the Hindu mythology, the large trinity consisted of Brahma-the creator, Shiva-the destroyer and Vishnu-the preserver. In an innovative more to pre-empt any invasions by neighborhood rivals, among the strongest rulers Marthanda Varma consecrated the "thrippadidhanam" in the 17th century. According to this, our creator Vishnu was crowned because the actual rule of the kingdom and also the king became his servant 'Padmanabha Dasa". With this, Sri Padmanabha became the "actual" head of the say of Travancore, hoping the title Perumal or the Emperor. The girls folk of the royal family were termed as "Padmanabha Dasinis" again female servants of our creator Padmanabha. In an orthodox Hindu society, attacking the lord's kingdom could have been sacrilege. Folks did and do really think that our creator has been giving Thiruvananthapuram and performing through the contemporary rule. The British Government saluted the Lord with a 21-gun salute, a military tradition of colonial days, which was continued by the Indian Army till the abolition of the privy purses (in a way de-legitimizing any royal claims), by Government of India when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. The royal insignia of the Lord, the Valampiri Shankhu or dextral conch-shell, served because the State emblem of Travancore and even continued thus for a while after there-organization of the States. Sri Padmanabha remains considered the presiding deity of Thiruvananthapuram. The name Thiruvananthapuram can be split into three-Thiru- Anantha-Puram, meaning the location of the Holy Anantha. Anantha is the mythical, large serpent with a 1000 heads, about whose coils Lord Vishnu (Padmanabha) reclines. Though the temple had lived prolonged before, it was rebuilt and unveiled in prominence by the King Marthanda Varma of the Travancore Royal family when, in 1745, he shifted the Travancore capital from Padamanabhapuram in the south (now in the neighboring State of Tamil Nadu) to Thiruvananthapuram. As mentioned earlier having performed the "thrippadidhanam" he started reigning because 'Padmanabha Dasa', the servant and representative of Lord Padmanabha--perhaps a nobler form of the 'Divine Right Theory' that the West is familiar with. The old land of Thiruvananthapuram was built on seven hills and having played a vital character in Kerala politics has kept rate with evolution now has grown into a sprawling metropolis. Yet, she still keeps her previous glory and older charm, that is visible from the older quarter of the location clustered in and about the East Fort, a secure landmark that dates back to the Royal days. What perhaps is special regarding the ambience of Thiruvananthapuram is the beautiful blend of the firmly traditional, the nostalgically Colonial and also the outright contemporary elements, whether it be in architecture, in food or in the dress and manners of her people. Adding to its legend and stature is the belief that the vessels of King Solomon landed about ones of its prominent ports called Ophir (contemporary name Poovar) in 1036 BC. However, the old political and cultural history of the location was virtually entirely independent from that of the sleep of Kerala. The rise of contemporary Thiruvananthapuram began with accession of Marthanda Varma in 1729 because the founding rule of the princely say of Travancore. Thiruvananthapuram was created the capital of Travancore in 1745. The city developed into a big intellectual and imaginative center during this time. The flower in the city's history was throughout the middle 19th century beneath the reign of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal (the great musician) and Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal. With the particular of the British regulation in India in 1947, the glory days of the royal regulation were finally over and Travancore (the kingdom was initially called such) was merged with the Indian union. The say of Kerala was created about November 1, 1956 and in accordance with its stature, Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of the brand-new say. Despite a royal past, Thiruvananthapuram has kept up with the instances. Apart from having the delight of being the capital of India's most literate and socially developed say, Thiruvananthapuram is a smartly important city in Southern India. With a fledgling country desperately wantingto establish itself in the field of research, select Thiruvananthapuram to function as the cradle of India's driven and after this effective area programme. The presence of Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in 1962, the 1st Indian area rocket was developed and launched from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) found in the outskirts of the location in 1963. Several organizations of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) were afterwards established in Thiruvananthapuram. This is moreover important from the military logistics and civil aviation aim of view falling beneath the global air route. This is moreover very close to the global shipping route and East-West shipping axis. The establishment of Technopark-India's 1st IT Park in 1995 helped in its metamorphosis because a contemporary city. Technopark has developed into the greatest IT Park in India and 3rd biggest in Asia and is home to a few of the global IT leaders and has now fostered the growth ofthe "knowledge warrior". It employs over 50,000 such warriors and these highly paid people have moreover led to its financial uplift. Thiruvananthapuram was and may constantly stay a prominent and contemporarily important area found on the chart of India. Geography:
Located at 8�°30?N76�°54?E? /?8.5�°N 76.9�°E? / 8.5; 76.9 found on the west coastline, close to the south tip of land India, Thiruvananthapuram is built about hills by the sea shore. The city and also the suburbs cover an subject of regarding 250 square miles, sandwiched between your Western Ghats and also the Arabian Sea. The average elevation is 16 ft from the sea degree. District Area: 2192 km�². The area is split into two geographical parts, the lowlands, midlands and highlands. The lowland is a narrow stretch comprising shorelines, rivers and deltas, dotted with coconut palms. Vellayani Lake, largest freshwater lake in the region is in the suburbs of the location. The major rivers that flow through the location are the Karamana River, and also the Killi River. The midland region includes low hills and valleys adjoining the Ghats. The asian suburbs of the location fall within the highlands, whose highest aim in the region is the Agasthyakudam which rises 1890 m above sea degree. Ponmudi and Mukkunimala are hill-stations close to the city. The regal land is blessed with a prolonged shoreline, dotted with internationally renowned beaches, historical monuments, backwater stretches along with a rich cultural history converting this into a much popular tourist destination. With a tradition dating back to 1000BC, lies about a tiny strip of land with a lot of coconut & palm trees, and an active trading post for spices, sandalwood, ivory etc. Culture
Thiruvananthapuram has a rich cultural background as a result of the rulers of erstwhile Travancore, who took a working desire for the growth of arts and society. Thiruvananthapuram has yielded manygreat musicians, the most famous ones being Maharaja Swathi Thirunal (musician) and Raja Ravi Varma (painter). Maharaja Swathi Thirunal became a great composer and played a vital character in the growth of Carnatic songs. There is a songs university in his name in the location - Swathi Thirunal College of Music. Raja Ravi Varma was an illustrious painter of global renown. His efforts to Indian art are significant. Ancient history
While most elements of Kerala were dominated by the Brahmin Namboodhiris, Thiruvananthapuram was beneath the Ay empire, a clan known for the rich traditional and spiritual history. The Ays were the leading political power till the start of the 10th century A.D. and its writ extended from Nagerkovil in the South to Thiruvalla in the North. The Ays were caught between the constant and repeated tussle for political power between your Chera-Chola dynasties (effective entities of south India battling for dominance of the region) wars from 999 to 1110 A.D.The parts were attacked and sacked by the Chola army, till they were forced to retreat to Kottar in 1110 A.D. The annihilation of the Ay empire concluded in the emergence of the rulers of Venad. Under the Ays, the most prominent city was Vizhinjham which had a famous port of the same name and housed a famous college (Kanthalur Salai). The Venad rulers set up efficient administrative techniques and also the kingdom saw its top beneath the King, Udaya Marthanda. The Venad regulation caused development of Kerala into a capital of art and understanding. Ravi Varma Kulashekhara became a renowned scholar and musician. He became the mentor for musicians, performers, poets of Thiruvananthapuram. A great writer himself, he has penned the Sanskrit play "Pradyumnabhyudayam". The pro-active regulation of the Venads created Thiruvananthapuram, the region then known by the name of Travancore, a bustling trading center. According to legends, the Padamanabhapuram temple lived from earlier instances thus lending the land a certain search sanction. Though the Venad royal family remained the last opinion family in the region, establishing its authority wasn't an effortless affair. Since Padmanabhaswami temple was the pivot about which existence revolved, acquiring control of its affair became a ideal prerogative. The tussle between royalty and also the traditional administrators of the temple was unavoidable. During their regulation, the trustees of the temple (Ettarayogam) became effective enough to challenge the authority of the rulers. The king Raja Aditya Varma was poisoned by them, and five from 6 kids of Umayamma Rani were murdered by them. Following the death of Aditya Varma, the kingdom was beneath the regency of Umayamma Rani. During this time, Travancore was invaded with a Mughal explorer, Mughal Sirdar, driving the Rani to take refuge in Nedumangad. The Sardar camped in the suburbs of this current day Thiruvananthapuram, till he was defeated by Kerala Varma, a princefrom the Kottayam royal family, used into the Venad royal family. The Rani was brought in triumph to Thiruvananthapuram, yet in 1696 A.D., Kottayam Kerala Varma the hero was assassinated by the temple trustees within the precincts of his very own palace in a exciting act. Though eventually, through deceit, blood and iron, the control of the temple issues came to the hands of the royal family thus eventually offering their regulation legitimacy. The temple has constantly remained the key for sanctity to rule. The regency of Umayamma Rani was crucial in the history of Thiruvananthapuram because it was throughout her regency in 1684, that the English East India Company obtained a sandy part of land at Anchuthengu (land o the five coconut trees-Anjengo (anglicized) found on the sea coastline, regarding 32 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city, for erecting a factory and strengthening it. The place had earlier been frequented by the Portuguese and afterwards by the Dutch. This was fromhere that the English gradually extended their domain to other elements of Thiruvithamkoor anglicized because Travancore. One might mention this deal with the British eventually proven a turning point for the Venad royal family because the British eventually took control of the issues of the region with very limited powers left in the hands of its authentic rulers. Though Portuguese were the 1st Europeans to land found on the West coastline of Kerala in the early sixteenth century, it was the Dutch who built dominated the trade. By the middle of 1600, the Dutch had entrenched themselves securely in Travancore. Their dominance was disrupted by the invasion of the Mysore strongman Haider Ali great son Tipu Sultan. With the ascension of Marthanda Varma great powerful regulation virtually drove the Dutch out from the region. The leave of the Dutch led the way for the British domination. With south Indian rulers weakened by constant wars, the British saw a possibility for itself. They started their campaign to oust all European nations trading in the region by the particular 1600s they ended up not only because prominent traders yet because rulers of most elements of the Kerala as an example the Travancore. The only resistance to British dominance was put up by the French which was effectively thwarted. The East India Company had finally "arrived" in Kerala. This became a prolonged journey "having started with a tiny "factory" at Anchuthengu-a tiny sandy strip, bought from then rule Umayamma Rani, they ended up because rulers. Though the Venad family continued because regal heads with diluted powers mainly regarding agricultural issues, till the freedom of India about 15th August, 1947, it was the British who were truly kings. Conclusion: Despite the ascendancy of some powerful rulers like Marthanda Varma, the politics and economy of Kerala was dominated by international powers predominantly Europeans. Even "God" who was the "real" rule couldn't avoid this domination by international powers. In a method, Thiruvananthapuram's history is Kerala's history consequently India's history. Padmanabha Swamy Temple-the axis mundi A should about each tourist's itinerary, the old Padmanabhaswami temple is believed to be among the 108 shrines (divyadesams) sacred to the Vaishnavites (followers of God Vishnu) in India. Architecture has got the power of ruling your brain of the masses and also the sheer size of its 100-feet-high (with seven stories) gopuram (tower) soaring majestically skywards could not fail to stimulate an amazing experience. Within its hallowed precincts, the leading pavilion impresses with its 400 stunning pillars carved from granite. The temple has a corridor with 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite-stone pillars with sophisticated carvings. This corridor extends from the asian side into the sanctum sanctorum.The stone basement of the system is covered with sophisticated statues and also the trade above is replete with ornamental functions of figures from the Puranas along with other old Hindu scriptures. Tapering towards the best, it bears the statue of Garuda, the automobile of Lord Vishnu. The temple stands by the side of a tank, called Padma Theertham (meaning spring of the lotus). An eighty-foot flag-staff stands ahead of the leading entry from the 'prakaram' (corridor). The ground floor beneath the gopuram (leading entrance in the asian side) is known as the 'Nataka-Shala' where the famous temple art, Kathakali was arranged in the night time throughout the ten-day uthsavam (festival) performed twice a year, throughout the Malayalam months of Meenam and Thulam. Well protected with a number of huge doorways, the sanctum sanctorum or Garbhagriha is carved from a single stone and thus called "Ottakkal Mandapam" (meaning pavilion carved from a single rock). In purchase to do darshan and puja, 1 has to climb about to the "Ottakkal Mandapam". The deity is huge and is visible through 3 doorways - Face of the Lord and Siva Linga beneath his hand in the 1st doorway, Brahma seated about lotus emanating from the Lord's navel along with the "Uthsava Moorthi" and idols of Lord Maha Vishnu, Sridevi and Bhudevi in the second doorway and also the Lord's feet in the 3rd doorway. The deity, Padmanabha, is depicted Lying in a reclining position over the serpent Anantha or Adi Sesha in the form of Maha-Vishnu in Yoganidra position. This sleep of our creator has been called Anananthasayanam (eternal large sleep). The serpent has his face pointed upwards, because when enjoying the smell emanating from the lotus held in his left hand. The idol consists of 10,008 Salagramas (stones from water bodies regarded as symbolic of Vishnu). These Salagramas were procured from the banks of the river Gandaki in Nepal, brought with much ceremony about elephants. Only the King of Travancore might work the Namaskaram, or bend prostrate inside "Ottakkal Mandapam". Since the idol of the Lord is moreover inside "Ottakkal Mandapam", anyone who bows prostrate, or any information object that is kept here, henceforth is one of the Lord. Here, the King is called a "Padmanabha Dasa", or a "servant" of Vishnu. There are other important shrines inside the temple committed to other Hindu deities like Narasimha, Krishna, Ayyappa, Ganesha, Hanuman, Vishwaksena, Garuda etc. This was recently discovered that the leading idol is entirely cast in gold except for the face area and chest. Katu-sarkara-yogam, a dark colored ayurvedic paste employed to keep flies and pests away was applied on the whole idol in purchase to disguise its intrinsic medium in purchase to thwart its looting the Muslim invaders Keeping with its standing because a center of power, many kings, queens, other members of royalty and nobility have moreover built their palaces and mansions in and about the temple. This may be said that the region about the temple created the sanctum sanctorum of Thiruvananthapuram. Mythology
Padmanabhaswami Temple stands at a destination thought to be among the seven Parashurama Kshetras; texts as an example the Puranas, particularly the Skanda Purana and Padma Purana, have references for this shrine. According to tradition, it happens to be on the destination where Vishnu revealed himself to sages Divakara Swami and Vilvamangalam Swami. There are many legends concerning the origin of the temple. One history explains a Pulaya (among the lowest castes in the discriminatory caste system) few was provided the darshan by Vishnu in the form of a child. The child took morsels of sift from the hands of the few (in those days when Untouchability was practices, our creator taking food from a Pulaya few was quite melodramatic). During this time, the sage Divakara passed by and he recognised the "boy" and he took the 1st food item he saw which was an Unripe Mango and utilizing a coconut shell because an offering plate, he paid his obeisance. In memory of this legend,even today the naivedyam or the offering to the laity after a pooja is prepared from sift and is offered to the deity in a coconut shell. Another variant explains that the Sage Divakara prayed to the God Krishna for a darshan. Krishna (a manifestation of Vishnu) gave an audience yet in the guise because a tiny, mischievous boy. The boy swallowed the Salagrama (sacred stone symbolizing God Vishnu) which was being prayed to. The Sage was angered at this act and chased the boy. He in worry put himself behind a forest. The forest collapsed and took the kind of Vishnu in Anantha Shayanam. But the shape was of extraordinarily big proportions. The sage was impressed and overwhelmed by this life-altering experience. He was unable to fathom the whole shape due to its sheer size and pleaded the shape can be shrunk enough for him to see and circumambulate in devotion. The Lord respecting the sage's sight shrink to a smaller proportion - thrice the space of his staff and told the sage that he could be worshipped through 3 doorways. These doorways are now the doorways in the temple through which the idol can be seen. Through the 1st doorway, the worship is offered to Shiva; through the second entrance to Brahma found on the Lord's lotus navel, and through the 3rd is Vishnu's feet, that are said to cause salvation. Festivals
The temple is known for big celebrations. Two with them are recognized bi-annually-the Alpashy event in October/November and also the Painkuni event in March/April, lasting for 10 days every. These celebrations culminate with the performance of the Pallivetta (Royal hunt) and Aarattu (Holy bath) -both important rituals held included in the celebrations in a few of the big temples in Kerala. The uniqueness of the Aarattu at Sree Padmanabhaswami temple is the fact that the head of the royal family of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom still escorts the idols throughout the procession donning his traditional clothing. During Pallivetta the head of the royal family shoots a tender coconut utilizing a bend and arrow. This ritual is symbolic of Lord Vishnu looking down the demon of evil in a woodland and is held ahead of the Sundara-vilasam Palace inside the Thiruvananthapuram fort. The Aarat or the holy shower after taken in a procession to the Shankumugham Beach. The idols of Padmanabhaswami, Krishna and Narasimha get a ritual bathe in the sea, after the recommended poojas. After this ceremony, the idols are taken back to the temple because a procession in the light of traditional torches, marking the conclusion of the event. This is moreover famous for Navaratri event where the mother goddess is venerated in various manifestations including that of Saraswati & Durga. This event lasts for 9 days. The iconic Swathi Thirunal (a famous musician-king) songs event is held each year within this event that attracts performers from all over the country and is a musical-feast. Another largest event connected with this temple is the "Laksha-deepam", meaning the lighting of a hundred thousand lighting. This unique event is special and occurs when in 6 years. In planning of the event, prayers from the Vedas (holy texts of the Hindus) are recited for 56 days and with the commencement of the event, a hundred thousand oil lighting are lighted in and about the temple premises. The reflection of the vibrant gopura is visible found on the Padma Theertham and is an awesome sight. The last Laksha-deepam was in 2008 and also the next 1 is slated to be held about January 2014 Other prominent places to visit (really a few of them): (1) The Napier Museum- it happens to be named after the previous governor of Madras, General John Napier. The building with its profusion of gables and turrets is stunning and also the outcome of the creative thoughts of the English architect Chisholm. It is a product of ecclectical tips and combines differing architectural designs. This is found within the aptly named museum substance and close to the iconic Kanakakunnu (golden hill) Palace. A repository of fine functions of art, it displays rare archaeological and historic artifacts including bronze idols, ivory carvings, Stone statues and ornaments dating from 11th century to the 18th century. The chief attraction now is the 250-year-old temple automobile created for Lord Vishnu (Padmanabha), artistically tailored and ornamented. Besides this, objects carved from hardwood, models of temple, classic jewelry, etc., create the museum worth a see. The museum better termed as Thiruvananthapuram museum or Art museum was integrated 1855 creating it the oldest in Kerala. (2) Sree Chithra Art Gallery is moreover found within the Museum substance and displays a rare assortment of paintings. Its leading destinations are paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, Nicholas Roerich, Rabindranath Tagore, Jamimi Roy, K. K. Hebar, along with miniatures from the Rajput and Mughal colleges of painting and also the famous Tanjore paintings encrusted with semi-precious stones and mural paintings typifying malayali society. It also shows paintings from all over the world including China, Japan, Tibet and Bali. This was inaugurated the KingChithira Thirunal in 1935. The most significant collection includes rare partition paintings dating back to the pre historical time. The Sree Chithra Enclave is found adjacent to the gallery. This really is a museum that depicts the history of the Travancore Royal Family and displays their own valuables and artifacts including older newspaper clippings. (3) Palace museum sometimes known because the Kuthira Malika (Puthenmalika) Palace: This islocated found on the asian entrance of the Padmanabhaswami temple. It offers a good assortment of various classic products employed throughout the reign of the Travancore kings. The museum is well maintained and has now artifacts, paintings, hardwood carvings, huge chandeliers, Belgian glass mirrors, marble statues, weapons, portraits of Travancore kings & their thrones. Being an erstwhile royal building built by famous musician-King Swathi Thirunal in 1844, it happens to be another walk into the haloed property of the kings. The building is called Kuthiramalika(Horse palace) because the palace exterior has a lot of wood horse figures carved into it. This stunning, two storied, 80-room palace was built based found on the traditional Kerala architecture. (4) The Kanakakunnu Palace. The red and white colored Palace is truly one of the main tourist destinations of the location. It is located well within its center. Located besides the Napier Museum, it happens to be an architectural classic is often the setting for exhibitions and cultural programs. This was initially commissioned by the then Travancore King, Moolam Thirunal and built found on the crest of a tiny hillside flanked with meadows and grooves, it was employed to hold royal banquets. (5) Navarathri Mandapam: This islocated adjacent to the Padmanabha Swami temple, close to the Kuthira Malika Palace. This is the setting of the 10-day yearly Navarathri celebrations. (6) Sree Parashurama Temple, Thiruvallam- The temple lies 6 miles south from the city, found on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kovalam path. According to the prevailing neighborhood customs, this temple is2000 years of age temple and lies found on the banks of Karamana River. Origin myths of Kerala attribute its creation to the warrior-sage Parashurama (an avatar of lord Vishnu). This is really the only temple in Kerala dedicated to him. Ancestor-worship being generally common in Kerala, this really is "the" place for 'Balitharpanam' (yearly offering to dead for the peace inside soul). The temple is a secure monument and had been dated back to the 13th century. (7) Shanmugham Beach- Another fantastic seashore, it happens to be found close to the airport 8 miles from the city. It is the best area to see sunset. The famous 35 m prolonged "Matsya Kanyaka' (the mermaid) sculpture tailored by the neighborhood artist Kanayi Kunjiraman is an added attraction here. One might see a few palaces, older pavilions etc in and about the seashore. (8) Kovalam- The iconic seashore of Kerala termed as the "Paradise of the South", is found 16 miles from Thiruvananthapuram city has been found on the tourists' radar because the 1930's. The name in neighborhood cant means "a forest of coconut trees" and faithful its name the town has an endless sight of coconut trees. It comprises of two adjacent beaches- 'Samudra' and also the 'Howah'. The Howah seashore has black soil and is a contrast to the pristine white sands of Kovalam. There is an Lighthouse that stands because a sentinel to the older instances when merchant vessels from other lands would arrive for trading. These beaches are close to the Vizhinjham port. (9) Vizhinjham Rock Cut Cave Temple: dating backto the18th century, these cave temples are committed to Vinandhara Dakshinamurthi (a benevolent manifestationof the destroyer amidst the Hindu trinity lord Shiva). This is regarding 17 miles from the Thiruvananthapuram city. Located between a tiny well maintained garden, it moreover has statues regarding Lord Siva and Parvathy. The cave is a recent finding. (10) Varkala: it happens to be an important Hindu pilgrimage center in this region. Its fame comes from the presence of the 'Papanasham' (Papanasham means payoff from sins or damage of sins) seashore, The Janardhana Swami Temple (2000 years of age according to "legends") and Sivagiri. The Papanasham seashore sometimes known because the Varkala seashore lies 45 miles away from Thiruvananthapuram. It is moreover perfect for watching the sunset. Red laterite cliffs' overlooking the seashore is the leading attraction. According to mythology, the sage Naradha created the destination Varkala with his 'Valkalam' (fabric made from the bark of a tree), and he advised his disciples to pray sitting on the beach for their salvation. The Janardhana Swami temple deifies Lord Siva, Lord Krishna and Hanuman because important deities. Though non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the inner sanctum of the temple, people can easily see about the temple. Sivagiri is the final resting host to the great social reformer Sree Narayana Guru and lies about a hilltop 3 miles from Varkala at Sivagiri. A caste-ridden asymmetrical society Kerala was described by Swami Vivekananda because a "madhouse". This was Narayana Guru who himself belonged to the back "Ezhava community" who tried effectively to create regarding a change in such useless thinking processes. His motto was "1 caste", "1 religion" and "One god for whole mankind". He has been deified and has been the signal of Kerala's struggle for social equality.
Emergency Exit Lighting Fort Worth
Related Articles -
emergency, exit, lighting, Fort, Worth,
|
