Kerala
Poovar: Explore A Serene Coastal Village in Kerala!
Poovar is a small village or town located in Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) Kerala, the state is known as ‘gods own country’. Kerala is a south Indian state and Poovar is an island village separating the ocean and river.
It is famous for its beaches, backwaters, and lush greenery it is covered with, making it a good choice for visitors who are into Nature and looking for a peaceful time away from busy daily life. According to the visitors, Poovar is a huge highlight of Trivandrum and the beaches are clean.
This island village is Brimming with birdlife and offers a boat ride through waterways covered with Palm and coconut trees making a truly aesthetic masterpiece. You will have the privilege to go through mangroves forest and while you’re on the way you will see the statue of St Mary, Elephant Rock.
You could also see coconut drinks stalls on boats with floating rest houses and restaurants found only at Poovar if not Alappuzha, Poovar is the right choice for the same vibe. This article sorts out the best places for you to visit in Poovar and make the most out of your trip.
Table of Contents
Poovar Beach
Poovar Beach is one of the prettiest beaches and a top tourist destination. The beach possesses golden sands, clear waters, and astonishing views of the sunset. The beach is great for a leisurely walk while enjoying the beauty of it.
There are also other water sports and fun activities to take part in. With several shacks and restaurants scattered across the beach, it offers a wide range of local eateries and seafood. Poovar Beach is an ideal place to plan trips with your family to spend some quality time together witnessing its beauty.
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
A definite visitable destination for wildlife enthusiasts and it is home to several variety of wildlife species like Elephants which is the most famous in Kerala and other wild animals like tigers, leopards, and much more. This is one of the best places to visit in Poovar.
The sanctuary also features multiple bird species including migratory words as well. The visitors have a chance to go on a safari to explore and observe the ecosystem of the state.
Thirparappu Falls
Thirparappu is an astonishing waterfall located right close to Poovar. The waterfall is situated in the middle of a lush green environment and provides people with a peaceful and fresh atmosphere making this place even more special to its admirers.
You can spend some time in the cold and natural water from the waterfalls while also enjoying the beauty of it.
Shankumugham Beach
Facing the Arabian Sea Shankumugham is another popular beach in Poovar featuring clean water and picture-worthy surroundings. The beach provides water sports for the visitors to participate in and enjoy their visit.
If you need to visit any other beach than Poovar’s main beach the Shankumugham beach is a better alternative with the same activities and worth the visit.
Neyyar Dam
With greenery covering the major areas, Neyyar is one of the most popular dams in Kerala and an ideal tourist destination with boating and other ways to explore the place.
Neyyar Dam is a suitable place for sightseeing and relaxing on weekends with friends and family. The landscape is also worthy of photographs.
The Fishing Village
Like the name, the village is where most of the villagers are fishermen and marine workers. Visiting here would give you a clear-cut idea of the daily life of the locals and learn more about their routines and traditions as well.
You can interact with the locals and know more and if you’re lucky you can take part in fishing too.
Vizhinjam International Seaport
This is among the crucial seaports near Poovar and the shipping cargo is loaded and unloaded here. Planning to develop in 3 phases, the first phase is expected to be on November 2023.
The seaport is close to Vizhinjam Beach and it has been a major hub of trade for several decades or maybe even centuries. Visitors can observe it and take a tour of the whole seaport and can visit the nearby destinations like the Cave temple.
Vizhinjam Cave Temple
The Vizhinjam Cave Temple dates back to ancient times and is famous for its sophisticated carvings and architecture. These reflect the cultural and ancient traditions adding up to the historical significance of the temple.
The cave is a one-celled shrine carved out of Granite with the sculpture of Vinandhara Dakshinamurthi within it. The outer wall reveals half-completed relics of Lord Shiva and Parvathi. Except for the national holidays or weekends, the temple is closed on Mondays and open all other days from 9 AM to 6 PM to visit.
Madre de Deus Church
Also Known as Vettucaud Church, this is another religious site with a lot of visitors and historical value. The official name translates to Mother of God. The Church also features unique architecture which has stained glass windows giving a feel of antiquity to the visitors.
It dates back almost 500 years and still sees a lot of pilgrims and tourists and is well-reputed among them. Vettucaud Church closes at 8 PM so make sure you visit here before this timeline.
Kovalam Beach
Due to its popularity and visitors from several regions, Kovalam Beach is regarded as one of the biggest tourist destinations when it comes to beaches.
Blessed with crystal clear waters and golden sands, Kovalam is also accompanied by stunning views of the sunset making the evenings more beautiful and the best time to visit. Water sports or other activities are available for the visitors. The place is visited regardless of tourists and locals alike.
Kuthira Malika Palace
The name “Kuthira Malika” translates to ‘Mansion of Horses’ and this is a historical palace that is now established as a museum. It has around 122 horses carved into wall brackets that support the southern roofs.
The palace has amazing architecture and was constructed under the reign of Swathi Thirunnal Maharaja Rama Varma. The palace consists of beautiful antique paintings along with some historical artifacts from the royal family.
With its pretty courtyard, the place gives a much better feeling to its visitors. It celebrates an annual music festival from 6th to 12th January which is a much better time to visit. The palace is about a 3-minute walk away from the famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
Kuthira Malika has an entrance fee of 50/- Rs for the locals and 150 for foreigners. Kids charge up to 15 and an additional 20 if you opt to take a camera and photos.
Best Time To Visit Poovar
As many things said, the best time to visit Poovar is between the months of October to February when the weather is cool and Comfortable for visitors. The summer months from March which lasts till May might not be a good choice due to the excessive humidity of the summer season.
How To Reach Poovar
Trivandrum is the capital district of the state, therefore, reaching Poovar is not a hard-to-swallow pill. It connects well to other major cities through Road, Rail, and Air. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the closest airport to this region and is 25 kilometers from Poovar.
The Railway station is named Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station and is 22 Kilometres from Poovar town.
The roadways are also a better option to reach with its Highways that connects to several other major cities. You can hire a taxi, rent a vehicle of your choice or grab a bus to reach here on the road.
Furthermore, Poovar makes itself a beautiful destination with its golden sand beaches, scenic backwaters, and green environment. The place brings something new to the table for Nature lovers and Sigh seekers. This place is a getaway from all your stress and a visit here to breathe fresh air soothes your mind and gives you peace.
Each of the places mentioned above blesses you with a unique experience different from each other.
Remember to visit here during October and February also Poovar is accessible by Road, Rail, and Air so choose the most comfortable method for yourself and your friends or family. The place is ideal for family trips and picnics as well as perfect to spend your weekends.
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