Vacationing in God’s own country

Arrival at Trivandrum

St. Joseph's Metropolitan

St. Joseph's Metropolitan Cathedral, also known as Palayam Church, is the Roman Catholic Latin Rite cathedral of the Archdiocese of Trivandrum. The first church was built here in 1873. The church was intended in the manner of a cross in 1912. The final stage of extension, including the Gothic style facade and the bell-tower was completed in 1927. The three bells were brought from Belgium and were named Joseph, Xavier, and Aloysius in honour of, respectively, Saint Joseph, the patron of the church; Saint Francis Xavier, the apostle of India; and Bishop Aloysius Maria Benziger, the pioneer missionary-bishop of Quilon. Upon the bifurcation of the Diocese of Quilon, the new Diocese of Trivandrum was formed on 1 July 1937, and St. Joseph's Church became the cathedral of the newly formed diocese

The Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Only outside views) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the state of Kerala, India. The name of the city it stands on, Thiruvananthapuram, in Malayalam and Tamil translates to "The City of Ananta" (Ananta being a form of Vishnu). The temple is built in an intricate fusion of the Kerala style and the Dravidian style of architecture, featuring high walls, and a 16th-century gopuram. While as per some traditions the Ananthapura Temple in Kumbla in Kerala's Kasaragod district is considered as the original spiritual seat of the deity , architecturally to some extent, the temple is a replica of the Adikesava Perumal Temple in Thiruvattar in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.

Kanakakkunnu Palace(Only Out side views) is situated in Thiruvananthapuram near the Napier museum, India. It served as an official residence for Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer during his dewanship, in addition to Bhakti Vilas and Padma Vilas. It is India's first digital garden, created by Akhilesh S. V. Nair and A. Gangaprasad, University of Kerala, Department of Botany. Every day the palace and its sprawling grounds are the venue for many cultural meetings and programmes.

The Mother of God Church, also known as the Madre de Deus Church (“mother of God” in Portuguese/Latin), is a church located in Vettukad in Kerala, India’s Thiruvananthapuram district. The current church building was constructed in 1934 and finished in 1937 and has since grown into a small township with a Christian population of 6,770. There is evidence that Christians have existed in Vettukad since the 15th century. Madre de Deus is known for its Feast of Christ the King
celebration, which it has been celebrating for more than 500 years.

Shankumugham Beach is a beach in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, south India. The beach is on the western side of Thiruvananthapuram and is very close to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Shanghumugham beach is considered as the ‘Arattukadavu’ of Sri Ananthapadmanabhan - the presiding deity of the city. Thousands of Hindus perform ‘Bali Tharpanam’ during special occasions. Shankhumugham is the prime location for Ganesh Nimarjan at the time of Ganesh Chaturthi.The sculpture of Sagarakanyaka, a mermaid, by Kanayi Kunhiraman
is an added attraction. This giant statue is more than 35 metres long. The 'Jawaharlal Nehru Park of Traffic signs for children' is situated here, which is helpful for the children to understand the traffic rules while playing in the park. The park also provides cycling facilities for small children.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a monument and popular tourist attraction in Kanyakumari, India's southernmost tip.The memorial stands on one of the two rocks located about 500 meters off mainland of Vavathurai, Tamil Nadu. It is believed that Swami Vivekananda, swam across the seashore in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu to reach the rock mid-sea and he meditated for three days and nights on the rock until he is said to have attained enlightenment there a basis for Kanyakumari resolve of 1892.

St.Devasahayam Pillai or Mar Lazarus Sahada (born Neelakanta Pillai and baptized as Lazarus; 23 April 1712 – 14 January 1752) was an Indian layman and martyr of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis canonized Devasahayam Pillai on May 15, 2022. He is a self-proclaimed martyr who lived as a Catholic for only seven years, three of which were spent in prison, standing up for the Christian faith amidst intense persecution. Pope Leo XIV has declared V. Devasahayam Pillai as the Intercessor of the Laity.
Lunch at Kattadimala.

Overnight stay at hotel at Trivandrum/Chadayamangalam

The centrepiece of the park is the world's largest bird sculpture Measuring 200 feet in length, 150 feet in width, and 70 feet in height, the colossal structure stands as a tribute to Jatayu's bravery and sacrifice.  From the top of the sculpture, breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys offer a visual treat for visitors. Dangling over the expansive, picturesque locale across hills, what you would get to experience. is one of the best cable car rides in India. These Swiss-made Cable car. the only one-of-its-kind in Kerala, have been set up in adherence to the highest of safety standards.

St. Alphonsa's canonization by Pope Benedict XVI on October 12, 2008, at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, brought worldwide attention to Bharananganam. The church, also known as Anakkallu Palli, became a focal point for Christian pilgrims. A chapel adjacent to the church houses St. Alphonsa's mortal remains, and a museum next to the convent chapel displays her personal belongings, offering visitors a glimpse into her life and legacy. This serene church, surrounded by picturesque hills, is a significant pilgrimage center, especially revered for being the final resting place of St. Alphonsa, the first woman from Kerala to be canonized by the Vatican.

Vagamon remained largely unexplored for centuries. Though the British had plantations here, it was only in 1926, when Walter Duncan and Company started their tea plantations, that it became well known. In the 1930s, more tea plantations were set up in the area.[3] After 1940, people from Travancore, and Madras (Tamil Nadu), migrated to Vagamon. Later, after the formation of Kerala State, people from various parts of Kerala migrated there.

Saint chavara birthhome pilgrim centre is the birthplace of ST. Kurikakose Eliyas Chavara. It is also known as chavara bhavan and chavara church or palli. 250-year-old house of ST. Chavara is preserved in its original and primitive form. This is a House of prayer for formalies and students. Chavara Bhavan, the ancestral house of St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, known to many as “Chavara Achan” resides in Alappuzha as one of the famous pilgrim centres in Kerala. Chavara Bhavan is situated in a small village of Kainakary surrounded by Kerala backwaters from all sides. Thus, Chavara Bhavan can only be reached via boat services. Chavara Bhavan built-in 1805 since then serves for humanity services. Tourists and other local people come together at Bhavan for prayers and receiving favours. This holy shrine is a spiritual abode for many Christian and non-christian devotees.

Proceed to St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal.

In 1581 the King of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma, gave permission to build a Church in wood. It was the second Vicar, Fr. Giacomo Fenicio S.J. who managed to obtain permission from the King to renovate the wooden church in stone in 1602. He had spent 33 years in Arthunkal in two terms and is rightfully called the Apostle of Arthunkal.Arthunkal rose to fame when in 1647 the miraculous statue of St. Sebastian was brought to Arthunkal from Italy in a ship. St. Sebastian was the captain of the body guards of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. He was brutally killed and became a martyr in 286 AD.

Proceed to Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom,

On 23rd May 1752, a Nair lady, Meenakshi-Amma and her son of Palliyil House, Vallarpadam, were going to the family temple Mattanchery. When the boat reached the deep waters, the gales blew and the boat was tossed up and down by the towering waves. Immediately boat capsized in the heavy storm. Meenakshi-Amma seeing that there is no way to escape, implored Vallarpadathamma to save them and vowed that they would be her slaves (Adima) for rest of their lives. Those who escaped catastrophe reported the whole thing to others and people came in boats with nets to rescue the mother and the child. In the bad weather they couldn’t continue much longer.

The Jewish synagogue was built in 1568, almost 1500 years after the beginning of the Jewish connection with Kerala. It was built on the land, adjacent to the Mattancherry Palace, given by the erstwhile king of Cochin. The synagogue, the oldest in the Commonwealth, was built by the Jewish community of Cochin. In 1662, it was destroyed by the Portguese and then reconstructed, two years later, by the Dutch.

Malayatoor, the holy hill with crosses and a gold rock St.Thomas on the rocks up the hill.  The church is believed to have been established by St Thomas, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, who came to the Kerala coast at Muziris, Kodungalloor Port in 52 C.E. The beautiful church is built in Greco-roman style with the front portion designed in distinct style of Roman Catholic Churches and the altar in traditional Greek style. The paintings found inside the church depict important events in the life of Jesus Christ.The Malayattoor church has been designated by the Vatican as one of the eight International shrines in the world.

Athirappilly Falls is the largest waterfall in Kerala, which stands tall at 81.5 feet. Just a short drive from Athirappilly is the Vazhachal Falls, which is close to dense green forests that are home to many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna.Athirappilly falls and is nicknamed "The Niagara of South India".

Blessed Mariam Thresia, beatified in the year 2000 by the Catholic Church, lived the most part of her life and died at a convent in Kuzhikattussery near Mala in Thrissur. She was instrumental in starting the Congregation of Holy Family (CHF) and was its first mother superior. CHF received canonical erection in the year 1914.The pilgrim centre has a chapel which houses the tomb of Mariam Thresia. The chapel also houses the tomb of her spiritual guru Fr. Joseph Vithayathil who is also venerated by the Church. The centre has a Mariam Thresia Museum where her life is portrayed along with several personal belongings and portraits. The place where she lived is also preserved and is now open to visitors for prayer and meditation.

In recognition of her life of holiness, charity, and prayer, Saint Euphrasia was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2005. On September 24, 2014, she was canonized as a saint by Pope Francis. Her canonization was celebrated with great joy, especially in Kerala, where her life had inspired many. She is a patron of the Carmelite Order in India and is widely venerated for her deep spirituality and commitment to helping the poor and suffering.