Thiruvananthapuram formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most beautiful cities of India. Perched on undulating terrain of low coastal hills near the southern edge of the Indian mainland, clean and green. Thiruvananthapuram is an ancient city with trading tradition dateing back to 1000 BC. The city was the trading post of spices, sandalwood and ivory. However, the ancient political and cultural history of the city was almost entirely independent from that of the rest of Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram is also an excellent base to explore the interiors of Kerala, the southernmost region of India, and from Kochi, the Lakshadweep Islands.