East Fort - Significance

Significance

East Fort or Kizhakke Kotta, as it is known in Malayalam, is today the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city. It is the central bus depot for the city bus services run by the state-run KSRTC. It is linked by MG Road to rest of downtown Thiruvananthapuram, and is the point of diversion to other parts of the city, as well as the famed Kovalam beach. The city's Central railway station, as well as the Central Bus Stand (for long distance buses) are both a few minute walk from East Fort, so are most of Thiruvananthapuram's cinemas, as well as top cultural venues and shopping malls.Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple, from which the city takes its name (Thiru Anantha Puram means 'the city or puram of Holy (Thiru) Anantha, another name for Vishnu, who is the deity of Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple), is situated inside the East fort entrance.East Fort during the past few decades has transformed itself into one of the biggest commercial hubs of trivandrum with majority of Branded Jewellery showrooms like Alukkas,Alappat,Josco,Prince,Kalyan.Apart from that it also house the biggest textile shops of southern kerala.Some of other major landmarks are Pattom thanu pillai park for children, Rajadhani buildings,Theerthapada mandapam,Attukal shopping complex,Sri karthika thirunal theatre, Transport office, Taluk office.The majort KSRTC terminal is just outside east fort facing putharikkandam fields which offer a base ground for major political rallies and demonstrations.Gandhi park which gives a recreational comfort to passengers as well as others is just 50 meters in front of it.

Kuthiramalika Palace museum, built by His Highness Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, Maharaja of erstwhile Travancore is also situated inside the Fort complex and its remains.

Gandhi Park is situated in front of the fort, which is famous for hosting socio-politico gatherings. Gandhi Park has been completely remodelled with modern urban landscaping, and is a popular spot for a relaxing stroll or time-out. The Gandhi Park provides a maginificient view of the entrance to the East Fort which is lit up.The archeological department, cognizant of the great and long heritage of the East Fort, undertakes the maintenance and upkeep of the East Fort. It is a national monument and is flood lit in the evenings. The East Fort has it own Police Station and Post Office. This place of the city is said to be the very heart of Trivandrum and used to be the centre of Administration,arts,literature as Sri Bala Rama Varma was the patron of this city who himself was a virtuoso and a connoisseur at these fields.

The Ganesha temple, Pazhavangadi Ganapathi Temple, is also situated at the East Fort.

It is from the East Fort that one enters the Chalai Bazaar (Market), which was the main business center of Travancore. Gold, Flowers, Iron and Steel, Fruits and Vegetables to Cars and Computers, this is one spot where you get everything. The central road is over 2 km long. In the vicinity of Lord Vishnu there are numerous other temples iside the fort complex dedicated to Lord Shiva, Hanuman, Lord Ganesh and also an ashramam dedicated to Swami Abhedanada.As one enter the fort they can see TVM District co-operative bank on their left side,besides that one of the oldest SBT buildings resides within the fort complex along with the palatial buildings which once served to house the rulers of Earstwhile travancore. The street facing East Fort once were full of Agraharas and small shops belonging to Brahmins.Because of the advent of business tycoons and their vested interest in east fort it has become the hottest shopping point in trivandrum rsulting it to have one of the highest real eastate values in Trivandrum.