 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2013) |
Shankhumugham Beach | |
|---|---|
Beach | |
 Shankumugham beach, Thiruvananthapuram | |
  Shankhumugham Beach | |
| Coordinates: 8°28′52″N 76°54′45″E / 8.48112950°N 76.91237030°E | |
| Location | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |
| Patrolled by | Kerala Police; Beach Lifeguards |
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. [1] Thousands of Hindus perform ‘Bali Tharpanam’ during special occasions.[2] Shankhumugham is the prime location for Ganesh Nimarjan at the time of Ganesh Chaturthi.[3][4]
On the Arattu day at Thiruvananthapuram, idols of Lord Padmanabhaswamy, Lord Narasimha, and Lord Krishna are taken in procession to the Laccadive Sea at Shanghumugham beach.[5] His Highness the now-titular Maharaja of Travancore leads the procession with the royal sword in hand while escorted by members of the royal family, armed guards, temple authorities, mounted police, and officers. After the ceremonial bath at Shanghumugham, the idols are taken back in procession, thus marking the conclusion of the festival.[6]
The sculpture of Sagarakanyaka, a mermaid, by Kanayi Kunhiraman is an added attraction.[7] This giant statue is more than 35 metres long. The 'Jawaharlal Nehru Park of Traffic signs for children' is situated here,[8] 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.
The military area of Southern Air Command of the Indian Air Force and part of the main airport are situated near Shankumugham Beach.[9]
- ^ "Arattu Mandapam, Shanghumugham". Kerala Tourism. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Thousands offer Bali Tharpanam on Karkidaka Vavu". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Ganeshotsavam procession tomorrow". Times of India. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ "Ganesh Visarjan 2021". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ "Alpashi and Painkuni Arattu festival of Sree Padamanabhaswamy Temple | Festivals of Kerala". www.keralaculture.org. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Alpashi festival comes to a close". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Backwaters - Kerala, Kerala Travel, Real Estate, Kerala Matrimonial". www.kerala.com. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Thiruvananthapuram: Traffic park to get a lease of life". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "On cloud nine: Differently-abled students visit Air Force Station". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 7 September 2020.