The Sree Padmanaghaswamy Temple is said to be the richest Hindu Temple in the world - very likely even the wealthiest place of worship of any kind worldwide.

According to wikipedia the asset of the temple is estimated to around $22 billion. A treasure of pure gold in form of coins, jewels and idols stored in six vaults under the temple. And only five of the six vaults have been opened until today. The most inner chamber - according to legend its walls are made of pure solid gold - has not been opened for centuries. And nobody knows what can be found inside. In 2011 the inner chamber was declared off limit. In Indiana Jones style the door to the vault is decorated with serpents, dragons and a fierce looking face of a monster keeping an eye on everyone coming near the door. According to legend inside the vault two enormous cobra serpents keep watch, ready to attack. Anyone who dares to enter is doomed.

The seven-tier gopuram is the main entrance on the eastern side of the Vishnu Temple complex. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple. Today it is not even possible to walk around the temple or to make photos in its vicinity, heavily armed security forces and an extremely tight video surveillance make sure of that. Though the gopuram was built in 16th century the temple is mentioned in the medieval hindu texts from 3rd to 9th century. Even then it was said to be extremely wealthy, the walls consisting of pure gold...

Only recently in 2016 the Supreme Court of India took over the management of the Vishnu Temple. Until then the  temple was run by the royal family of Travancore.

The Napier Museum houses a fine display of archeological artefacts as well as a collection of bronze idols, ivory carvings and temple chariots.

The building, named after Lord Napier the Governor of Madras from 1866-1872, is a landmark of Trivandrum since it was built in 1880.  It is set in a large and well kept garden just next to the zoological garden of Trivandrum.

The Zoological Garden was established in 1857 and today spreads out on 55 acres with nice shaded paths through a landscape with lakes, hills and small forests.

It is not only one of the oldes zoos in india but very modern in terms of (mostly) well kept animals who live in enclosures that give them much space and surroundings appropiate for their species. Most zoological gardens in india are not worth a visit, the poor animals kept in a way nobody does agree with. But the zoo in Trivandrum has relatively high standards.