God’s own country, Kerala is bestowed with a well-preserved art and cultural heritage. The vibrant art and culture of Kerala always attract travellers from all parts of the world. Being a paradise for the lovers of dance, music, and drama, Kerala hosts a variety of festivals and extraordinary events that not only portray the diverse culture and heritage of the state but also that of the country. One such festival is the Nishagandhi Dance Festival featuring various dance forms prevalent in this country in the company of good music.
Nishagandhi Dance Festival:
A classical extravaganza of Indian dance forms, music, art, food and history, the famous Nishagandhi Dance Festival weaves a wonderful week of entertainment and enlightenment. The beautiful premises of the lush green Kanakakunnu Palace in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city serves as the venue for this seven-day cultural fiesta every year, wherein dance takes the centre stage. Organized by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation along with other supporting states, the annual Nishagandhi Dance Festival witness connoisseurs of dance, music and traditional Indian art as well as renowned artists from all across the globe to enjoy this vibrant cultural fiesta.
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Bharatanatyam Dance
Different genres of dance forms like Kathak, Odissi, Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, etc are staged during the festival. The prime attraction of the Nishagandhi Dance Festival is that it offers an incredible chance to witness some of the magical performances by renowned artists from different corners of the country. Another highlight is that eminent dance and music personalities of India are honored with the Nishagandhi Puraskaram during the Nishagandhi Dance Festival which is sponsored by the Department of Kerala Tourism.
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Manipuri Dance
Apart from dance, the audience can experience different forms of music also, such as instrumental, fusion and vocal music during this Festival. The traditional and ethnic handicrafts of Kerala, made of bamboo, cane, coconut, clay and other materials are unique attractions for tourists which can be taken as a memento from Kerala. A food festival is also conducted along with the Nishagandhi Dance Festival where you can try some of the yummy cuisines of the whole of India. This food festival also hosts cookery shows that are being conducted by famous chefs.
Top Tourist Attractions in Thiruvananthapuram:
An amazing place with historical, natural and spiritual significance, the capital city of Kerala – Thiruvananthapuram is brimming with a bunch of tourist attractions. One can explore some of the prominent tourist attractions at the same time attend the spectacular Nishagandhi Dance Festival on your visit to Thiruvananthapuram during the last week of January. Some of the top tourist attractions here are:
- Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
- Kanakannu Palace.
- Kowdiar Palace.
- Napier Museum.
- Kuthiramalika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum.
- Kovalam Beach.
- Priyadarshini Space Planetarium.
- Agasthyakoodam Peak.
- Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple.
- Shanghumukham Beach.
- Veli Tourist Village.
- Neyyar Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Ponmudi Hill Station.
Getting There:
By Air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the nearest airport to Kanakakunnu Palace which is situated at a distance of 6.2 Km.
By Rail: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Kanakakunnu Palace which is situated at a distance of 3.2 Km.
By Road: KSRTC Central Bus Station, Thiruvananthapuram is the nearest bus station to Kanakakunnu Palace which is situated at a distance of 3.1 Km.
