Once an important trade hub for ivory, sandalwood and spices, Poovar is now a popular tourist town on the coast of Kerala. It lies where the Neyyar River meets the Laccadive Sea and was named Poovar (“River of Flowers”) by Marthanda Varma, the former king of Travancore.
Spend your days relaxing on Poovar Beach, which is backed by swaying palm trees, and stay to watch the sunset over the Laccadive Sea. Boat excursions are available for exploring the backwaters of the Neyyar River as it snakes its way inland from Golden Sands Beach.
A short drive north-west of Poovar is the Aazhimala Shiva Temple, a colourful Hindu place of worship famed for its impressive sculpture of Lord Shiva. You can combine your visit with a swim at Kovalam Beach, a golden crescent of sand that has been a tourist favourite since the 1930s.
Getting there
Poovar is around a one-hour drive from Thiruvananthapuram and 40 minutes from Trivandrum International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Asia and the Middle East. Buses connect to Poovar and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Rickshaws are readily available for getting around the area.