Thiruvananthapuram ("City of the Sacred Serpent"), the capital of Kerala, is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west. Also known as Trivandrum in the popular parlance the city is home to temples and museums. The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the Eastern, and North Eastern borders give some of the most enchanting picnic spots, a long shoreline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make this district a much sought after tourist destination. With a good infrastructure, the city is an excellent base to explore Varkala, a famous seaside holiday destination.