Kovil Kadu

Kovil Kadu ('temple forest') is a grove located at Vizhinjam, near the Arabian Sea, in Thiruvananthapuram District. 'Kovil' means temple and 'Kadu' refers forest. The Kadu is around 3 km from Kovalam and 18 km from Thiruvananthapuram.

The forest has a small enclosure containing a square shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and a rectangular one dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. Dating back to the 9th century, these are most likely the earliest structural temples in Kerala. A variety of fruit and spice trees, wild trees and shade trees are seen in the forest.

Kovil Kadu is within 10 minutes from the center of Vizhinjam. Trivandrum International Airport and Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station are the nearest airport and railway station respectively.