Shankumugham Beach

{{Short description|Important beach in Trivandrum}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}

{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}

{{more footnotes|date=October 2013}}

{{Infobox landform

| name = Shankhumugham Beach

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| photo = Shankumugam Beach.jpg

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| photo_caption = Shankumugham beach, Thiruvananthapuram

| map = Kerala

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| location = Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

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| coordinates = {{coord|8.48112950|N|76.91237030|E|display=inline,title}}

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| type = Beach

| free_label_1 = Patrolled by

| free_data_1 = Kerala Police; Beach Lifeguards

| free_label_2 = Hazard rating

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File:ശംഖുമുഖം കടൽത്തീരത്തെ മത്സ്യകന്യക ശില്പം.jpg

Shankumugham Beach is a beach in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, south India. The beach is on the western side of Thiruvananthapuram and is very close to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

Shanghumugham beach is considered as the ‘Arattukadavu’ of Sri Ananthapadmanabhan - the presiding deity of the city. {{Cite web|title=Arattu Mandapam, Shanghumugham|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/arattu-mandapam/599|access-date=2020-09-07|website=Kerala Tourism|language=en}} Thousands of Hindus perform ‘Bali Tharpanam’ during special occasions.{{Cite web|title=Thousands offer Bali Tharpanam on Karkidaka Vavu|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/thousands-offer-bali-tharpanam-on-karkidaka-vavu-karkidaka-vavu-thirunelli-thirunnavaya-1.2109274|access-date=2020-09-07|website=Mathrubhumi|language=en}} Shankhumugham is the prime location for Ganesh Nimarjan at the time of Ganesh Chaturthi.{{cite web |title=Ganeshotsavam procession tomorrow |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/ganeshotsavam-procession-tomorrow/articleshow/70967457.cms |publisher=Times of India |access-date=4 September 2019}}{{cite web |title=Ganesh Visarjan 2021 |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/ganesh-visarjan-2021-devotees-immerse-idols-of-lord-ganesha-1031489-1558164 |publisher=Deccan Herald |access-date=20 September 2021}}

On the Arattu day at Thiruvananthapuram, idols of Lord Padmanabhaswamy, Lord Narasimha, and Lord Krishna are taken in procession to the Laccadive Sea at Shanghumugham beach.{{Cite web|title=Alpashi and Painkuni Arattu festival of Sree Padamanabhaswamy Temple {{!}} Festivals of Kerala|url=http://www.keralaculture.org/|access-date=2020-09-07|website=www.keralaculture.org|language=en}} His Highness the now-titular Maharaja of Travancore leads the procession with the royal sword in hand while escorted by members of the royal family, armed guards, temple authorities, mounted police, and officers. After the ceremonial bath at Shanghumugham, the idols are taken back in procession, thus marking the conclusion of the festival.{{Cite web|title=Alpashi festival comes to a close|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2018/nov/15/alpashi-festival-comes-to-a-close-1898337.html|access-date=2020-09-07|website=The New Indian Express}}

The sculpture of Sagarakanyaka, a mermaid, by Kanayi Kunhiraman is an added attraction.{{Cite web|title=Backwaters - Kerala, Kerala Travel, Real Estate, Kerala Matrimonial|url=http://www.kerala.com/pages/keralabackwaters-thiruvananthapuram|access-date=2020-09-07|website=www.kerala.com}} This giant statue is more than 35 metres long. The 'Jawaharlal Nehru Park of Traffic signs for children' is situated here,{{Cite web|title=Thiruvananthapuram: Traffic park to get a lease of life|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2019/may/25/thiruvananthapuram-traffic-park-to-get-a-lease-of-life-1981335.html|access-date=2020-09-07|website=The New Indian Express}} which is helpful for the children to understand the traffic rules while playing in the park. The park also provides cycling facilities for small children.

The military area of Southern Air Command of the Indian Air Force and part of the main airport are situated near Shankumugham Beach.{{Cite web|title=On cloud nine: Differently-abled students visit Air Force Station|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2019/oct/10/on-cloud-nine-differently-abled-students-visit-air-force-station-2045427.html|access-date=2020-09-07|website=The New Indian Express}}