Last Week in Trivandrum — Issue #2

Covering September 06 – September 12, 2026

📸 Picture of the Week

"Rosemala… ideal for a bike ride from TVM" — Captured by u/Ok_Car_06969 · View original post on r/trivandrum

🍔 Culinary Crusades: Burgers, Biriyanis & Brunch

• The Great Trivandrum Burger Debate (r/trivandrum Thread): The capital's burger scene underwent a rigorous community audit this week. While heavyweights like Turf, Big Poppas, and Pound Town were crowned Tier-1 champions, users warned of the grueling wait times at hype-heavy, Instagram-preordered spots like Smash Burgeria.

  "Smash Burgeria... Ran by a couple. Need to take preorder, book slot via Instagram site. They start preparing it once you reach the location... One of the best smash burgers in TVM" — u/KryptonianDNA

• Rebranding Blues at Kynorah (r/trivandrum Thread): Locals expressed disappointment with Kynorah (formerly Savour Street), noting that the café's aesthetic facelift hasn't solved its slow service and underwhelming food quality. The consensus is that the venue now prioritizes Instagram vibes over culinary substance.

  "Most of the reviews you see on maps are for savor street and not for the rebranded one I believe. I won't exactly call it best for food even before, but it was mostly for the top and bottom having different vibes" — u/Embarrassed-Pea-7213

• Seeking the Elusive Perfect Biriyani (r/trivandrum Thread): A review of Malabar Qissa's Chicken Biriyani sparked another round of the city's eternal biriyani debate, with many dismissing the outlet as overhyped. Disappointed foodies swapped recommendations, pointing seekers toward dine-in sessions at Ajwa or Paragon to satisfy their cravings.

🚦 Asphalt Anguish: Digging, Checking & Road Rage

• The Pipeline Road That Never Heals (r/trivandrum Thread): Residents of Ambalamukku and Paruthippara are in despair over the perpetual state of road destruction on their daily commute. Insiders pointed out that because this stretch houses a critical water line supplying major medical institutions, it is trapped in a permanent cycle of KWA digging and PWD patching.

  "That road from Ambalamukku till Paruthippara is a 'pipeline' road that is over the water suppy line to the Medical College (very critical as this one supplies RCC, SCTIMST, Medical College, and Pulayanarkotta hospitals)..." — u/RestingPhotographer

• Police Checking and Parking Woes at Kowdiar (r/trivandrum Thread): An intense police crackdown on roadside parking in Nandhancode and Kowdiar divided the community. While some defended the drivers—noting that Swaraj Bhavan's internal parking is temporarily closed for maintenance—others rejoiced, citing how double-sided parking has long choked the avenue.

  "I was told that no fines would be issued for parking here until the 15th. This arrangement was made at the request of the LSGD Principal Directorate (Swaraj Bhavan), as the parking area inside their office compound is currently under maintenance..." — u/NameElectronic

• Two-Wheeler Road Rage on the Rise (r/trivandrum Thread): Commuters lamented a sharp decline in road etiquette, highlighting aggressive maneuvering and high-beam abuse, particularly among two-wheelers. Drivers noted that a simple willingness to let others merge would prevent the gridlocks that turn daily trips into high-stress standoffs.

  "If we allow some to pass the whole traffic will ease. Instead everyone aggressively creates a near deadlock and then wastes 5 minutes honking..." — u/zodiackills

🔌 Grid Grumbles & Street Smarts: Power Cuts & Pup Patrol

• The Return of the Unofficial Power Cuts (r/trivandrum Thread): Residents are battling a wave of unannounced power outages and severe voltage fluctuations, particularly in Poojappura. Frustrated citizens blamed KSEB’s lack of foresight and proactive planning for leaving them unable to run ACs or charge vehicles during peak hours.

  "Lack of rains, high power usage in the evening and increased demand... Classic example of lack of foresight, planning and proactive approach from KSEB." — u/every_life_a_story

• Nostalgia for Constant Electricity (r/trivandrum Thread): With load-shedding happening multiple times a day, locals are dryly joking about the return of a "forgotten art form." Many expressed frustration at having to endure sleepless, humid nights due to low voltage and unpredictable midnight cuts.

  "10 വർഷം ഈ കലാരൂപം എന്താണെന്ന് പോലും മറന്നു പോയതല്ലേ... ഇനിയുമിപ്പോ അങ്ങോട്ട് അനുഭവിക്കുക, അത്ര തന്നെ." (We had even forgotten what this art form was for the last 10 years... now just suffer it, that's all.) — u/thulaam_pathh

• The Stray Dog Dilemma in Kazhakkoottam (r/trivandrum Thread): A seemingly wholesome picture of a street dog posing for the camera sparked a serious debate on the region's stray dog population. While some users find them endearing, others highlighted the genuine danger and fear of walking or cycling through areas dominated by aggressive packs.

🕵️‍♂️ Secret Passages, Sarcastic Romantics & Soul-Searching

• The Secrets of Padmanabhaswamy Temple (r/trivandrum Thread): History buffs and folklore lovers traded fascinating theories about secret underground passages connecting the temple to Kuthiramalika, Padmanabhapuram Palace, and Shangumugham Beach. While some dismiss them as myths, others confirmed that restricted entryways still exist for the royal family.

  "That passage exists and still in use, went to kuthiramalika last year and during the tour inside the guide told about it and showed everyone the entry which the royal family uses..." — u/Flat_Dragonfruit_245

• The Quest for Private Spaces (r/trivandrum Thread): A simple request for quiet, private spots to sit and chat with a partner was met with peak Trivandrum wit. While some suggested booking a hotel room to avoid moral policing, others offered hilariously risky alternatives.

  "There is this really nice shaded corner with seats in the waiting area of museum police station, highly recommended." — u/ZealousidealCommon53

• Existential Dread in the Capital (r/trivandrum Thread): In a deeply vulnerable post, a user shared their struggles of feeling stuck in Trivandrum while watching their dreams slip away. The community rallied around them with heartwarming empathy and hard-hitting advice on resilience and self-discovery.

  "Nobody's gonna come and save you. You gotta sit through all of the pain and fight or slog through it all without ever losing your spirit... And it's up to you whether you can still remain true to yourself at the end." — u/No_Mechanic8608

🎙️ Quote of the Week

"The heaviest thing to lift there is the owner's ego"
— u/HectorofTroyy on r/trivandrum, reviewing a local gym.