One fine evening, while reading the paper, I found an article on the Padmanabaswamy temple in Trivandrum. The news article spoke about it being the wealthiest temple, with the presiding deity made of fossilized shells dating back to 500 BC. It got my curiosity going, and before I could change my mind, the flight tickets were booked for Trivandrum. This time, though, Arvind's mother was my companion, and she also loves to travel, visit new places, learn about their culture and history, and explore the diverse culture of our country, India. Our trip was for three days, covering the Trivandrum, Kanyakumari, and Trinulvelli districts of Kerala and Tamilnadu states.
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| the scenic route |
We drove from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari, a 100 km distance that offers a picturesque landscape and a rich cultural experience. The blend of lush green landscapes that blend with the small water bodies and coastal views for miles at a stretch is soothing, calming, and rejuvenating. The road was flanked by greenery, freshly washed after the monsoon rains, with coconut, banana, and rubber plantations on either side. The backdrop of the Western Ghats added a majestic tone. Backwaters glistened and sparkled, goading us to stop and stare, pause for a moment, but we sped on. A thought crossed my mind that we might have stopped had Arvind been driving and with us! Moving closer to Kanya Kumari, the magnificent mountains gave way to the coastal plains.
We were not restricted by time, so we visited as many attractions as possible, keeping our interests in mind. Our first stop was the Azhimala Shiva temple in Vizhinkam. The temple is perched on a cliff overlooking the majestic Arabian Sea. The temple is ancient; the 58-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva, who is in the form of Lord Gangadhar, is an excellent addition. With Shiva's flowing hair in the wind and holding Goddess Ganga, the magnificent structure lends a grand appearance to the temple. The ocean views were spectacular, with the winds blowing our minds and hair. Trying to match the statue, we posed with wet, wind-swept hair.
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| Winds by the Arabian Sea |
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| AzhiMalai Shiva |
In an hour's drive from the temple, we reached the PadmanabaPuram Palace. This palace is over 400 years old and is considered Asia's largest wooden palace. It is spread over an area of 6.5 acres. Every bit of this magnificent complex boasts intricate woodwork that highlights the outstanding skills of the artisans of yore, standing the test of time. Aesthetic details arrest your attention, and you could spend hours gazing and taking in all it offers.
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Tradional entrance to the palace.
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The palace is located in Padmanabhapuram in the Kanyakumari district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. However, the government of the neighboring state of Kerala still owns, controls, and maintains the palace. Padmanabhapuram is the former capital city of the erstwhile Hindu kingdom of Travancore. The palace is located in the foothills of the Veli Hills, which form part of the western ghats. The river Valli flows nearby.
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| Huge courtyard before the entrance |
The Padmanabhapuram Palace complex consists of several structures that are open to the public. It was an exciting journey to walk the path our ancestors once took as part of their daily routine. Some of the chambers open to the public are the Mantrasala (king's council chamber), Nataksala ( the performance hall), and Indira Vilasam (the guest house ). There are also vast dining halls that would feed 2000 people a day, as well as the old kitchen.
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| The central courtyard where the king would receive his guests |
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| The dancing platform with intricate carvings |
The palace complex has a section of curios and several interesting objects. A corner of the dining hall filled with old Chinese jars, Weapons like swords and daggers used in warfare, furniture like the king's bed made of medicinal plants wood, huge mirrors, and polished wooden furniture that speaks of the elegance of the golden era. The museum that is attached to the palace is worth a visit. The palace complex remains one of the best examples of traditional Kerala architecture. Promising myself another visit to this palace, our next stop was the Mather/ Mathoor Aqua Duct.
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| Intricate bed stand carvings made of medicinal plants |
I learned about the beautiful tourist spot from a dear school friend whose native place is Nagercoil. We reached The Mathoor duct, situated in Mathoor, near Aruvikkrai village. I was blown off by the beauty of the surroundings. The Hanging trough has a height of 115 feet, and the total length is 1 km. It was constructed in 1966 across the river Parazhiyar/ Paharali. The canal ( Pattanamkal) on the bridge carries water for irrigation from one side of the hill to the other. The canal is supported by 28 massive pillars. There is a staircase that leads to the top of the bridge. One can spot vendors selling fresh jackfruit chips that are a must-have.
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| Dizzying heights |
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| The 1 km long canal that provided water between two hills |
The duct is visited by tourists in large numbers. Standing in the center of the bridge at a dizzying height, the views of the lush green all around the Pahrali River look gorgeous. One can see the river winding its way across the hilly terrain. This scenic spot offers plenty of photo ops and photo bombs, too.
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| Aqua Duct Pillars and views |
Leaving this picturesque location, we visited the temple towns of Nagercoil and Suchindran before arriving at Kanyakumari for the night. Traveling through diverse landscapes helps us appreciate the abundance of nature and the environment around us.
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| Nagaraja Temple at Nagercoil |
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| Sunset by the temple pond at Suchindran |
Excellent description and seems like this route will have a revisit
ReplyDeleteIndeed yes
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