Kanyakumari – the southernmost tip of India!

------published in TheWeek's TripTease column in December 2016 ----

The Vivekananda Rock Memorial - Kanyakumari

This temple town in Tamilnadu forms the southernmost tip of India.  Situated right at the confluence of the three seas – the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean – Kanyakumari is a historic and beautiful destination. 

Kanyakumari is situated about 90 kms from Thiruvananthapuram and we took a bus from the Thiruvananthapuram Bus-stand, close to the famous Padmanabhaswamy temple.  The bus-ride was painfully slow and it took a good 4 hours to reach Kanyakumari. 

The photographer captured!

The famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial is situated about 500 m from the mainland.  One has to take a ferry to cross over to the other side.  Being a Saturday, the place was crowded and the queue for tickets was long.  The watchman assured us that the crowd that day was significantly lower than on other national holidays! The spell-binding view of the Rock  

View from the mainland

 Memorial and the imposing Thiruvalluvar Statue is spectacular.  It is believed that Swami Vivekananda sat on these rocks and meditated for a good three days.  He is supposed to have found answers to all the questions that plagued him and thus attained salvation.  The beautiful memorial that has been built here is remarkable and the huge statue of Swami Vivekananda, standing tall and erect is an inspiring sight.  It is a tribute befitting one of India’s much admired and respected philosophers / social reformers.  The Meditation Hall built in the lower precincts of the building is cool and inviting, and offers solace and peace to the wandering mind.

Posing beside the ornate door of the Memorial

 A walk around the outer platform is thoroughly enjoyable – the sea breeze is quite strong and refreshingly cool. One can spend any amount of time just watching the lashing waves and enjoying the breeze as it plays around with your hair and clothes, gently billowing and blowing through, providing the much needed respite from the hot sunny day.  The thought that one is standing on unique ground - right at the southernmost tip of India, surrounded by three seas – adds to the awe and magnitude of the experience.  

Enjoying the cool breeze!

A few metres from the Vivekananda Rock, on an adjacent stone island, is the majestic 133 ft. tall Thiruvalluvar Statue.  Thiruvalluvar is a great Tamil poet and philosopher whose famous work, ‘the Thirukkural’ is an important treatise on life and offers teachings on good conduct, morals and how to lead a happy and contented life.  The poet wrote the 133 chapters (and thus, the height of the statue) in ancient times but his teachings remain true and 

relevant even to this day.  One is left totally wonder-struck, admiring the beautiful stone cut figure of Tamilnadu’s much revered poet.

Medhini holding the Thiruvalluvar statue in her palm!

As we headed back to the main land, the lights were switched on at the Vivekananda Rock and what a sight it was!  Truly remarkable and well worth all the wait that one has to put up with!  The sun had set and as the last rays slowly vanished, the illumined lights of the Rock provided a fantastic view. 

When the lights were turned on.

We then slowly edged our way to the main temple dedicated to the young-girl goddess Kanyakumari.  The deity of the Goddess is beautiful – like an adolescent girl wearing a long-skirt, blouse and a ‘daavini’, or half-sari, holding a rosary in her hand.  The story is that Goddess Parvathi took the form of a young, virgin girl to kill the evil Banasura, who had been granted the boon that he could be killed by no man but only by a young, virgin girl.  Thus, she remained unmarried to fulfil her prophecy. 

The ring adorning the Goddess’s nose has a powerful glitter and shines lustrously.  In fact, it is believed that the bright light emanating from her nose-ring could be seen from the seas.  Several ships mistook this brilliance to be the lighthouse, sailed towards it and ended up crashing against the rocks.  As a result today, the eastern side of the temple facing the sea, has been walled up to prevent such mishaps.

At the confluence of the three water bodies!

After a long but memorable day spent in the beautiful and historic town of Kanyakumari, we took the bus back to Thiruvananthapuram. 

Goan Escapade - enjoying Goa differently.

----Published in the Women's Era magazine - December 2016 issue---

A mural of Goa at the airport

Fancy a trip to Goa? Well, who doesn’t!!  It is one of those destinations in India that beats going abroad too.  There are beaches all over the country and then there is GOA!  In appearance, it differs not a great deal from other beach locations – coconut-fringed shores, lush green vegetation, sunny and bright skies, and a cool gently blowing breeze.  But still, Goa is a class apart.  It may have something to do with the magical atmosphere surrounding this place – the carefree, and happy-go-lucky feeling that you get once you step into this wonderful land.

Goa offers several activities and sight-seeing spots for first-time travelers - like the churches of old Goa, the cruise across River Mandovi, the Fort and Light House at Agouda, water–sports in the beaches...

 

There are also a whole lot of other non-touristy things that you can do when in Goa.  Here is looking at some of the things one can do here - which we tried and thoroughly enjoyed.

Yoga on the beach – Head to the beach early in the morning. Take a beach towel with you, and spread it across on the sand; start performing yogasanas - this is a great way to enjoy nature.  Focus on breathing while doing a Surya namaskar, watch the waves dancing on the shore, and enjoy the feeling of oneness as the soul within and the vast sea outside beat together to the rhythm of your breath!

Cycling through the Goan roads!

          Rent bicycles and enjoy the ride – Just as you can hire a car or two-wheeler, so can you rent a bicycle.  Pick a cycle each for your family members, hop on and get going.  Ideal time to do this would be to in the evenings around 4:30 PM when the sun’s heat has ebbed.  Cycle along the small roads, watch the river flow by and after exploring the area, get onto the beach.  It feels great to cycle on the fine sand  close to the water’s edge– like playing a game with the sea as the waves try to touch your cycle while you teasingly pedal away!

Cycling on the beach !

Watch the river meet the sea – You could take a small fishing boat and ask the friendly sailor to ferry you down the river to the point where the river meets the sea.  The River Sal in South Goa is one such river.  If you are game for it, you can also walk or cycle alongside the river and reach the point where the river’s journey ends as it flows into the Arabian Sea

Following the trail of the Sal river

Cycling along the edge of River Sal

  

The love-seat in Mrs. Braganza's Portuguese home!

Visit a Portuguese home – Goa has several old mansions built in the Portuguese style – complete with high ceilings, verandahs, a huge dining place fitted with a long table that can seat atleast 50 people, a private altar within the home! You can gain plenty of insight into the kind of life that people of the bygone era led.  The quaint furniture, the coat/umbrella stands and other furnishings are also a delight to see.  So take a tour of a Portuguese home and get a glimpse of life as it was a century or two ago!

The altar in the Portuguese home

Ride the local bus - To enjoy a place, you must feel and act like a local.  The best way to do that is take a bus from your hotel to the town and enjoy the ride. You will come across so many local folks – they are mostly friendly people and welcome all strangers with a smile.  You can strike a conversation with them as you enjoy the bus ride.  Most Goan buses play music on the radio, so you could also listen to the local tunes.  Remember the saying ’be a Roman when in Rome?” Well, you can try to be a Goan in Goa!

Visit the local market - The local town markets are places buzzing with activity – the colours, the smells, the sounds are all unique to every town and the market place gives you an idea of what the locals like – their eating, dressing habits, the different kinds of fruits and vegetables that are locally grown, the spices that are used, the meat and poultry that they favour, the kind of baking that is done.  In fact, Goa offers some great buns baked and served differently.  You will be surprised at the stuff that you will get to see in a local market.  So, keep your sensory organs peeled open and enjoy the adventure!

And finally, nothing beats a cool refreshing dip at the end of a warm day!   So do not forget to chill by the pool side of your resort/hotel!  Cheers!