Visiting Kanyakumari marked the
beginning of something new for me. Since long-distance travel wasn’t always
easy, I started seeking out places that were close to one another or closer to
our home in India. This naturally led me to explore many temples and sites
around the Kanyakumari region and further moving to Tamil Nadu, which still
continues
Year 2009 - Thiruvalluvar Statue (Stone Sculpture of Tamil poet & Philosopher)
Year 2021 - Kanya Kumari
Year 2021 - On the way to Thiruvananthapuram from Kanya Kumari
Tamil Nadu, in particular, holds a very special place in my heart. Though
I’ve only visited Kerala, Karnataka,
and Tamil Nadu in South India, the
charm of Tamil Nadu’s villages is unmatched. There’s something about the
mornings there, the calm, the rhythm of daily life that carries a unique vibe.
To convince my parents to travel with me, I began by telling Amma about
temples in different places, some of which she already knew. To my surprise,
she started telling me about temples I had never even heard of. What began as
my attempt to inspire her turned into a beautiful exchange, which became a
source of mutual inspiration. Achan would often joke, “I’m just following you
two!” Later, our little gang of inspiration grew with our daughter becoming an
active member of the group.
While Amma and Achan were fond of temples, I was drawn more to the
architecture, the details, the energy, the vibe each place carried. My
husband, on the other hand, is a choosy traveler, preferring selected
experiences over spontaneous stops. I Believe he had become a choosy traveler because of the vast number of trips he had during his colleague days. But whether it was temple visits, carefully
chosen destinations, or unexpected travels, I found joy in every journey.
In the
early days, most of our travels were in a white Ambassador taxi. Sitting in the
back seat, feeling the breeze, the freshness of the air, the earthy scent that
rose from the sands after a rain, several tea stops, the hot snacks from small
roadside shops, each of these simple pleasures added to the charm of our
travels.
The Drive & The Captain - Year 2011
While exploring places near Thiruvananthapuram, we decided to visit Kumara
Kovil and Padmanabhapuram Palace. As of today, we've visited Padmanabhapuram
Palace only once, but we've been to the Kumara Kovil temple several times.
It felt like every nook and corner had a small temple or an idol tucked
away, quietly watching over the village. The scent of fresh flowers in the air
added a divine, almost sacred quality to the atmosphere. It wasn't just travel it
was an experience that touched something deeper.
Nearby Kumara Kovil - Year 2011
On our way back home to Thiruvananthapuram, we made a quick stop near a banana plantation. As it began to drizzle and heavier rain was expected, we decided to head straight home.
Somewhere near Kumara Kovil - Year 2011
By God’s grace, we have been to Kumara Kovil in 2022, 2023, and
just a few months ago. And I still wish to go there again again.
One of the first books that truly captivated me was Temples of South India by Salim Pushpanath. It wasn’t just a
book—it was a visual experience that opened my eyes to the rich world of
culture and architecture that surrounded me.
All the pictures spoke thousand stories without any words.
Growing up, most of my reading was rooted in short stories, novels and
travel based true stories which was available in my school library. Travelogues
was limited to Newspaper tabloids or occasional magazines available in Dubai.
Information about India was distant. The internet was virtually
non-existent, and social media was not even a concept during our school days. College days, year 2002, marked the beginning of social media in UAE.
Reading life changed after marriage,
especially with visits to Kottayam and eventually living in Kerala for about 20
– 25 days in a year. It was during one of these visits, my sight stumbled upon Temples of South India. That moment marked
the beginning of a journey, one that was both outward and inward.
The second book that now holds a special place
in my heart is South India: The Land of
Beginnings, from the same author.
Through these books, I am still exploring South India. With
each visit to these destinations, I connect more deeply not only with the land,
but with the stories, and the unseen layers Salim Pushpanath so beautifully
captured.
Both the books covers Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Let me start with Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu — Kanyakumari Devi Temple was one of the very first temples I
visited in Tamil Nadu.
My amma often tells me that I was taken
there when I was barely a year old. I had only her stories to picture it, until
I visited the place and temple again myself.
Years later, in 2009, I returned this time with my parents, my husband, and
my 8-month-old daughter. It was wonderful! The experience, excitement &
emotions. The fascinating view, strong winds, the restless seas, peace, sunrise
and sunsets. While standing there, my
mind was wondering with the thought of how people once crossed these wild
waters in earlier times.
For someone from Thiruvananthapuram,
Kanyakumari never felt like a different state. It felt like a continuation of
home, something once part of us.
Interestingly, I had visited Kanyakumari temple before discovering the
book that later became so special to me. Reading Temples of South India by Salim Pushpanath brought back
vivid memories of that 2009 visit.
Kanyakumari is a place we’ve returned to many
times—but that trip in 2009 was truly special. I've shared a glimpse of it in my earlier post:🔗 Kanyakumari – 2009 Visit
A photo clicked on the way to Kanyakumari - Year 2021
