POOVAR

POOVAR BACKWATERS

Poovar is about 45 minutes drive from Kovalam and this is a must see place. One can hire boats for a trip in the backwaters. We paid Rs.1600/- for a one and a half hour ride in the backwaters. The boat goes through densely wooded areas and ride is truly exhilarating.

Many colorful birds can be seen during the ride and it is a photographer’s delight. The boat ride takes you to Golden sand beach which is one of its kind and very beautiful. During the boat ride we also came across a statue of Mother Mary on a rock which is very beautiful. You will find an elephant rock a naturally formed rock structure in the shape of a standing elephant which is very beautiful. You can also see floating restaurant during the ride. Though we had paid Rs.1600/   the trip was truly memorable and unique. True value for money.

 

 

VIVEKANANDA ROCK MEMORIAL

Vivekananda rock is just few hundred meters from the shore. For visiting the rock memorial one has to take a ferry. The regular tickets cost is Rs.34/- and long queue can be always seen in this counter for going to the memorial. However there is a special entry ticket available for Rs.169/- per person which saves time of 
standing in the queue.

While boarding the ferry people are asked to pick up a life jacket and wear them. However no supervision is there to enforce that people are wearing life jacket. On landing the life jackets are to be returned. The life jackets provided are dirty and dusted but one has no choice but to wear it.

At the memorial one has to pay an entry fee of Rs.20/- . You cannot wear foot wear in the Vivekananda memorial and there is a place to leave them free of cost.

The rock has two halls one of Swamy Vivekananda and other having foot print of godess Kanyakumari who did tapasya standing on the rock. The rock memorial has tall statue of Swamy Vivekanda and meditation hall. Photography from inside the hall is not allowed. The view from the rock memorial is breathtaking.

The timing to visit the memorial is from 7.30 am to 4 pm. If the sea is rough the ferry service will be cancelled. This is a  must see place  and to avoid disappointment it is better to go early so that one can spend some time at the rock memorial and enjoy the scenic view.

Sree Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple-Trivandrum

This temple in Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most famous temples in India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu worshipped as Anantha Padmanabha Swamy and is the key icon of the city. This temple has been in news after discovery of huge treasures kept in the cellars. Due to this the temple has become one of the most protected areas.

The temple construction is a mixture of Kerala and Tamil architecture. In this Vishnu temple Lord Vishnu is in “Ananthasayanam” posture (sleeping on serpant Anantha) . In the sanctum sanctorum, the dharshan to the deity is through three doors each of which reveals different parts of the body. The first one shows the upper portion of body till chest depicting Lord Vishnu worshiping Lingam , the second his mid portion with Brahma seated on a Lotus sprouted from his naval (Padmanabha)  and the third his feet near which Goddess Lakshmi is believed to be seated . The temple also has a large pond called “Padma theertham” . One witnesses Trinity at one place as is believed to be in heaven.

This highly guarded temple has many rules to be complied with. A strict dress code is enforced for entering the temple. Men should be wearing dhoti (Mundu) and no shirts/vests are allowed. One can use a shawl/towel to cover their body and this also should be tied around the waist inside the temple complex during the dharshan. Ladies can wear traditional sarees and those wearing churidhar should wrap a dhoti/mundu over the bottom before entering the temple. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.

Mobile phones and cameras are not allowed inside the temple. The devotees have to undergo scanning and frisking while entering the temple. The security checks are very rigid. Lockers are available for storing electronic gadgets.

Trip to Thiruvananthapuram  is incomplete without a visit to this temple.