A Visit to the South of South

My father works in a rural bank in Nagercoil area. He has always boasted about the resplendent beauty of Kanyakumari district and we decided to enjoy it during this Christmas vacation[2011]. The district is not totally new to us. By Us, I mean, my brother, me and my mother.

My grandpa, Mr.Visveswaran worked as District Educational Officer and was stationed at Nagercoil. I did my kindergarten there at St.Johns'. My younger brother Koushick came into existence there! My father lives in a town called Parvathipuram known for it's distinctly orthodox surviving Brahmin cult amidst the mundane developments around. Every single village in this district has a beautiful pond surrounded by Coconut trees and warm sunshine. 

So, we started from Madurai. My mother works in a Govt. School near Madurai. My Grand ma, Mrs.Raji Mani wished to join us and she had a ambassador to help us with the travel. Lucky us! For all you folks who wish to travel and visit temples there, please find accounts of our travel below. We planned the trip for 2 days. 

My father had rented a house for his work at Parvathipuram and had arranged for food in a nearby house of an orthodox brahmin Mami, Mrs.Sundari. Her style of cooking was exactly same as the style adopted in my native village, Melapavoor, Near Tenkasi.

Driver: Paandi Anna

Dec 23rd, 2011 [ Friday ]

Started Travel at 11pm from Madurai. Excellent Highway road. Good Carnatic music to give company and keep the driver and me awake. But, this is a highly accident prone road. So, we decided to stick to average speed of around 65-70km/hr. Parvathipuram is around 280kms from Madurai. 

Stopped at few places to take some tea. Any night travel without tea breaks does not make sense! And yes, it was pretty cold. 

Dec 24th, 2011 [Saturday]

Reached Parvathipuram at 5am. Took a short nap for 3 hours. Started our visit to temples at 9am after having breakfast. 

Kids were blissfully enjoying their winter holidays and the usual bovine boo grazing it's food!

An ideal atmosphere to relax from a busy routine. I am not a very busy man but that didn't stop me from relaxing my mind!! 

We visited Suseendram Dhanumalayan temple. This temple is known for it's huge statue of Shri Anjaneya Swami. Since it was both Saturday and Birthday of Shri Hanuman, there was a huge rush. It was said, around 10,000 people visiting the shrine at any point in time that day. 

Suseendram Temple

Next, we went to Kanyakumari. Since it was mid day then, the Kanyakumari Amman Temple was closed. We waited for the ferry for about an hour and then visited Vivekananda Memorial and 133ft Thiruvalluvar Statue. Both are marvels and speak volumes about scriptural and sculptural talents of the south of south!

Incidentally, Dec 24th happened to be the day when Swami Vivekananda swam across to the rock to meditate upon the ultimate truth to discover his purpose. So did I, but in a boat! I am not very sure about discovering the purpose yet!

Amma and Koushick 

Amma with Raji Paati

Rain water harvesting at Vivekananda Memorial

Muttom Church

Vallu Ji - A closeup - Crows never spare any statue!

Reached back Parvathipuram at 4pm to have a late lunch at Mrs. Sundari's house. Delicious is a underestimation. Had a heavy lunch and took a short nap to attend the function organized in the Lord Krishna Temple in the agraharam [ Streets where Brahmins live ].

Kolam by Raji Paati

Excellent Darshan. Divinity incarnate. Superb super delicious prasadham in Kerala Style!

Two lovely little pups were around all the time!

Had good dinner and back to rest. 

Dec 25th, 2011 [ Sunday ]

Christmas it is! Visited the following temples.

*) Kalliyangaadu Sivan Temple. This place has a Thiruvasagam Sabai [ Where ThiruVasagam is recited ]. The place was also known as SivaPuram.

*) Thackalay Perumal Temple. This has a separate sannidhi for Lord Saneeshwaran.

Pond at Thackalay

*) Keralapuram Adisaya Vinayagar. The lord Vinayaga in this Lord Siva temple changes color from Black to White and Vice versa every 6 months from Uthrayanam to Dakshinayanam and viceversa. Serene and Tranquil. 

Huge Banyan Tree at Keralapuram

Prahaaram at Keralapuram

*) Thiruvattaru Adikesava perumal Temple. 76th Divya Desam of 108 divine places for Perumal. One must visit this place at the least to admire the grandeur of this temple and rituals. Purely Chera style! Pristine beauty. One must observe that the shrine consecrated here is the inverse of the usual Sleeping position of Lord Vishnu and does not have Lord Brahma in Lotus strung from his belly button. This means, this relates to a cosmic state before creation of Brahma.

Lunch at Chungankadai Gowri Shankar Hotel. Helped a Marathi Brahmin couple understand the significance of Eruseri, A delicious dish specially served to the newly married on the third day in this district especially among Brahmins.

Back to home for rest. Visited friends of appa and amma in the evening. 

*)Nagercoil Nagaraja temple. This temple is the namesake for this 11th largest city in TamilNadu. 

Back to home at Parvathipuram for night rest.

Dec 26th, 2011 [ Monday ]

*) Vadasery Krishnan - Cuteness defined. Scintillating Rituals. Cute Lord Krishna in His undies! 

Started off to Madurai at 11am. Reached Madurai by evening 5pm. Had an excellent trip and a peaceful way to bid goodbye to 2011 and welcome 2012. New Year Wishes!! May this New year bring prosperity and happiness to every one!!