OUR VISIT TO TRIVANDRUM CITY.

It was our Diwali holidays and we wanted to visit a portion of kerala state which we earlier had missed visiting....Our agenda , this time was a stay a kovalam beach, visiting Poovar Island,  having darshan at Padmanabhaswamy temple, Suchindrum temple and BHAGAVATHY AMMAN TEMPLE in kanyakumari besides Ponmudi and local places around Trivandrum.
   We had our booking at Hotel Sagara, kovalam  near to Vizhinjam light house. The hotel is worth paying for....it was quite dark by the time we checked in but I was quite impressed by the property. ...I stood in the balcony of our room and could hear the sound of the waves hitting the shores....but had to wait till the break of dawn to feel the real beauty. ....After the sumptuous dinner of malabari  parathas and chicken preparation with black pepper (very locale of the region) , we just went off to sleep........
My mobile alarm rang at 6.30am, I just pushed off the room curtains .....omg the sea looks so so beautiful, felt as if I opened up my window to the sea....just loved it ......Had framed sea by every hour as it kept mesmerising us .....oh , this hotel had a kerala ayurvedic spa too and definitely  a session is in our card before we say good bye to this place.
    We had our booking for darshan at Padmanabhaswamy temple prior . ....our driver said that it will be easy for darshan ....we were well prepared with saree and Dhoti for my husband, this time....even churidar is not allowed....people here follows strict norms....the queue was too long but when time started it moved very fast.....though it was my 2nd visit to Trivandrum but my first visit here.......I was mesmerised by the Golden idol of Vishnu lord in Nidra  position. ....oh the pillars , the bed of the inner sanctum, all in pure gold and magnificent craftmenship. ...Earlier had heard so many stories regarding this temple and today I am here ....I said to myself , feeling blessed.
Next had the agenda to visit NEYYAR  DAM at the foot of the western ghats built over Neyyar river.....it's quite a drive out to the place thru ' dense jungle areas.....some construction work was on to at the site so I personally didn't feel like climbing to the top of the floodgates  of Neyyar dam but my husband  went up and it was really very beautiful. ....Went to see the Aquarium just next to Neyyar Dam. ...
After seeing Kovalam beach , we had no interest to visit Shanghumukham beach. ....I just loved enjoying the kovalam beach. ........
Shopping :Being at trivandrum, shopping is alway at very traveller's  agenda. ...Had the opportunity to collect lots of cloves, which a local product,  my favourite POPPY BRAND  UMBRELLA and my ever  loved KASAVU SAREES OF KERALA.......
       Since lots of construction works are on all across Trivandrum city ,still not a pleasure driving across .

Our journey from Trivandrum to kanyakumari by road.

Trivandrum to kanyakumari is about 92kms via NH66....approximately 3hrs +depending on the traffic...
ROUTE :
   TRIVANDRUM -KOVALAM -MARTHANDAM -NAGARCOIL - SUCHINDRUM -KANYAKUMARI.

As one reaches kovalam the road really narrows down and the traffic really bothers too much ....hardly people follow any lanes and overtaking is very common here....this madness continues until the border of kerala. Though the road conditions are good only it's too narrow with several twists and turns...Once Nagarcoil is reach,one can feel the surrounding  changing over ie the beauty of Trirunelvelli. ....big lotus ponds ...rice/paddy fields and the simple village life all across.....Nagarcoil churches are really beautiful and catches every eye ,which passes by.....As one enters Tamil Nadu state ,the roads become wider but not in very good state.
Our first stop over was SUCHINDRUM THANUMALAYAM TEMPLE......visiting south Indian temples , one need to follow the dress code strictly to have a darshan there....ie saree for ladies and Dhoti for men with bare upper part.
We  were prepared from before hand so had not much problem. ...The temple architecture is very beautiful like madurai. ...We opted for Tulsi mala or garland for vishnu idol and pan mala for Echaa purti  Hanuman ji  idol inside the main sanctum of the temple  ....this is the only temple where Shiva - Vishnu -Brahma  resides  together ....Saw the musical pillars inside the temple .....the corridors around are so so beautifully carved in black sandstone .....but no cameras are allowed....so it was just our silent prayers there before we headed for kanyakumari. ...it's surely our luck that we could make our darshan there as soon we came out of the complex the doors of the temple closed for the day until evening.....being in southern most part of India and not enjoying coconut water , .....I just wanted it .....now  it was approx  11kms to reach kanyakumari. ...by the time we entered kanyakumari town the weather got bad , with few drizzle. .....this was my 2nd visit to kanyakumari. ...felt very sad to see the town so dirty....anyways, now had the agenda for Vivekananda Rock  and BHAGAVATHY AMMAN  TEMPLE darshan which is also a shaktipeeth. ....

PONMUDI -THE HIDDEN HILL STATION OF SOUTH INDIA.

Ponmudi,  is the tiny little hill station about 56 kms from Trivandrum city .....though not much heard amongst tourists visiting Kerala...but truely worth visiting .....mainly known as Eco tourism site.
   As one starts his/her journey,  can feel the freshness of air immediately after leaving the city limit and as one takes on the climb up the hill roads. ...the twists and turns all across single roadway, never allows the vehicle to speed up.....but surely  gives the essence of country side ....the tall coconut , betel nut  trees, small houses amidst the paddy fields  , is truely a travellers delight. ....the innocent charms of the locales busy in their daily cores of life....the local temples spreading the essence of burning ghee lamps , just makes ones soul uplifted.....the journey just had began.....
  Now began the RUBBER ESTATES of kerala....obviously, we had to make a stopover for a while ....as I kept framing them on my lens from outside the fencing ...our driver insisted me to enter the Rubber estate from the entrance gate instead to have a closer look of the dropping of the juices that forms the main ingredient that later after processing becomes usable rubber ......it's really fun to pull the juice which looks more like a rubber string as it comes in contact with the atmosphere. ....
Now we were about to enter the Ponmudi  Eco tourism site ....after paying the entrance  charge , we head along ....but this stretch is a drivers/person sitting behind the steering wheel's  delight.....Need to be very very careful....one mistake and u r surely down off the hill.....Now there r 22 steep hairpin  bends to reach upto the topmost point of the Ponmudi hills. ....the air offcourse got very chilled and dense jungle stretch  and a narrow steep  climb up.....I took to the front seat of our SUV  vehicle to film the exciting climb as the surrounding beauty...omg , our driver , who is a localite  instead of taking care of his steering wheel was gazing at my camera and off he slipped to the side of the slopes of narrow road....thank god , we averted  an accident instead I made him stop  and moved to my backseat instead.....I told him to concentrate on his driving and not to keep speaking over the phone ....Each of the bends where very very steep and quite tricky. .....now slowly , the scenic hills started showing up amidst the thick forest cover ......tea plantations are alway a delight to watch .....so had a couple of stopovers and finally  we were now on the topmost point of Ponmudi hills.......Saw a small resort type eatery only ....very well maintained. ....the chilling winds swapped my hairs across my face.....the hills are a facinating place for hikers, trekkers and rock climbers......Just loved the serenity and peace and offcourse the freshness in the air .....Just perfect for a day camping /picnicing but need not spoil the clean surrounding. .....this place offcourse have a great chance of development further....only requires more interest and intension of the govt.
We very much enjoyed the drive upto the top  of Ponmudi hills.

POOVAR ISLAND -THE MINI MALDIVES ON INDIAN SOIL

The name POOVAR ISLAND,  might sound quite unheard off to tourists .....But I can bet ,  that it's rightly  called Mini Maldives  on Indian soil.
It's located some 17kms from Kovalam,  in Trivandrum City of Kerala. The location is a perfect getaway for both honeymooners as well all adventure enthusiasts.  Now it's amongst the most sort after destination,  because of its floating resort at the mouth of Poovar river as it merges  into the Arabian Sea.

HISTORY:
     Poovar is a small village  situated in Trivandrum on the coast of Kerala.  It marks the end of the territory  of kerala.  It lies close to Vizhinjam, which is a natural harbour. The village has been an ancient trading center of timber, spices, ivory and sandal wood.
  The so called poovar island  is off the mainland ,  in between the poovar river and Arabian Sea.  The beach is quite a spot hidden away from usual hustle bustle of the city life. The remoteness of Poovar  makes it a fabulous place for solace and solitude.
The sunkissed golden sand beach, verdant  coconut  palms on both side of the river creates a magical experience  and above that the sail across the Mangrove jungles makes it stand out of the  experience of other backwaters drive of kerala.

My experience :
     The first time I came to know of this place from a feature on Travel XP channel  on TV ,  I made up my mind to add this destination to my list of Destinations in India .......But whatever  I saw in TV programme, this destination proved much more to my expectations.
  I &my husband  though planned a visit to Poovar Island during our Dasherra vacation but due to some serious engagement, we had to drop the idea ...then luckily  my husband got 4 days official Diwali holidays and we just couldn't  spare this opportunity to visit Poovar. Though everything had to be planned at the last hour, for which our expenses shoot up but nevertheless  , it finally  happened ....We got out airtickets to Trivandrum, booked hotel at Kovalam as well poovar island  and a vehicle for 4 days to go around as  ,besides Poovar Island, I planned for  Ponmudi hill station and Suchindrum temple, Nagarcoil-Marthandam  as well Kanyakumari  to my itenary for 4 days Vacation .
   It was 28th Oct 2016,  around 8pm that we landed at Trivandrum airport,  since our vehicle was waiting  outside , we did not spend much time as we had to head for Kovalam, which is quite far away from city limit..... We had our booking at a star hotel at Vizhinjam Port side of Kovalam beach. ....We were quite exausted  also , by the time we checked in the hotel....then it was just food and off to sleep as the next morning we had our plans to head for Poovar Island.
   Morning , when I woke from sleep , I was mesmerised by the view of Kovalam beach from my hotel balcony ....I felt that my door opened up to the waters of Arabian Sea. .....After breakfast, we left for Poovar around 9.30am.....Poovar is not very far off from Vizhinjam Port ...but the road is quite narrow with lots of traffic and no divider. ...so can't drive fast in this route...the journey is just picturesque. ...net and tidy village all across ...home looked quite wealthy. ...finally we reached Poovar Island  resort gate...As  we had our prior booking  , so not much headache, from here we were ferried to our Island resort ,almost 20 mins sail across....
(3/4 resorts are there at Poovar Island,but prior booking is must specially during holidays )........we were but mesmerised. .........
Then comes the cruising in the Poovar....it's bit expensive, as 1hr cruising charge 3500 rs....but if one skip off the cruising , might repent later on ,that's my personal experience.  Even my husband was not ready for it when he heard the cost....some people go in for 1.5hrs , 2hrs , 3hrs and the price keeps varying.
     The best part of the trip was the cruising thru the poovar backwaters , then the mangrove jungles and then the open sea to the Golden Beach.....
    These were simple motor boat that sailed across ....very thrilling and adventurous as it sailed thru the mangrove jungles,where some shots of Anaconda movie was picturised as per the locales and that's how it became so popular destination.
I was so so excited that my camera kept clicking away one after another.....Just loved the Golden beach , which disappears in the Arabian Sea at high tide....Standing on the Golden beach,  the Arabian Sea waves looked so so scarry. ...it's so so huge...
Unfortunately,  the weather turned bad all of a sudden and we had to leave the Golden beach. ...when it started pouring heavily ,everything became so scarry,  .....even the current of poovar river  increased 3 / 4 fold....we just rushed back to our resort to enjoy our night stay there...maybe I can't explain my feelings during our stay .....I didn't feel very very comfortable as the rooms gets a floating feeling though it's provided with all classy amenities. .....I felt the same uneasiness  , when I first stayed in the house boats at Dal Lake , Srinagar. .....Though , the bad weather spoiled few extra moments at the Golden beach. ...but overall a new experience to add to my memories ....

BHANDERDHARA -THE TINY HILL STATION OF MAHARASHTRA

Bhanderdhara is a serene little hill station located in Maharashtra. ....it's approx 160+kms drive from Mumbai City .....a lovely retreat from the hussle bussle of Mumbai City. 
       Though ,often we had been travelling to  a Igatpuri,  but never took to Bhanderdhara and that too in Monsoon season....though ,it's almost end of the rainy season  still thought to attempt a trip down to Bhanderdhara. 
    It was Sunday , and the traffic on Mumbai -Nashik  highway was much less ,so didn't find much difficulty to drive up to Igatpuri. ...The Kasara  Ghat  onto Igatpuri  is looking  at its best...valley , all in greens and clouds hovering across. ....just loved it . Soon after crossing  Igatpuri, a narrow  road takes aright hand turn towards Bhanderdhara  ....the road was still okay until we came to a cross where we had to take the hill drive and other portion moved onto shridi shrine..... The hill  road is hardly marked so had to ask the locals  at the bus stand there....this portion of the road  is really in very bad shape and had to be very careful while driving....the road is really very very narrow  but very picturesque as we kept continuing onto Bhanderdhara. ....After we left Mum -Nashik highway ,  it's 32 kms drive upto Bhanderdhara. ...No dhaba  or eateries on the way , so should carry ones own food along  .....
Few resorts at Bhanderdhara,  so a prior booking incase wish to stay back a night is must. Mtdc resort and Anandvan resorts  is best located....though we saw another resort named cottage.....but,it's without a view.....
The beautiful lake from the top of the hill is a delight to watch ....quite a big one though...The Umbrella falls is best seen in shape of umbrella  , only in peak monsoon. ..Though ,  nothing much to do there .....I can say , it's peace and tranquillity  will steal anyone's soul ...it's cool temp , sound of dried leaves blowing in the wind , the jungles all around and silence......JUST AN AWESOME BREAK ......NEEDED MUCH TO REJUVENATE AND CONNECT WITH ONE'S LOVED ONES .....in today's  world hardly we get time for each other ...this looks the best destination to be for each other....strole  walk through the jungle road, breathing the fresh oxygen.....it's loved it all.....but for food one has to depend on the resort facilities only..Orelse one need to drive upto Igatpuri to get good eateries, that's the only problem area.
 Since its a driving distance from Mumbai or nashik city ,anyone can plan a day trip and enjoy picnicing in the hills like we did....
I look forward for a stay there in coming days.....but will surely book our stay prior. ...

Really we had enjoyed our Sunday drive out .....

NASHIK - THE ONION STORY.

Nashik city, in Maharashtra  is synonymous with ONION CULTIVATION and Grape cultivation. ....people frequent the city to visit Sai dham at Shirdi,  Sani  temple at Sanishignapur ,  jyotirling at Trambakeshwar besides the visit to Sula Vinyard. ....but for me , who had the opportunity to visit the city several times before , the craze was to see the onion fields and how it's stored for the year round. ...During the harvesting time the prices of Onion falls to as low as 4 rs/ kg.... as one drives off on Shirdi  route...farmers are often seen selling big gunny bags of Onion at throw away prices and visitors doesn't  mind stopping by to dump their sedans and SUV cars with this onions from nashik for their homes.
Once the harvest is done , the onion farmers of Maharashtra,  with the help of labour force from Bihar, hand pick their harvest and stock them up in the wired cages built in the side of the fields....it was quite interesting to see how it is done and stored. It was for the first time I saw the way onions were being stored for the Festive seasons when it's high price in the market brings big fortune to the onion farmers....I could luckily  framed it on my camera lens, though I was very upset when I saw them sprinkling rat kill powders over it ....I argued with some one them for this...but even they r right in their thinking;they r also here to make business ...
So next time each one of us using onions in our dishes , should be careful enough to remove few layers of its skin and wash it throughly  before consuming it.......
Sharing pics of how onion is hand picked,stored and onion flowers  blooming in the fields as well the seed pods  ready to be stored for the next season. .......