On the next morning at Kanyakumari we witnessed the glorious sun rise at the view point early morning. It was with a large set of audience we saw the sun coming up while the coast guards brought their flag up. Walking past the crowd after this event was a daunting task. After reaching the hotel we got ready and came out for breakfast. At a mess nearby we had appam, 1 set contains 3 appams and priced at Rs.45. The sambar here is not be called so, chutney seems to be much better.
Tirparappu Falls
This was our first place of visit today. With the help of google map we took an almost empty state highway to reach the spot in an hour. The plots near falls are turned to parking spaces by the property owners who charge Rs.50 per vehicle. Steep and curly roads provide less respite to the drive. The path to the falls is adorned by shops selling playing items to eatables. At the entrance they charge Rs.20 per head and Rs.150 for camera. The falls is at its peak as its the monsoon season. Many were been enjoying bath at the falls; change rooms for post bath and a children's play area were available. Beyond the play area we can see the falls water going on the plain surface and giving a spectacular view. After having some banana chips we decided to leave the place.
Athikesava Perumal, Tiruvattaar
We reached this place in less than half an hour from Tirparappu. Having inspired from Jayamohan's story, wanted to visit this temple for a very long time. The Lord Athikesava Perumal is about 22 feet. To workship him one has to see through 3 doors. The architecture of the temple is in Kerala style. Temple is located inside area covered by narrow streets. Phone/camera picture are a strict no inside the temple. Men will have to remove there shirts. Things are pretty restricted in the temples here. When we went in the inner sanctum was closed for public so we had to wait. Once the pooja and neivedhyam was done we were allowed to enter. We had to climb up a few stairs to reach the sanctum where the 3 doors are available. Through the first one we can see the face and the left hand of the Lord. As we move left we see the middle where the ursavar is available. Further left, the third door is where we see the legs of the lord in velli kaapu. Sandal is given as prasadam. With that we come out and go around the praharam. Neat spaced out pillars with stone statutes are available all around. Apart from the Lord Athikesava Perumal, we have separate santums here for Lord Krishnan and Lord Ayyappan. This is the 76th desam in the 108 divya desam for Lord Vishnu.
Mattur Aqueduct
As we drove from Thiruvattar to Mattur Aqueduct, came across narrow roads and had to navigate through tourist vehicles to reach the spot. We parked the car near the bridge and walked over. Built during Kamarajar time, the bridge gives a spectacular view of the greens of this region. Surrounded by trees and a water body below, one has a wonderful time walking for a kilometer with the aqueduct next to you, taking the water to the much needed place. After crossing the bridge, we had to come down the steps to reach the bottom from where we can see the tall pillars supporting the bridge and the aqueduct. Since our car was parked above near the bridge we had to climb some 100 stairs to go up and then leave the place.
Padmanabapuram Palace
This palace belongs to the Travancore kingdom. For a fee of Rs.15 we can around this palace to witness the luxurious life style of the kings. Many from Kerala has come in that day and there was a queue for the entrance ticket and also the entry to the palace. After leaving the footwear outside for Rs.5, we can walk around the palace and its adjacent museum. The wood carving on the roof was highlighted by the guides. The palace is constituted by five huge houses - each for a different purpose like official, resting for the king, women, cooking, art and paintings. Every house has two storeys, stairs are in the form of ladders at some places. Most of the room spaces are out of ventilation, first storeys are closed with wood which allows people from inside to see outside but not vice-versa. The corridors run around as narrow alleys. We could see beautiful wood works, Belgium mirrors, cots, paintings, cooking utensils, swords, etc. At each place guides are available to explain to you in your native language. It took us around 2 hours here.
Thanumalayan Swamy Temple, Suchindram
At 4:30pm we reached the temple and haunting for a parking space. Finally on one of the side we could park the car and tried to see if could enter the temple through the small entrance there when some one came and guided us inside. He takes care of the temple Ther. Took us around the temple to each Sanctum and also showcased the marvelous temple architecture to us. The main deity represents Thanu(Shiva), Mal(Vishnu) and Ayan(Brahma). We can see half moons one on top of the other on the lingam. Next to this is the separate sanctum of Lord Vishnu followed by Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. Then is Lord Vinayaka, to whom Indra asked for permission to worship Lord Siva here to get rid of his curse. Everyday it is believed that Indra comes and worships the Lord at night. Here, the Kerala type of worship is followed as this follows the Travancore culture. The architecture is highlighted by the music pillars carved out of just a single stone. That's the case with all the deities in the temple it seems, made out of single stone. There is Devi Kanyakumari's deity here from which you cannot take your eyes off. The most famous deity of this temple though is Lord Maruthi. Right after burning Lanka with his tail the Lord comes here to cool off the tail tip. So butter is applied to the tail tip as an offering. The temple architecture has been largely affected during the days of Kerala, Tamil Nādu border split up times which is a sad part. We saw the temple kitchen are with old times utensils. We also witnessed the different palanquins of the temple. The pillars in the corridor have a statue with lamp each. Also huge Kerala style brass lamps are around the temple which get lit by the devotees in the evening it seems. One will take definitely some two hours to around this temple.
Shrine of our lady of Ramsom
On morning of leaving Kanyakumari we witnessed sunrise from the terrace of Hotel Staarworld and saw that it was the case at almost all the hotels here. Post that we got ready and checked out from the hotel. Before leaving we visited the Shrine of our lady of Ramsom church first. A native small church was free due to morning visit.
Vattakottai Fort
This has been built by the King of Travancore near the sea shore. We had to wait at the ticket counter for sometime as the system here was not up and running. We get a good view of the sea side from this fort. Like any other fort in our country this is also under the archaeological department of India. There was pond in the center of the fort and there seems to be a secret tunnel from here to the Padmanabapuram palace. One has to spend at least 30 mins here and more to enjoy the scenic beauty.
Lemur beach
On the way to Tiruvananthapuram from Kanyakumari we decided to stop by the Lemur beach. A serene beach, this is deserted from crowd. Waves are quite high so no one is allowed near the shore. But as the sun was reaching the peak we could not spend much time here. After some pics and taking in the picturesque we left the spot to continue our onward journey to Tiruvananthapuram.
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