Absorb The Beauty of Western Ghats at Kathirumudi Near Thiruvananthapuram

It is necessary to heal our body and mind to enjoy  life in its fullest while travelling. Therefore, I reached Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday night and checked into my hotel for the next day's trek to Kathirumudi, which is situated in Agasthya mountain ranges located in Thiruvananthapuram district, in the Indian state of Kerala.

In the next morning,  five of us gathered at  Thampanoor, and started to Kappukad in a car at around 6.30 am as the sun was rising. Had a pit stop for breakfast. It was a Diwali day and most of the shops and hotels were closed.

As per the itinerary, our reporting  at Kappukad Elephant Rehabilitation Center was at 8.00 AM. You will also get bus from  Thambanoor KSRTC Bus stand to Kottur. Kottur is an important place  and is situated 30 km from Thiruvananthapuram.  Kappukad which is the base of this trek, is 2 km far from Kottur.  

Reached Kappukad at around 8.30 am. Those who had reached earlier got an opportunity to  walk around the Elephant Rehabilitation Center. It was around 9 am, when rest of the group had arrived. On arrival, we finished formal registration process and moved to the starting point of trek which is about 5 kms from Kappukad. We stopped our car in between where underground water was collected and which flowed through a small pipe. Most of us emptied our water bottles and collected fresh herbal water from the pipe.

We kept our luggage in the car and carried lunch packet and water bottle in a small bag. After a brief introduction, we started our trek along with two guides.

The trek is a moderate plus hike and  the trek winds up in a gradual ascend through thick shola forest,  rock structures, narrow paths and grass lands that open up for beautiful views. You will also come across plenty of small insects along the trek trail.

Kathirumudi is situated in the south of Agastyakoodam hill range in the Western ghats. The Agastya Mountains are rich in biodiversity and is home for many indigenous creatures.

Then we reached a vast area fenced with rails, from there, we got the majestic view of the Agasthyakoodam mountain on the left side.

Finally we reached the summit of Kathirumudi, which was a rock structure. From the peak, we could get the most beautiful views of Agasthya hills, Neyyar and Peppara lakes. This is the only place you can enjoy the view of these three wonderful places.

We saw Agastya hill and Pandava hill from the distance. From here we got a breath-taking view of the entire mountain range. The rolling hills covered with clouds looked blue from a distance.

A little  area of the peak was also covered with lichens, mosses and ferns.

We trekked further crossing four small peaks with ups and downs, till we reached  a small stream. Had packed lunch while sitting  near  the stream. Earlier there was a water tank, later destroyed by elephants. We  rested for a while, took pictures and started descend.

A difficult descend, we had to stop every now and then to rest.  It was around 3 pm,  when we reached back to the starting point of the trek. The overall trek distance is 10 km. Next up in our chart was a bath in the nearby waterfalls. We walked in bare foot till the waterfall area which is around 1 km from the parking area. It was not a big waterfall, but small streams coming down over rocks looked serene. We sat on tbe rocks near the descending point of water, and relaxed for a while. Water was cold and a bath  beneath the falls, gave a lot of relief to us. 

After a  bath, we started our return journey. We stopped at Kottur for a tea and review of the trek. A beautiful challenging one day trial with a mixture of shola forest,  rock structures, narrow paths and grass lands. 

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Water Lily Bloom at Malarikkal

Kerala, with its natural beauty and abundant natural resources is no longer left behind.  In the past few years, Water Lily bloom  have become a phenomenon across different parts of  Kottayam district, in the Indian Sate of Kerala.  Malarikal, which is situated adjacent to the Thiruvarpu Road at Illikkal Town, near Kottayam,  has been the most visited place this year for witnessing the Water Lily bloom.

From Kass plauto in Maharashtra to the Neelakurinji bloom in Munnar, blooming of seasonal flowers tempt me to visit the places in a celebrated mood. And this time, it was the turn of water lilies at Malarikkal. This year, blooming of water lilies (Nymphaea Stellata or ambal in local parlance) will last only till the mid of November.

Me and my wife started at 5 am in the early morning from Kochi. The flowers bloom during the night and wither during daytime. It is better to visit the place before 11 am.

When we reached the place, the vast stretch of paddy fields were seen blanketed in an unearthly pink shade.  People were flocking Malarikkal for taking photos. Parked my car far away from the actual spot and walked a long way by crossing the bridge.

We walked some distance between the water lilies in the paddy field and then took a boatride between the pink beauties. They charged Rs.100 per head.

The  900-acre water lily or Ambal flowers blooms when there is no farming in the field. As and when the water level starts receding, the farmers  prepare the land for cultivation, by spraying pesticides to remove these flowers.

A day trip to  Malarikal for “water lily bloom viewing” is a favourite pastime for many Keralities during this season.  It’s time to refresh your eyes with the beautiful sight of blooming flowers.

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Chasing footprints of Adi Shankaracharya

There is something exciting about an hours drive from Kochi  to Kalady - the birth place of Sri Sankaracharya. Kalady is just 42 kms from Kochi, but which we had wanted to visit for the last 20 years.  We have a  tendency to leave nearby places unseen  for a 'later' time for the simple reason that  we can always go  there anytime.  Kalady had been one such place in my list. One fine Sunday morning, me and my wife travelled to Kalady on  the auspecious day of Maha Navami.

Kalady literally means footprints.  The story goes somewhat like this. Poorna or Periyar river used to flow some distance away from the current position. Once young, Shankara's mother fainted while walking to the river and he prayed to Lord Krishna. Krishna blessed him that the river will follow through the place marked by young Shankara's feet. This is how he brought the river to the village. From that time onwards, the place came to be known as 'Kalady'.

I was trying to remember the birth of Sri Shankara which I read in books.   Sri Sankara was born in a Namboothiri family to Shivaguru and Aryamba at Kalady. His parents with the blesdings of  Lord Siva opted a son who would be great and depart this world at 32,  instead of a son who would  lead a normal life for a long time.

AADI SHANKARA KEERTI STAMBA MANDAPAM

We made our entry into the mandapam. The entrance to the memorial, is guarded by two elephant statues. Inside, a circular ramp takes you up. I noticed that there are three steps each. On your way up, you can watch the entire life story of the Shankaracharya. The various episodes  of his life  are sculpted and painted on the walls.  You can also see the statues of Ganapati, Karthikeya, Surya, Vishnu, Shakti and Siva. What really seemed quite reasonable to me is the entry fee of Rs.5, which  is collected as donation.

SRIKRISHNA TEMPLE

This temple is known as the ancestral deity of Sri Shankaracharya. There are murals depicting Adi Shankara as a kid worshipping Krishna with his mother. Another mural shows him playing with a crocodile.

AADI SHANKARA JANAM BHUMI KSHETRA

This complex also houses the samadhi of Aryamba, mother of Adi Shankaracharya. Since our visit was on the day of Maha Navami, which  is one of the important festival of this famous temple,  there was a huge rush inside the temple.

CROCODILE GHAT OR MUTHALA KADAVU

Poorna or Periyar gently flows behind the Aadi Shankara Janam Bhuni Kshetra. We walked through the  path beside Srikrishna temple leading to the river. We climbed down steps that descended to the bank of river. I could see Kalady bridge from here.  I sat on a stone. Stories flashed through my mind. 

According to legends, when little Shankara wanted to sanyas, his mother did not agree for it. He went into the river and a crocodile caught his leg. Shankara told his mother that the crocodile would  let him go if she agreed to let him take sanyas.  Thus at the age of eight with the permission of his mother,   he left his home for education.

I sat there for a few minutes... the feeling was indescribable. Soon we were back on the road.

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