A visit to The Padmanabhapuram Palace

Atlast managed for a small trip with family...

We had a great time to Kanyakumari.

In Padmanabhapuram Palace...

We visited The Padmanabhapuram Palace in the capital of the historical country of Travancore. It is almost 450 years old. Its beautiful and extraordinary architecture with simplicity is the reason for its fame. It is difficult to express its beauty in words. It is a must-see place for tourists. The Dance Hall is the most beautiful in there. It clearly shows us the customs practices early in South India and Kerala's unique style of architecture. Another attraction is its glazing floor. It is made of natural ingredients which is not well known now. It remains as a unbreakable secret because those generations are gone now. There is also a museum showing the various archeological imprints, paintions, statues, early weapons and guns used by the Dutch. One who is visiting there will never forget their experience in this astonishing palace.

Exploring the divine wonders; in Suchindram Temple..

The next place we visited is the Suchindram Temple. It is the best example of Tamil architecture. Actually, a temple of wonders. The beautiful rock carvings is the most noticing. Most places in there is built in a single rock. This is a temple dedicated to a deity who is the representation of the combined forces of Siva, Vishnu and Brahma. It is one of the few temples in the country where the Trinities are worshipped. The temple has a beautiful gopuram, musical pillars and an excellent statue of the Hanuman, apart from a valuable collection of art from different periods.

Visiting the Famous Vivekananda Rock...

At around 2 past noon, we visited the Vivekananda Rock. Most of us were a little afraid to boat in sea-water as the rock is situated only after a small distance from the coastof Kanyakumari. This memorial stands on one of two rocks separated by about some meters. It was built in 1970. This memorial is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, the greatest social reformer. Swamy Vivekananda was supposed to have meditated on the rock where the memorial stands today. A meditation hall is also attached with the memorial. The design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. It houses a statue of Vivekananda. The divine foot print 'Pada Parai' of Devi is also seen here. Actually, we feel like flying in there. The seabreeze is breathtakingly strong. For me, that is the most wonderful experience.

Enjoying Beauty of Sea and... Statue!

The minor rock adjoining the Vivekananda rock memorial lies a Statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar, the author who gave us quintessential words of wisdom through his philosophical work 'Thirukkural', a treatise in Tamil on the Indian way of life. The statue, standing amid the dancing blue waves, creates a lasting impression as it rises high over the rock. We can stand more higher than on the Vivekananda Rock, that means, wind more than imagination.

However, we missed to visit the Gandhi Mandapam. It is said to have the urn containing the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi was kept for public view before a portion of its contents was immersed in the three seas. According to my knowledge, it resembles an Oriyan temple and was designed so that on Gandhiji's birthday (2nd October), the sun's rays fall on the place where his ashes were kept .

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Kanyakumari is still beautiful after the horror and destruction caused by the Tsunami in Dec 2005. The Tamilnadu government is trying its best to bring the monuments back as it was before the tsunami. But, now everything seems to be untouched by destruction and are having a peaceful existence. There was also my cousins and relatives with us, so the trip was just wonderful and enjoyed fully. The only thing is that we were not able to enjoy the beach. So, we decided for a trip to Poovar after Vishu. I am going to my native place after some days...