Knocking at 50s on Southern seashore(Part 2)

KANYAKUMARI 

After reaching Kanyakumari we went around these spots 

 Arulmigu Bhagavathyamman Temple

The southern most tip of India known as CAPE bears the name of Goddess Kanyakumari incarnation of Devi Parvathi worshipped as virgin girl child here.  It is a spiritually rejuvenating experience to seek the darshan of charming Goddess performing penance holding Japamala in her hand. The prime attaction is her nose jewel that glares, shines and casts spell on the pilgrim.

We had darshan of the Devi  Bhagavathy , then trolled in the temple shopping complex for buying some handicrafts & conches special to this coastal land. 

Vivekanada Rock & Thiruvallur statue as seen from Mainland

After this we queued up for the ferry that takes visitors to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, situated on a hillock inside the sea.Luckily not a long queque.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

Swami Vivekananda before leaving for World Religious Conference in Chicago in 1892, spent 3 days & 3 nights in meditation on one of the rocks projecting in the Lakshadweep sea. Years later in 1970 , a bronze statue was built on the island where he attained enlightement.Statue is housed in Vivekanand mandapam, the footprint of Devi Kanyakumari imprinted on the other rock (according to lends) is housed in Sripada mandapam. From the rock ,one can see the statue of Tamil poet Thiruvallur. Earlier, the ferry used to take the tourists to this rock too,but now it was not done.

                                             Video capturing the seas from the rock

The laccadive sea surrounds these rocks.

The rock memorial as seen from the ferry

Closeup of the rock

Sripada mandapam

Vivekanand mandapam

statue of Thiruvallur

Bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda

Cape of camorin beach

Kanyakumari beach

The confluence of the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea makes this beach like no other in the world.In our last trip we had  enjoyed breathtaking views of sunrise set against a backdrop of the Vivekananda Memorial and the majestic Thiruvalluvar statue.

Gandhimandapam

Urn containing ashes of Mahatmaji

A memorial marks the spot where the urn containing the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi after cremation was kept before being immersed at the point where the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet.

Vivekanandapuram

Headquarters of the Vivekananda Kendra founded by Eknath Ranade ,who steer headed the building of Vivekananda Rock Memorial is at the north of the town centre. It is an ashram that can serve as the retreat for spiritually inclined. Apart from the activities pursued by the Kendra, there are few things to see. There are two separate exhibitions – The Wandering Monk and Arise!Awake! – on Swami Vivekananda, his life and teachings. Another exhibition Gangtori talks about the life and teachings of Eknath Ranade. 

Delicious & satvik lunch is available here, unlimited servings ,eat as much as you can. But we had eaten at some eatery near the beach, we could not relish the dishes fully. There is a sunset & sunrise point near the beach belonging to the kendra.

We left to Nagercoil by train with full memories of Kanyakumari viewing pics and videos captured on mobile.

Entrance arch to Vivekanand puram

    Inside the premises

Eknath Ranade

Knocking at 50s on Southern Seashore (Part 1)

Ringing on to fifties I wanted to add memories of travel . Nothing better than travelling by train to further down till Kanyakumari. Well the itinerary was planned ,cross tallying done with train timings, possibility of reservation and places that could be covered. Nothing final emerged from this criss-cross search. So decided to travel without any advance booking , go about unplanned this time,thanks to our  prior experience of travelling in this circuit.

 Starting on 8/7/19, we left Mangalore to Guruvayur. Reached by 2.0pm, after lunch and shower, headed to Lord Guruvayurappan temple.Visited Mammiyur Sri Mahadeva temple and other temples.

Legend says Lord Guruvayurappan was worshipped by Lord Krishna himself. Guru(Brihaspathi) and Vayu(Wind God) were involved in establishing the idol of Lord Vishnu here, hence the name. Worshipping here helps to synergise the energies of Jupiter and Saturn to take us towards happiness and bliss.

Posing in front of Kerala Mural painting covering the entire temple boundary wall , shopping for souvenirs , pappads & handicrafts in the Nada street is enjoying.

Lord Guruvayurappan Temple entrance

Tusker at the temple premises

Posing in front of Kerala Mural painting

Early morning boarded train at Guruvayur to travel by Janashatabdi express from Trichur to Trivandrum.From there by bus to Nagercoil. Salubrious and cool,this place is a centre point for visiting Kanyakumari and Suchindram .We stayed at Udupi International, very near to Bustand. 

In the evening visited Temple dedicated to serpent King Nagaraj and Suchindram Temple.All shuttling done in a Mega Rickshaw. In the video, Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple entance part is covered.

Sucheendram holy Theertham Tank

Next morning on 10/7/19 we left for Kanyakumari. After the darshan of Goddess Kanyakumari, spent good time at the Vivekanda Rock Memorial, Vivekanada puram till 5pm.

Vivekanada rock memorial is accessed by ferry,there is a statue of Swamy Vivekanada housed in a Mandapam, footprint of Goddess Shri Devi Kumari on the rocks symbolising her penance to please Lord Sundareshan. 

Trekking in Mana near Badrinath

Mana is located at a height of 10133  feet from MSL,walking through the lanes of this hamlet is a visual delight ,not to matter the difficulties of climbing up and going down the hilly terrains.

MANA  has huge connections with Mahabharath, the composing of Great epic was done by Sage Vedvyas on the banks of River Saraswati sitting in a cave , the journey of Pandava brothers to heaven through the Swargorohini mountain valleys.For the travel enthusiasts there is a trekking trail connecting all these points  in the picturesque setting of mountains, flowing river , caves and water falls .

Swargarohini dwar

Our driver dropped us near the entrance to the " Last Indian village", beyond this no vehicles are permitted.

Ganesh gufa
A simple temple for Lord Ganeshji who agreed to be  the scribe for Mahabharath, the epic narrated by Sage Vedavyas .


 Hermit Vedavyas Gufa
.This place offers magnificient view of Swargarohini mountains, only place where one can see and listen to Sound of Saraswathi River gushing under the bhimpool after which it vanishes and flows with Alakananda. The trekking to highest point and the descent to Bheem phool is a complete test for adventure spirit and we achieved it for the second time. Mana is called "India's last village" for now reminding us that we have come long way.

Ganesha temple

Vyas Gufa

Bheeeeeeem Phool

There are many adventurous trek routes for the interested does not matter the age but one can go  :
~Mana to Vasudhara falls
~Mana to Satopanth
~Mana to Charanpaduka.
Certainly we will go in the next visit.

Main attraction during our visit:

Singer Mahalakshmi Shenoy sang a melodius hymn praising Lord Vyasa in the Gufa

Performing Saraswati Pooja at the Mata Saraswati gudi