If you haven’t heard of Kovalam
beach in Kerala, then you’ve probably been living under a rock. Located North
West of Kerala, (a state in the South of India), just about 16-18 kms from
Trivandrum (old Anglicised name), the capital city of Kerala, Kovalam
is a lovely crescent-shaped stretch of beach which actually is a cluster of 3
beaches separated by rock promontories viz.,Lighthouse, Samudra and Hawa beach.
It is here that the famed South West monsoons hits India,
using Kerala as the gateway, making its way through the Southern states to
other parts of this vast country. You’re at Kovalam. Pause. Will it rain or won’t
it?
Well, based on the outcome you could decide to:
· laze languidly under the shelter of a beach
shack or get an Ayruvedic massage
· sip your beer alongwith some mouth watering
fried squid or fried fish Kerala style, for company
· look for bargains at the local shops lining the
Lighthouse beach
· find out the real story behind the name Hawa
beach or
· dash off to the Indian Meterological Observatory located
at Thiruvananthapuram
(new name meaning, City of Lord Anantha) and check with the rain astrologers (the
Met dept. folks) if the rains are “on course”
Going by historical
records, the rains have hardly ever strayed beyond 1st week of June.
However, if the rains disappoint by not showing up, you can show up at the iconic
Sri Padmanabhasamy Temple where Lord Vishnu is found reclining on his serpent
and pray fervently. Spoiler alert:
adhere to their dress code (yes they can refuse entry if your attire doesn’t
meet their criteria, your fervent prayers notwithstanding).
Journeying with the rains as it snakes its way across the
state to Karnataka, Goa and beyond, is compelling in its beauty, tranquility
and urgency. Cue: run out and get
drenched, photograph the soft after-rain glow or just hold your breath till
your next lush and abundant destination. Metta!
Delicious tidbits:
- The SW monsoons are known as Edavappathi, after the month of Edavam.
- The Meteorological Observatory in Trivandrum, one of India’s oldest observatories was started by the Maharaja Swathi Thirunal of Travancore in 1836
- Prince G V Raja found immense tourism potential and invited Thomas Cook & Sons, UK to develop and promote the region
- The candy striped Lighthouse is 35 m tall and you can climb to the top for spectacular views
- Fusion, German Bakery, Swiss Café are where you get some good grub at Kovalam
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