Kovalam

It is no doubt that our world is slowly deteriorating every second as a result of an unprecedented amount of pollution and inhuman deforestation. But, amidst all these developments, we always feel as if the world is beautiful and, it is no way near being deteriorating. Personally, living in the heart of the capital city I always feel special once I get to Kovalam. Kovalam is a beach town by the Arabian Sea In Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, located around 18 km south of the city center. Kovalam is probably the most visited beach in Kerala and there is no doubt why it is famous. There are a plenty of reasons as to why one must visit Kovalam. Let us just say, the place has three beaches all layered and you get to enjoy the view from the lighthouse as well. 

Being no stranger to the place itself, Kovalam is probably one among those beaches to which I've visited multiple times. Kovalam has three beaches separated by rocky outcroppings in its 17 km coastline, the three together form the famous crescent of the Kovalam beach. Among the said three beaches, I always find Lighthouse beach the best one. The reason being the walk from Samudra beach through the Hawa and then to Lighthouse beach perfectly builds the excitement and the moment you see that 35-meter high Lighthouse, you'll be "Thunderstruck". The biggest of them all, Lighthouse beach is perfect to spend your evening. 

The second largest beach is the Hawah beach. Once you're there it might be a confusing sight. You will forget your whereabouts and would start thinking as if you have been transported to another country. Tourists enjoying their holidays and fishermen trying to get their daily work done, Hawah beach is a busy beach with a lot of activities going on. With a high rock promontory and a calm bay of blue waters, this beach paradise creates a unique aquarelle on moonlit nights.

There is nothing much to praise about the Samudra beach. It just the beach which starts off your expedition to the Lighthouse. Overall, Kovalam is a perfect place to go to if you are willing to spend some quality time observing nature's beauty. Moreover, People often stay here to get a glimpse of sunrise and sunset. So, make sure to do the same if you want to see the sun making its entrance or to watch it mark its exit.

Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Varkala

Breezy winds covering up the heat is what a person needs in this summer season. If you couldn't find a better place to experience it, then think no further than heading to Varkala. A small town 40 km away from the capital city Trivandrum, Varkala offers an unforgettable experience for its visitors and the place itself holds a steady record for the number of tourists. The reason being the atmosphere and overall ambiance. Varkala is the only place in southern Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Arabian Sea.

These Cenozoic sedimentary formation cliffs are a unique geological feature on the otherwise flat Kerala coast and are known among geologists as Varkala Formation and a geological monument as declared by the Geological Survey of India. There are numerous water spouts and spas on the sides of these cliffs. In 2015, Ministry of Mines, Government of India and Geological Survey of India (GSI) have declared Varkala Cliff as a geo-heritage site. This adds an extra point for the topography and overall ambiance of the place. 

My journey to Varkala was rather a 30-minute stay and 2 hours traveling one, instead of a comfy timeframe. However those 30 minutes were well spent and without wasting any second of the scheduled 30 minutes, firstly I made it to the beach and planned on spending 15 minutes and the rest exploring the cliffs. But, I ended up spending an hour on the beach as the time flew by quicker than I thought and I lost track of the schedule. Ignoring the schedule completely, I began walking towards the cliffs. 

 

After making it to the top, I got to see the Sivagiri Mutt, established by the social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The hilltop mausoleum of Sree Narayana Guru is one of the most famous monuments in Kerala state. Last but not the least, Varkala is known for the infamous 2000-year-old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which has an ancient bell removed from a shipwreck, donated by the captain of the Dutch vessel which sank near Varkala without causing any casualties. The temple is close to the beach and hence the beach is called "Papanasam", which has holy waters that wipe away the sins. 

Varkala is one among those places which are worth spending your evening. On top of the scenic beach, the temple adds a spiritual essence to the place which welcomes a lot of visitors just because of its traditional and ancient architecture. While you are there, never miss the beautiful sunset and if possible, climb on top of the cliff to experience it. 











Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Cherai Beach - Kochi

It is easier to claim that the Southern part of India houses the best of the best Beaches. You may ask why? Well, you have a lot of big names on the list which goes from the infamous Marina Beach in Chennai, Tamil Nadu to the hidden gem, Perumathura in Trivandrum, Kerala.   What else do we have? When it comes to the best beaches, Cherai always stays in the top 10, as far as I'm concerned. Located at the northern end of Vypeen end, Kochi, Cherai holds the spot for the most visited beach in Kerala. 

Even though the place itself is quite far from the capital city Trivandrum, I stopped by the beach when I visited Kochi last year. Once I got to the place, the first thing that I recognized was that the tides were surprisingly much gentle and I could see kids swimming on the beach without much difficulty. Spread over a range of 10 km, Cherai is undoubtedly the best spot for all those who like swimming and those who wish to experience a gentle breeze on a fine sunny day. 

The main attraction is mainly due to the spectacular atmosphere which holds the active sea and the gentle backwaters on a single frame. Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront and thick coconut groves add charm to this place. Apart from the serene beauty that the beach offers, there is a small children's park on the side and for all those who like adventure sports, they can rent a speedboat or a water scooter to blaze through the gentle tides. Hiring a bike on rent at Cherai is also very reasonable. 

Getting a beautiful view of village life in Cherai is very refreshing and it gives a wonderful experience. Kite Flying is another very interesting activity to do in Cherai as locals are really very fond of it. This activity is so popular that there is an annual kite flying festival celebrated every year with great joy.

Just as the afternoon shine began diminishing, we walked towards to Munamam point where one could cherish the beauty of the beach where the Arabian Sea comes in contact with the gentle backwaters. Moreover, this is the best spot to watch the sunset and sunrise. 

There is a reason why people call Kochi the Queen of Arabian Sea. My trip to Kochi and Cherai beach, in particular, was amazing and I plan on visiting the place more often so that I could plan to watch the Sunrise when I get there next time. 


Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Shangumugham- A Silent Beach in the heart of the City

Who would expect to see a Beach in the heart of a busy city like Trivandrum? Not too far from Trivandrum International Airport, Shangumukham or Shangumugham is a cozy spiritual destination for all.  Shanghumugham beach is considered as the ‘Arattukadavu’ of Sri Ananthapadmanabhan - the presiding deity of the city. Moreover, there is a temple dedicated to Goddess Devi. This beach is also the prime location for Ganesh Nimarjan at the time of Vinayaka Chathurthi.

Keeping all the spiritual significance aside, Shangumugham beach is a cozy place to spend some quality time with your loved ones. With the beach covering the majority portion, there is a small shore for people to hold picnics. Luckily for me, the place is close to my residence and I often visit the beach with my friends. Every time we get there, we always find something memorable to cherish for rest of our life.

Apart from the beach, the main attraction of this place is the 30 m long structure of a Mermaid, known as the "Matsyakanyaka"(which is Mermaid in Malayalam). When we got there, we saw a huge crowd in front of the structure, taking pictures and standing bedazzled by the way the structure is constructed.

It wasn't until half past five when the crowd began turning up in huge numbers to witness the sunset. Unlike most of the places where I've seen the sunset, Shangumugham had a packed crowd on a perfect Sunday evening. Even though the place was packed, we were able to get a glimpse of the beautiful sunset.

Now that we have got an indoor stadium near the beach, we now plan on spending our weekends playing badminton on the court and watching the spectacular sunset after we finish playing. Also, for all those who try hard to find their inner peace, Shangumugham is a perfect place to visit. In addition to the beach, the temple and church hold the spiritual significance.



Having said that, Shangumugham is a perfect place to visit if you find it hard to travel far seeking an excellent beach to spend some quality time. Even though the place itself is not remote, it still remains one of the finest tourist spots and no doubt it will still remain one.

Quick facts

1. How to reach – Frequent buses to the beach are available.

2. Nearest town – Veli

3. Nearest railway station – Trivandrum, 8 kilometers away  

4. Nearest Airport – Trivandrum, 2 kilometers away

5. Places to stay – Ideal for one day trip, but if you plan to visit in the long run, the rooms can be easily found in Trivandrum, which is just 8 km from the beach. 

6. Best time to visit – There is no specific time for visiting, you can visit anytime.

7. Things to do – Sculpture of the famous "Matsyakanyaka" is just 100 meters from

the beach. Temple dedicated to Goddess Devi is a perfect place for finding the spiritual mood. Moreover, Valiyathura church is at a walkable distance as well.

8. Is it Child-friendly - Yes

Contributed by - Sooraj Ram

Veli – Where the Lake meets the Sea

Being surrounded by water on one side, Kerala is a place to visit if you are in need for a place that, not only is worth taking a swim but also worth experiencing the breathtaking views. Veli is one such place which offers a perfect place for those who like to take some time to appreciate the beauty of nature. Located not so far from the capital city of Kerala, Trivandrum, Veli is a beautiful village that is a home for one among the finest places for boating and picnicking.

Having spent almost a year taking a trip around the coastal strip of Kerala, it took me a while to reach Veli. Once I got there, I was told that Veli Tourist Village is an integral part of Veli tourism. After handling the entry formalities, the first thing that grasped my interest was the huge sculpture of Conch. The sculpture is so big that a person can see it from a faraway point.
The place holds almost 10 to 15 sculptures, including the smaller ones. Out of these 15, the conch is the centre of attraction. The surroundings are green and are well maintained by the tourism faculties. After the massive conch, I walked across the place to see other sculptures.

As I walked towards the horizon, I get to see the floating bridge. Similar to the one you see on the internet, floating bridge is a nice little path to get past the land and move towards the shore. This connecting bridge is a fascination among the children and also a perfect place for those who wish to take a good retro style sunset picture with their loved ones.

Moving on, after safely walking across the bridge, the next thing that blew me away was the amazing Floating Restaurant. Just when I was a bit tired walking around and taking pictures, Veli floating restaurant run by KTDC offers a wide range of palate from which, I would highly recommend the South Indian cuisine. It's nothing like experiencing South Indian cuisine in South India.

Half past 5, it was the perfect time for me to find a place to watch the sunset. I got into the lagoon where one could clearly distinguish the lake and sea. Separated by a small yet beautiful line of rocks, I was fortunate enough to grab a spot near the reef to experience the sunset. Unlike most of the places I get to experience the sunset peacefully in Veli. After taking a quick dip in the Veli Beach, I wrapped my trip with a walk across the Golden sand beach.

Veli is a perfect spot for all those who seek to kill time by immersing themselves into the depths of the peaceful and beautiful nature. With a wide range of choices for people to pass time, as far as I'm concerned Veli tourist village is the best spot for picnicking and get-together parties. Moreover, the floating restaurant also offers a vacant space for people to host private parties. So, if you are planning a get together party, do it in style and posh by renting the Restaurant. Their service is top notch and I guarantee you that you will get to spend some quality time with your loved ones.

Quick Facts about Veli –

1. How to reach – Frequent buses to Veli are available from Trivandrum.

2. Nearest town – Veli

3. Nearest railway station – Trivandrum Railway Station, about 8 kilometers far  

4. Nearest Airport – Trivandrum International Airport, about 2 kilometers away

5. Places to stay – Ideal for one day trip, but if you plan to visit for a long run, then rooms can be easily found in Trivandrum, which is just 8 km from Veli. 

6. Best time to visit – There is no specific time for visiting, you can visit anytime.

7. Things to do – Take a walk across Veli strip and get to see the massive conch sculpture and pass the floating bridge. Boating and other water sports can be experienced and at last don’t miss the sunset.

8. Is it Child-friendly - Yes

Perumathura - The “Golden” Sand Beach

The fun part of exploring places is that you might never know what you are about to find, just like as if you are searching for a hidden treasure. I'm fortunate enough to say that I have had the pleasure of finding such gems hidden under the radar. Having spent most of my holidays riding around the coast, I got to see one among the hidden gems in Kerala, India. Being surrounded by water on two sides, India has a lot of beaches but only a few are known to people. Not so long from the capital city of Kerala, Trivandrum-there is one such beach called Perumathura which, as far as I'm concerned is one of the finest beaches to hang out.

Before heading to the main stop, the beach-the place continues to excite one, as one is on their way to the beach. The place that I'm talking about right now is the Muthalapozhi Bridge. The only way through which one could enter the beach, the bridge (fairly new as it was opened in the year 2015) offers a magnificent view. This place is what we call a "viewpoint". 

I never expected to see something this special since Perumathura is one among the hidden gems of India and I was expecting for a small beach surrounded by trees on four sides.  On the contrary, I felt I could just spend the whole day watching the beautiful beach from the bridge. 

The place itself is beautiful and luckily less crowded. It is almost impossible to find such a private beach, the last time that I found one was close to Cherai Beach in Kochi.  The moment I got there, the first thing that amazed me was the magnificent atmosphere. Unlike most of the beaches, Perumathura doesn't have a ton of waste deposits or anything that spoils a good atmosphere.  There are a little of things you could do while you are at the beach. First and foremost, enjoying the sunset without many people surrounding you to block your sight should be at the top of your priority list. Also, you could climb on top of the small stone alike structure to get a nice view. The Anjengo Fort, known for a great historic significance is just 6 to 10 kilometers away from the beach. So if you could get to the place early before the sunset, I suggest you take a visit to the fort. 

Apart from the Perumathura beach, you get to see a small harbor near the beach where small boats trade resources on a small level. If you are lucky, you might get to meet some down-to-earth people who will easily mingle with you. I got to know the story behind the name "Perumathura". The village got its name from the late king "Cheraman Perumal". The word "Perumathura" means "the residence of Perumal". The strange fact is that I never saw a sign or a statue of King Perumal on Perumathura, even though he was the one who ruled the place. 

It was half-past 7 when I got off the place. I reached there at around 4 PM and I didn't even know how time flew so fast. Perumathura is a place where you get to enjoy the cool breeze and breathtaking sights. If you are a photographer, then this is the best place for you to click a few pictures of nature. While you are at it, don't forget to snap a picture of the view from the bridge, which is probably the best thing that Perumathura offers to its visitors. 

Quick Facts about Perumathura Beach -

1. How to reach – Buses are available to Varkala. You could hire an auto from Varkala.

2. Nearest town – Varkala

3. Nearest railway station –  Varkala Railway Station, 12 kilometers

4. Nearest Airport – Trivandrum International Airport, 35 kilometers

5. Places to stay – Accommodation available at Varkala. This place is ideal for one day trip.

6. Best time to visit – An ideal time would be the monsoon season so that you could enjoy the green surroundings. However, Perumathura could be visited anytime.

7. Things to do – Take a walk around the beach to experience fresh and cool breezy air. Climb on top of the small stone structure to see the sunset. And of course, you can spend some quality time in the water.

8. Is it Child-friendly - Yes

 

Anjengo Fort- Kerala - A Hidden Historical Fort

Anjengo or Anjuthengu(Anchuthengu) fort is a historic landmark in Kerala and offers a picturesque worth millions of stories. Being one of the highlights in the Anchuthengu village, The fort was the East India Company's first permanent post on the Malabar Coast. The site for construction was given to EIC by the Queen of Attingal to handle fair trades(since this place had wind advantage). The EIC commenced construction in January 1696 and took them around 3 years to finish the construction. Later on this fort proved vital for them as they actively used Anjengo for shelter and storage. 

As Anchuthengu is Five coconut trees in Malayalam, I imagined a place having nothing but a barren land surrounded by five coconut tree to seclude the whole place. Curiosity subsided once I reached the place after a 30 minute ride from Trivandrum. It was refreshing to see the place and hard to believe that a wonderful place such as Anjengo is hidden from a traveller's eye. Well, you can't expect the EIC to construct this fort in the middle of the city for handling trades.

There is no entry fee or whatsoever and once you are inside the fort you are in for a view of your life. With a well maintained garden at the entrance you can climb to the top to enjoy the view. Nothing much to see yet an elegant place to visit given, you are not spending a lot of money to get in there. I covered the entire place within 20 minutes and once I was out, I climbed on top of the lighthouse nearby which was truly a magnificent addition to this trip.  If you are tired of refreshing the Facebook news feed, then this is a place to visit. Seriously though, you might as well consider visiting the place for the second time as the beautiful landscape compels you to come back and do regular visits. Perfect place for reunions and family get-together. Make sure to climb on top of the lighthouse to take a sight of your lifetime.

 

Anjengo gave a little historic touch to this trip where the lighthouse served as a fun place to wrap up the trip. I bet you would enjoy your time on the Anjengo as the place itself is more private and doesn't charge you a lot for the visit.

Quick Facts

1. How to reach – Buses are available to Varkala. You could hire an auto from Varkala.
2. Nearest town – Varkala
3. Nearest railway station –  Varkala, 12 kms
4. Nearest Airport – Trivandrum, 35 kms
5. Places to stay – Accomodation is available at Varkala. This place is ideal for one day trip.
6. Best time to visit – There is no specific time to visit, you could visit anytime.
7. Things to do – Take a look around the historic place and enjoy a magnificent view from Lighthouse. 
8. Is it Child Friendly -  Yes.
 

Contribution from - Sooraj Ram

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