By Prabhu Deva ( 25th March, 2008)
It was typically hot and humid when my Express chugged into the
Kanyakumari station. It was perfectly late by 5 hours and sucked already
most of my enthusiasm. The first thing I noticed about the cribbing cab
drivers who all set to drive me to my lodge at the "reasonable"rate
of Rs 100. In a 1.5 sq km town it is little bit over exaggeration of wealth,
so I decided to walk.
Tour operators recommend the month of April to visit the southernmost tip
of India as on its full moon day both sunset and moonrise can be seen
simultaneously on the horizon. As far as climate is concern, there is only
one: Summer. Kanyakumari once called Cape Comorin is always crowded with
people, there is no particular season or time. Tourists, travellers and
pilgrims are always here. Only thing I disliked about that place was the
tantrum of Sun God. Its was blazing when I took a ferry ticket to rock
memorials. Cruising along the sea was a fine experience though it was little
uncomfortable as the ferry was filled up with pilgrims descended from
Sabarimala.
Vivekananda Memorial, built on the rock the Swami meditated and gained
enlightenment, was soothing and spent some time in the serenity. Back on the
shore I took to the road. The quaint cobbled market on the Sannathi Street
caught my attention and I pottered around a bit. Life is a beach in
Kanyakumari and all the activities takes place - from the sale of
traditional munchies and seashell products, to horse rides.
Another thing caught my attention was Weavers' Cooperative Society. There
were shops where craftsmen and women had loomed. But most of the looming
were done in Madurai. But I was fortunate enough to visit one of the weaving
centers. It was a great attempt to weave my own strip of fabric. It was easy
and effortless. One of workers taught me basics of looming in a splited
English. After finishing some elementary fabric I rushed to Suchindaram,
Nagercoil - wher sand was given as parasadam at the Nagaraj temple. I spent
some good hours sharping my photography skills and came back to Kanyakumari.
As I was chugging towards my familiar destination, I gave the city a last
look. they say, here land ends but for me I just begin my journey.
Related Guide Links
Chennai
Madurai
Meenakshi Temple
Bharatnatyam
Tour Packages
South India Heritage Tour
