Bountiful God’s Own Country

Bountiful God’s Own Country “In the beginning, God created the earth, and He looked upon it in His cosmic loneliness.” And God said, “Let us make living creatures out of mud, so the mud can see what we have done.” And God created every living creature that now moveth, and one was man. Mud- as- man alone could speak. God leaned close to mud- as- man sat up, looked around, and spoke. Man blinked. “What is the purpose of all this?” he asked politely. “Everything must have a purpose?” asked God. “Certainly,” said man. “Then I leave it to you to think of one for all this,” said God. And He went away.” ― Kurt Vonnegut, visionary American author. Call it God, nature or divinity, there is scant doubt that cosmic forces conspired to make the southern state of Kerala alluring and prepossessing, beckoning tourists in humungous numbers to savour the scenic beauty, temples, churches, mosques and synagogues, embellished with ornate architectural design, lush green fields, swaying coconut trees, awe-inspiring beaches, sublime backwaters and lagoons. This oasis of natural creation and design lingers in the memory bank of the trippers’ mind. The state of Kerala is all about vast green expanses that would take at least a fortnight to traverse and to explore the gem-spots spread across ‘God’s Own Country’. Nevertheless, a voyager can attempt to discover the bountiful natural beauty of Kerala in a week through some meticulous planning. In a span of one week an enterprising excursionist can discover the charm of the Kochi, Munnar (a quaint hill station), Thekkady (a wildlife sanctuary), Alappuzha (the stupefying backwaters- also famous for the famous Nehru boat race) and the exotic beaches at Kovalam. The IRCTC proffers an attractive package which lures the interested tourists. Guests are received by a representative of IRTC at the Kochi airport and housed at an upmarket hotel. The local sight-seeing includes a visit to the Mattancherry Palace, constructed by the Portuguese for the king of Cochin as a gift. Subsequently it was taken over by the Dutch, whence it came to be known as the Dutch Palace. The Mattancherry Palace is notable for the Kerala murals depicting portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi. It is a matter of immense pride that the palace has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The sightseeing trip includes a visit to the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. It was constructed in 1568 and is one of the seven synagogues of the Malabar Yehudan community. The tour winds up at the charming seaside area, Fort Kochi, known for its Dutch, Portuguese, and British colonial architecture and elaborate bamboo fishing nets. The St. Francis Church is also located in the robust fort complex which was the original burial site of the intrepid explorer, Vasco da Gama. The following morning guests drive to Munnar, the ‘Princess of Hill Stations’. While traversing to Munnar trippers watch in amazement the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls. On reaching Munnar, tourists can spend quality time walking through the verdant grasslands and tea plantations. Vacationers can also visit the most prepossessing location there, situated across the Mattupetty Dam, where one can enjoy a spot of boating in the Mattupetty Lake. After an overnight stay at Munnar, sightseers head to Periyar- a 4 hour drive through viridescent mountains. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary houses variegated species of flora and fauna. Guests are then taken on a boat ride in the artificial lake inside the sanctuary. The mysteries of natural beauty never cease in Kerala. Yet another treat awaits, as guests drive towards the world’s most beautiful backwater destination, Alappuzha. Upon reaching the destination, tourists hastily hop on a houseboat and relish a cruise along the backwaters of Alappuzha, floating through the narrow canals and witnessing the local life and savouring the local cuisine prepared on board by the crew. As the shadows lengthen and there is a hush, except an odd chirping and some fish making their passage in the water to their sanctuary, tourists can spend a relaxing night in the house boat. At crack of the dawn, the more brawny tourists take a quick swim and soon after a sumptuous breakfast, the globetrotters disembark from houseboat to resume the tour with a drive to Kovalam, a spectacular beach destination, and rightly termed as the ‘Goa of the South’. On reaching Kovalam, visitors embrace the Hawa beach and enjoy the rest, in sync with the harmonious natural surroundings and luxuriating at a calm pace. The icing on the cake is witnessing the crimson sun sink into the Arabian Sea. The night is spent at the beach watching the lighthouse at a distance. The following morning tourists are guided by the energetic officials of the IRCTC to the Thiruvananthapuram International airport after paying obeisance at the famous Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, the Napier Museum and the Kuthira Malika (also known as Horse Palace). So in a matter of seven days, one has a glimpse of the wondrous and spectacular holiday spots of Kerala which leaves a deep impression on the mind and one is surely pining for more. “Nature is so powerful, so strong. Capturing its essence is not easy - your work becomes a dance with light and the weather. It takes you to a place within yourself,” writes the talismanic American portrait photographer, Annie Leibovitz.