A Day in Thiruvananthapuram 🌴

 

A Day in Thiruvananthapuram 🌴

Kerala — God’s Own Country — indeed, it is.

A serene land of beautiful temples, lush greenery, delicious food, and warm, easy-going people. Our day in Thiruvananthapuram turned out to be a delightful mix of spirituality, nature, food, culture, laughter and a few wonderfully unexpected moments.

🙏 Starting the Day with Blessings

After praying to Lord Ganesha, we began our day at the magnificent Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple — Where Divinity Meets Eternity.

The temple is a breathtaking blend of spirituality, history, architecture and mystery. Dedicated to Lord Padmanabha, a majestic form of Lord Vishnu reclining on the serpent Anantha, the deity itself inspires a sense of profound peace and devotion.

The sound of prayers, the fragrance of traditional offerings, timeless rituals, beautifully dressed devotees and the imposing architecture create an atmosphere that feels wonderfully removed from the rush of modern life.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is widely regarded as one of the world’s richest temples, renowned for the immense treasure discovered in its underground vaults.

A visit here also means embracing its traditions. The strict traditional dress code is an integral part of the temple experience and adds to its timeless spiritual atmosphere.

 

🌺 A Quick Visit to Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

Next was a quick visit to Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, popularly known as the “Sabarimala of Women.”

The temple is a powerful symbol of devotion, tradition and feminine spirituality in Kerala. During Attukal Pongala, the streets of Thiruvananthapuram transform into a vast sacred space, with thousands of women gathering to offer prayers to Attukal Amma.

Even on an ordinary day, there is something deeply peaceful about stepping into this sacred space.

🚕 And Then… Our Cab Driver!

Now, the cab driver deserves a special mention!

He was a unique character — a genuinely family-oriented person, a self-proclaimed foodie, and almost a brand ambassador for several food joints and shopping places in the city.

But what made him particularly entertaining was his sense of humour.

He would crack his own jokes and then laugh at them himself. 😂

Actually, the joke wasn't always hilarious… his ability to laugh at his own joke was!

That self-sense of humour made the journey all the more enjoyable. Sometimes, it is the people you meet along the way who become the most memorable part of a trip.

🌴 Poovar — Where the River Meets the Sea

Then came one of the most tranquil experiences of the day — a boat ride through Poovar.

The boat glided through peaceful backwaters, with mangroves lining the waterways and coconut palms swaying gently in the breeze. Gradually, the landscape opened up towards the Arabian Sea.

There was something magical about being surrounded by water, greenery and silence.

Poovar is Kerala at its most tranquil. 🌴🌊

Along the way, we also came across an amazing variety of plants — some useful for food, some with medicinal properties and a few that were poisonous.

Looking at those poisonous plants, a wicked little thought crossed our mind — “Maybe I should keep some stock for revenge purposes!” 😄

Thankfully, it remained just a wicked thought… but it certainly brought a smile to my face!

🕉️ Azhimala Shiva Temple — Where the Divine Meets the Sea

Our next stop was Azhimala Shiva Temple.

Where the divine meets the sea, Azhimala Shiva Temple stands majestically along Kerala’s coastline, with the vast Arabian Sea stretching beyond it.

The towering image of Lord Shiva, the sound of crashing waves and the peaceful temple surroundings make Azhimala a truly unforgettable place.

But what fascinated me even more were the cave-like spaces beneath the magnificent Shiva statue.

The rocky terrain creates fascinating natural spaces, with Shiva-related carvings and sculptural motifs carved into the rock.

The craftsmanship is remarkable. The artists have put so much effort into creating beautiful idols, capturing expressions and emotions that almost seem alive.

Standing there, surrounded by towering rocks, the sea and the presence of Lord Shiva, the place feels both dramatic and serene — a beautiful meeting point of nature, art and spirituality.

🍛 And Then… Food!

A trip through Thiruvananthapuram is incomplete without exploring Kerala’s traditional cuisine.

The food is rich in coconut, spices, curry leaves and fresh local ingredients.

From a traditional banana-leaf Sadya to spicy Kerala fish curry and sweet payasam, Thiruvananthapuram offers a delicious taste of Kerala’s rich culinary traditions.

❤️ My Favourites

Idiyappam with Stew

Soft, delicate idiyappam paired with creamy Kerala stew — simple, comforting and absolutely delicious.

There is something wonderfully satisfying about this classic Kerala combination.

🥭 Fish Mango Curry — Meen Manga Curry

Another favourite was Meen Manga Curry — fresh fish simmered with tangy raw mango in a fragrant Kerala-style curry.

The combination of spicy, tangy flavours with soft fish is simply irresistible, especially with hot steamed rice.

A traditional Sadya — a grand vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf. An array of colourful dishes, from avial and thoran to sambar, olan, pachadi, pickles and crispy papad, comes together with steaming rice and is finished with the much-loved payasam. More than just a meal, Sadya is a celebration of Kerala’s flavours, hospitality and traditions.

A feast served on a banana leaf — colourful, comforting and unmistakably Kerala. That’s Sadya!

🤍 The Timeless Kasavu Saree

Being a handloom saree lover, how could I possibly visit Kerala and not mention the iconic Kasavu saree?

The ivory-white saree with its shimmering golden border is one of the most beautiful symbols of Kerala’s traditional culture.

Simple, elegant and timeless, the Kasavu saree beautifully reflects the grace and rich cultural heritage of God’s Own Country.

Wrapped in the elegance of Kerala — the timeless Kasavu saree, with its ivory drape and shimmering golden border, beautifully reflects the simplicity, grace and cultural heritage of God’s Own Country.

🌅 Sunset at Kovalam Beach

And finally, we ended the day at Kovalam Beach.

As the sun slowly slipped into the Arabian Sea, the sky transformed into a canvas of gold and crimson.

The gentle waves, cool evening breeze and fading sunlight created a moment of pure tranquillity.

Watching the sunset by the beach was a beautiful reminder that sometimes the simplest moments become the most memorable ones.

🌴 Until Next Time, Thiruvananthapuram…

Thiruvananthapuram was more than just another destination.

It was a beautiful journey where spirituality, heritage, nature, flavours, humour and timeless traditions came together — from magnificent temples and serene backwaters to golden beaches, delicious Kerala cuisine and the graceful Kasavu saree.

 

"Just Two More Minutes"

 

She was the kind of person who hid an entire world behind her silence. Intelligent, observant, and always thinking, she seldom let others see what was going on in her mind. Somehow, she trusted me enough to let me in. She would tell me even the smallest things—things she never shared with anyone else—and that trust meant more to me than she probably ever knew.

Her way of thinking was completely different from most people. She saw the world through a unique lens, finding connections and possibilities that others would never notice. Even in simple things, her creativity stood out. The color combinations she chose while painting were unexpected yet beautiful, reflecting the originality of her mind.

She had a habit of blending ideas together in the most imaginative ways. She would combine two or three animals and create entirely new creatures, giving them names like 'Peacat' or 'Pealion.'  What seemed playful on the surface revealed a remarkably inventive mind. She wasn't just imagining things—she was creating new worlds and concepts effortlessly.

Her imagination would come alive in her paintings, in the unusual color combinations she chose, and in the funny creatures she invented that seemed to emerge effortlessly from her unique way of thinking.

Beneath her quiet and introverted nature was a mind constantly exploring, observing, and inventing. While many people saw only her silence, those who knew her closely could see how extraordinary her imagination truly was. I was fortunate to be one of the few people she trusted enough to share that hidden world with.

She had an exceptionally sharp mind. Whenever I taught her something, she would grasp the concept almost immediately, often understanding it faster than I expected. Teaching her never felt like a task because she was genuinely curious and eager to learn.

But her attention had its limits. The moment she got bored, she would look at me with that adorable expression and say, 'Estoy aburrida' ('I am bored') in the very language I was teaching her. That was usually my cue that the lesson was over.

Then our time would turn into something else entirely. We would draw, paint, sing songs, or simply sit together and enjoy some snacks. Those moments were often filled with laughter and creativity.

And, of course, there had to be potato chips. They were her favorite.

She was a voracious reader. Books were never just a hobby for her; they were a part of who she was. She could spend hours lost in stories, ideas, and worlds created by others. Over time, her love for reading evolved into something even more remarkable—she began writing her own books. It felt natural for someone with such a vivid imagination and unique way of thinking to become a creator of stories herself.

What always amazed me was how her mind worked. She saw possibilities where others saw ordinary things.

Yet despite all that intelligence and imagination, she had the cutest little habit. Whenever it was time to stop doing something she was deeply engaged in—reading, writing, drawing, or anything else—she would almost invariably ask for 'another two minutes.' It didn't matter whether she had already spent hours on it; she always believed that two more minutes would be enough. Of course, those two minutes often stretched a little longer.

Even now, when I think of her, I remember that phrase. 'Just two more minutes.' It became part of her personality—a reflection of her curiosity, her determination to finish one more page, complete one more thought, add one more detail to a drawing, or stay a little longer in the world she was creating.

What made her special wasn't just her intelligence—it was the way her brilliant mind, boundless creativity, childlike curiosity, and quiet trust all came together. While most people saw a quiet, introverted girl, I was fortunate enough to know the vibrant world she carried inside her.

Wherever life takes her, I hope it remains as colorful as the paintings she loved to create and as boundless as the imagination she carried within her. I hope she continues to read, write, dream, and build new worlds with the same curiosity that always made her special.

I wish her success in everything she chooses to do, happiness in every chapter she writes, and people who appreciate the brilliant, creative, and kind person she is. Though I miss her, my memories of her will always bring a smile to my face.

And if she ever finds herself asking for 'just two more minutes,' I hope life grants her all the time she needs to chase her dreams.

May her future be successful, colorful, and filled with endless possibilities.