The summer sun of early April was right above my head. The day was pleasant with broad sunlight and clear blue sky. I waited on the roadside for my friends to arrive as we were going to attend our friend, Hari, sister's engagement. It was just few days after our classes were over and we were given a mandatory 15 days holidays due to the current Coronavirus pandemic. But still people were roaming, without having any fear of the deadly disease and so were we.
This is our last year of college, and we were having online classes as many of other students in India, but still we wanted to make our last year memorable. Even though the place where the engagement was scheduled to commence, was a almost 80 km from Kottayam, a prominent town in the state of Kerala, India. My friends, all of them boys, as many of my girl classmates could not get the permission for the trip from their parents, could not make it, started their journey from Kottayam at around 10 in the morning. My parents gave me the permission and I was very excited for the trip, which would me my first to the District of Kollam. I waited near my house, which was around 40 km from Kottayam.
It was almost noon, when they reached my place. They were 9 of them in two cars, a majestic white i20 and a sparkling brown Waganor, stood in front of me. I got into the Waganor, where four of my friends, Amal, Abin, Sooraj and Sreejith, were in all smiles. And the journey begins…!!!!
Racing down the roads of Kerala, we were just in full awe as we approached Kollam, known for its beautiful beaches and the gorgeous backwaters. After struggling a lot, as we were not knowing the exact route to the location and due to heavy traffic blocks owing to the election campaigns, it took us almost 2 hours to reach the location.
The beautiful temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, in the small village named Bharnikavu, welcomed us with it's full glory.
The temple, constructed in similar way as most of the temples in Southern India, had many sections and beautifully carved sculptures of God and Goddesses. The ceremony was arranged in an auditorium adjacent to the temple, where only few members from both the families were present. Hari' s sister was looking beautiful in a red saree, and a dark green blouse, accessorized with a simple yet heavy neck piece, golden Jhumkas, and her hair plaited along with the “Gajra” of rose and Jasmine flowers, while the groom wore a simple orange kurta with traditional Kerala “Kasavu Mundu”.
When we reached, the ceremony was already completed, and then after meeting his family members, we headed on to have the traditional Kerala “Sadya”. Sadya is the traditional way of presenting the food course in Kerala. Be it any weddings, engagement ceremonies, or festivals like Onam, Sadya is must. Basically Sadya consists of Rice which is served with a number of curries like, sambar, dal, thoran, avial, kidchadi, and many more along with banana chips, papadam, and a dessert which is called “Payasam”, this entire platter is served on a banana leaf.
After having the meal, we friends just sat under the Banyan Tree, that was just outside the temple. The cold wind and a kind of peace and spirituality that relaxes our mind, this is something that I could hardly express in words. After sitting there for a while, we headed to Hari' house.
It was almost past 3.30 in the evening, when Hari wanted to take us to a place that according to him, we all could really love. I think I was the one who was most excited because I love traveling, especially to those places which are known for their beauty of nature.
It took around an hour for us to reach this place. On the way I didn't had any idea of where are we actually heading. Let me show you some picture maybe you will have an idea..!!!
As you could see small glimpses of the place, that Hari took us to. I am not sure how many of you may know or have heard about this place, it is the “Munroe Island”. Well, the beauty of this place cannot be expressed in words.
Munroe Island, locally called as Munruthuruthu, is an Inland group of islands located at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and Kallada River in Kollam district of Kerala.
The island, that is located very near to Munruthuruthu Railway station, is a place, I could recommend you to visit at least once in your life. The place offers you a kind of utmost sceneric beauty with its crystal clear waters and lush green mangroves trees. The local boatsman could offer you boating around the island which could enable you to explore the place from the grassroot level. We visited in the evening, so we were lucky enough to witness the setting sun that has turned the entire place and the sky above to a beautiful and charming crimson hue… And this truely define the title I choosed, “Where The ‘Kayal’ Meets The Sky”……!!!!!
We just walked around the place, small walkable paths that are drawn, which has water in both sides. The place also offers you a number of small shops and eateries where you can have various delicacies. We also stopped by one such shops, where we enjoyed the “ Tube Soda” that refreshed us, as the weather was very hot and humid.
Then, we went to a very nearby place, or infact it is a bridge, Peruman Railway Bridge. The railway bridge that overlooks the Ashtamudi Lake is infamous for a accident that is considered to be one of the deadliest train accidents in Kerala. On July 8, 1988, Bangalore to Thiruvananthapuram Island Express derailed over the Peruman Bridge and fell into the Ashtamudi Lake, killing over 100 people and injuring several others. Standing upon the bridge we have sudden rush of adrenaline, as we are taken back to that day, where on the very place where we stood, was once filled with the wailings of the victims of the ill fated train.
As sun began to go deeper in to the horizon, we decided to travel back to Kottayam. It was almost 8 pm when I reached home, the election campaigners still blocking our way, so we had to take longer route back home.
The day, which I could describe as one of the most beautiful ones, that I could cherish my entire life, had finally came to an end. As, I go back to that day, 3rd April 2021, each and every second of the day is right in front of my eyes… being only girl in the group, at the start of the journey,as any other girl would have, I too had undergone a series of anxious imaginations and hesitations, but I was wrong, each one of them was very loving and caring that I could actually say “ Nobody could stop me from being myself… when I have these guys…” A journey that I could recall as one of a kind and once in a lifetime experience, this is something I could never ever forget..
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An Unforgettable Experience…🤩🤩
KL05 🔄 KL02
4 Districts…. 168 kms
2 Cars… 11 Friends…
One Amazing Journey…..❤️
#Kollam #Kerala #Travel #Friendshipgoals #Backwaters
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This is my first blog, hope you liked it, forget my flaws, will improve in coming blogs…. Hope you all are safe and do follow the instructions, wear masks and maintain social distance and regularly wash your hands… Be Safe Guys…!!!
Pic Courtesy: All the images are taken from my Phone Camera.
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Thank You….!!!
LOVE…❤️
Ragnarok….
