Solo Trip to Kanyakumari District

I never say it is been a long plan, but I managed to plan it a little ahead.  I had multiple options to cover out Starting from Coimbatore region, Rameshwaram and Nagercoil. Due to hot weather condition, I stick to one thing – NO BIKE. Yes. This time the plan was to go on in Public Transport. I had 3 days of holiday, but I planned to end the trip in 2 days. After many analysis, I confirmed as Nagercoil and listed out the places.  With whom? No one. Its my own world, Pakka Solo trip.

Then Booking! No Trains. Hence booked in SETC on Friday evening 5.30. Since the mentioned travel hours is 12 Hours, I drafted the plan keeping in mind that I would reach there by 6 AM. I managed to book for the hotel at Kanyakumari. And return ticket in RKK Travels on Sunday Night.

A day before the travel, I got an info from RKK Travels that their bus has been cancelled with an apology. That is a long weekend and getting bus cancelled mail is the worst nightmare that I could hear. With the same anger, I called Red bus and shouted till my frustration burst out. Not risking much, I managed to book the return ticket also in SETC.

I boarded the bus at 5.30. As expected the CMBT is fully crowded and we can’t expect different story at the beginning of Long weekend. Soon the bus is filled and we travelled. The bus was good with manageable seats and less noisy, unlikely the most SETC buses that roam about.

My plan starts from 6 AM the next morning. I had a good sleep in the bus and when I woke up @ 6 AM we are yet to reach Tirunelveli itself. And the travel extended for more than couple of hours making me to reach by 8.30 at Nagercoil. Earlier I planned to cover Chitharal first, but due to the extended hours – I thought to cover up Padmanabapuram Palace first as the later has Time Constraints as far as I know.

Padmanababuram Palace:

Timing: 9 AM to 4.30 PM (1 hr break in noon)

Entry: Rs. 35 Per Person

I boarded a bus from Nagercoil to Thuckalay, a major centre place on Northwest of Nagercoil. From Thuckalay, I boarded another bus to reach Padmanababuram Palace. After a 500m walk from the bus stand, what I witnessed is an Open door of Majestic Kerala Style. Entry Ticket per person is Rs.35. And I have been collected Rs.10 for my Footwear and Bag repository. In case, we need to capture photos extra Rs.50 has to be paid. I turned down that down and due to that I have been asked to Switch off my mobile before I enter the Palace inner gate. The place is beautifully built with most unique elements built by Iravi Varma Kulasekara Perumal the ruler of Venad on 1602 AD. The palace has multiple sections starting from King’s Council chamber, Performance hall, A four storied Mansion(Though we are allowed only till 2 stories). The path way is clearly mentioned and one cannot wander in the palace as we have to continuously moving on. There are person waiting on each section for the visitors and they continuously describe the special elements over there. We could feel warmth and some floors has been build along with Henna added to that still making that look tremendous. Few paintings and antique elements may eager us more within the palace. A good place to visit.

Udayagiri Fort:

Timing: 8 AM to 7 PM

Entry: Rs.10 Per Person

Once I am done with that, I moved outside and asked for Udayagiri Fort to the nearby men. Believing his words as the fort is nearby, I started walking on the path he has shown. After a kilometer walk in the hot sun, still I feel the fort is nowhere near. Again I started walking and at the end of another 1 kilometer, I am fully dehydrated. By the time an old man in his two wheeler lend me a drive, so I got onto his vehicle. But within 200 meters again he stopped and said I have to walk a little to my left to reach the fort. I couldn’t ask for more, so I thanked him and walked further. After 500 meters of walk, I saw the majestic walls giving me some hope to live on this earth more. I walked in and I have been charged for Rs.20, claiming Rs.10 for entry and Rs.10 for Camera. Though I said them, I will not capture photos but they aren’t ready to believe me. Not to make any problems, I entered the fort. The fort is kind of forest area and was converted to Bio-diversity park now. One could see Tortoise, monkey, Deer and small animals inside. During season there is option for boating too which costs Rs.100 per half hour(Now the water is fully drained out). Once we cross the part within the forest area we have to walk a bit to reach the De Lannoy Tomb. Who is De Lannoy? De Lannoy is the Naval Commander who represented Dutch East India Company. Later he was captured by Travencore king and looking at his ability he was made as Chief for Travencore Army. This fort is initially built on 17^th Century and was re-innovated in 18^th century by Maharaja Marthanda Varma. De Lannoy supervised this from the front and after re-built this has been used to Cast guns at that period. Not to see much other than the Tomb, I moved further outside. There is a Bus stop nearby, Puliyakurichi bus stop. So I walked there and waited for my next board.

Thiruparapu:

Timing: 7 AM to 6 PM

Entry: Rs.3

As per the plan the next one is Thiruparapu falls. I couldn’t board a bus from Puliyakurichi, so I planned to travel again to Thuckalay. I boarded a mini bus and landed in Thuckalay and within 5 minutes of wait, I got a bus for Thiruparapu. I boarded the bus and reached Thiruparapu. After a Kilometer walk from the bus stand, I could see the Falls which is so beautifully surrounded by Rocks. The entry ticket here is Rs.3 per person and people are not allowed to bath after 6 PM is what I heard from them. So make your plans to cover it before 6 PM. The water flow was less, but comparatively this one tends to be the best during non-season time. There is been separate swimming pool for Kids that would cost Rs.5 per kid. Also the bathing place for Men and Women are separate though not of much distance. There is park for childrens to play and Boating area to enjoy. I had a nice bath on the falls. I couldn’t spend much time, as I had to cover up few more areas today. So I left the place soon, finishing my lunch in the roadside hotel there. And will be my worst ever food, I had. When you travel, plan it for a good hotel. Roadside isn’t good there unlike Chennai.

Mathur Hanging Bridge:

Timing: 7 AM to 7 PM

Entry: Rs. 3 or 5

Then, I had plan to visit Mathur Hanging Bridge. I waited for a bus in Thiruparapu bus stop for 10 minutes and I had mini-van approaching me. A private vehicle to board as the government bus facilities are less, this type of service is worthy enough for travelers. Through my information from people out there, I boarded to ‘Kalladimamoodu’ a junction to board another bus. Once I got down at Kalladimamoodu, I had to wait for nearly half hour to board a bus to Mathur Hanging bridge. I got a private mini-bus to board and I got down at Mathur. A local villager guided me the path to hanging bridge and its nearly a half km walk from there. I reached the hanging bridge. This is one of the Longest and highest aqueducts in South Asia built by Chief Minister Kamarajar. This is built as a drought measure across the river Pahrali. The water for irrigation is carried through this bridge supporting Vilavancode and Kalkulam Talkus. One could get a majestic view of nature at the mid of the Bridge with an Air flow that could throw you away. The Pahrali river running below and the canal on the Bridge could make you say ‘She is the perfect beauty’. Unfortunately the water level of Pahrali river is low and the canal is dried, due to less rain this year. But this is worth the pain of these much walks and the best of places I saw till now. Entry ticket of Rs.3 or 5(I don’t remember exactly) is collected here. And separate charge for photos too.

Thirunanthikarai:

Later from Mathur, I had two options to do with. One is Thirunanthikarai and the other is Chitharal. Chitharal is kind of remotely located comparing to Thirunanthikarai. So, I thought to complete Thirunanthikarai first. As I know earlier, the Thirunanthikarai temple will open only by evening 5 and its about 4’O clock when I boarded a bus for return in Mathur. From Mathur, the bus I boarded is till Kulasekaram. One has to get down in Kulasekaram new bus stand which is very close to Thirunanthikarai. I waited for bus towards Thirunanthikarai, but I  couldn’t find one. After wait time of around half hour, I asked for an local auto and travelled to Thirunanthikarai Temple. The cost is Rs.40 for it, which is common claim for 3 kms drive. Thirunanthikarai sivan temple is pakka Kerala Styled Temple – which looked so beautiful. As like many temples in kerala, here the men are not allowed to wear shirts. One could see beautiful view of temple, Calm and beautiful. There is also a cave temple close to it, which is maintained by Archeology department and had little inscriptions over it. The pathway leading to the cave temple is so beautiful and one could see the rubber-extract trees over the path. Beautiful scenic view is guaranteed over the Thirunanthikarai temple and the wait hall on Bus stop.

I then moved further out and waited in the bus stop which is again half kilometer walk. Making me so tired to move any further. By the time I waited in Bus stop it is 5.30. Till 6 PM I couldn’t figure a bus and later a mini private van approached full of Rush. I boarded and reached Kulasekaram new bus stand. It’s already 6 PM and it is not advisable to travel Chitharal at this time. So, I thought I could board bus and reach Suchindram. I checked the depot and they said its time for Nagercoil bus. So I waited. But I could see no buses for next half hour. I again approached. He said, the bus will come after 7 PM. But that will be late for me. So I walked a bit and took a bus to Thuckalay again. From Thuckalay I boarded to Nagercoil. When I reached Nagercoil, it crossed 8 PM. By that time Suchindram temple would be closed. So I dropped the plan of Suchindram as well and boarded bus to Kanyakumari.

I had earlier booked at Hotel Sun Rock for night stay. I checked in at the hotel and had a horrible stay there. The bed is full of Bed bugs, the bathroom is filled with small cockroaches, and the chair is kind of broken. Due to a long and tired day, I didn’t mind much and went to sleep so soon. At the mid-night the power is off. I tried reaching reception, but Shown-some-mercy-god the phone isn’t working. I opened the door and the whole verandah is fully dark. I called them using my mobile phone and after 10 mins I had the power ON with Generator. Again I managed to sleep and early morning by 4 AM, again power gone. Shit with this people. This time I didn’t mind. I know the next day is also going to be lengthy. So I slept without minding them.

Sunrise @ Kanyakumari:

Its 5 AM. I woke up and had a scaring bath along with cockroaches and had a little walk to the beach. I managed to get on the rocks and walk little into the sea. I got on to the southernmost end of the rocks and sat there along with others. All waiting for the Wonderful Sunrise. It was black, red with White then orange. And suddenly he came up looking like a full red Bindi on Women Head. Beautiful and never before view. Slowly the sun rises up, makes the sea shine the most. Nearly I spent 1 hour there, enjoying the beauty of the rise. I then moved further. The boat(which takes to Vivenkanandar Rock) queue which opens up @ 7.45 AM is been crowded close to a mile before it has been opened. Since I had visited it already I moved further. Since I have visited the Bagavathy temple also already, I moved to my room.

Packed up my bags and left the hotel leaving my worst experience as feedback. After hearing all my feedback, there are around 3 to 4 room boys standing for Tips. With mere anger I shouted at everyone and left the place.

Guganathasamy Temple:

Then I moved further up to Gugnathasamy temple which is closely located to Railway Station of Kanyakumari. I walked up and reached the temple. The temple is said to be 1000 years old but had no signs of it. The main door is so beautiful and the temple is calm. Not much to see but one could fall on its beauty. I spent around half hour on the Temple and left the Place.

Vattakottai:

Timing: 8 AM to 5 PM

Entry: Free

The next I boarded bus to Vattakottai Fort. After around half hour, I got down at Vattakottai. I had to walk around 1 Km to reach the fort. I asked for an Auto, but the price he asked is Rs.50 for 1 Km drive. So I turned down and walked. After 500m there is a checkpost collecting entry tickets for Vehicles. I moved further up and reached the Fort. Surronded by Walls. The fort is kind of circular giving its name ‘Vattakottai’.  This is defense fort built by De Lannoy(whom we saw in Udayagiri fort earlier) for safety of Travancore. The fort is wonderfully located on the sea shore giving tremendous view of the beauty with Manmade and God made combination. One could go to beach having a little walk from outside the fort. The fort has a small pond at the mid of it and also places for Canon too. Again a wonderful visit.

Again I had a walk outside reaching the Vattakottai bus stop. Then I planned to Cover Suchindram. But it was almost 12 AM by that time, so the temple will be closed. So I planned to go further to Chitharal, hoping to cover Suchindram after that.

Chitharal:

Timing: 8 AM to 5 PM

Entry: Free

I boarded bus and reached Kanyakumari. From Kanyakumari, I boarded a bus again to Marthandam. It is a long 2 hrs journey from Kanyakumari to Marthandam. After getting down at Marthandam, I finished my Lunch there and boarded bus to Chitharal. With the help of Conductor, I got down at Chitharal and asked for the route to Jain Cave Temple. As per the instructions received, I had to walk 3.5 kms to reach the temple. Oh God! Please save me. There isn’t continuous bus facilities and I couldn’t believe that is what I heard from them. So I started walking. After nearly of 2 kms walk under the hot sun, I was fully dehydrated. Thanks to the road full of trees. Else I would have been down at the end of 1^st km itself. Fortunately, again a mid-aged man provided me a lift till the temple. I thanked him much and got a water bottle there and started walking to hill top. Hill top? Yes. Again a Km walk. The steps aren’t steep, still a hard task. Better for the old aged peoples to avoid.

Its kind of lonely! So Couples also could avoid this place. After a km walk, I reached the hill top and what I could see at first is the half broken Temple tower. Not only that, the beautiful view of the Greenary villages will make you lose your mind and heart. Will make you stay there long. After that, in a down steps we could reach the Jain Caves. There is Bagavathi temple, Jain Caves along with a small pond surrounded by big rocks, bushes and tress. Wow! God’s own beauty.. Don’t miss this place. Loved it to the core.

With Half-heart, I left the place and walked down the hill. I asked a nearby person for any bus to board. He said to walk forward further for around 1 km and this is a time for bus at that junction. So I literally ran there to get the bus. I got the bus. So get to know. If you want to visit this temple, you have to board a bus with board ‘Marthandam to Marthandam’ from Marthandam bus stand J

I got down at Marthandam. I boarded bus to Nagercoil. Again, traffic. I lost my minutes to reach Nagercoil. After this going to Suchindram is riskier that I will miss my return bus. So I avoided. Two places. Suchindram and Parthivapuram is ruled out from my list. Other than this one could see Maruthuvamalai, Kalikesam and Ulakkai aruvi to make it as Complete Package of KK District.

I boarded the return bus and reached Chennai by Next day morning. That’s making the end of my memorable Solo Trip J

-Ram