God’s Own Country : Kerala, India
November 11, 2007
Photo:Flickr/Blackfin2
Walking through the narrow roads in God’s own country, one realizes the true majesty of this state in India. Patched with the parrot green carpet of the paddy fields and the thick stripes of coconut trees, Kerala is truly God’s own country. Among the 14 districts of the state, Pathanamthitta is a hub for many educational institutions and religious places.
My journey is to a place called Mallapally, which is a small town in Pathanamthitta district. I am sure that almost half of the people who are reading this will not be able to pronounce the name in the proper way. With all the feelings of a person visiting his hometown after a span of four years, I stood by the door of the Kanyakumari bound Mumbai-Kanyakumari Express. The route involves the train going through Tamilnadu and then to Kerala.
When the train left the hustle of Coimbatore station after midnight, I was on my berth, trying to sleep and recall the sweet memories of my childhood in my hometown. My intuitions woke me up when the train crossed the Kerala-Tamilnadu border. Ignoring the cold, I rushed towards the door to catch a glimpse. The train came to a halt at Palakkad even before the red-streak broke across the horizons.
The station was sleepy but filled with happiness of those getting off and ready to be greeted by their loved ones. Palakkad could be said as the greenest part of God’s own country where the culture is a mixture of both Kerala and Tamilnadu. The Brahmins of Palakkad share similar rituals with their Tamil counterparts. After a halt of approximately half an hour, the train left on its way to KanyaKumari.
Following Palakkad,was Ottapalam, known for the communist revolutions which have left a deep mark in the history of Kerala. The former Indian President Mr.K.R.Narayanan belongs to Ottapalam. This place also hosts the world famous Kerala Kalamandalam which nourishes upcoming artists into professional ones mostly in the Kathakali dance form and also in other divine art forms like Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam and other instrumental arts. Legendary writers who have changed the face of Malayalam literature like Vayalar Narayana Menon, who is considered as a revolutionary poet. Following the footsteps of Vayalar as he is called, is M.T.Vasudevan Nair whose novels every Malayalee relishes reading and gets a taste of the variety of the state.
Shornur came next followed by Vadakkancheri which are major players in the paddy cultivation of the state.
Eager to get back to familiar situations, my soul was stirred by my emotions and I was forced to stand by the door in spite of the chilling wind brushing through my hair and leaving a thin film of dampness over my eye glasses. As the train sped past the coconut farms which were barely visible in the dark I, felt the essence of my beloved state in the blowing wind. Lost in thoughts, I somehow realized that our train was crawling into Trichur railway station which nowadays is again given an age old name of Thrissivaperoor. The name is attributed to a famous Hindu temple of Lord Shiva. This place hosts the colorful week-long festival called the Thrissur- Pooram. Looking around for a coffee vendor I wandered on the railway station.
Somewhere near, came the familiar voice of the renowned Late M.S.Subbulakshmi. The voice which I grew up hearing and was somehow lost in the run of my life, was flowing straight into my soul. I got the coffee from a vendor, and at the price of Rs 4/Cup he had a business of around 12 Rs from me. I had to bring myself out from the hypnotic voice of the legend as our driver was in no mood to listen to the divine voice. After leaving Trichur, I thought of leaving the door side and getting back to the coziness of my blanket.
This thought of mine did not materialize as it was already Alwaye. Every Malayalee knows the taste of the colorful halwa made in ghee. Anyways I was not planning to have that ball of sugar in the morning. Famous for the Shivarathri festival, Alwaye ( Aaluva in local terms ) could be said as the next popular place after Trichur where people love to stay.
Even as the day brightened, the train took halts in between which we felt was without any specific reason. Halting here and there and bearing the cold wind of a winter morning, we reached Eranakulam. The Venice of the East, as it was called ages ago, it is now the technology hub of Kerala. I decided to make Eranakulam my venue for breakfast.
Back in Mumbai, my day used to begin with a cup of coffee and a sandwich if time permitted. The spicy aroma of the steaming Idli-Sambhar made me forget everything and even that I hadn’t even brushed my teeth. Pardon me for the cleanliness factor. I was coming home after so many years, and I could not resist.
The place where I was supposed to get off was still at a distance of 4- 5 hours. I was extremely sleepy and I decided to take a nap. While I was busy with my dreams, the train whistled past many places of historic importance. Starting with Thripunithura which till date is famous for the rivalry between the local rulers ages ago. Next in the route is Piravam which is known solely for the Hindustan NewsPrint factory. To describe about the importance of all the places that followed, this place will be very limited. To specify some, Ettumanoor is again a religious town where thousands flow in every morning to watch the early morning Pooja called the Nirmalya Darshanam of the deity Ettumanoorappan. My dreams came to a halt when the train stopped at Kottayam. Kottayam is the place which connects one part of Kerala to another. The tourist paradise Vembanad Lake is in this district. Kumaragom which is on the banks of the lake has a bird sanctuary and adorned with the beauty of Pathiramanal which is an island in the lake.
After Kottayam, comes Changanacherry which is also in the same district. Changanacherry hosts many educational institutions and for those who have a fair idea of the place, this note would be incomplete if I do not mention about Mannathu Padmanabhan who is the founder of Nair Service Society which gave the community an identity of its own. Changanacherry has the head office of N.S.S situated in the heart of the town. The station is pretty small when compared to other stations en route but for me it had the same importance as it was the last station before where I was supposed to get off.
Leaving the door, I got busy with packing my bags and prepared to get down at Thiruvalla, my destination. When the train rushed into the station, I couldn’t control my emotions and drops of tears rolled easily down my eyes. Getting down from the train, I felt that I have achieved something very special in my life. I have no words to explain how I was feeling at that moment. Having experienced this green patch in India, I now know why it is aptly called God’S Own Country.
About the Author : Hari Krishna is a software engineer and a management aspirant from India. Writing is his passion and traveling, his dream. He has been involved in writing articles for in house newsletters and his works have been published locally in India.
The TSM Fall Travel Writing Contest has been organised in association with On The Beach Holidays
Wow…..this is awesome. It truly depicts the serenity and beauty of this land!!!!!
Its awesome…. .
Awesome piece… really need to pack and go…
beautiful article hari……gud work.
Gud one HARI…….. : )
Really Good Hari… Makes me feel, I should visit this place soon…
@ Sree : Do i need to say a thanks…:)
@ Vishal : Thanks a billion bro…
@Devlyn : Thank you Devlyn. I hope to meet you down in kerala some day.
@Rajesh: Great yaar…
@Kavita : Thank you so much.
Satya…i should say that the thought to visit this place itself brings be some kind of satisfaction :)…thank you
Hey Hari..what a wonderful way to describe Kerala in a few sentences. Loved it :)…i think even i should go to palakkad soon
Hey Hari, you have described the place really very nicely…I was already planning to go to South and after reading this, I feel like visiting Kerala very soon!!
Good one.
Fewlt like am in Kerala
Good one.
Fwelt like am in kerala
Great description of the history, arts and landscapes of the land.
A true glimpse of prominent parts of Kerala on its favorite Jayanti Janata Express
Discuss your dream destinations in this forums
@Hetal: that was a great comment …wow
@Deepa: even I like palakkad…i believe that its the actual green patch
@Sandhya…
As usual, your comment is just great for me…thank you so much
@Jasmin…Ma’am thank you for commenting here…
@Ravneet: Its great to have you on my list.. thank you
Cool!
Weel written.
Cool!
Well written, Hari!
@Supriya…thank you soooooo much
superbbbbbbb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey this really awesome…. feels like i have been travelling with you on the same train!!!!!!!!!!!!!! great yaar.Felt like i have reached kerala..
@Sunil : Thanks Bro
@Greeshma : An amazing comment…thank you
It was a intresting piece to read….
would be helpful as I m soon visiting the place………….
Nice article Harry!! It is a treat for a travel buff like me.. Though i have visited some parts of Kerala like Allepey, Munnar, Kumarakom and Cochin, I felt like revisiting the rest of kerala!!
@Shreedevi : thanks for the comment. Wish you a great stay at gods own country
@ Monalisa : By visiting Allepey, Munnar, Kumarakom and Cochin, you have visited the core parts of kerala. try palakkad and the interiors of the state this time. There are lot many interesting things out there…thank you
Nice one
HI Hari,
Have seen Kerala couple of times. Now after reeading this wanna c it all over again..Great work dude
Very nice
You virtually walked me through our “God’s own Country” Thanks! Good article!
@Bala: Thank you for that wonderful comment.
@Seema : Thanks a lot
@Sanjeev: An awsome comment indeed
very nice….
Yes, like you I stand near the door of the train to savor the greenery of Walayar forest on entering Kerala. One cannot miss to refer the majestic & perennial Bharathpuzha when you mentioned Shornur. The rubber estates as you reach Thrissur & beyond. The early morning paruppu vada with coconut chutney and the nendrum pazham soaked in jaggery served as breakfast in the train by vendors need a mention. The view of Sivan temple on banks of Alwaye before touching Ernakulum. Yes, it is green all over , refreshing ,fascinating, beautiful. Oh God..it is truly God’s own country.
Fantastic!!!
Wonderful…
Its really cool.Very well written
@Vijay: Thanks a lot
@Praveen: Thanks a lot
@Deepa: Thank you
@Ramsy: Thank you for the great comment. I believe that Bharathapuzha, could be called the life line of kerala culture. Its reflected in almost all works of M.T.Vasudevan Nair and has witnessed the mentionable chapters of kerala history…There was also a quote by MT that “To us the Bharathapuzha was another Mother Goddess”…
Well written!
Thank you Doc!
Nice one dude
P2 at ur service :)))))))
Thank you P2.
Incredible and implausible !!!
Incredible!!
amazing…………………felt as if am in kerala….wow.
Its awesome….
@Mohit : Thank you
@Sowmyanarayan : Thank you
and Thank you Umesh
Thank you sir
Wow! Your article has reignited my desire to visit Kerala and I feel like catching the next train to “God’s own country”. Great review Hari.
Hari …I will surely visit Kerala soon…It gives a glimpse of your love for kerala… small things that you remeber so well .If any reader can connect to your sentiments..your works done…and i feel you are successful in the attempt……Cheers buddy
That was sweet Hari.
Will visit Kerala sometime soon!
A lovely article.
I particularly like the bit about the ’steaming Idli-Sambhar’ for breakfast; I was recently lucky enough to visit Kerala again after ten years away, and this time I brought my girlfriend, who fell in love with idli for breakfast just as I did on my first visit to India. What a great way to start the day!
Thanks for bringing back such wonderful memories, Hari.
@Neeraj : Thank you so much …It was indeed motivating
@Anu : Thank you Anu for speaking out my mind
@Hena : Great thought.
@Mark:
Thank you for that great comment. I just cant stop thanking you.
An article on “GODS OWN COUNTRY” kerala always brings smiles on every Malayalees face and reading this one too brings the same feeling on my Face.
Well Hari has always been a good author … Way ahead Buddy……
Tooooooo gud !!! Very well written …. Keep it up ….
@mochi…thanks da…
@mochi…thanks da…
@Amru : thank youuuuu
Very nice indeed
Hari
This was awesome and you took me through my native place - Palakkad,Kerala. It was a phenomenal stuff which you have narrated and whomsoever reads this write-up will feel like as though they are travelling in that train. I wish you to have the fullest joy of getting back to home town with lots of joy and energy.
“Adipoli aana”
@Hussain :Thank you
@ Vaidyanathan : Thank you anna for that great comment …
A wonderful article ..as expected..Hari
I always wished to Visit Kerala, through your article I have already imagined the bountless beauty , serenity and the lovely culture of Kerala. I hope my wish comes true very soon.
N ofcourse its not only Kerala but the way you have presented it has left me looking for more.
Shall wait for more articles written by you.
All the Best :))
@preeti…that was a true comment…thank you for that..:)
Superb article, Hari ! loved reading it, and felt like making the journey myself !
@Anu…thank you so much for taking out time and reading the post…also thank you for such a beautiful comment…
To All,
Whatever the results be…i would like to thank all of you who have come and spend their valuable time reading the article…Thanks to Michael for giving me such a good oppurtunity to come out in the public and see myself rated………..
( i really feared this…but was honestly happy to see the comments…thanks to Mark..thank you all my friends and belowed…)
I shall try my level best to reach up to the mark and give you more interesting articles.
Thank you again…
With love
Hari
Dear Hari , brought a light to the world about God’s own country Kerela.
Kudos to you.
Vivek
http://travelabroad.page.tl/
This is amazing. I have actually been to these places about 4 months ago. I loved it so much. I miss it everyday and I cannot wait until I can return. It truly is “God’s Own Country.” Thank you for writing this, it takes me back to my home away from home.
Kumarakom is really a place with stunning beauty. Though it’s known more for backwaters but it’s also a prominent place for bird watching. Expensive but good.