A Weekend Getaway to Enchanting Kerala: Uncovering the God’s Own Country

Bangalore’s city lights seemed to dim as we set out on a spontaneous weekend trip that promised to immerse us in the lush green landscapes and serene beauty of Kerala. During the hectic week, we decided to run from our tedious work and started looking for options to explore over the weekend. After a thorough discussion and research, we found out how approachable Kerala is from Bangalore and how we can plan our weekend in God’s own country. But Kerala has a lot to offer so what can be covered on a weekend? After putting our options on the table, we zeroed down on Thiruvananthapuram. The capital of Kerala has by far everything that a place can offer but still loses the race with North Kerala attractions in comparison. So we decided to explore the capital after a bit of research and waited for our journey to begin.

As the workweek came to an end, the prospect of a restorative weekend getaway flooded our minds. Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala’s lovely city, was waiting to greet us like a tranquil paradise. The prospect of leaving behind the hustle and bustle of Bangalore and immersing oneself in nature sparked our desire. We set our weekend dates for a rendezvous with Kerala’s lush landscapes and pure waterways on the spur of the moment like genuine adventurers do.

The Journey Begins: Bangalore to Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram)

Friday evening was filled with excitement and anticipation. Fridays are the days when employees are in a no-work mood and close their laptops way ahead of time. And so were we, because of the excitement of boarding our train at 8 PM. We finished our calls and booked the auto at 7 PM and it took forever to come because of the Bangalore traffic. Our heart paused for a while anticipating our delay could cause us heartbreak. However, the autowala pierced through the Bangalore traffic as we troubled him with our comments sitting behind and the savior dropped us on time.

The freshly built Sir M Visveswaraya Terminal stood as a tribute to India’s progress, providing us with a peek at the sophisticated train station that awaited us at the other end of our journey. We boarded the train that was luckily running behind the schedule. The rhythmic clatter of wheels on rails lulled us to sleep as we set out on a night adventure, our hearts full of the promise of a magical weekend ahead. In comparison to how clean and advanced the station was, our train was opposite and there were no signs of hygiene throughout the boogie.

Anyway, it was just a matter of good sleep that we didn’t face much trouble overnight. On Saturday morning, we arrived in Kochuveli, the gateway to Kerala’s treasure trove. The travel had been pleasant, and as we stepped off the train at 9 a.m., we were greeted with the warmth of Kerala’s hospitality. Our pre-booked accommodation near the station provided a welcome break, laying the groundwork for our adventures.

Exploring the Capital

Hotels were full due to the tourists’ footfalls so we had to wait for an hour before our room was ready at noon. Meanwhile, we thought of looking for rental options so don’t have to burn our pockets because of over-expensive cabs and autos. With a scooter rental just a few steps away, we relished the freedom to explore as we made our way to Poovar Island after having our lunch at the Hotel. The 40-kilometer ride provided us with landscapes reminiscent of scenes from the Amazon jungle – vivid greens, rich greenery, and a sense of serenity that wrapped our souls.

The highways in Kerala are breathtaking. Every mile was just dropping our jaws with the scenic beauty and clean roads throughout. Poovar did not take too long to come and we took a break to satisfy our hunger. Our taste buds danced with ecstasy as we savored an authentic Kerala sadya, a feast that connected with the flavors of the land, upon our arrival at Poovar. The restaurant was super clean and the hosts were humble enough to explain every dish on the Sadya that we wanted to savor.

One thing that is common in every Kerala restaurant is that serves you lukewarm water even if it is 40 degrees outside. It was shocking for me as I wanted some crazy chilled water because of the heat and all that thirst I was having. But then I understood that lukewarm water helps in digestion and felt amazing about how balanced their eating etiquette is.

The satisfying meal pumped us all for the next adventure. The boat ride through the backwaters was probably the highlight of our Poovar adventure. A deal with a local tour operator landed us on a private boat for a two-hour cruise across peaceful seas. Though tourists book their boat rides usually through online portals and end up paying hefty amounts, we got to know from the local operator why you must always come here and book your tour as most of the online companies are big scam. And it turned out to be true.

When we were looking through online portals, they were quoting the price as 2000 INR for a couple for a private boat but we got our deal in as cheap as 1000 INR by negotiating in person upon reaching Poovar. Sometimes you get bigger perks when you don’t book a few things in advance. Finally, we boarded our boat and started to sink into the backwater’s beauty. As our vessel sailed through the heart of Kerala’s environment, the backwaters opened like a calm tapestry, with floating markets giving the taste of soft coconut water and the gentle murmur of the waves.

The junction of the backwaters and the ocean, when we found ourselves at the Sangam – a moment that obliterated the distinctions between land and water – was the apex of our adventure. The operator stopped the boat at the Sangam for us to spend some quality time clicking a few pictures. It wasn’t crowded on the beach and luckily the weather was nice as well. Our guide gave us some brief about the monuments located near the beach before we prepared to leave. The entire boat ride through mangroves, forests, and serene backwaters was something that we never had experienced in our entire lives. It came to an end and we kept wanting more.

A Gaze Towards the Divine: Azhimala Shiva Temple

The heavenly presence of Azhimala Shiva Temple awaits us. After our backwaters tour was finished, we headed towards the Azhimala Shiva Temple to see the mighty wonder that sits next to the pristine blue waters. The 57-foot-tall Shiva monument stood proudly, its form embodying peace and strength. The Ganges flowed over the deity’s hair, a sign of the holiness of the sacred river. Our journey to this tranquil haven left us in amazement, a reminder of the spiritual soul that beats at the heart of Kerala’s beauty.

Azhimala Temple is famous among the locals but it recently caught the eye of tourists after the tallest Shiva statue was made. We couldn’t believe what we saw there. The whole spiritual awakening I had in the temple was something that cannot be described. We spent a good amount of time there and had our evening tea by the ocean. After it started to appear a little dark, we thought of leaving the place to catch up on our next viewpoint.

Sunset Serenades: Kovalam Beach and Culinary Delights

As the sun began its descent, we found ourselves at Kovalam Beach, a paradise where tranquility met the rhythm of the waves. With the sky ablaze with hues of orange and pink, we strolled along the shore, our hearts attuned to the soothing symphony of the sea. As the evening sky deepened into night, we relished the flavors of Kerala’s cuisine, savoring every bite as the waves whispered secrets in the background. After a comforting evening, we came back to our hotel in Thiruvananthapuram.

A Spiritual Awakening: Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The next morning, we awakened with the sun to embrace Kerala’s spiritual energy. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple, which was ornamented in a serene tranquility, called us to come and see its splendor. As a nod to tradition, the dress code required us to wear sarees and dhotis as a symbol of respect. The temple’s sumptuous splendor and solemn atmosphere left us speechless, a monument to the devotion that runs through Kerala’s heart.

The temple expects you to follow certain guidelines which should be implemented in every temple of India I believe. You have to submit all your belongings in a locker and should enter the temple premises with permitted clothes on. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and depicts the story of SamudraManthan where Vishnu Ji is resting on SheshNag with other deities present alongside.

Prasadam can be offered inside and you’re not allowed to take much time because of the huge footfall. The temple premise is extremely big and you would find yourselves soaked in complete divinity. After the darshan, we had our lunch near the temple and explored the local market for a few hours. It was already 2 PM and we returned the rental scooter and checked out from our hotel.

The Perfect Weekend Getaway

As our weekend getaway came to an end, we said our goodbyes to the city that had welcomed us with open arms. We boarded the train at 4 p.m., our hearts full with memories of bright scenery, tranquil seas, and the warmth of Kerala’s hospitality. The echoes of our weekend experience lingered as we drove back to Bangalore, a reminder that in just two days, we had traveled through beauty, spirituality, and the eternal charm of God’s Own Country.

If you’re planning a trip to this beautiful city of Kerala and looking for where to book the backwater cruise, here is your stop.

Check out our other blog on exploring yet another beautiful city in the heart of Rajasthan called Jaisalmer.