Week#1 Trail
Hearing the name of ‘Kerala’ evokes images of infinite coconut trees, greenery n scenery all around and the soothing backwaters. So, when I got to know that we shall be in Cochin for some weeks as part of a holiday-cum-work trip, I was pretty excited.
We landed at Kochi in the month of October and drove straight to a Hotel which we had booked in the heart of the city. I vowed myself that I shall explore the interiors of ‘Kochi’ on foot when my husband was at work, hence did not consider the expensive & not-so expensive hotels on the outskirts. I wanted a simple yet comfortable accommodation bang in the middle of the city which churns out fresh, home-cooked tasting food as we had a small kiddoo to take care.Hence, we opted for the good-old ‘Woodlands’ right on M.G.Road very nearby to the Ernakulum Railway Station.Looking back now, I feel it was the best decision of that trip.
Our room at ‘Woodlands’ was small yet comfortable with spotlessly clean bed linen and washroom.(The two most important aspects I look for, when I Check-in) The added perk was the attached balcony which was road-facing.
On the first day ,we just stayed indoors but vowed to explore the city in the coming days. Once my husband left for work the next day, me and my son ventured out after some sumptuous breakfast of ‘Hot,crispy Masala Dosa’ accompanied by some strong tea for myself and ‘Delicious masala milk’ for my son, in the ‘Rangoli’ restaurant of the hotel..
‘Rangoli’ is indeed colourful and flavoursome! Its a popular food joint of the localites. This restro churns out many lip-smacking ‘Udupi style’ delicacies and the staff here made sure that me and my son were served the best.The wooden interiors,the mural paintings and the ethnic feel to the restro contributes to the ‘feel good factors’ apart from the tasty food.
Then the mother-son duo battled out the crowd on the street,exploring new eating joints in the by-lanes, ancient and important temples around and indulging in some ‘value for money’ shopping (which are definitely not mentioned in any tourist guide books).We made sure to return to the hotel for a stomach filling-tasty ‘South Indian Lunch’, followed by a quick nap and a TV session.When my husband returned by evening, we made sure to take him too to the food-joints we had explored during the day for some light dinner.
This routine was followed diligently, barring the changes in menu of our- breakfast,lunch and dinner during the weekdays.On one such walk along the Durbar Hall Road which leads to the beach, we chanced upon a beautiful temple of Ernakulathappan which was at a walk-able distance from our hotel.
Ernakulam Mahadeva Temple is situated in the heart of Ernakulam City. The deity in this temple is famous as Ernakulathappan. According to Hindu customs,any presiding deity has to face East,however,here in this temple we see that the deity is facing West.Legend has that the Siva linga kept down by a Nagarshi got fixed at this very same spot and he was unable to move it later.More about this can be read on the official website of the temple.
The temple complex as such is very huge.The complex not only comprises of the main deity,it also houses two more temples-a Murugan temple ( established and run by the Tamilians of Kochi) and a Hanuman temple(established and run by the Kannadigas)
The serenity and the divinity of this huge temple and the complex in itself is unmatched. The temple does become crowded during the ‘Pooja Time’ with devotees thronging the complex in huge numbers.
To be continued……..
Disclaimer: ‘Woodlands Hotel’ and the other commercial units mentioned in these posts are not being endorsed by me nor have I been compensated monetarily to endorse the same..I am here to just share my experiences with the readers.