A letter to the future
Those were my final days at Trivandrum. Though I’m happy to leave for my home, it’s really a hard feeling to leave that place. That’s the bond; I personally had with that place. It was great to be a part of that place at least for a span of two and half months. My love for that place, started from the fact that, people there, live a life that’s very close to the nature, for what it’s called the God’s own country. But I know that I had to leave that place and go on. I thought, “I can’t definitely get these days back but I can surely preserve these memories for a long time by writing a letter to my future about my just past present.” This is the inception of the thought called ‘Letter to the Future’. Here goes, my letter to the future about some beautiful times, I want to cherish, a life time...
Subject: My Days at the God’s own country
If I have to start this as a letter to my future, according to high school conventions, then I have to start it as, 16th November, 2010, Trivandrum.
Yes! I meant to say that I was in Trivandrum for this mentioned time. I’m very glad to say that Trivandrum has come my way in the journey of my life. And I’m very thankful to TCS for taking me to Trivandrum as part of my job training and being responsible for this letter indirectly.
The name of this place first came to me on 2nd September 2010, when I got my call letter to join the training at Trivandrum on the 20th of the same month. Till then, for quite some period, each day was going aimless, almost without any great challenges. It was from that time my busy times took over. At this point I was not completely ready for a new place, leaving my parents. But then I dint even have a good time to be sad about that. I was totally busy for the next twelve days, in getting ready for this place, which is inviting me into a totally alien phase of my life. And then, I met the day where I was leaving my home, though my train to Trivandrum was scheduled two days later, i.e., on 17th September. I still remember that day where I was taking the pictures of every nook and corner of our home. I was about to break out into tears at every moment when I realize that I can’t be back to my home at least for the next three months. But then I dint break out just to confirm my parents that I’m strong enough to go a place that far, alone. Finally, I left my home. Even then I dint want to cry as I was also trying to act strong before myself. I reached Hyderabad, a place that has taught me most of the lessons in my life. I had to meet my friends the following day in a small send-off party. Even there I made up my mind that nothing should go poignant and I believe nothing did. That was one good day I wish not to forget. I turned home, bagging happy moments for that day.
Finally, the day has come for me to leave for Trivandrum, the capital city of what people call the god’s own country. I went to the railway station along with my parents and friends. Even then, my struggle against tears continued. But as the train arrived onto the platform, my tears overtook me and hurried out of my eyes, beyond my control. From behind the tears, my eyes could see the murky and blurred world. I still remember those faces of my family and friends. Those moments still flash through my mind when I am idle. The train finally started to follow the tracks that led it to the landscape called Trivandrum. The journey was exciting all the way with some friendly passengers in the compartment and the friendliest nature, which accompanied us all through the journey. Cloud-kissing mountains, Valleys separating them, Water bodies flowing beneath the tracks, Greenery that can even change a cruel heart, soft.
Fever accompanied the feeling of homesick in me. Then I was a bit down with a fear that how am I going to sustain there for the following three months.
We went to the hotel arranged by the company and I had to rest for the next day i.e., Sunday, 19th September. On Monday, we have to report at the office at Peepul Park, Techno Park and Trivandrum.
My first days at office
On the first day, we were completely engaged with the joining formalities and it was a busy two days before our actual training kicked off. The training went on with no excitement for first three days. Then came a Saturday, the first ever weekend in Trivandrum for us. We thought of going to the famous Kovalam Beach in Trivandrum.
Kovalam Beach
This is my first encounter with the nature in Trivandrum. At that very first sight, I fell in love with the sea. “One of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to…” was my status on facebook that evening. The mighty waters seemed to invite me into them. Delighted by the view of the nature, I wrote a poetic description of the sea then. It’s like imagining your love on the other side of the waters and he/she is trying to send her regards through the tides that reaching us. Those tides rolling back into the sea, indicates the invitation from the other end, so that the tides can take you there. Then, I couldn’t help but put pen to paper and I treasured it. We had fun for quite sometime embracing the beauty of the ecstatic sea.
Then, I left from there with a wish to get back, at least once before leaving Trivandrum. Tired gang of friends returned to their place. To wrap it up in a line, it was truly one of the most gorgeous and tidy beaches I had been to.
The following weekends, I was busy visiting various places known for their tourist attraction. Travelling was the most thrilling part of my life at Trivandrum. I have been to the following places during my stay at Trivandrum, before the completion of my training program.
Ponmudi Hill station
My first ever visit to a hill station and it says wow!!! This very place seemed to invite us, as we were approaching it. It starts from the place where we have to drive through the Ghats, around the hill in order to reach the peak. We had to cross several water streams flowing down the hill. The best part of the drive way was the drive through the way amidst the clouds where we could hardly see what’s coming our way.
When we reached there, we went around the place taking photographs in various animated postures. For an instance this place gives the feeling of standing on the ‘edge of the world’. We know that the rainfall starts from the clouds but it’s a rare sight to have seen the rain standing above or in between the clouds. Sometimes you can’t even witness the person standing just next to you.
The mists around made us think, “What more a heaven could comprise of?” The hills replied to our scream in an echo. Cameras had a hard day staring at all our friends in dramatic postures ;-)… Then we all had our lunch together before heading to a place known for its waterfall.
Meenmutti waterfalls
On our way back, we have stopped at this place as our driver told us that there is a beautiful waterfall. We really didn’t have any idea of this place except that we are going to see a waterfall. We left our luggage in the bus and we have started following a few others towards the waterfall. Showers followed us very soon as we trekked through the forest area, densely populated with plants and trees. At this point, each of us was carrying a mobile phone but not a bag. Showers grew into rain but the crew seemed undeterred and went on, climbing the steep hills, slipping on the slopes and creeping through the spaces between the trees. On our way we realized that the rain is getting heavier and thought that pockets are no safer places for our mobiles. Under a roof, we have gathered all the mobiles in a bag, one of my friends, accidentally brought. Then we carried on with what we called trekking. We hardly knew the distance we had to travel in order to have a view of the waterfall, but we went on moving as far as we found the path, worn out due to the usage of the passersby. After a while, we began to feel the distance and nowhere in the sight could we witness the waterfall. But the expedition had no intent of looking back.
Finally after walking for an hour or so, we witnessed gushing water hurrying down the rocks from the hill top. The fruit of witnessing the waterfall was not the sweetest because that was not a great fall. Moreover, it’s a short one. However sometimes, the path we have taken is worth remembering, than the result. Yes, this holds true there.
Though it was not the greatest of the sights we have had, but the journey on foot was worth such a voyage. A few of us were injured due to slippery rocks. After having spent some time there, we did realize that the dawn is breaking and we have a long way to go. We hurried back on our way to the place where our vehicle was parked. Then we were heading back to Trivandrum after a tiring day. I told already that it’s a memorable day for most of us but it was also an unforgettable day for a few of my friends including me. We were in vain to see our mobiles in the drenching bag. At least five of the mobiles fell sick due to heavy rain and sadly they never had recovered. My first mobile handset which I used for near three years was ill. True! It’s an old handset but I felt a bit sentimental about losing my first one. Thus A great day for many, also a bad day for a few, ended and we were soon back to our routine.
Kanyakumari
After a week or two, we had been to a place well known to have witnessed the most stunning view of the sunrise. Sun, wishing the world, emerging from behind the sea, seems as though the sun-god himself is riding on the waves. It is truly an eye feast. Right from my childhood, I have been listening from various sources about the beauty of the sunrise at kanyakumari and now it’s my turn to tell another few listeners.
For us, this day started as early as 1am in the morning because we had to reach kanyakumari even before the sunrise. We reached there just in time and hurried to the sea. We were all set for the feast and waiting all eyes, staring at the orange skies.
Then the sun rose slowly, peeping at us, illuminating the sea, hovering on the waves, making us scream. At this point, we were utterly lost in the beauty of the nature. Then I felt the deficiency of having a third eye. Cameras went flashing at the sun, past the sea. As the sun rose from the sea, the tides also seemed to grow and reach out for the sun. The splendor of the already splendid sea just seemed double at that instance. Wow! Nature has something that cannot be explained in books or expressed in words. That must have been the same sunrise which gave life to numerous painters, poets and of course nature-lovers. Once the sun completely rose, we were busy working on the cams and played on the shore for a while.
Then we had our breakfast on the shore itself and went on to stand in a queue to get tickets to go to a very special place I had ever been to.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
A ten minute steamer ride from the shore is this place. It was built in honour of the visit of Swami Vivekananda for a deep meditation. It is said that he attained enlightenment on the rock, and henceforth became a reformer and philosopher. Personally, I myself admire Swami Vivekananda as a philosopher.
After taking the tickets, we had to walk in a long queue through multiple compartments in order to get our turn to get into the steamer. Finally we got in, the steamer started and we left the shore. Unknowingly, I could sense some aura in the atmosphere as we were approaching the rock memorial. The divinity of the place emanated all around. I felt that could be the perfect place for a man to meditate and enlighten himself. It was the second island next to the Buddha Statue in Hussain Sagar, I had been to and the best one by ages. Standing there looking at the blue waters on all the sides, is the sight of my life, I must say.
Our contribution to the art of photography continued even there. The full length statue of swami Vivekananda inside the ‘Dhyana Mandapam’ was just, full of life. Besides the Rock Memorial there is something great to be told about, it is the 133 feet giant monument of Thiruvalluvar. It stands on a massive rock in the sea. To be true, I had been to, a number of shrines by now but no shrine made me feel so sacred about it.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Trivandrum
This temple is the seat of lord Vishnu and is located in the fort of Thiruvananthapuram. Padmanabhaswamy is said to be an avatar of Hindu-lord Vishnu. The deity is in Ananthasayanam posture (eternal sleep of yogindra). For this reason the he is also worshipped in the name of Anantha Padmanabhaswamy.
Personally, I dint have a good look at the statue of the deity due to the reason that there was hardly any light inside the garbhagriha. But it is said that the reclining position of the lord on the serpent ‘Anantha’ or ‘Adi Sesha’, is visible through three doors. Face of the Lord and Siva Linga underneath his hand in the first door, Brahma seated on lotus emanating from the Lord's navel along with idols of Lord MahaVishnu, Sreedevi and Bhoodevi in the second door and the Lord's feet in the third door.
The architecture is a typical south Indian temple architecture with giant pillars spread over a large area across the temple courtyard. This is among the 108 holiest shrines of lord Vishnu. And in all of them the idols of the Lord are only in one of the three varied postures. Reclining, sitting, or standing. A unique feature of the temple is that it has idols in all these three postures.
The kings of this city have devoted themselves to the deity as Padmanabha Dasa meaning “servants of the lord” and from then on Sri Padmanabha is still regarded as regional deity of Travancore.
Kodaikanal
On a three day vacation, we had been to Kodaikanal and Munnar. Firstly, we went to this place well-known as ‘Princess of Hill Stations’.
Its name in Tamil means ‘the gift of the forest’. It is a charming hill station, stands amidst sylvan beauty on the southern crest of the upper Palani Hills in Tamil Nadu.
With its fog filled roads, lush green trees, hard rocks, dense woods, lovely lake, bracing air and of course the warm cottages, Kodaikanal is an ideal hill resort for the tourists. The night we played cards in the cottage, the pillar rock view at the suicide point and the panoramic view of the scenic valleys that were floating on the clouds, at the Coakers Walk were the highlights of this place. Initially, we dint had any plan to see this place called Coakers Walk. But accidentally, some of my friends missed the bus. In the course of waiting for them, we went around the Coakers Walk and overjoyed at the sight of the valleys from there. Thanks to those friends who missed the bus then ;-)…
Munnar
The next destination was Munnar, a popular hill station in Kerala, located in the Western Ghats. It ranges from Unending expanse of tea plantations, to the pristine valleys and mountains, to the exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and to the aroma of scented cool air.
Driving through the roads, accompanied with the continuous carpet of lush green tea-gardens, spread over a huge area was the exciting part in Munnar. During the night stay at our cottage, all of us had got a campfire arranged and it was a fabulous time. Next morning, we went to Echo point, where we took a ride on paddling boats. That was an amazing experience. Then, on our way back to Trivandrum, we stopped at Munnar waterfalls. The misty waterfall provides a fantastic view of the water, cascading down from scintillating heights. Truly, this is one of the tallest waterfalls, I had seen.
Alleppey
This place is also known as Alappuzha, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. A town with picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons, was described as the one of the places known as ‘Venice of the East’ by Marco Polo.
House-boating is the highlight of this place. A near thirty of our friends have been to this place and went around in a house boat. We had a great time riding through the still backwaters of the sea.
As always, relishing at the sight of the nature along with the art of photography was the best part even here.
Regular Badminton Times
Besides planned outings on weekends, a small group of our friends had this fun in playing badminton. It was a great advantage for us being in the morning shift that we use to play badminton almost daily.
Personally, I did love badminton before, but never that much, till I came to Trivandrum. That court has seen us perspire, fall and of course learn the sport. Thanks to all my mates at the badminton court.
Truly, those were among the best moments of my time at this place.
‘Good Bye Kerala’ - from Kochi Airport
Finally, after a farewell evening on 7th December 2010, it’s time for us to pack our luggage and say good bye to Trivandrum early in the morning. The next afternoon, we have our flight scheduled from Kochi to ‘The City of Pearls’ - Hyderabad.
We took a bus to Kochi early in the morning of 8th December, 2010. It’s about a 5-6 hour ride from Trivandrum to Kochi and that was the last time that big bunch of friends travelled together and it was great fun travelling with all of them. Almost all of us were really excited for our first ride in a flight. In no time we reached Kochi airport. After a long waiting time in the airport, it’s time, we boarded into the flight.
A few announcements later, the flight took off. That was a wonderful experience. But that was also the time, we bid good bye to the god’s own country. I fell sick again in the mood of leaving Kerala, for me a land of handsome memories and worthwhile lessons.
I was sick of leaving Kerala at the same time, excited about going to my place. The excitement overtook the sickness in me. Soon hum bangaye Hyderbadi, who had just been from a vacation to the god’s own country.
I want to thank and dedicate this to each and everyone who can associate them with this letter, in at least a single instance.
Signing off: Srikanth Thorthi...
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