Kochi- A Sense of Belonging

Clock Tower at Tripunithura by Poornathrayeesa Temple.

When you do not know any one in a particular place, you know every one there. We landed at Kochi which has a small air port built anew in the traditional architecture of Kerala. The taxi driver from the airport was very honest and when we got out, I requested him as to how much it would cost to have the cab for a day. With good humour he replied that a full day was not required to see Kochi.

A small and sleepy town, Kochi is very friendly. It has a beautiful sea face and the churches, temples and the Synagogue have an atmosphere of their own. We were not fortunate to go inside the Synagogue as it was closed.

The food was superb in the restaurants. I found the Saree Shopping Plazas most attractive. In different floors, many types of sarees are displayed by a large number of staff. Some of the employees would move around with glasses of water for the customers.

The markets have their own fragrance and flavour. You could see large cauldrons heated with oil, with shimmering golden banana chips. It were, as if I had known Kochi all my life and belonged to it.

Chinese Fishing Nets at Kochi

The Chinese fishing nets are a delightful attraction in Kochi. Though you don't find many
catches the nets do attract the tourists' inquisitiveness.

Poornathrayeesa Temple, Tripunithura

The Poornathrayeesa temple at Tripunithura, (about 6 km from Kochi) is architecturally unique, as is the legend behind it. The temple is believed to have been established by Arjuan in Dwapara Age, some 5000 years back. Vishnu is worshipped in the temple on the Sesha Naga while sitting upright, unlike in the reclining position as in Srirangam (Trichy) or in Padmanavaswamy Temple (Trivandrum).

The temple stands testimony to Vishnu's giving life to ten still born children. In a way it demonstrates parents' immense love of children and their unlimited capacity to pray for the wellbeing of their progeny. The temple made of wood and stones and gives a pristine and ancient look.

Though the temple is dedicated to Vishnu, the main characters are Arjuna, Krishna and the Brahmin whose ten children were still born. Vishnu restored the life of ten of the Brahmin's children and is prayed here for granting children to childless couples.

The Architecture of a Hill Station

In the hills, houses are modest and often part of small settlements. Because of heavy rains and high gradient, there could also be the danger of land slides. All around the Munnar Hills, one would find small villages. From a distance, these really look beautiful.

Driving through the Mountain Roads

Driving through the mountain roads, one finds many a surprise- a new tree, a gushing stream or a new horizon. While driving to Munnar from Kochi, I snapped the above stream flowing through pebbles and stones with lots of wild flowers. Who planted these flowers? Where from did these come? Or have they been here all along?