Sunday, April 26, 2015

Why did the British call it Trivandrum?

Woke at 0400 hrs.
Took the 0620 hrs flight.
Landed and got out of the airport at about 1100 hrs.
A short taxi drive later, I was standing in front of the Sripadmanabhaswamy temple.
The richest temple in the world, they said.
Built in Dravidian architectural style, flanked by a waterbody with quaint tiled houses on one side, and a gem of a palace on the other, all the treasure in the temple cannot hold a candle to the view from the road.

Going inside needs one to doff ones' shirt and wear a white lungi. Everything provided for at the shops near the entrance of the temple.
But I, as usual, I took the road less travelled by.
I explained to the Lord that I would pay my homage from the roadside, standing in the shade, with a sketch.
The gambler in him kicked in.
"Deal" He said.
"No big deal" I replied.


The surprise of the day was, however, the palace-turned-museum to the left of the temple.
Erstwhile residence of the local King, this palace is very unlike what you can imagine. 
Extensive use of wood and a nice rural layout, still hints at a subdued royal elegance.
No photographs allowed inside the museum.
That's no problem.
I stand in the sun and sketch.


Lest I forget, this place is called Thiruvananthapuram.

Try saying it when you are stuffing your face with Kappa, fish curry and a juicy lobster all at the same time , while sitting at Kovalam beach.

The British tried and failed. (I, too, tried and came up short).

Hence, they called it Trivandrum.

8 comments:

  1. Absolutely amazing sketches!!
    All three of us have been to temple museum and palace

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  2. Lovely! A very Rule Britannia kinda post! Delightful sketches,A clear narrative and a dash of self-deprecating humour!

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  3. Replies
    1. haha, Mohit!! I will accept that :-)). ( ego massage once in a while...)

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