Bengaluru, Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari

This year during Durgapuja I planned to visit my cousins’ house in Bengaluru. I thought to cover Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari too as I felt to revisit those places. I visited all three places with my father in the year 1977 when I was a school student. That was a long trip of 30 days covering several places of South India. In those days getting reservation in train was not a problem. My father got a circular ticket for the places that had railway station. It was a memorable journey and experience.

My cousins live in Bengaluru for livelihood and they have a semi Kannad son who is also my godson. I gave him his name after his birth. He demanded me to visit their place and stay for few days with him. So I thought it would be the best occasion to visit Bengaluru to escape the hustle bustle of Kolkata Durga Puja.

I started on 18th October by Howrah-SMVT Duranta Express. The service of Duranta Express was good. Food was fresh and on time. At least I did not feel any inconvenience during the journey except a group of co-passengers who were too talkative and ate a lot, from time to time, brought from their home. The train reached Bengaluru punctually.

Getting Prepaid taxi was problematic at SMVT, so I booked an Uber Taxi. I reached my cousins’ house in the evening. Next day was Sasthi. So we did not plan to eat out and stayed at home gossiping and watching cricket. In the evening we went to R T Nagar Community Durga Puja Pandel at Palace Ground. A cultural programme and a fair were being organized there. There my nephew had Qebab from the food stall and we ate sweet paan.

Next day after breakfast my nephew and I set out to explore Bengaluru. We went to Bengaluru Jama Masjid, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, and a temple behind the Palace. Then we took Metro to reach Kaban Park. There we visited Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum. My nephew was excited to show me the scientific gazettes and tried many switches and equipment. We had our lunch there, in the cafe at the roof top of the Museum. Bengaluru looked beautiful from there.

After that we visited Bengaluru Palace. It is a private property. We took tickets of Rs 240 per person to enter the palace. They provided audio guide. Camera is not allowed inside. It was a wonderful experience to learn about the grandeur and luxurious lifestyle in the 18th and 19th century, of the Wadiyars, the royal family of the Kingdom of Mysore. We were dead tired after that and came back by an auto.

Next day my cousins hired a car to visit Shivanasamudra falls and Talakadu river beach. We had boat ride in the river. The whole day was enjoyable and exhausting too. Next day I left Bengaluru in the evening by AC sleeper coach which started from Magestic bus stand. It was a strenuous bus journey of 14 hours. I reached Rameshwar at 9-30 in the morning. To my great disappointment, I found there was no bridge on the sea. It was just a barrage like structure on which the road was made.

It was a terrible problem to get accommodation in Rameswar. No hotel was ready to give room to a single traveler. After approaching to quite a few hotels one agreed to give accommodation taking pity on me that I have none at home, neither any close relative to take responsibility of my staying alone in Rameswaram. The room was not good as it had no window. I felt claustrophobic but I had no choice.

I visited the famous temple in the afternoon. I could not take any photo because I surrendered my mobiles to a mobile locker in front of the temple gate as they informed photography is strictly prohibited. Later I found that taking photo of the shrine and the surrounding area only is punishable. I felt overwhelmed with the magnitude of the deity and the grand architecture of the huge temple.

Next day after breakfast I went to visit Dhanuscodi. I did not see the jetty from where ships would ply to Srilanka in 1970-80. It was a ruin of an once populous town. I visited several temples. In the afternoon I went to the main temple again. Taking permission from the security person and a priest, I took few photos of corridors of the temple. In the evening I left Rameswaram by Tamilnadu Transport Corporation AC bus for Kanyakumari. Ticket was arranged by the hotel help desk taking extra service charge.

Next morning at 3 AM the bus reached Kanyakumari. From my previous experience I tried to take a lesson about lodging. So I had booked a home-stay from Rameswaram, run by an old couple there, reading review from booking.com. I tried to call them but the lady said she would call me later, but she did not and I got a confirmation email. After reaching there by an auto at around 3-15 AM, none responded. Again a search for shelter started, awaking people in the hotel receptions.

At last one agreed to give accommodation taking a contact number and address of one relative. Room was a bit costly but good, with Vivekanada Rock view from the window and balcony. The room was specious too. I agreed and slept again peacefully keeping my luggage. Next morning I got a regret letter from the home stay that they don’t allow single boarder.

In the afternoon I went to visit Vivekanada rock. There was a boat jetty. I stood in the long queue. Ticket was 70 rupees per head. Next afternoon I went to the temple and strolled in the sea side. I feel surprised that whenever I go to any crowded temple, there are always few people who take unfair way to reach the deity a little faster. One should take straight path to reach to the God, if they really think God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent and just to all.

Though there was no specific part as Sangam of three oceans ( Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Bay Of Bengal) which had been there previously, people were taking bath at the western part of the temple. I bought a sand stone necklace and took photograph. Next early morning I caught Cape Howrah Weekly Express.