"A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it." – John Steinbeck
🌄 Day 7 – Sunrise, Shlokas & a Boat Ride to Enlightenment (with Bollywood Beats)
Kanyakumari | Suchindram Temple | Lotus Lake | Vivekananda Rock Memorial | Kanyakumari Temple | Triveni Sangam
We began Day 7 before the world stirred. Harshal and I laced up our shoes for a jog from our hotel to the Sunrise Point, catching the first light at the southernmost tip of India. Watching the sun rise where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean meet was not just beautiful—it felt significant, grounding, and deeply spiritual.
Back at the hotel, we woke Atharva, and all three of us headed to breakfast. The spread at Annai Resort was as lavish as ever—fresh dosas, idiappam with curry, and a full continental selection. We ate heartily, knowing we had a packed day ahead.
Our first visit was to the Suchindram Temple, and this time, it was open—and what an experience it was! A guide walked us through the murti of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, combined into a single, unique deity. The stone musical pillars fascinated us—each one resonating a different note when struck, including one with Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa-Dha-Ni-Sa, and another with rain-like tones that felt like monsoon music carved into stone.
On the way back, we stopped by a lotus lake, and the sight of water droplets gliding off lotus leaves reminded me of Shloka #4 of Bhaja Govindam: nalini dalagata jalam atitaralam... Life, like that droplet, is fleeting—pause-worthy wisdom in the middle of a road trip.
Once back in Kanyakumari, Jaju dropped us off at the ferry terminal to head toward the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. There was a long wait for the regular ferry, but around noon, we learned about a special AC boat option that would also stop at Vattakottai Fort. It was pricier—but immediate.
We boarded...and then unexpected hilarity ensued. As soon as the boat started, loudspeakers blared Bollywood dance tracks—starting with none other than "Chikni Chameli". We looked at each other in disbelief and burst out laughing. The irony of heading to the sacred rock where Swami Vivekananda meditated for three days, with bass drops and item numbers in the background, was priceless.
We had only had coconut water since breakfast, and it was nearly 3:00 PM by the time we reached the rock. Hunger forgotten, we soaked in the grandeur of the memorial, walked to the Kanyakumari Foot Mandir, and sat briefly in the meditation hall—a peaceful silence that somehow cut through the day’s noise.
From there, we crossed to the Thiruvalluvar Statue—the towering poet-philosopher watching over the ocean. The glass bridge en route to the statue caught our eye, both modern and surreal in this ancient setting. Swami Vivekananda is my guru so I had to buy some books. Harshal reminded me that I already had a library full of Swami Vivekananda books back home but the four books ok Yoga were purchased and although it started as a joke, I fully intend to follow through this resolve for the next 1000 days " I will not buy a single object for myself".
After another shorter wait line and ferry ride back to the mainland, we were beyond ready to eat. We chose Seaview Restaurant, where Harshal and I ordered Malai Kofta, and Atharva dove into his favorite—Hakka noodles. Dessert was a vibrant sundae trio—chocolate, mango, and butterscotch—sweet enough to earn smiles all around.
Evening brought a divine final touch: a tour of the Kanyakumari Temple, rich with stories of Goddess Kanyakumari’s penance, valor, and light. The guide’s narration made legends come alive as we walked through ancient halls filled with devotion and lore.
We ended our day at the Triveni Sangam, where three oceans meet and so did our moods—peaceful, playful, and fulfilled. We passed by the Gandhi Memorial and Bharat Mata statue, taking them in from the outside. We ( Harshal and I) watch Shiv Shakti series on Colors and a few episodes were focused on Kanyakumari story from the puranas. At Triveni Sangam as we watched the waves hit the shore and specifically, a little nandi and Shiva lingam moorti on the shore, Harshal narrated the story of Kanyakumari to Atharva. On the last day, when I asked Atharva his top 10 of this trip, this particular memory made it to the list. Such moments make vacations special as we teach and learn from each other!
And just when we thought we were done, Atharva and I remembered something important—those Dairy Day triple chocolate bars we’d seen outside the lunch spot. Yes, we went back. Yes, we each got one. Because two ice creams a day is totally justified on vacation.
As we unwrapped our second treats and watched the golden sky fade, Jaju pulled up—right on time, as always. We returned to the resort, took long showers, and sank into our beds with the sweet, salty scent of the ocean still lingering in the air.
🛕 Day 8 – Pier Hikes, 22 Sacred Wells & an Impromptu Pilgrimage
Kanyakumari → Rameswaram | Pamban Bridge | A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Memorial | Ramanathaswamy Temple
We greeted Day 8 long before the sun had fully stretched its rays. Harshal and I laced up for another pre-dawn walk to Kanyakumari’s Sunrise Point, clambering over the massive pier rocks—an unexpected little adventure that jolted us awake. Predictably, Atharva opted for extra sleep over a 5 a.m., 5 km trek (teen priorities remain undefeated). This was an excellent sunrise compared to the day before because we actually left another hour earlier and got to the furthermost point on the pier.
Back at Annai Resort, we indulged in a final seaside breakfast—fluffy dosas, idiappam with curry, and continental treats—before beginning the 5½-hour drive to Rameswaram. Our only pit stop was a happy accident: Bay Leaf at La Palmera by the Sea, an elegant oasis amid an otherwise meagre highway lineup of hole-in-the-wall cafés. Good coffee, ocean breeze, and clean restrooms felt like luxury on wheels.
Checking In — and Checking Boxes Early
By 3 p.m. we rolled into Hotel Vinayaga by Poppy’s, smack in the heart of Rameswaram. We’d planned to rest… but momentum took over. Within hours we’d ticked off two of tomorrow’s three must-sees:
Pamban Bridge – that sweep of steel and sea that still feels like engineering wizardry.
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Memorial – a serene tribute to India’s “Missile Man” that left Atharva quietly impressed. We wondered why they would not allow photographa of this particular attraction because would we not want to share these with the world proudly!?
Our trip coordinator Saurabh from Isha Travels called to confirm all was smooth—his daily check-ins are a thoughtful touch.
The Main Event: Ramanathaswamy Temple on South Calendar based Shravan Monday
Armed with my research—and ignoring pushy touts quoting ₹3,000+ for “special darshan packages”—we seized the auspicious first Monday of Shravan for an evening visit to Ramanathaswamy Temple.
Our car sported a flat tyre on arrival, so we bumped through town in a bright yellow rickshaw, hair flying—a perfect Rameswaram vignette. We also mused on how these Rickshaw was considerably larger than ones in Mumbai.
The outside air hovered around 111 °F (44 °C), so the famous 22 kund snān felt positively cool and divine.
A local helper we’d negotiated with doused us bucket-by-bucket, guiding us well-to-well as we tasted the distinct sweetness or salinity of each sacred spring. For a modest extra tip he also steered us into an up-close darshan of the Jyotirlinga, proudly declaring it was “as close as Modi-ji got.” Atharva loved the water-quest aspect and was first to get bucketful water on his head at each well!
Dinner was refreshingly plain: roti, dal, and sabzi in the hotel’s veg restaurant. We wound down streaming our favorite episode of Shiv Shakti—Mahalsa and Martand’s tale echoing our day’s devotion. Atharva ranked this temple experience his #2 highlight after the giant Azhimala Shiva statue—high praise from a newly minted well-water connoisseur. His ranking had changed considerably by end of the trip!
With tomorrow suddenly free (thanks to our over-achievement), Dhanushkodi and a handful of hidden gems await.
🌊 Day 9 – Sleeping In, Sacred Sands & Scuba Surprises
Rameswaram | Dhanushkodi | Pamban Bridge | Bay of Bengal Scuba Discovery Lesson | Abdul Kalam House | Temple Walks
Today unfolded in true vacation fashion—slow morning, wild afternoon, peaceful evening.
We finally slept in, reaching breakfast at 9 a.m. instead of our usual early-bird 7 a.m. routine. The pongal was warm and comforting, and the South Indian spread was, as always, fresh and flavorful.
Our first stop was the mysterious ghost town of Dhanushkodi, where the Ram Setu stretches into the sea. The land felt windswept and ancient, like it was holding onto stories of another time.
On the way back, we paused at the Vibhishan Temple, where we continued our ritual of coconut water—a cool, refreshing break under the shade of temple trees. I had read on several blogs that the shack nearby that promised Ram Setu stone was a sham but the one in Hanuman temple was the real deal. So we skipped this part entirely.
Back at the hotel, Atharva and I changed into swimwear for something Atharva had never done before: scuba diving.
We signed up for a Discover Scuba 2-hour course with Quest Academy, crossing the Pamban Bridge once again. Our instructors, Prithvi and Daniel, were outstanding—breaking down gear use, hand signals, and safety steps like pros.
We first practiced in knee-deep water, then descended to a 30-foot depth in the Bay of Bengal. It was incredible.
We saw sea cucumbers, schools of fish, and underwater seagrass swaying in the currents. Atharva spotted a crab hauling a fish, and described how the scuba guide flicked sand to have the crab walk across the ocean floor.
We also saw a few plastic bags on the seabed, which was a disappointing but important reminder of how much care our oceans still need.
After surfacing, we were offered fresh lime juice—sour, sweet, and well-earned. Then we headed back to the hotel for showers and a rest.
When Harshal joined us, we all went down to the café. More coffee. French fries. Because, why not? Atharva rounded out his evening with a grilled sandwich and an ice cream.
Then Harshal and I took a walk through town, stopping at Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s house, now a small museum. The displays had more personal items and several poems written by Kalam himself. I was drawn to the poem about the Arjun’s tree, while Harshal loved a quote that read:
“Learning gives creativity. Creativity leads to thinking. Thinking provides knowledge. Knowledge makes you great.”
From there, we strolled to the Ram and Lakshman Tirtham, small sacred ponds tucked within the city, and finally caught the evening aarti at the Nataraja Temple—gentle bells, flame offerings, and calming chants.
Back at the hotel, I spotted a giant Carrom board size snakes and ladders board in the lobby. Naturally, we played a quick game—pure old-school fun, filled with sneaky wins and near-misses.
Later, as our favorite Shiv Shakti episode aired, we huddled up to watch. Afterward, we turned to cricket highlights, laughing over wild dismissals and Atharva’s bold (and hilariously off) pronunciation of Indian player names.
None of us were especially hungry, so we just ate the leftover chole and rotis from lunch, and ended the night on a full heart and simple meal.
🕌 Day 10 – Floating Rocks, Forgotten Kings & Foodie Fixes
Rameswaram → Madurai | Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple | Nayakkar Palace | Meenakshi Amman Temple
Today began like many of our mornings on this trip—with a spiritual start and a sleepy teen.
Harshal and I made it to the Panchamukhi Hanuman Mandir at 6:15 a.m., and to our surprise, we had the whole temple to ourselves. The priests were just beginning their morning rituals, and the serenity was unmistakable.
The five-faced Hanuman idols stood tall, glowing in the early morning light. But what made it unforgettable was getting to touch and lift the famous floating stones—the ones believed to have been used in the Ramayana to build the Ram Setu.
Their lightness was mystifying, and the moment, surreal.
🍽️ Sleep, Showers & Sibling Chats
Back at the hotel, we woke Atharva, who missed the temple but was happy to be included in the post-darshan recap over breakfast. We all took turns getting ready, while chatting with Arya on the phone—she always brings energy, even from miles away.
We then made a quick stop at the Hanuman temple again so Atharva could at least have darshan, though by now, the floating rock had been sealed under glass. He didn’t seem too heartbroken.
🚗 Onward to Madurai
The 3.5-hour drive to Madurai flew by. And strangely enough, we experienced déjà vu—our hotel here was also a Poppy’s, but this one felt grander, with an upscale restaurant and a fancy cake shop on-site.
Though none of us were especially hungry, biryani and mapo tofu were ordered for lunch (because travel hunger is sneaky), and we topped it off by treating ourselves to cake from the lobby bakery—because why not?
🏛️ Two Madurai Icons, One Hit, One Miss
Our first outing was to the Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace. While the guidebook promised Indo-Saracenic grandeur, reality had... less to offer. A handful of impressive pillars and painted ceilings, sure—but the palace had largely been stripped of its essence.
Fun (?) fact from our guide: the last king’s grandson squandered the family fortune on over 200 mistresses, and most of the palace was dismantled and moved to Trichy.
Thankfully, our next stop was the showstopper: Meenakshi Amman Temple.
With a knowledgeable guide, we learned about its layered history, vibrant carvings, and sacred rituals. The temple was buzzing with energy yet felt timeless, grounded, and grand. The gopurams were painted poetry.
🧊 Sweet Cooldowns & Solo Exploring
After the temple, we made a quick stop for Jigarthanda, Madurai’s most famous chilled drink—somewhere between a milkshake, falooda, and dessert experiment. Atharva found it “weird but interesting,” which is probably the best description it could get.
Back at the hotel, Harshal jumped into a meeting, and I went out to explore Saravana Superstore—a 7-story maze of jewelry, garments, furniture, groceries, and more. Imagine a temple of commerce with aisle-wide darshan of glittering goods.
🥘 Dinner, Desserts & Laughs
For dinner, Atharva and I shared a cozy table while Harshal wrapped up work. We ordered cilantro lime tofu, paneer lababdar, and yes—more pastries for dessert. Because some nights should end on a sweet note. And this one definitely did.
Day 11 – A Gentle Goodbye from Madurai
The last day of our trip turned out to be the most relaxing—at least for Harshal and Atharva, who decided to skip the morning plan I had enthusiastically chalked out. No guilt, no complaints—just two happy guys sleeping in while I set off for one final spiritual adventure.
The breakfast spread at Poppy's was a fitting finale: vast and thoughtful, featuring everything from health drinks to overnight fermented traditional delicacies served in clay pots. I quickly grabbed a bite and headed out with Jaju, our ever-reliable driver, toward Alagar Kovil, a serene Vishnu temple nestled in the hills.
The drive was as scenic as it was calming. Upon arrival, I was greeted by an army of monkeys who seemed more territorial than spiritual. I opted for the Rs. 15 fast darshan and unexpectedly found myself in a line where people were being doused with Ganga jal as part of a ritual purification. Not entirely in the mood for a public shower, I politely asked a policeman how to sidestep the "splash zone" and moved swiftly to the darshan line.
As if that wasn’t enough excitement, my attention was drawn to a nearby family performing a dramatic ritual—a woman was holding what looked like a sword and dancing wildly while her family chanted loudly, creating a surreal scene. I found myself accidentally wedged between two dancing women, clutching my bag while trying to look as reverent as possible.
After receiving the customary vibhuti, I descended the temple steps, only to notice a behavioral pattern among the monkeys—male monkeys were snatching food from the mothers, especially those with babies. To restore a sliver of justice, I bought a Rs. 10 pack of chana and handed it directly to a mother monkey nearby. The dominant male glared at me like I’d just insulted his entire monkey lineage. I smirked and walked away victorious.
We made a quick stop at the Murugan Mandir, took in the peaceful atmosphere, and returned to the hotel. After packing up, we said our goodbyes to Jaju, gifting him a Lindt chocolate bar for his daughters—a small thank you for his kind and calm presence throughout the journey.
At 1 PM, we headed to the airport, hearts full and bags packed with memories.
As we took off, I reflected on the days behind us—temples, beaches, historic wonders, wildlife, and endless flavors. But most of all, I’ll remember the laughs we shared, the unexpected moments, and the way travel—especially in India—pulls you into a story much larger than yourself.
Until the next adventure. 🌺
Photos of all Day 4- Day 11 link again for quick reference
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3YoLMszz8UuPT2Yo7
