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padmanabha
14th August 2006, 09:42 PM
[tscii:2718ddf87f]KOVALAM is the most alluring beauty spot located in Thiruvananthapuram the capital of Kerala the southern most state of India. This pretty hamlet consists of a number of thatched cottages scattered over a vast area on and near about the sea shore. The shimmering sea and the picturesque rocky cliff lend rare enchantment to this region. With a landscape richly blessed with fragrant hilly pastures and delightful hills Kovalam is the favored goal of tourists. It offers a wealth of attractions and experiences to the visitor.

As we approach the outskirts of Kovalam the dry winds changes into a cool and balmy sea breeze. The first enthralling glimpse of Kovalam is the cluster of sheltering palms lining the sea front and the undulating valley of green. At certain points the sea seems to stretch almost parallel to the road. Every inch of arable land is covered with tapioca, coconut, mango and jack trees and different varieties of luscious plantations.

The approach road takes you to a beautiful piece of low level land terminating in a cape higher than the contiguous coast. Kovalam is a sheltered bay between two promontories. On its southern boundary is the picturesque rocky cliff with black rocks of varying size and shape piled one over the other in wild and chaotic disorder. The cliff is austere, imposing and magnificent. A view from the crest of the cliff offers one of the finest sea views in the world.

Beneath the cliff a little above the water level are five deep sea coves into which sea water dashes with terrible fury. It is certainly a matter of adventure to go round the precipitous cliff and have a look at these grottos. To its south is a huge oval shaped black rock of ominous appearance resting upon another equally huge rock maintaining a sort of precarious balance. When the winds blow, the balancing rock swings gently and this sight is awe-inspiring. On the eastern side is a massive black rock which resembles a crouched elephant.

The perfection of the beautiful unfolds itself to the gaze of the visitor at this lovely spot. See nature’s pranks and her splendor at Kovalam. The beach gleams. The pretty rocky cliff on one side of the Kovalam beach rises in delicate curves. Thirty and more feet above the viewers head the feathery leaves of the coconut palms wave gracefully. They have no unison in action but blow this way and that at their pleasure only protesting unanimously if the breeze annoys them. But when the air is calm the palms converse with graceful gestures beckoning with suavest invitation.

Warm breeze gentle and invigorating caresses the entire area. Color and light enliven the landscape. Here beauty is everywhere, in hill and dale, sea and river, nature and art, land and ocean, all joined together in the imperishability of the sublime. On clear mornings and evenings when the sun shines the picturesque rocky cliff and the emerald green meadows close to the shore are clothed in majestic splendor. The tourist should hike along the contiguous coast to behold a magnificent sight. Land and sea seem to merge into one another till he hardly knows where the earth ends and the waters begin. A riotous carnival of colors greets his vision.

To witness on a summer evening sunset at the Kovalam beach is to see an indescribable spectacle of beauty, majesty and charm. What wonderful colors for the artist’s palette this bewitching scene conjures up?

To stand on the rocky cliff and see the fiery red ball of the setting sun leaving multicolored luminous streaks on the horizon as it sinks into the sea is a thrilling sight, clothed in a halo of mystery. The waters of the turbulent sea dash into the grottos with tremendous fury shooting up a powerful spray.

At dusk when the heat no longer reflects off the mounting sand, when the cool ozone –bearing night breeze hisses across the palm-fringed shores with lovely sand dunes the tide booms against the shores throwing up spray and the sea takes an unearthly glow. It is an incomparably beautiful paradise for camping, picnic, sea bathing, angling, fishing, swimming, surf riding, and yachting.

In dug out canoes and catamarans -quaint little crafts constructed by the dexterous fisher folk who inhabit the coast- they brave the heavy surf and venture far out into the sea in pursuit of their livelihood. This familiar sight at Kovalam beach at the break of dawn and close of day is thrilling. It is pleasure to be rowed into the sea on a catamaran in the evening and from there to gaze into the immensity which stretches itself before the visitor and to spend a pleasant hour beneath the blue summer sky.

Seated on one of the rocks buttressing into the sea one can try his hand at fishing. Buoyant fisher folk striplings with but a semblance of dress comprising of a loin cloth tightly drawn over the waist can be seen standing over the slippery rocks and fishing with rods and tackles for hours together without knowing any fatigue or losing patience. Or one can wade into the sea, stand in waist deep water and enjoy a game of angling. To observe agile fish and crabs darting across and hiding in the abundant creeks is an interesting sight.

When the evening shadows cast their mystic spell of secrecy, and soft murmurings and whispers emanate out of the sea enjoy a sea bath at Kovalam. The bathing beach here is one of the most delightful beaches in the world. The shore is rapturous with the unending music of the waves over the rocks and the sand dunes. The sea is in ample embrace of pretty bays. Bathing at the swimming place at Kovalam is safe and refreshing.

Kovalam on a moonlit night is simply bewitching. The silver moon hangs in the air shedding her rays on the ripples, waves, rocks and sands making them all the more lovely. On such occasion when the land lies lovely beneath the moon it is a great experience to enjoy a sea bath at Kovalam and watch the grand panorama which unfolds here.


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