Trivandrum where I woke up is a biggest city of the State of Kerala. Around million people live here including suburbs. I live in the little pension Dwaraka Villa hiden in the little lane and surrounded by bananas and palm trees. If you are good walker it is walking distance from International airport, but you must be heat-resistant and it is difficult to navigate in the dark.
Junk Tata city buses (no glass on the windows, no routing table in English but only 18 rs per ride) are cruising main streets. I took one to get via Kerala University to the main temple.
Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the main hindu temple in Trivandrum. Well guarded by the police from all directions (no photo inside) is frequently visited by pilgrims. I do not know all those myths and their gods but they are coming with the families to wear special clothes and plunge in the holy bassin. Very nice people!:
The main temple photo below) from the distance looks like a gold – covered. But if you come closer you come to the conclusion that the bottom of the temple is original stone but the upper roof is covered by carved plastic:
In the sanctuary there must be a god, they are selling his image on the souvenir paintings – there are many stalls around the temple. The heat wast exhausting. I bought a kilo of tomatoes for 40 rupees and a loaf of bread for 45 and returned home. It is time to write about exotic India… Imagine: today I did not see any other tourist!
