Thursday, July 25, 2019

Srirangam - a tmesis



A sliver of land appeared, bound by two light blue strips
when I zoomed on to the Google map for one of my trips

Pronto, I knew I had to be there, for rivers were my calling
Little did I know, that there was more to it than just lolling

Driving down the flood banks to guesthouse ‘Tranquility’
parked next to a butterfly park; could it be just serendipity?

The jute charpoy and cane swing on the veranda beckoned     
While a plate of fragrant mangoes indulgently summoned

Stealing off the last drop down till the elbow we swooned
And collapsed on the bed, secretly hoping to be marooned

When the sun yielded, we set off for the river, meandering
through the trees and the vast stretch of sand, wondering

if we were the only souls there to see that prismatic sunset.
Had the breeze had carried our wish to the temple to beget

the long-forsaken dream of wading through a placid river
watching the cows nibble quietly, the ruins of the summer

      
                 










But that’s just the prelude to this paradisiacal temple tale
For there’s more to this island, that I am about to unveil!

E.g. Sri Ranganathan temple is the world’s largest running
with its 239 ft. Rajagopuram (Royal tower) quite stunning.

Rising loftily from the divine world within the seven walls,
it was incomplete for 400 years until taken up for final call

Banked by twin rivers Cauvery and Coleroon on either sides,  
here the self-manifested, Lanka facing Lord Vishnu resides!

Also, Srirangam, earlier the hinterland of Coromandel Coast
has the best coffee at Murli’s; open until 7 pm, well almost!

Strolling through the ramparts for more such unwritten gems,
I sought blessings to keep me away from scripted mayhems!!


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