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!!
