Thiruvanantapuram – Kanyakumari – Madurai – Thiruvanantapuram

The wanderlust has seized me again and I urgently need to get up and away to India.

This time my journey takes me around the southern tip and, as so often, by train. I am excited.

Thiruvanantapuram

I have chosen Thiruvananthapuram, formerly Trivandrum, as the start of one of my most interesting journeys in the south of India.
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, is a city of rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Known for the Padmanabhaswamy temple, which is one of the richest temples in India, the city attracts many pilgrims.

I plan to travel by train, the Indian Railway, to Madurai via the southernmost tip of India, where Sri Lanka begins. There I want to see the colorful temple with the golden domes.

But before that, I have to visit the Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvanantapuram, where a fabulous treasure trove of diamonds, rubies, emeralds and 536 kilograms of gold coins was found in 2011. Or so I thought. Unfortunately, the temple is no longer accessible to non-Hindus, so I could only see it from the outside.

In Thiruvanantapuram itself, I can recommend the restaurant opposite the train station. It doesn’t have a staircase, so guests walk up to the upper floors in a kind of snail’s shell. They also serve beef dishes (which is very unusual in India). The restaurant is run by the South Indian Coffee Company.

At the end of my trip, I returned to Thiruvanantapuram. Here I had the rare opportunity to attend a performance of Kathakali dance; not a tourist dance, but a traditional theater performance lasting several hours.

Kanyakumari

The real destination of my longing on this trip is the coastal town of Kanyakumari. There is no place in the whole of India further south than this.

Kanyakumari is famous for its breathtaking sunrises and sunsets over the confluence of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Kanyakumari is an important pilgrimage site and attracts visitors with its natural beauty and spiritual atmosphere. The unique geographical location and cultural diversity make Kanyakumari an unforgettable destination.

From here you can enjoy an indescribable panoramic view from east to west.
I stayed here in a hotel with a direct view of the harbor – a dream.

Madurai

We then took the night train to Madurai – again in a large-capacity carriage. We left in the evening and arrived in Madurai early the next morning.

I stayed at the “New College House” – I can only recommend it. (Update 2024: today I would no longer recommend this place without reservation).

Madurai is known for the magnificent Meenakshi Temple, a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. This historic temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and her consort, Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva), and attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists every year. With its 14 majestic gopurams (towers) adorned with thousands of colorful statues of gods, goddesses and mythical creatures, the Meenakshi temple is a visual spectacle.

Inside the temple are intricately designed halls, including the famous Hall of a Thousand Pillars, known for its exquisite stone carving. The temple complex is not only a spiritual center, but also a cultural centerpiece that reflects the rich history and tradition of Madurai. The temple is especially alive during the annual Meenakshi Thirukalyanam festival, which celebrates the celestial marriage of the deities.

Madurai and the Meenakshi temple offer a deep insight into the spiritual and cultural diversity of South India and are a must-visit for every visitor.