Sobha - The Family Traveler

A Story from my Travel Diary 18th March 2025 - Day 7 and the last day of our Kerala trip. We got up before Brahma Muhurtam and after refreshing ourselves with hair wash, we dressed ourselves in traditional Kerala off-white costume - the dress code for visiting Sree Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple - the world famous and world's richest Hindu temple in Thiruvananthapuram. Our stay was at Kovalam beach resort wherefrom it's a 30 minutes drive to the temple with toll gate on the way. We mostly visit the temples, particularly in south India, early in the mornings during Brahma Muhurtam only as it is highly auspicious. Moreover, I love the early mornings' ambiance in the South Indian temples. The aroma of fresh jasmine flowers, the fragrance of camphor, chandanam and agarbatti and the divine chanting take you to the divine world and you feel yourself spiritually elevated for a while. The surroundings outside the temples are equally enjoyable in the early hours with mouth-wat...

A Story from my Travel Diary 27th May 2024 - Day 3 and last day of our Tirumala trip. The departure time of our flight from Tirupati to Hyderabad was 8.30 p.m. Morning we got down to Tirupati and had the darshan of Sree Govinda Raju Swamy and then we headed to Srikalahasti. As it was peak season, these temples were heavily crowded with devotees and being summer it was terribly hot. Somehow we managed to have the nice darshan of Sri Kalahasteeswara and Gyana Prasunamba Devi and then had free anna prasadam which was served hot. The free annadanam hall was not that clean and people of all classes sitting together which we found a bit difficult to adjust. As there are enough time in hand, we planned to visit the less known Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Thondamandu / Thondamanpuram which is the only temple in the world where Sri Venkateswara Swamy is in sitting posture along with Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side. It is known as Sridevi Bhudevi Sameta Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy t...

A Story from my Travel Diary During our Kerala tour in Mar 2025, our journey took us to the Aazhimala Shiva temple with the vast stretch of shores of Arabian Sea as the backdrop. It was a perfect blend of spiritual and natural serenity which made it a truly unforgettable family travel moment . Day 6 of our Kerala Tour On Day 5 of our tour, we had a very long drive from Munnar to Kovalam and by the time we reached the beach resort, it was around 8.30 p.m. After a tiresome day, we went to sound sleep, got up a bit late the next morning and had hot cup of coffee enjoying the beautiful view of Arabian Sea from the balcony. My daughter was glued to the balcony and she didn't feel like coming inside, so beautiful the sea view was from the balcony. Well, after refreshing and having breakfast we started for this lesser known temple called the Aazhimala Shiva temple. It is less than half-an-hour drive from Kovalam towards the south. We reached the place by 8.30 a.m and it was told that...

A Story from my Travel Diary Some trips leave you with beautiful landscapes and some leave you with warm memories. Our trip to the ancient Sri Uma Maheswaram temple offered us both - serene views, sacred vibes and moments cherished forever. There are some places that instantly make you slow down, breathe deeper, and feel connected to something far older than our everyday lives. Our recent family trip to Uma Maheswaram Temple, tucked quietly in the Nallamala forests near Achampet, Telangana, was one such soulful escape. Located close to Srisailam and is known as the North Gateway of Srisailam, this temple offered us peace, cool breeze, and an experience wrapped in nature and spirituality. 3rd October 2025, the day after Vijaya Dasami - we had an early morning Sparsh darsanam of Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy and close darsanam of Sri Brahmarambika Devi. After energizing with the divine blessings we went on a boat ride in Patala Ganga and were on our way back to Hyderabad. Also Rea...

A Story from my Travel Diary The magnificent Temple of Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Amma stants in the heart of Thrissur, where tradition dances with devotion and history hums through temple corridors. The temple is a sacred space that embodies Kerala’s spiritual intensity and cultural vibrancy. On the same day as our visit to Vadakkunnathan Temple, we found ourselves drawn to this powerful shrine, just 500 metres away, where the festive celebs were in full fervor. Also Read: Our Vist to Sree Vadakkunathan Temple in Thrissur After the serene darshan at Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple, on suggestion of locals, our footsteps carried us just a short distance to another sacred space — the Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Amma Temple where devotion takes on a vibrant, living rhythm. The air was alive with the pulse of Kerala’s traditional chenda melam, the courtyard thronged with devotees, and the goddess herself seemed to radiate through every beat, every prayer, every procession. In that moment, Thrissur ...

A Story from my Old Travel Diary - Recollection of a Family Traveler's trip to the Cave Temple in Bidar, Karnataka In 2008, we (three friendly families) went on a road trip to Jharni Narasimha Cave temple which is nestled inside a cave in the historic city of Bidar in Karnataka. Hyderabad-Bidar Road Trip We were three families from different locations in Hyderabad. All started our long drives early in the morning in our cars. It was early morning and the roads were clean and calm making our drive easier and faster. We moved on the highway enjoying the early morning cool breeze and watching the morning sun casting its golden hues on the road. We drove through calm villages, stretches of open lands and bustling towns. We didn't even know how the time melted when the male members stopped the car at a roadside dhaba for a hot cup of chai. By then it was around 7.30 a.m and still there was morning calmness all around. Two of the families were with children who made the trip livel...

Sree Vadakkunathan temple in Thrissur, Kerala is cuturally rich with fascinating history and vibrant traditions. Our visit to this temple during our Kerala Tour in Mar 2025, we had a divinely and peaceful experience which is remembered forever. Day 1 of our Kerala Tour in Mar 2025 Our Kerala tour in March 2025 was one of the most cherishable family one that is still fresh in our minds. We started from Hyderabad on March 12th and landed in Kochi airport at around 9.30 a.m. Kochi airport, though small yet culturally rich showcasing the heritage of Kerala. The front elevation of the airport is quite unique with the typical pagoda / pyramidical style roofs. We collected our baggage and walked out looking at every minute thing of the airport with appreciation which reflects the rich heritage and history of God's Own Country. While making our Kerala trip planner, we came to know about this ancient temple which has connection with Parasurama (the 6th Avatar of Sri Maha Vishnu) and Jaga...