Last Updated on May 19, 2023 by asoulwindow
I LOVE SOUTH INDIA and the farthest South I have ever been to is the Kovalam Beach in the beautiful Indian state, Kerala. It was one of the destinations covered in the Southern Splendour route of the Golden Chariot, the only luxury train of South India.
It was exciting for me, as extreme of South India has eluded me despite having traveled much in South India. Aralvaymoli station near Kanyakumari impressed me what with lush greenery and scores of windmills which dotted the mountainside. As the Golden Chariot stopped here for some time, I could not help but admire the beauty of often ignored part of South India.
As we were escorted to sprawling beach side of the Vivanta By Taj near Kovalam beach, my pace was slowed by the sheer beauty of the backwaters. Exotic birds of all kind stood motionless on the poles jutting out of water, dense palm trees reflected in the calm waters, few tourists returned from the boat ride.
A swing opposite the backwaters was in place for visitors to sit and enjoy the views. Such was the milieu here that it slows you down.
I headed towards the Kovalam beachside. Manicured lawns were populated with canopies for guests to sit and enjoy the breathtaking views of Kovalam beach over great food and drinks.
A European lady played guitar and sang soft soulful songs. The blue sky was turning into yellow and then a gorgeous orange-red.
It was one of the most dramatic and beautiful sunset I had ever seen. The huge lawn allowed me to take leisurely walk along the beach as the drama unfolded in the sky poetically.
The palm fringed pathways were soon illuminated with soft lights. The al fresco tables and chairs which faced the Kovalam beach were lit with candles.
People sat and talked softly as if in reverence to the mighty sea! As if keeping up with the mood of the nature!
Around 7:40 p.m., battery cars escorted guests to a nearby auditorium in Vivanta By Taj. I preferred to walk. An hour long Bharatnatyam performance followed by a dinner buffet was next on our schedule. The male female duo hypnotized the audience with their dance moves perfected over the years. They told the stories of Shiva-Parvati, Krishna-Radha and other beautiful chapters from Hindu mythology.
After a light dinner, I went for a post-prandial walk on the streets outside the hotel. Kashmiri merchants had set up stalls selling their jewelleries, clothes etc. It was late night and the streets were empty barring a few tourists and locals. The small amount of time spent here fuelled the desire in me to travel here again and spend at least a week exploring the southern most edge of India including Kanyakumari.
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The sunset looks incredible! The sky is so red!! It seems unreal! I’ve been to India but couldn’t visit Kerala, but I heard so many good things about it, would love to visit once!
Wow your photos are amazing! I love the ones of the traditional dancing. My parents went on a boat in the Kerala backwaters and said it was amazing, I keep meaning to visit! The sunsets are spectacular, really world class!
The Kovalam beach looks like a paradise and is a perfect example of Gods own country. I feel there is hardly any tourist, they are clean and beautiful and sunsets are perfect there. Your pictures are amazing.
This place was amazing, wasn’t it? Some unusual calm and beauty here. Loved that swing that I got a few moments on. Thanks for that lovely pic!
The beauty of Kerala overflows in the stunning pictures of Kovalam at sunset. The boat on the backwaters evokes a sense of deja vu as we were cruising along the backwaters in Kerala watching a mesmerizing sun rise few months ago in Kerala. Truly the place is indeed God’s own country.
I love sunsets and you know how much I love chasing them. And your love for South India is evident in the blog too.
Your post radiates the typical South Indian charm that one feels when they visit South India. The pictures are so top notch and I almost yearn to be there right now. The swaying palm trees, beautiful sunset and the cherry on top : Bharatnatyam performance, quenches a traveler’s thirst of both nature and culture !
Beautiful post! I spent a month in Kerala in 2015 and it still is one of my favourite places in India. Especially Varkala and the beach, I just loved it there! Stunning photos by the way! 🙂
I’ve heard so many good things about the Vivanta by Taj hotels, and this makes me want to stay at one even more! Those views are just stunning.
Very captivating post! You have truly captured the spirit of Kovalam Beach with your wonderful photos.
Wow looks like a beautiful place. Those reflections are any photographers dream and it seems so peaceful there! I would absolutely love to go visit there some day and see these sights for myself! 🙂
Such beautiful pictures Abhinav. Love each frame but my favourite has to be the sunset hues. The train itinerary included this too? wow! Thought it was Karnataka and Tamil Nadu only. Nothing better than a magical sunset and a delightful cultural performance later:)
Kerala is indeed God’s Own Country. Been there once, but it was a hush hush affair, so didn’t really spend too much time.Your sunset pictures look absolutely amazing and I bet you must have had a gala time aboard the Golden Chariot.
The sunset at Kovalam beach is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. I have always wanted to go to India so I am in awe at the pictures. It looks like a beautiful area to explore
Stunning photographs of Kovalam and dances of India. Golden Chariot looks like a luxurious journey and I would like to book it for my upcoming holidays.Sunset is superb with red and orange skies.
Your photos are stunning! I’d love to sit on that swing and take in the views like that. They’re breathtaking, and make me want to start planning a trip right now!
I’ve actually just read another post about the sunsets in Kerala and they looked spectacular in that post but the colours here are just incredible. Love the shot of the lady strolling between the palm tress, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sunset so read. Really, I do envy your photography skills!
Kovalam beach looks nice and has a beautiful scenery. You captured an amazing photo of the sunset. I like that you took a boat in going to this place. It must be a relaxing experience.
I’ve heard so many incredible things about Kerala. Your post and photos certainly back them up. Maybe the perfect place for a first time visit to India?
Oh my goodness, your photos are incredible!! They make me want to book a flight asap. That sunset as well–wow! There’s nothing better than a magical sunset after a day full of exploring and seeing new things.