Caught the train to the capital, Thiruvananthapuram, formerly known as Trivandrum. Was a trading post for spices, sandalwood and ivory. Now a major IT hub, and technological center for learning and research.
Colleges, libraries and book shops all over the place.
Is famous for the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. One of the, if not the richest, Hindu temples in the world.
Has around £18 billion in gold and precious jewels in underground vaults.
Only Hindus are allowed in, and there are strict dress codes. The men must wear a dhoti, and no top.
Needless to say the temple makes a killing charging the faithful for all the gear, changing facilities, bric-a-brac, and statue's of Vishnu, the diety the temple is devoted to...
ka-ching.
Had a look at the royal palace, which is next to the temple, and while an important part of the collective history, is left in increasing disrepair.
It's not that they are short of a rupee or two to get it fixed.
Still, why invest all that gold and stuff when you can keep it buried in vaults. One vault they are terrified to open because it has a mystical seal.
Much of the stuff in the other vaults predates the Roman empire. There is a three foot six inch statue of some diety made of solid gold!
No photographs allowed inside or close up. No problems with the temples up north, big no no with this temple. Probably think we were casing the joint. Wonder if they have heard of telephoto lenses.
Leave you with some pictures: Padmanabhaswamy Temple; palace nextdoor; in the palace grounds; tearing down the old; on the bus to Thekkady.
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