Welcome to the second installment of the Mesmerizing Kerala series! If you’ve stumbled upon this travelogue directly, I kindly suggest you start by reading the previous part.

After a fabulous evening on a Shikara boat, soaking in the magnificent sunset over the Arabian Sea, we felt a new kind of calm settling in. That moment was unforgettable, but the journey wasn’t over. The next morning, with the first light of dawn, we set off for Malarickal. As we stepped out of our resort room, a stillness blanketed the backwaters overseeing the resort—a serenity only the early hours can reveal. This is due to the cool morning air that keeps the waters still, accentuating the peace of the landscape. This early calm can be credited to the lower temperatures and stillness of the atmosphere, with barely a ripple to disturb the reflection of sky and water hyacinth. Slowly, as the sun rises, the warmth stirs the air, creating a gentle breeze. The shift is subtle but beautiful—a dance of small waves as pressure changes and wind patterns awakens, setting the waters in motion.

A TRANQUIL MORNING IN MALARICKAL: THE ALLURE OF WATER LILIES

Nestled in Kerala’s Kottayam district, Malarickal is a hidden gem for anyone drawn to natural beauty and quietude. Known for its seasonal blooms of pink and purple water lilies, Malarickal is a sight to behold, especially during the bloom from early August to mid-September. The best time to witness its magic is at dawn, just as Sun teases the horizon. At dawn, Malarickal belongs solely to nature, and those few who arrive early are gifted this intimate connection. Arriving just around sunrise isn’t just an option; it’s essential to truly appreciate the tranquility this place offers. At that hour, as the morning light touches the lilies, their pink and purple blooms seem to dance in the early sun, creating a surreal dreamlike experience. The silence and solitude are mesmerizing, allowing you to capture moments that otherwise be lost in the chaos of the crowd.

We took a quick trip in an adorable auto rickshaw that brought us to this magical place. We rented a little boat, all set to discover the pond in a way that only being on the water can offer. The boat, a simple wooden craft, seemed perfect for drifting through these calm waters. Our guide, a local, paddled quietly, letting us absorb the stillness around us. We moved slowly, skimming past thousands of water lilies. At eye level, it felt like we were gliding through a floating garden, each blossom opening to greet the first light of the day.

As the boat glided through the waters, I was constantly, searching for the ideal location to capture the spectacular view of this delightful spot. With the sun now a little higher, the morning mist began to lift, revealing the magnificence of the colors beneath. It was time to experience Malarickal’s water lilies from a new perspective. From above, the entire region appeared like a watercolor painting, dotted with greens, soft purples and pinks. The view was spectacular, blending beauty and peace. Every angle and each moment offered something new, transforming the entire journey into an intimate experience.

As more people started to show up, and the morning sun ascending in the sky, these magnificent water lilies began to close their petals, almost as if retreating from the intensity of the midday heat. By late morning, many of the lilies had frowned or folded their petals in, waiting to reopen in the cool of the dawn the next day. Among the first visitors, we caught a glimpse of Malarickal’s gentlest side—a memory of dawn wrapped in lilies and stillness, like a secret whispered to those who make the effort to rise early. Brimming with cherished memories, we made our way back to the resort to relax in front of the breathtaking beauty of the vast backwaters.

In that moment, we realized that this was more than just a vacation; it was an opportunity to reconnect with one another and with nature, to find solace in the simplicity of the present. With hearts brimming with joy and minds at ease, we embraced the tranquility of the backwaters, knowing that these moments would remain etched in our hearts long after we returned home.

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