As the monsoon embraces Kerala, rivers regain life, ponds fill up and sea waves rush to annexe the shore. That is when shutter bugs in the city gear up to romance the rain. Many of them go on long journeys in search of perfect monsoon frames that capture mesmerising visuals of rain in Kerala. MetroPlus catches up with some of them to discover their preferred destinations for their rendezvous with the rain, memorable monsoon moments and what travellers need to look out for during the season.
Mountains and forests of the Western Ghats are default destinations for many in the city when rain clouds darken the skies. Storm chasers and photographers flock to Ponmudi to watch the fog descend into the valley or catch a rainbow when the sun breaks through the clouds at the end of a shower. “Both Ponmudi and Agasthyamala bioshpere reserve are the places nearby that I love to visit during monsoon. I once scaled the Agasthyarkoodam peak during the monsoon. It was pouring on the last stretch of the climb. That was a real challenge and a terrific experience,” recalls K. Sivaprasad, veteran travel writer and photographer. Monsoon, he believes, is to be experienced in the lap of nature, at countrysides and forests, far away from cities.
Kalpetta - Ooty route
It is away from the city that Praveen Muraleedharan also gets some of his best rain shots. Moody skies, lush nature and bouquets of flowers in rainbow shades acquire new shades as the rain settles the dust in the air. The season accentuates the rich green in nature and provides stunning shows of light before, during and after the rain. “It is a visual feast for the eyes and also is the best time to enjoy wildlife. The moment when the sun comes out after a heavy rainfall is a special occasion to watch and photograph wildlife as everything looks refreshing,” says Praveen, an eco-tourism entrepreneur. Another favourite place of his is Athirapally falls during the monsoon when the rain invigorates it.
Madayippara in Kannur gets Sivaprasad’s vote as the place to soak in the rainy atmosphere. “Swathes of grass and plants on top of the hill sway in the wind, creating ripples of green. In the afternoon, once the rain stops, the top the hill is bathed in golden sun rays,” he recalls.
However, rain makes trekking and photography all the more difficult for those who wish to explore the wild. Forget muddy and slippery trails, protecting your camera is the toughest task. But for Biju PB, one of the top bird photographers in the city, a rainy trek from Thirunelli to Pakshipathalam is the ultimate monsoon experience. “You have to trudge through thick tropical growth during a heavy rain. Leeches make it a challenging journey,” says Biju.Closer home, Biju loves driving through the monsoon mist of Ponmudi and shooting birds in the dense wet jungle of Arippa, which throbs with wildlife all through the year.
Within the city, Museum-Kanakakunnu region is an ideal space for budding photographers. Praveen adds, “There is rich bird and butterfly life in the museum compound. If you are lucky, you can spot rare species such as the Orange Breasted Green Pigeon.”
For those who enjoy watching the rain paint the landscape green without hitting the road, there are plenty of options in and around the city to chose from, says Rahana Habeeb, an enthusiastic photographer. While she loves capturing the pristine beauty of water droplets and wildlife of the Shola forests, Rahana likes spending time at Shanghumughom beach as rain clouds gather over the horizon. “For me a beach is one of the best spots to enjoy the monsoon as you get dramatic cloud formations and play of light in the open sky. Also, crowds at a beach can be used creatively to make beautiful pictures,” she says.
Vizhinjam harbour, Kovalam lighthouse and Varkala cliff are also places frequented by photographers.
Watch out!
Drive slow and keep an eye on the road for animal crossing on ghat roads. Snakes and turtles get run over regularly by speeding vehicles as visibility will be poor during rain.
Wear leech socks to protect yourself from leeches
Monsoon rendezvous in Thiruvananthapuram
Ponmudi, Vizhinjam, Kovalam lighthouse, Varkala cliffs, Agastyamala, Arippa, Shanghumugham, Punchakkiri
