A ride along the East Coast Road (ECR) always includes visiting the ISKCON temple. There is a new addition now. Bathing in the sun all day long and as the hymns of crashing waves offer a soothing serenity Sri Matsya Narayana temple perches by the beach.
From ISCKON we started around 4.30. After a slight drizzle, I can sense the cool air and a cloudy sky. Driving just a few kilometres we took a turn to Rajaji Road. A long line of parked cars didn't allow us to go any further in our car and forced us to walk instead. After roaming since morning I was not so energetic to walk all the way to the temple which is situated at the end of the road. But there is no other way. With cars parked on the left, we began walking on the wet black thar road that was sprinkled with Gulmohar flowers. The sky, the setting and the background were perfect for taking pictures. The long walk was not a burden for me anymore, it was rather pleasant.
To my surprise, there was no ceiling at all and the temple was open. Greeted by Lord Ganesha we saw Hanuman standing taller than us, and then Lord Shiva meditating with a lingam below him. Idols of Navagraha were dotting a little lush mound.
We reached the sanctum sanctorum. The main deity was standing proud as a 12-foot idol - Lord Matsya Narayana in his fish (Matsya) avatar at the middle of the circular altar. People are allowed to sit but are requested to maintain complete silence. As we sat there I closed my eyes to meditate for some time. I could only hear the constant crashing of waves in the background which felt amazingly calm and soothing. I simply couldn't explain the feeling in words, it is something that must be experienced in person. I must say that the timing and the climate also were catalysts to why I fell in love with this place.
There are no restaurants or food stalls available in and around the temple. If you are going with kids it's better to come prepared.
Kutty's Kovil, an enclosure specially curated for kids allows only children aged between 3 to 12 years and has deities like Lord Shiva-Parvathy, Lord Lakshmi Narayana and Lord Murugan. Lord Ganesha is depicted as writing Mahabaratha with the sage. Photographs are strictly prohibited. (I took pics only at Kuttys' Kovil and not the main deity). Arathi is shown around 7 PM to the main deity and the sea. Lawns and shrubs are well-manicured and there is a slide too that takes children to a cave-like setup that has Krishna inside it and can only be partially seen from above.
There is a bookstall that offers a collection of religious books and moral stories for children.
The best time to visit the temple is in the evening. A wonderful temple that offers peace and soulful connection. An unforgettable visit for me was when I went there one evening after light showers, the place is a miracle.
If you happen to ride along the ECR, do pay a visit to this temple, a true wonder, simple yet blissful. There is a beach too as you walk down from the temple but I'm not sure if it would be bright enough with lights after sunset.
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