Soul cleansing Kumizhi lake

 

 Tired from another week of staring at devices, I was desperate to unplug and connect back with nature - watch the sunrise, feel the crisp, cool, dew filled morning air, listen to the chirping of birds breaking the silence of gentle dawn. Luckily, my cycling group planned a ride to Kumizhi lake, in Nallambakkam village. 

Nine of us, whizzing past fog filled fields, riding in the dark, reached the lake just as the sun was rising. The route, as you approach Kumizhi, is lined with tall coconut and palm trees on one side and fields on the other. The road slopes down, so you are riding effortlessly, giving you an opportunity to enjoy the cool breeze on your face. 

Kumizhi is calm, and since its still early in the year, filled with water. Greyish skies reflected in the calm waters and the silence is broken by the cries of peacocks and other birds. I wish I could recognise them. The banks of the lake has been cleaned up and cordoned off with a fence. We parked our cycles and took some time to admire the beauty. The water lilies that I sighted in my previous visits were not seen because they were buried in the abundant water. 

We took a few pictures and then explored the muddy trail around the lake, through the tall eucalyptus and black jamun trees. I had never ridden through this trail before, so I really enjoyed it. A short 300m brought us to another part of the lake and by this time, the sun had risen a little higher. What a sight to behold! The soft reflection in the still water, the smell of fallen eucalyptus leaves, and the chatter of the group was so comforting. We took a few more pictures and headed out. 

Around the bend in the road, up ahead from the lake, about 1km away, is an old temple - Tripurasundari Sametha Sri Vedagirishwarar temple. It is a 1200year old temple surrounded by trees and hills. We spotted two huge cranes which was a nice surprise. We stopped by to take some more pictures of the huge Ganesha at the entrance. There is a lotus pond inside the temple. The local lore is that this water helps cure leprosy and was cordoned off and protected by the Britishers. The pond itself is inaccessible but is visible from the Ganesha shrine. 

I have visited Kumizhi many times before. Every time, it clams me, and reminds me that nature is that elixir that I have been looking for. It never disappoints. Thanks to the cycling group and the Universe for yet another opportunity to cleanse my soul in its waters. 

Visit it sometime and let me know what you think.