The hilltop surprise

The vast hilly expanse of Madavoorpara , a protected site, runs to a narrow turn near its base. A short walk through the route ends before a Shiva temple having the shrine atop the hillock. The calmness and peace prevailing over the area turns holy and pious with the sound of chimes. As it was Monday, many women had gathered at the Sree Mahadeva Cave Temple to offer special prayers. Married women pray for the well-being of their husbands and spinsters aspire to get a good husband. On this special day, the temple is open till 12 noon, which on other days, closes by 10 am. The cave temple carved in the rock is shrouded in  tales about its origin and existence. Bhaskaran Nair, the present manager of the temple, shared one such tale from the past that has been doing the rounds.   The place which was once a dense forest had a temple where the ascetics worshiped lord Shiva. Pleased by their devotion, the god himself took the form of a ‘Swayambhoov’, which is worshiped here. Climbing a circumambulating flight of steps with a metallic balustrade, one can reach the top, offer prayers and return. There are also other wonders waiting at the top. As Bhaskaran Nair explained, there exists a store house like structure deep inside the forest called ‘Ponninpathayam’. It is a cave which looks as if closed by rock planks, something similar to the mouth of a traditional ‘pathayam’. The assumption is that the structure keeps a treasure of gold inside it One of the adventurous parts of the journey waits us  on return - a precarious climb by gripping on to a rope to reach the top of the hillock in the sweltering heat. To our wonder we met Sathwik,  all of nine, who clambered  up the rocky place with his nimble feet with much ease. ‘Gangatheertham’, an  ancient pool a few walks away, is said to be a never ending source of water even during summer. On the hilltop awaits a view of lush green scenery. Eager to see more? From atop the bamboo bridge here, you can take a vivid and panoramic view of the surroundings. And before bidding adieu to the place, you can sit and rest in a bamboo hut near the bamboo bridge. Returning from the place is much more easy as you can take another route from there by  which you can walk down the hill.