Poovar
Peace, quiet and freedom from the swirl of a modern life are what Poovar offers. This sleepy, fishing village that lies 17 kilometres southeast of Kovalam beckons those who want to just luxuriate in magnificent landscapes, soak in placid waters and enjoy the art of doing nothing. Situated by the Neyyar estuary, this tranquil area is a favourite haunt for vacationers who want a delicious mix of beach and backwaters. Poovar is believed to have been an ancient hub of maritime trade, probably the reason behind the belief that ships of King Solomon had landed here. The Central Mosque here, believed to have been built 1400 years ago by Malik Ibn Dinar and his missionaries, traces its precedents as one of the earliest Muslim settlements along India’s western coast.
Legend also has it that Poovar was named so by King Marthanda Varma, the ruler of the Travancore kingdom, who during his exile was given asylum by a rich Muslim businessman of Poovar. While staying there, he chanced upon a carpet of red flowers which had dropped from a nearby tree and was floating on the surface of the Neyyar river. The fascinated King immediately called it Poovar which translates into ‘river of flowers’. Both history and nature have lavished a large dose of mystique on this unassumingly rustic land. The Poovar beach that spreads its shimmering swathe of golden sands between the sea and the Neyyar river, is as tranquil as its settings – undisturbed.. unhurried…. To elevate the magic by yet another notch, you can opt to stay in the floating resort and feel the gentle sway of the backwaters transport you to a world of dreamy nothingness. This simple village steeped in rusticity is equally rich in its lushness with spice plantations, coconut and banana groves adding to its greenery. Head to Poovar and succumb to the subtle seduction of its quiet charm.
