more-in It is difficult for Anoop Mohandas to cherry-pick his favourite spaces in the capital city. “Thiruvananthapuram is a terrific place, isn’t it?” is his excuse for having many preferred places to unwind. The singer-theatreperson has Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple right on top of the list. “No...I am not religious. It’s just that I have a respect for the space and love to soak in the ambience with friends. Whenever I go there, which doesn’t happen very often, I sit on the premises after the darshan and circumambulating the temple. I spend at least three hours there and often have the paal payasam,” says Anoop. Anoop Mohandas | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Being an artiste, it is not surprising that Manaveeyam Veedhi is among his choices. His recent outing there was as an actor in the play, Pets of Anarchy, staged on the street. “The stretch is a meeting point for artistes, be it musicians, theatrepersons, film buffs, actors, writers, art lovers.... If I am in a good mood, I will definitely be there. It is nice to interact with like-minded people over a cup of tea from one of the teashops there,” says Anoop, a member of the music band Vidwan. Valiyathura sea pier is another favourite spot to unwind, “especially watching the sunrise and sunset”. Off to Ponmudi And when he needs a one-day outing, Ponmudi is his first choice. The itinerary has a stop-over at the Vazhvanthol waterfalls. “It is refreshing to have a splash in the smaller pool since we are not allowed to take a dip in the bigger one,” he says. There is more. “I am a huge fan of the teashops in the city and I have my favoured shops in Kuravankonam and at Sasthamangalam junction. Nothing can beat the feel of having tea and snacks in the company of friends,” he says. Before he signs off, Anoop adds with a chuckle, “You can also add Vellayani and Kanakakunnu...” A weekly series on people and their favourite places in their city and its suburbs

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