Thiruvananthapuram: Kakkathuruthu, a tiny island whose name translates to ‘Island of Crows’, gained its moment in the sun recently thanks to National Geographic choosing it as one of the best spots in south Asia, suggesting that “twilight is transcendence” here. The island shares space with other scenic places like Norway , Tel Aviv, Paris , San Francisco, Tokyo, Portland and Croatia.

“The land acquires an ethereal glow once the sun goes down,” says Kochi- based architect Asif Ahmed, who was lured into buying a piece of land on the island during a visit to his friend’s property eight years ago and retreats there for the weekends. “Time seems to have stood still on this island of 300-odd families, who have mostly taken up fishing for their livelihood.”

The Nat Geo magazine describes how at sunset “women in saris head home in skiffs” and nets are cast and the fishing folk light lamps.

Kakkathuruthu enclosed on all sides by the scenic Vembanad Lake has no road connectivity yet and it’s a sight to see boats ferrying school kids and elders alike to the mainland. The islanders are now waiting for the long-promised bridge that will connect them to the world outside.