Summer Time

As I see the calendar, we are in the last week of May, suffering from intense heat and looking forward to the respite in form of rains. Kids will enter very last leg of their much celebrated summer vacations. Summer camps are coming to an end. All the releases meant for kids have been watched: be it Doraemon or Chota Bheem or Chintoo. Mumbai Indians have won IPL. Summer kid’s theatre, fairs, exhibitions, circuses have been visited. In our times lecture series like Vasant Vyakhyanmala or talk sessions like Majestic Gappa were also the valid forms of entertainment for even the youngsters. For today’s kids anything to do with gadgets is the ‘in thing’. Now the kids are looking forward to new books (don’t they smell great???), uniforms and new teachers. They also have started missing their school friends.

Some may have had their annual vacations done and over with. Some unlucky souls may not have had a chance to take any holiday thanks to their duties or for some other reasons. For me, it was Himalayas again as a vacation spot. Somehow I have a deep fascination for the mountains described as Nagadhiraj by none other than Kalidas. And I am sure if I initiate Himalaya fan page on facebook and promote it properly, I would have infinite members as fans.  Somehow the fold Mountains, as we learnt in geography, unfold very romantically. First you are in plains, be it at Kathgodham, or Kalka or Dehradun, or Chandigarh, or Pathankot or Rishikesh or Siliguri. Then you have rivers gushing in to plains as manifested divinely at Rishikesh. There is no place as romantic, mystic, and myriad as Rishikesh. You need to add few spices of domestic and international spirituality, making Rishikesh a great experience. You wait for something to happen as you camp in Rishikesh and follow uphill trail. Then you start looking at tall hills covered with trees. As you climb, you start getting scared of narrow roads and traffic. It’s tough to drive here. Then you come across typical British hill stations each typified with a Mall road, a lake or churches, houses. Crowds and commercial touts are the only down side of these popular hill stations. But then the weather is good. Now you get to see snow capped peaks. As you drive uphill you start experiencing different terrains, and finally you end up playing in snow (depending on location and weather). For those on treks, the efforts to climb up and down with own luggage on the back and the hardships to camp at  very basic electricity free rest houses, are worth when you take a look at those breathtaking scenes offered by nature in form of flora, fauna and landscape. And you also need to add to that, a divine sound of river flowing, cold weather, taste of hot tea and maggi to make your Himalayan experience complete. Hope I have chance in next few years again to experience same.

Somehow I feel that odd when I see someone declaring coordinates on facebook/social media about their vacation, dining places, etc. Thus am bit shy of posting my own experience on this blog. But after a long debate, felt like sharing travel experiences here as this is my own space and some of travel experiences can be useful for other tourists.

This year we planned Punjab and Himachal. Punjab leg of tour was bit challenge thanks to weather with temperature reaching 42 deg C. Chandigarh was first stop after driving from Delhi where we landed. City is good as you know it’s the only planned city in India. Some sections of Rock garden were worth the walk in the heat even if it was late evening. And boating at Supna Lake was enjoyed by kids. Then we drove to Amristar and headed for Wagah border. The ceremony is bit hyped as actual parade is only for 10-15 mins. The crowd and heat makes it worst. The crowds are so unruly and grotesque. And I also don’t know why on earth they make a way for a dance floor for ladies dancing on patriotic songs carrying national flag. Only exciting part was seeing Pak side of border and one imagines what would have happened during partition at same spot in 1947. How individual egos of overrated politicians supported by cunning British policies led to mass killings and strife?

But then next day had we had a very good shopping of local merchandise. One really feels for people killed at Jailanwalla Baug and my std Vth daughter was so interested to see that same place out of her history text book. Evening visit to Golden temple was great. One really feels peaceful and divine there.

Then we started HP leg of our tour in Dhualadhar circuit. One starts climbing hills as you drive from Pathankot. This year, I added an experience of driving in mountains thanks to some local logistical support from a good friend who lives there. This time I had luxury of having base camp at Baijnath and driving across Dhualadhar range. Baijnath has old Shiva temple which is very divine amidst the backdrop of snow capped mountains. What an experience this trip was?  Waking up in morning, driving through the divine mountains and visit places, then come back to have home cooked lunch. Again go on drive late evening and end up dinner sessions at house till midnight while enjoying windy nights and chill. Khajjiar or mini Switzerland of India was amazing. The road we took was not the conventional one on tourist circuit where you have to pass Dalhousie to reach Khajjiar. We took rod from Palampur to reach Khajjiar first and reach Dalhousie. The road is narrow and had some close shaves. The road is very picturesque but risky.  The Khajjiar landscape is amazing with peaks, deodar trees lining a very big grass field and lake at the centre of the field. It’s like heaven. Dalhousie is like any typical British hill station. We saw Tibetan influence at Mcleodganj which is at great height. I had experience of Paragliding at a great place called Billing (strange) near Baijnath. Kids enjoyed Kangra Toy train till Jogindernagar. Palampur is also a great place with its tea fields, orchards, forest walk (named after Late Capt Saurav Kalia who was barbarically tortured and killed along with 5 Jawans during Kargil war), bustling market and good hotel joints to spend evenings. Weather was great compared to plains but locals were complaining about heat as well. But then it’s all relative.

I had a chance to see IPL stadium at Dharamshala and was surprised how they could find flat land for the cricket ground. That takes me back to the subject of much maligned cricket league. I saw the play off matches out of compulsion faced by a diehard cricket fan like me even if I did not want to. But then the excitement a as I used to feel previously was all gone. One can guess that what we have seen is only the tip of iceberg and the fixing corruption can be much wider. One also should realize that BCCI is just a private body. Government needs to think hard before it jumps into popular mood of regulating BCCI. It might end up like Olympic bodies for other sports. But then public should not be cheated. So ideal solution is to legalize betting as done internationally and make criminal laws stronger to control corruption. But then cricket is just a sport. I really hope international matches are clean as I look forward to champion’s trophy in June in UK. So it was nightmarish end to mid summer nights dream named as IPL. Thankfully MI won. I supported MI fully in first three editions and MI had the next liked team status after PWI in last 3 IPLs. So there is another feather in HIS cap. IPL will no more be same without HIM as ODIs are without HIM. We the fans look forward to a perfect swan song for HIM in the Tests as well and we all know HE missed bus for ODI swan song on 2^nd April 2011.

This summer we saw ugly face of Naxalism. It’s time for arm chair philosophers, idiotic novelists (like on Ms Goddess of cheap things as described by a good friend), leftists, JNU based media stalwarts, to stop sympathising with Naxalites. It’s nothing about ideology or social justice or lack of development. It’s all about power by means of violence and terror. Government should come up with strong policies, action and resolve. That’s a very high expectation from current regime. What we have seen is that government only ‘denouncing the cowardly attack and blaming state government. Dear Dr Singh do something more. First thing first is call your HM who is vacationing in US. We also saw bad face of religion based terror in UK. How can any religion subscribe to such barbarism? These guys are very much misled....

Meanwhile back in Pune as we landed at airport there was a kind of cheer when captain announced outside temp to be 25 deg C at 8 pm. As the flight had initiated in Delhi, that was big respite. That is the time you realize value of being in city like Pune. I heard that LBT strike is off thanks so some promises. This is now time for we the people to form pressure groups to stop various parties take us for granted and put us into hardships. As i read there are last 30 days to note objects to New Development plan for Pune. So let’s wake up and drive out lethargy created by weather.

Good news is that Monsoon is on time and expected to be good. But then you don’t believe these forecasts and let’s keep fingers crossed. Let’s pray that heavy rains wash away the famine situation and tears all across.

We are all set for monsoons after a long summer and as you know Pune is really heaven when it rains. With its beauty Sahyadris can match only to Himalayas. But then each place is special. Each season is special and so are summers.....

 

Himalaya Ki Goad Mein; Har Ki Dun experience

It was 1989; I had just appeared for my Xth exams. I was an ordinary student in school. Thanks to some external motivation, I had developed some interest in studies and some knack to get good marks in exams. That was though not enough for the great rat race of life. What was needed was that spark, a little bit of confidence to excel. Though I don’t claim extraordinary achievements but the Himalayan experience in 1989 really helped me in long run as I realize today when I return from another Himalayan trek after a gap of almost two decades.
Then world was different then. In fact state was UP today is Uttarakhand. Rajeev Gandhi govt was struggling due to Bofors. Ram Mandir movement was in its very early stage. Political uncertainty was 6-7 months away as general elections were looming. Here we were a group of 30 people led by Gore sir a trekking enthusiast from SP college and colleague of my father. The group was motley, a doctor couple, few banking couples, old collegians, an old but fit prof, hot college girls and boys after them, kids from 10th till 12th. I was the baby of team by birthdate. The facilities were very basic. In Delhi we stayed at Maharashtra Mandal. Rail journey was cruel with less no of confirmed seats than the actual number. We stayed at Dharamshalas everywhere in biting cold and just carry mat , sweaters and shawls. The journey was scenic. The route was Ghuttu, Panwali, Trijuginarayan, gaurikund, kedarnath, ukhimath,chopta, tungnath, gopeshwar, valley of flowers, hemkund, badrinath and mana. These all places were heavenly. The most important point there was I was chosen as a rope leader to manage a sub group of 8 college ladies and a couple. It sparked a leadership spirit inside me and gave me immense confidence.
22 years have passed. Life has taken twists and turns. Life has taken me to many places in India and abroad. But I always wanted to go where it all started. 2011 has been super. I achieved 4 sinhagad treks, 1 vasota trek, 2 WC live matches , WC win. To top it all, my plan to go on Himalayan trek materialized. I was encouraged by a friend who had done same trek via yuvashakti last year. Also I had a friend who had promised to join me but backed away at last minute eventually. This trek was a comfortable one. Started with flight to delhi, ac express to dehradun. There I joined the group which had faced torture of mainland heat from pune via sleeper class. Most of them were youngsters: eng 1st years, Xth, XIIth students and few elders with yuvashakti leader being eldest at 45.
We took an arduous bus journey to a place called sankri around 200 kms ahead of dehradun. For some time we were on jamnotri route. we could see yamuna flowing in the valley below. We had a very economical lunch and bread omlette/magi enroute. We wasted a lot of time and it was almost dark when we reached base camp of sankri.Before that we had to take permit from shri govind national park which is forest reserve. Jungel was getting thicker, taller and air was getting chillier. Sankri is on hilly front though just at 1930 mtrs above sea level. There is a great wind factor as its on peak top. We put on our warm clothing and looked forward to first evening together. Due to trees collapsing, there was power outage so we had gloomy evening descending with only torches and candles to support. We started on track of ghost stories to add to the ambience. The rest house has metal cots, mattresess and thick blankets. This is the case throughout but for harki dun where capacity of guest house is only 10 beds and we were 20. Yuvashakti had outsourced the arrangements to local party who sent two very sweet kids (sons of owner brothers), guide (gajendarbhaiiya), 2 cooks who were very friendly, 2 porters one of whose name was daftar (meaning office in hindi). They prepared normal food of rice, dal, rotis and sabji. Any food in the hills is heaven. So many of youngsters who were disappointed at bhendi being served could not stop from second helping. We had our first trek night.
Next day was kind of acclimatization. We walked flat alongside a mountain and valley which had at its base river Supin flowing. Forest was thick. We crossed two waterfalls where we drank fresh mountain water. We walked though 11 kms. There was no climb or altitude gain. Some clever tourists used jeeps to reach next destination called taluka. Taluka was the only place we had electricity. This was the time I realized importance of reaching destination early. All good rooms were blocked by those who reached first. We had to fight flies and had toilet which was away and unclean. We played cards and visited a local house. Local people were very hospitable and had kids who were very smart. Some of them knew geographical location of Pune and i was amazed. I know of same age students in Pune who cannot make out ahmednagar in Maharashtra map. That guy wanted to be engineer. God bless him and let him realize all his dreams. Till now I was close to only group which had fairer sex as members. We had only two.
We started the real trek at taluka and headed for osla. We had first river crossing over a bridge. We had to climb up and down. It was 14 kms of arduous trek. Most of youngsters tired. My motivation was to reach destination as i knew if i stopped it would be tough for me. Along with some young kids I was the first one to reach seema where we had guest house overlooking osla village on valley opposite and river supin flowing in between. Enroute we had a stall which provided us maggi which was out of world. I got best room for my group comprising of a stodgy Xth passout in whom I could see myself 22 yrs back. That led to a fun batter that I being senior was a god father of that kid. Anyways today’s kids are smart and I had a great chance to interact with them. They think differently. Their values are different. The inputs I got from this group am sure will help me raising riya when she turns at that age. I was totally disconnected from young generation. Now I know total psychology that these kids have. These kids are unruly but they are good. I repeat maybe P L Deshpande in asami but I got abreast with clock. At Osla we had another task to drive away a group of moneyed Punjabi guys on letching only 2 girls in our group. We managed that.
Next day was supposedly most difficult day of the trek. 14 kms with more than 1.5kms climb. We had two maggi stalls. Weather started getting chillier. Gradient was amazing. But again I was the first one to reach destination at HKD. The place is amazing with river supin flowing as heavenly stream . All snow laden peaks adding height quotient. We played cricket and handball which added to my fitness quotient.
As I said HKD has only 10seats and yuvashakti had managed only 1 room so we in a room were 2 per bed and oxygen available was limited. I suffered there first night but had guts to bang door to make them open the door and sleep .

Next day weather changed and it was raining. So whole morning we had to spend indoors with anatakshari in full flow. This was the time when some old ladies tried to put me into difficult position. I don’t know in what way I antagonized them and they felt that I was khalnayak no 1. I know that in immediate past I had intentionally made fool out of my adversaries, but here someone was trying to make me one. I was amused.
The weather cleared and most of us reached Mangad glacier where we played snow and had great time.
Next day was climb down to osla and seema. The return journey had started and climb down was easier. I again was first to reach osla. This was the only place which had satellite phone. So we all talked with our dear ones. And we were rejuvenated. We had great time at seema with dumb charades ruling. All the kids were calling me kaka (uncle ) and were very pally to me,
Next day was tougher as road to taluka is up and down. But with greater resolve we entered taluka and ended our trek. We covered osla to sankri atop of jeep. In 1989 I had travelled ukhimath mandal a top of bus and today it was same. I had with me a great singer in chinmay who can sing great Marathi songs.
We reached sankri to find that there is a landslide on way which can keep us at sankri for 3 days. But thanks to Col ss chawla, yogi (our local support) we managed to ply on both sides of landslide and enter bus that reached us to Dehradun
At Dehradun I upgraded myself to ac in transit hotel as I am spoilt with urban pleasures. I managed all my pending correspondence. I met my business and social friends. I reached train ac express in night where few youngsters from my group came in to bid me farewell. As with other short term friends, I know these kids will not be in touch with oldies like me. But I shared with them my only concern to be a good father to Riya and best practices involved. These kids are good and I spoilt them with party involving high spirits. I am feeling rejuvenated after being in touch with them. Though also I don’t understand reason for some old people esp ladies to have crossed me. But I don’t care. I have kept myself abreast with times esp with youngsters and incidentally I know someone in my shoes as a youngster who was in katariya or someone’s who were doing first trek after std Xth . I can identify with the thought process of most of them. But ladies I cannot. That’s the tragedy.
Now I am back with my loved wife and daughter totally rejuvenated and fresh and I hope it brings about same results as what himalayan trek did in 1989….

Amidst Unspoilt Wilderness of Vasota

I woke up in morning, I felt city buzz. While going to office i faced Traffic, pollution. I saw cement jungle everywhere. Though i have a lot of structured sorroundings near home but situation in major cities like Pune is alarming. Hill slopes are destroyed, tree are cut, rivers are blocked and what we face is urban nightmare. Add to that carbon pollution, noise pollution, traffic chaos, inflation, corruption. Its unbearable. As the people in Arab world are doing it, it was time for me to revolt. I revolted and headed towards Vasota, a fort amidst koyana backwaters. and i was successful in my revolution. I am now refreshed and ready to survive in good old bad citiscape...
Everyyear i make a resolution. There were few things as a collegian or working single professional, i missed. Maybe due to sudden migration to kgp or for jobs. later due to business. Harischandra and Vasota are two 'dhams' for trekking enthusiasts. Add to that list; ratangad, rajgad, bhairi, rajmachi... many such dhams. I had done rajgad, torna, torana rajgad, shivthar rajgad, khandas-bhimashankar, lonavala bhimashankar, dukes nose, madhu-makrandagad, rayreshwar, umpteen times sinhagad, but somehow missed these popular slots. three years back i went to harischandra (blogged then here). I was impressed by grandeur of Kokankada, terrain, sorrounding peaks. It was amazing.
Last two years went dry ( i mean not that dry due to my focus on partying and socializing. also work pressure took toll) But year 2011, is year of health. Going back to where i was. Thus year started with two climbs to sinhgad. Solaris my health club has started Transform challengs. so lot of activities.
Had heard that Vasota fort will no more be accessable for trekkers after formation of Koyana Tiger reserve. So felt feb11 was my last chance. I searched web and found giridarshan having trek on 13th Feb. Called few friends, one of them joined. He being lecturer at sassoon, roped in his four students. Prepared on home side. Wife and daughter felt sigh of relief as i was supposed to be out of equation for more than 24hrs. (just kidding..) Got a sack, sleeping bag and headed towards meeting point which was in city at 10 30 PM. There were many takers for this trek maybe due to the tiger reserve threat. We had two bus loaded of trekkers heading towards vasota. After innumerable delays and pickups on route we finally took highway at midnight. Night was cold. I caught up with my school mate and shared memories of school, college etc. Had a great tea break on mahabaleshwar phata and reached satara at 1 am. I dont know for what they halted at satara for more than 30 mins. Finally we took Kaas ghat. Kas plateau in night is another story. In this blog here i had written about trip to Kas. Two buses in total darkness and steep turns can be scary.
Finally we reached Bamnoli at 4 am. Just two hrs to sleep. Found a corner at mandir. spread the sleeping bag. But before crashing, met the most important task during trek: Cleaning bowels. Open air task has to be accomplished in dark. so went near lake alone. It was scary experience. Managed that and slept amidst snoring of atleast 20 odd people and 60 odd trekkers. Cannot run away from crowd here also.
Next morning had a breakfast of pohas and tea. Launch people came in at 9 just like any govt office. Forest permissions are also granted on the spot as against my information that we have to get in prior from Pune. But staying at vasota is not allowed. If found there is penalty. So our fleet of 7 launches with 12 people in each started by 9 30. Expanse of Koyna dam is amazing. Right from Tapola till dam wall is nearly 60-70 km north south. add to that inward stream of lake on both east west side . some of them as long as 5-6 kms. Add to that its standard east west width of atleast 6 -7 kms. Huge water storage. Still Maharashtra suffers from power and water crisis in summer is another story. On west side of dam we have huge jungles and few hamlets cut off from world. Launch is only way to access these villages. Comparing vegetation on east slopes and west slopes indicated human touch of destruction on east side which is accessible. West side is unaccesible due to mountains and sahyadris on west (heavy climb from konkan side amidst treachourous mountains and valleys) and dam water on west. So we cross two valley on lauch and finally saw vasota fort on west. The extension of lake entered almost 2 -3 kms . As we entered the vegetation thickened out sizably and by time we reached Met Indavali, launch station and start point form vasota, it was thick forest which i had never seen maybe expect at Bhimashankar.
So we started trek at 1030. There is forest office and small gate to enter. Once we cross that its jungle all the way. We never saw sunrays till almost we reached top. We say vegetation, shapes, butterflies, birds but did not see any other wild life (fortunately or unfortunately). Saw a cat which people claim to be udmanjar. The gradient is steep but taxng. Lack fo sun makes it easier also cool breeze helps. maybe a km ahead you have a natural water stream which is last water source till you reach top. The water is amazing. The jungle noises soothe you all along. I pitied those who had their earplugs on with some music. Thankfully inspite group being large, chatterati was less. After one and half hrs of forest climb we reached open spot from where we could see how far we had travelled from starting point and could see jungle, dam waters, mountains. The view is amazing. i cannot describe, neither photo will give that feel. Walk amidts forest is an experience and summary of trek. We reached on fort at 12 30. There is nothing atop the fortexcept water tank, and old dilapidated temple and some basement structures. It seems Britishers destroyed the fort when they captured it. while they have preserved silliest of castles in scotland, they have ruined our forts and history. For that i will never pardon them (as if it counts). In fact when it was ruled by marathas, britishers were kept there are prisoners. Imagined being imprisoned on fort thousands of km away from home that too in such landscape. some guts. This fort was captured by shivaji during conquest of Javali from mores. since then till british took over was always with marathas. Thankfully no mughals or shahs.
then we headed towards babu kada which is a great view. It might be second tallest rock formation after kokankada on harsihchandra. On top of it is old vasota which now is very diffficult to reach except when you have a guide. View of kokan on west is amazing.
Giridarshan had provide lunch of chinese mix veg, roti, shrikhand. amazing. Lunches on trek are always great.
Then we saw machi, where we could see nageshware cave. Its 3 km ahead and has old cave and mandir. we started climb down at 3 and reached launch by 4.30. Climb down takes toll on your knees. But same forest experience helps.
We took launch , caught few naps and reached bamnoli by 6. Bus took us to satara where they ahd ordered thalis at rajatadri. Reached pune by midnight
24 hrs of extreme bliss amidst some scenic landscapes and thick forest...

Its tough going with the flow

They say its easy going with the flow but very difficult going against the flow. In this case, going against flow is impossible but going along itself is a challenge. here i mean literally. I am talking about white water rafting.

Rishikesh was a place which fascinated me since 1989 when i went there first onwards for a trek in garhwal. The charm and romance of Ganges flowing first time onto plains itself is an event to witness. Add to that mysticism of Hills which are very tall. The anticipation of approach of The Nagadhiraj or the king of mountains the Himalayas. Narrow road adjoining the flow of Ganga which is deep down the valley. And some religious fervour makes it a special place.

Heard that in Rishikesh you can go upto level 6 of rapids. Maybe only ladhakh/beas can offer those. Rishikesh has gained popularity as it can offer rapids from level 1 to 4 suitable for novices as well as its proximity to Delhi/Dehradun.

This year we had planned to spend a weekend in rishikesh while attending a family event in Delhi and a meeting. Few friends roped in and we were set.

We reduced travel time by using overnight trains from Delhi and Dehradun so we get two full days in rishikesh. Our hotel was 25km from Rishikesh towards Devprayag. Thus we went upstream and air became more refreshing , cool . The entire region is scenic. And what a view from the rooms.

After a good north indian breakfast, we went towards marine drive (not the one in mumbai) a place where road and stream of ganges lie side by side for a very small patch thus maybe the name. That was the starting point.

Our instructor deepak rana explained basic commands, dos , dont, safety tips. He warned us that falling outside raft is very common and nothing to panic. Thats the best preparation you need. Problem is that water is very cold. So he made us jump to acclimatize. You lose all senses once inside the cold river. Hope all our sins were washed by Holy Ganges.
First track from Marine drive to Shivpuri (12 Km) has 6 rapids which are uniquely named for eg Good morning, Tee off, 3 blind mice etc. The rapids are smooth and good for beginers. Maximum rapid is level2. But still its thrilling as your raft wobbles and you need to really concentrate and hold over raft even at level2.
The arms start making their protestations as you have to do forward/backward oaring insite of being with flow either to navigate or balance or move ahead. Ours was team of six , guide and his helper. Helmets and life jackets are compulsory.
The next patch from shivpuri to laxman jhula in rishikesh has 10 rapids with two most rapids are level 2-3 and two of them level4 (roller coaster and golfcourse)
Level 4 is some experience. All three boats accompanying us upsurped. All the contents: people. oars, chappals, water bottles start flowing with stream. all you have to do is not panic. Hold your head, legs pointing downstream, Head upstream, start flowing till you reach calm. Your life jacket will help you stay afloat (depth of water some places is 50 ft). Only thing to avoid is getting hit on head and body by boulders on side. And dont panic. Experts are around. They will rescue. Our boat had honor to be only boat not to capsize. So we conducted rescue for two other boats. Only mishap was one of our friend (amongst group of 6) fell off . but she was cool and being good swimmer helps. This was at first level 4 . The second one golf course, the amount of water rushing makes it tough. Thats where mountain dew ad is shot. Its amazing experience. Then we had another experience of body surfing. Thats when you knowingly jump out of raft, hold the lifeline on side and cross the rapid along raft while inside water. Thats when you remember your Nani( grandma).
Then at another rapid you are supposed to leave life line and have a free flow. That was fun for swimmers like me. Finally we had cliff jumping. To jump in river from 17 ft cliff. you have to make final resolve prior to jump . Thats it. I had jumped into 30 ft well when i was 6 yrs. I was given prize by A B Vajpayee for doing that. That exp helped maybe. But thrilling exp nevertheless. After 5 hrs of rafting we ended at Muni ki reti and headed towards hotel for heavy heavy lunch which was needed.

Harishchandragad: The Trekking Pilgrimage

Every year people make New Year resolution. Very few of them do materialize. It was one of those resolutions which materialized for me. The resolution was to make pilgrimage to Harishchandragad which is Mecca for all those who claim to be trekking enthusiast. Its fashionable nowadays to claim to be one. I do claim that but only blot on my trekking history in Maharashtra remained Harischandragad. This fort had been a jinx to me as thrice I had planned that trek during my college and working bachelor days. All those plans flopped for some reason or other. So for ten yrs I have been keeping this as a resolution . To visit Harischandragad was motto.
This opportunity came in through a trekking group at my health club. They had organized this trek. I jumped on this as its hard to get group of friends who are completely into a phase called Gruhasthashram in local language.

We assembled at 6 am where a 28 seater bus was waiting. The group was motley. It was mainly comprised of college and working bachelors. Harischandragad can be accessed by two ways. Tougher route is through Khubi phata khireshwar. Easier route is through pachnai but for that you need 1 hr drive extra going ahead of alephata. Looking at fitness levels of the group the organizers decided the Pachnai Route.
The nasik road journey was normal with picnic mood setting in. Breakfast of missal pav at alephata is unavoidable.

We then went across the main road and the country side is amazing. The fields, mountains, small dams. This area is remote and local villages are sparse.

We reached a very small village of Pachnai. This village does not have a chai tapri as well. We had photo session and instructions. We started the climb. The first climb really tested each one of us. Its significant climb and has great greadient. But alongwith it offered great view while climbing.

As we approached top after an hr or so, we had some respite of open plateu wherein the other route meets. The top plateu is wide and after few turns around. We reached the main section of temple and cave where most trekkers stay. The main fort is above this plateau and has another climb which we planned next morning.

It was almost 4 pm. Could not have waited to see the grandeur of Kokan kada. Had heard a lot about this overhang cliff. And after a walk of half an hr amidst greenery on the plateau we reached there. This is a paisa wasool moment. The wind, the valley, the wall, the height, setting sun all combine to make you feel different. This place has a touch of divinity. Peace of mind, perspective all things set in. setting sun adds seriousness to the moment. We reached the cave back before dark.

Night at this place is another experience. Clear sky without city pollution, noise and lights is amazing. Our talk and music were the only silence breakers. The sky was studded. There was nothing to do but to chat with fellow trekkers. And of course volunteers were busy cooking khichdi on fire. We tried helping without success.
Sleeping in cave is another experience. There were two other groups. Get your corner and enter sleeping bag only to be awakened in morning. That’s another trek experience I love. Morning challenges of ablutions were met.

After visiting the main fort, we climbed down where the bus was waiting. Another great lunch at alephata and we reached pune by 3 to join my daughter. Back to gruhshtaashram…

Valley Of Flowers

Rains are now paving way for October heat. This is the best time to wander around hills near Pune. few sundays back we had inspiration and straightaway headed towards a destination very popularly known as maharshtra's valley of flowers. This Place is called Kas near satara. around 125km from Pune. My family shares my wanderlust so they jumped onto it. We had an inauspicious start with one of my tyres having six punctures. Thanks to tubeless technology we did not have to dirty our hands. Its been ages since i am hands on in every sense. I only manage... just joking as still i do prefer doing things hands on professionally. sorry for deviating.
it was sunny morning , but as we crossed shirval, it started raining and we could see clouds hanging around hills on the west. we knew we were destined for a monsoon drive...
after doing a bit search around for way in satara city, we reached the famous tunnel leading to sajjangad. we took right to the road climbing the hill . after turns and twists, we saw the greandeur of kas plateu. Its a flat hilltop plateau not very wide. On both sides you have valleys with big lakes. The weather was great with drizzle and clouds. Gentle but cool breeze to refresh. The flowers have just started blooming of various colors. we just lazed around. what more you need in life with such weather, great location, loved ones around, good music, good food packed, ....
we then started drive towrds kas lake. the road is great with thick forest, winding turns, ups and downs, small villages. We started climbing and entering thick fog. At one point it was almost zero visibility. There were very few vehicles operating with full lights on upper. We reached lake amidst fog. we could only see 6ft water ahead. and then suddenly it all changed. within 2 mins the entire clouds evaporated (if i can use this word). and we could see lovely landscape, lake, forests all around and few other people also enjoying this show. We then drove to bamnoli on koyna backwaters . the road is amidst thick jungle and turns scary at a point. But wonderful. weather added to the moment.
we returned back after enjoying numerous stream, waterfalls aside the road. we had lunch at satara (guy took almost hr to prepare very good food).
Suddenly we had a brainwave to go to mahabaleshwar as we were out of stock of honey we use daily. They a call from mahabaleshwar never can be avoided. we followed satara mahabaleshwar route. its another great journey. ghat is very winding and narrow at some point. thankfully road is good. (only problem with stray dogs, hens, cows to be avoided).
Mahabi was great as usual with rains. its rains something there. crowd was sparse thanks to swine flu.
after refreshments and shopping at Mapro we reached back by twilight. one highlight or return journey was a semicircluar rainbow we saw. i have never seen such panorama before. as we left rainy satara district and entered sunny pune, we saw this. the colors the range , the size etc and the backdrop was awesome...
hopefully you will like my first and maybe last attempt to pen travellogue. I myself find it bit cliche but when i comeup with original i will attempt again. They say picture says thousand words in prose. i have attempted prose. but i am against sharing snaps on open forums. so if you want to see snaps to comment, i can send you link. they are great snaps esp the rainbow one.