An unexpected chat leading to an unexpected decision to go on a trail to Sanjay Gandhi National Park,Borivali without the usual guiding group leaders and the security of their company. Overall this led to the the discovery of unexpected happiness coming out of the excitement of planning something and waiting in anticipation of what lies in store when unexpected events happen at the last moment, along with the realization of the importance of a big friendly group that makes a trek possible and enjoyable, and also the importance of the shade under the wings of calm guiding leadership with whom we fly on our own yet well directed.
Till now I have only been a participant in various trek and trails conducted by groups and like a carefree happy go lucky Alice in a wonderland, I never bothered much about what the plan for the trek was, the timings that they had to co-ordinate, the meeting spots, the information to be sent across, the instructions given etc etc. All that was the headache of the group leader, I simply followed the basic instructions and tagged along with the others, mesmerized by the plants, insects and beauty around. It was only this time, however small the trail might be, that I got a slight inkling of what all the group leader or the trek planner might be facing.
It happened so fast, that before I knew the plan of the event was put up on Wanderlust group page on FB. One less Work to do. A short and sweet post with all necessary information was put up all I had to do was share this. So the sharing began and so did the jokes and teasing associated with it. Some friends thought SGNP was singapore and I was planning a half day trail to Singapore. Some were already enjoying trails in Singapore. Some Sunday sleep lovers quickly came up with reasons to avoid waking up in the morning. Best of Friends assured me saying, "Don't worry, koi nahi aayega toh mein aayegi" (if no one comes I will come with you). Few responded on the group and finally after all this 6 people including me agreed and gave their confirmation. Happy about all this I started looking forward for the day to come. But what goes as planned??? saturday late night, two friends dropped out and now we were only 4 left. I was in no mood of calling off the plan and decided to continue.
Next morning after packing all the essentials,
(I was excited to pack my poncho and hat, and wear my new shoes...something that I was longing to do) and confirming once again on phone with the others I set out for the trail playing in my mind with various options of what can be done as we were just 4. Would safety be an issue? Would we be able to do geocaching with phone GPS and would our little 8year old adventurer be able to walk about 5km up to the caves?
Met the first to confirm and the reason why the trail even happened, my friend's mom at Borivali station. Her enthusiasm throughout the trail was not just admirable it was contagious. From start to finish she didn't look tired and could have walked more given the opportunity. I came to know that she had woken up at 4.30am made all the preparation for food and come. Its amazing how much any mom works and my respect for them grows every time. We children get up and run for treks or offices with packed lunch boxes and reach on time only because we have such mothers in the background making all possible for us. Even as we come back home we have a house well kept and things in order thanks to them. To do all this and come for treks and trails is even more commendable. There!, I have drifted from the topic again.
So chit-chatting along the way, both of us reached the spot of our meeting, just outside the gate by 9.00am. To meet us there was a duo of a dad and son, only 8yrs old. They soon came by car to the spot. Now was the confusion of whether we take the car up to the caves in case the kid finds the way too long and uphill to walk or should we just take a chance and do what we had decided to do, i.e. to walk. We finally decided to walk up the caves.
So the friend and his son, Aunty and me started our trail up to the once called Krishnagiri Caves due to its black mountains. I had decided that if we had come so far why not even hunt for the treasure as this was something new and would keep our little one captivated and excited till we find the treasure. So I set up the Co-ordinates on my phone GPS, explaining him the details of what we were doing and how we had to look for the treasure. Sure enough we had a enthusiastic treasure hunter all ready to look for the treasure and complete the trail. On our way we kept exploring the plants around to see if we could find a caterpillar or some of nature's miracle happening silently as we pass by. Sure enough we found a caterpillar, few colourful bugs, anthills and homes of weaver ants too.
Photo By Shivkumar Vishwanathan : weaver ant's shelter
White amongst green and an Ant Hill
We walked up for 45mins, with aunty encouraging not just us but other teenagers huffing and puffing their way up. Our young friend did a fine job walking along but was tired and hungry later. The fear of the monkeys prevented us from opening our lunch boxes there. Luckily for us a bus passed by and we decided to take the bus to the caves. It was a good thing that there were bus stops along that route. We finally reached the car park. Our treasure spot was also close by but we abandoned the idea to look for it then as there were a lot of people around. We didn't want our precious treasure to be muggled by the muggles (stolen by the ones who don't know about it and find it accidentally). So after a quick bite we moved on up to the caves.
We reached the entrance to the caves surrounded by men and monkeys. There are guards at the entrance who check the bags as eatables are not allowed to the caves. Our bags were not checked as our young champion had happily disclosed to the guards that he carried KHAANA in his bags. We too didn't want to break any rules so we were allowed to finish our food at the canteen and then move on. In the canteen the monkeys had arranged a show for us. They seemed to have their own choices of favorite food. Silently observing and attacking those who had their favorites in hand. The monkey that came to me seemed to like hide and seek biscuit. He fearlessly marched towards me as if I had taken it out only to offer him one. However I was quick to hide what it sought. The other one managed to snatch a bottle of slice from a boy, and in Katrina's style enjoyed every drop of slice. All of us now started hiding our favorite bhajjiyas and pohas . Some monkeys performed gymnastics on the tree to add to our thrill.
After this performance we moved on to the caves. explored the first one and I couldn't stop thinking how on earth did men those times manage to make such awesome structures, carvings and rooms. These have stood the test of time. Will our buildings, where you and I live be able to stand the wrath and love of nature's forces? Their knowledge and culture is preserved in these walls as carvings and inscriptions. Are we interested to learn something from them? Their architects managed to blend with nature yet keep their touch alive even after thousands of years. Will we allow the history of our buildings to be preserved for thousands of years? 109 caves built and still they stand bursting to tell us their stories but are we listening??? The name given to them, 'Kanheri caves' comes from Krishnagiri (Krishna+giri = Black Mountains), like this there could be so much more about these caves that we don't know. What you and I just see and pass by, what you and I knowingly or unknowingly spoil, was once used by people like us thousands of years back. they carved every bit of it, they put it to use, the lived their lives, the air there circulated in their bodies where now we walk and watch. Wish somebody there could tell their stories.
Soon after exploring few caves we reached small pools of muddy water and a sort of a water fall. Maximum number of people were there. After a little fun and play in the water, we traced our way back home. In between we stopped if we could find the treasure, but couldn't so we continued our
walk in the rain and then midway took the bus.
Every-time I walk I wish I knew the trees, the plants and the beings in them, I wish I knew them by their names, like how one calls out to their Friends I would call out to them. " Hi Teak, What's up? growing strong!" Hey caterpillar! how many more days to go? so Mr Bamboo, why are yo so stiff?...and so on...
Hope to know them as friends soon...
Till now I have only been a participant in various trek and trails conducted by groups and like a carefree happy go lucky Alice in a wonderland, I never bothered much about what the plan for the trek was, the timings that they had to co-ordinate, the meeting spots, the information to be sent across, the instructions given etc etc. All that was the headache of the group leader, I simply followed the basic instructions and tagged along with the others, mesmerized by the plants, insects and beauty around. It was only this time, however small the trail might be, that I got a slight inkling of what all the group leader or the trek planner might be facing.
It happened so fast, that before I knew the plan of the event was put up on Wanderlust group page on FB. One less Work to do. A short and sweet post with all necessary information was put up all I had to do was share this. So the sharing began and so did the jokes and teasing associated with it. Some friends thought SGNP was singapore and I was planning a half day trail to Singapore. Some were already enjoying trails in Singapore. Some Sunday sleep lovers quickly came up with reasons to avoid waking up in the morning. Best of Friends assured me saying, "Don't worry, koi nahi aayega toh mein aayegi" (if no one comes I will come with you). Few responded on the group and finally after all this 6 people including me agreed and gave their confirmation. Happy about all this I started looking forward for the day to come. But what goes as planned??? saturday late night, two friends dropped out and now we were only 4 left. I was in no mood of calling off the plan and decided to continue.
Next morning after packing all the essentials,
Met the first to confirm and the reason why the trail even happened, my friend's mom at Borivali station. Her enthusiasm throughout the trail was not just admirable it was contagious. From start to finish she didn't look tired and could have walked more given the opportunity. I came to know that she had woken up at 4.30am made all the preparation for food and come. Its amazing how much any mom works and my respect for them grows every time. We children get up and run for treks or offices with packed lunch boxes and reach on time only because we have such mothers in the background making all possible for us. Even as we come back home we have a house well kept and things in order thanks to them. To do all this and come for treks and trails is even more commendable. There!, I have drifted from the topic again.
So chit-chatting along the way, both of us reached the spot of our meeting, just outside the gate by 9.00am. To meet us there was a duo of a dad and son, only 8yrs old. They soon came by car to the spot. Now was the confusion of whether we take the car up to the caves in case the kid finds the way too long and uphill to walk or should we just take a chance and do what we had decided to do, i.e. to walk. We finally decided to walk up the caves.
So the friend and his son, Aunty and me started our trail up to the once called Krishnagiri Caves due to its black mountains. I had decided that if we had come so far why not even hunt for the treasure as this was something new and would keep our little one captivated and excited till we find the treasure. So I set up the Co-ordinates on my phone GPS, explaining him the details of what we were doing and how we had to look for the treasure. Sure enough we had a enthusiastic treasure hunter all ready to look for the treasure and complete the trail. On our way we kept exploring the plants around to see if we could find a caterpillar or some of nature's miracle happening silently as we pass by. Sure enough we found a caterpillar, few colourful bugs, anthills and homes of weaver ants too.
Photo by Shivkumar Vishwanathan: checking GPS co-ordinates
White amongst green and an Ant Hill
We walked up for 45mins, with aunty encouraging not just us but other teenagers huffing and puffing their way up. Our young friend did a fine job walking along but was tired and hungry later. The fear of the monkeys prevented us from opening our lunch boxes there. Luckily for us a bus passed by and we decided to take the bus to the caves. It was a good thing that there were bus stops along that route. We finally reached the car park. Our treasure spot was also close by but we abandoned the idea to look for it then as there were a lot of people around. We didn't want our precious treasure to be muggled by the muggles (stolen by the ones who don't know about it and find it accidentally). So after a quick bite we moved on up to the caves.
 |
| photo by Shivkumar Vishwanathan : beings looking at other beings |
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| Photo by Shivkumar Vishwanathan: Monkey's Slice |
After this performance we moved on to the caves. explored the first one and I couldn't stop thinking how on earth did men those times manage to make such awesome structures, carvings and rooms. These have stood the test of time. Will our buildings, where you and I live be able to stand the wrath and love of nature's forces? Their knowledge and culture is preserved in these walls as carvings and inscriptions. Are we interested to learn something from them? Their architects managed to blend with nature yet keep their touch alive even after thousands of years. Will we allow the history of our buildings to be preserved for thousands of years? 109 caves built and still they stand bursting to tell us their stories but are we listening??? The name given to them, 'Kanheri caves' comes from Krishnagiri (Krishna+giri = Black Mountains), like this there could be so much more about these caves that we don't know. What you and I just see and pass by, what you and I knowingly or unknowingly spoil, was once used by people like us thousands of years back. they carved every bit of it, they put it to use, the lived their lives, the air there circulated in their bodies where now we walk and watch. Wish somebody there could tell their stories.
Soon after exploring few caves we reached small pools of muddy water and a sort of a water fall. Maximum number of people were there. After a little fun and play in the water, we traced our way back home. In between we stopped if we could find the treasure, but couldn't so we continued our
walk in the rain and then midway took the bus.
Every-time I walk I wish I knew the trees, the plants and the beings in them, I wish I knew them by their names, like how one calls out to their Friends I would call out to them. " Hi Teak, What's up? growing strong!" Hey caterpillar! how many more days to go? so Mr Bamboo, why are yo so stiff?...and so on...
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