The Breaking Dawn

It was dark. Air was chilling cold and filled with sounds of crickets and the tap tap sounds of dew drops falling on the roof. Clock just ticked 4am. We were sleeping in the varendah of a tiled house. While Vishnu and Nikhil were in deep sleep , Me, Priya and Manu were talking how the night felt so long as we could not sleep because of chilling cold . we were all strangers a day ago.

Guess what had united us and where we were ??  . . . . . . . . . .AGHANASHINI

Yes, we were in a house in a remote village of Aghanashini valley. The cold weather has increased the muscle soreness in my thighs reminding the adventuorous and beautiful hike that we have done the last day and replayed the events in my mind .

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We, a group of 10 strangers, led by our organiser Manu (Trekkers adda) have reached a small village by early morning. That village hardly had 17 houses but surrounded by approximately 30 waterfalls, as said by Manu. We have come there to hike to 3 of those waterfalls. After freshened up in a local house,we had our breakfast . It was 11am, we were late and so we hurried to the base point without having the introduction part.

The first few metres was a flat walk that passed through the fields and then into the thick jungle. I was wondering how thick and green, the jungle was even in the month of february. Feeling immersed in the forest, we walked and within few minutes we have reached a point from where the sharp descent starts.

It was unexpected for us that the entire trail from that point was steep and its a sharp 60-80 degree descent. Few steps down, the sight of the tall strip of water plunging into the valley made us aware that how deep we had to go to reach the waterfalls in the valley. 

The trail had loose gravel, dried leaves that made it a little slippery and it went through the thick bushes and shrubs that hindered the direct sunlight on us. our steps had to be really careful,
This sharp trail had united us as we had to help each other , we held on to the roots and stems for support and at places we used ropes for the support. For me descending on a steep trail was always like a meditation that my wavering thoughts cease and I focus completely on my steps.

The trail felt never ending and it transformed into a rocky trail now, but the rocks were loose and sharp, seemed like a rockfall debris that happened down slope, increasing the caution factor as the rocks can tumble and roll down into the valley and may hit the person in front of you. Nerving ourself we descended with extra care. In no time we started hearing the waterfall and few steps down, trail opened up revealing the beautiful valley and the glimpse of the spectacular waterfall to our left had filled us with awe.

We stopped for a while admiring it but could not wait more to get myself drenched under its showers.

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Curled up in the blanket, I was recalling these events in that chilly weather , priya slipped into sleep while Manu and Nishreya made some fire to warm up. As my sleep waned off completely , I too went near the fire place to catch up some warmth. Later Varsha joined with her 3 month old Mudhol pups, Amavase, Kali and Bhairava. It was still dark and we all sat there relishing the warmth of the fire . . .

Glancing at the dancing red fire, I was thinking how each element of Mother Nature nurtures our soul, my thoughts once again slipped onto the waterfalls of the previous day.

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As there was already a group under the waterfall, Manu made a gesture that we will first go to the tier above it. Me,Vishnu and Priya quickly climbed it and found a place of solace. We sat there looking up , how beautifully the water was showering from the top, as if its falling from the blue sky. The water was damn cold but it did not stop us from getting into it. The sound of the waterfall had silenced the mind . And we lost ourselves in its charm and solace.
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That steady unstoppable white strip of water , rumbling from the hills ,bouncing on the rocks had embraced my soul and now in the dark cold, the orange red dancing flames of the fire were caressing me.

Gazing the fire , I Sat there like a baby in the lap of mother.

The dawn started to break , litting up the sky slowly and revealing the beautifully colored flowers around me. Having got the enough warmth, I stepped out of the house towards the fields into the cool morning breeze. The fields were amidst the hills,  where the crop was recently cut and the grass was bundled up.

I walked towards the field and thought What a wonderful day I had... a disturbed sleepy night drive, early morning fog in the orange sky that kept me awake, the glimpse of the fog that was emerging from lakes,  adventurous descends , nurturing under waterfalls, calf stretching ascends, traditional malenadu lunch in the late afternoon, the post lunch relaxing chit chat that turning into laughters, sunset time in the field watching the day slip into the dusk, campfires conversations, the long sleepless cold night, gathering at fire to restrain from early morning cold and thinking of two more waterfalls that we are hiking today.

Feeling blessed for having cuddled and nurtured by Mother Nature, I walked through the field with the radiance and warmth in my heart just like the Breaking Dawn.

The Gang :)