How good it would be if you do something you like!!
How happy it would be if you achieve something which you can't!!
How exciting it would be, if you do those with your friends!!!
Yes we did...
It was challenging... Challenges in different forms...
We five of us, Senthil, Kumar, Jansi, Jaya and myself, planned to go for a trip, a small trek...
The challenge started here...
I have never come across anyone in this world without problems... have you? And the plan was about to be dropped. Family issues, rumors on Chief Minister, climatic conditions, etc. etc.. The enthusiastic five never wanted the plan to be dropped. The plan was to go to Nagallapuram, which is known for its unknown routes. So we arranged a guide to take us to the destination. Sunday was the D day. Saturday night the guide informed people that the routes are blocked by trees due to rainfall. We had a collaborative talk and took a decision of trying our best to reach where we can. The D day early morning 5 am we started our journey. The previous day we had put our efforts to understand the route where there is no route.
We reached the destination of start (ie) the starting point of trekking. No one to guide. No routes. No one else on the way to seek help. What we all had was happiness, passion and trust. With all these we started our walk. We never felt we are new to the place. Yes the Sun didn't show mercy on us. It tried it's best to drain us down but it couldn't. We had a strong defense force and a technique with us . The defense force is none other than a camera and the technique is Selfie. It made us smile even in hot Sun. 2 liters of water it was empty within 15 min. We walked down the forest with no water with a hope we will reach the desired destination ie water falls. Soon after 2 hrs we reached water stream crossing point. A sense of achievement in all of us. The saying "Happiness is a journey not the destination" became true at that point of time. No energy to move on, yet we moved. Further down, farther from the water stream, climbed up and down, with the rhythm of humming insects, removed the mask (profession, education, religion, etc) and realized the true self. Listening to the nature, we walked for a while. When you are with the nature, you can communicate with the nature, it communicates with you. The water falls with its fall directed us. Reached the sliding falls. No words, just the feel. The journey didn't stop, yet another falls that was our destination. Little risky, which we felt only after seeing the photos of our path. A space for a Hallux (big toe) and if you slip, you will be on the rock 40 ft down. No way to escape. The thrill, the passion, the energy kept us moving.
Finally, We were in the place we were supposed to be. I felt the saying "Happiness is a journey not the destination" was not true. Happiness is reaching the destination. We were much happier than we expected. We forgot ourselves and jumped into the freezing water. We enjoyed the luxury at no penny. Played with Monkeys by waving them away, running inside the water to avoid the free pedicure by those cute fishes. Oh! We forgot our lunch. We had vessels and rice to cook. Back again to primitive age of cooking, with dried leaves and sticks in the forest. Not sure if the food was soo tasty, but it was hot and yummy. With no heart we had to start back to continue our mechanical life.
Once a while running out of routine is healthy.
The challenges were not actually the challenges; they were the real catalyst of happiness. Overcoming the challenges gave the feel of happiness. It was an awesome trip filled with happiness which will be memorable forever!!!
Few tips to reach nagallapuram:
What I heard is there are different routes to reach the waterfalls at nagallapuram. Let me mention the route which we followed and was soo easy.
From Chennai, goto Uthukottai, then go towards Nagallapuram but don't go into the nagallapuram village which is on the right side. Go to pichatur (right side service road) which will be around 10 km from nagallapuram. Then take right to Arai village which will take u to the dam.
Left side below the big tree, there is parking (car / bike) paid parking rupees 60/-.
Park and walk to the right side. Climb up the small sand slide and you can see the amazing scenery. Mountain behind the dam. Then walk towards the forest. Live with the nature and explore it.
Comment if u need any clarification, will try my best to help you out.
(Will post pics soon)
