Survani waterfall : Less crowded than more famous Zarwani

                          

Hello all...

           So as our trips are almost none in last 1 and half month, our post also became less frequent...but what can I say we are enjoying this new phase just like we were enjoying our trips...but the best part of the week was, younger son asked Sheel that pappa please take me to one short trek please... and now I feel that the purpose of our trips is successful...they are missing our Sunday morning routine as much as we do...

   

                             

          This trip was back from August... the monsoon was in form of few showers here and there but we were positive that Zarwani waterfall must be open.. but as usual due to SOU, the crowd at Zarwani has increased immensely mainly on weekends. Then on Google Earth, we found this one. after looking at youtube videos we were sure that this was the trek for that Sunday. And this was the first Sunday when up till 4:30 in the morning we were not sure where are we heading? Zarwani, Survani, or Neja in a completely opposite direction...Finally, kids choose this...

         Follow the road of Haripura and you are on the right path. once you reach the Srvani village, take a small left turn as shown in the picture below. 

                               

                           

                After reaching the parking space you have to take local village kids with you or you won't be able to find the path on your own. The trek is easy with one small steep hill to climb in between. It is very unique in a way of trees all around us, small but steep hill, and herds of cows accompanying you going over to the fields far from the fall...

                               

                             

                 When we reached the site, the fall was not started yet. Though the villagers have told us that from the beginning, the kids were adamant to go to this site only. They had enjoyed the trek, along with the village kids. They climbed trees, made swings of the tree branches, and did racing with them. It was a totally different experience for all of us. according to the villagers, once the waterfall starts this place also had almost 500-600 visitors every Sunday...

                                

                              

                              

         So this is it...hop in the car and drive to the amazing landscapes of Rajpipla and Narmada... you will not be disappointed...

PS:  The waterfall has started with a wonderful view and should not be missed... we are planning to go again soon...

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/nSo8wLet24G7ew4o6

And lastly,....today's poem is not about our trip. but it is by our kids.. as we have moved to a new home, they have penned down their feelings beautifully,.. sharing it with all of you...

Home 

Home for us is not a place 

Home is a feeling, 

Home is an emotion 

Home is smiling at a quote 

Home is laughing at my brother's silly joke 

Home is cycling in the cool winter breeze 

Home is God bless you after every sneeze 

Home is Pappa’s indefinite hugs 

Home is hot chocolate in my favorite mug 

Home is sleeping in a cozy quilt 

Home is Christmas tree together we built 

Home is making tents from mamma’s sarees 

Home is drinking tea with Khari 

Home is eating fresh delicious feasts

Home is where there are no beasts

Home is nonstop badminton with my brother 

Home is reading a book in a quiet little corner 

Home is warm cake fresh from the oven 

Home is where doors are always open 

See,

Home to us is 

Where we are happy

Where we are at ease 

It’s not a place 

It’s a feeling, it’s an emotion. 

   

                              - SaSha

Tungai hills : Hidden Gem near Statue of Unity

Tungai Hill : Hidden Gem near Statue of Unity

Hello all, 

                           

                            

         Missed us last weekend? if yes then it's our pleasure.. and if no then we need to find more interesting places for all of you...And so we are sharing our adventure, we had done last Sunday...

                    

                    

                           

         We went to Tungai Mata Hill, which is near Zarwani waterfall. You need to go a little more ahead along the mountains. from Zarwani eco campsite, you need to go 3.5 km more and you will reach Bhangda Faliyu. you have to park the car at the primary school of Bhangda Faliyu. and you have to take a person or a kid from the village with you otherwise you won't be able to find a way.

                            

                            

                                                      

                 The trek is really scenic with a breathtaking view of mountains all around you. the trail passes through the forest and is a little bit strenuous. The total journey is appx 10 km, to and fro. The cherry on the cake for us was the clouds drifting all-around at the peak with light drizzling. It was Shaurya's dream to touch the clouds and it came true that day...

   

                         

                                    

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              It is totally separate from the increasing popularity of Zarwani waterfall because of the Statue of Unity. when we returned on our way back home there were more than 200 cars near the waterfall parking but were none at the hill base. So you can imagine the peace and tranquility of that place. 

   

                                

Mountains 

Mountain peak 

It’s not a destination

It’s a journey 

Journey 

That will connect 

You with you 

Introduce you to 

The Atman within you

The road is tricky 

And somewhat slippery 

But far from 

The chaos of the city 

The feel of the air that is windy 

And the breeze that is gritty 

I felt so tiny

In front of this immensity 

Yet I was so close 

We all need 

This propinquity...

At the top 

The view is serene 

The air is so pure 

Clouds are so near 

whispering wind in your ear

Your worries will disappear 

Their promise is sincere 

Why interfere 

When Mother Nature is your charioteer

She guides us at every step 

Keep aside your google map 

Don’t talk, just listen 

There are many 

Stories to unwrap 

Stories coming from within

behear...it’s just a mumble 

You don’t want any mishap...

Dancing and hopping streams 

Melting your heart in cream 

But still, it is at ease 

Your calm mind doesn’t scream

Many thoughts to redeem 

Getting pure and pure 

Reaching their full esteem 

My spirits are brightened 

When, 

When I wake up 

From this dream...

I want to go

To that journey 

I want to go 

To the mountain peak...

Location of Bhangda Faliyu - Bhangda Faliyu

https://goo.gl/maps/X8x2nGuWLDoHoTHp6

Points to consider: 

1) Shulpaneshwar sanctuary opens at 8:00 AM.

2) Please keep the place and trail clean. the villagers have farms near the peak and they take their cows for grazing at the peak. we don't want plastic in that beautiful and clean serene environment. 

3) It won't be an easy climb. the height is almost 700 meters just like Pawagadh. 

4) If it is raining heavily and continuously then the trail will be slippery so be careful.

And last but not the least, if nature permits then you will be able to see an amazing view of the Statue of Unity from the top. 

Keep wandering...

Enjoy...

Be safe...

SaSha. 

Mandan Lake and Bar Vanjar waterfall - A Magic world in Monsoon

Mandan Lake and Bar Vanjar waterfall - A Magical world in Monsoon 

       This Sunday was special for us! DAD accompanied us and it was going to be a special trip and the kids were too excited. We went for a long drive to Mandan, a village near Rajpipla and near the lake of Karajan dam reservoir. The place is breathtaking. You can walk along the lake, climb small mounds along the lake and explore the place the way you want. .. Google links it to CHHOTU BEACH !!!!

                     

      The best part about the place was the drive from Rajpipla to Mandan. The hilly area is so bewildering that you want to stop for a while and enjoy nature at every turn. For us, the cherry on the cake was light drizzling on our entire drive and the same continued all along till we were at the lake. 

                       

    We wandered along and enjoyed bhutta there. The local villagers have made a small parking area and you have to pay a parking fee of 50 rupees. They are trying vigorously and sincerely to keep the area clean. Still, there was trash like bottles, paper plates, and wrappers. Please please maintain these places and don't litter. 

                     

                       

                     

            After spending a few hours there we headed to  Bar Vanjar waterfall which is near the Karjan Dam. You have to go along the canal and the road's condition is not that good because of the monsoon. Go up to "Sarkari Aushadhiya Vanspati Udhyan" and after that, you have to take a left turn. The turn which Google Map is showing is not proper and you have to take the one after that. There are few houses when you take that left turn. You can park your car there and walk along the small trail from there. If you have a bike you can go on that trail.  Along the trail, there is a small dargah. Exactly opposite to it, you start climbing  and your trail for the waterfall starts and immediately you will feel the dampening of the air and hear the sound of the water... Your mind will bag you to run and your legs will oblige it happily. 

                          

      There are two trails. One trail will take you to the secluded small area with small falls. We spent more time here as it was more kid-friendly. That was the most amazing part of the day... The comforting constant sound of the waterfall, chirping of birds, greyish blue sky peaking from dense trees, were hypnotizing us...Kids were so thrilled that they didn't want to leave that place. 

                              

                           

                  

          After some time we went to another fall and its trail is uphill. This one was quite bigger. 

                        

                           

             So this was our journey last Sunday. The soothing white noise, the enchanting view of the fall, and the feel of the drizzle...These are enough to make you sit quietly there and forget all your worries. It is like mother nature has swaddled you in her cozy blanket and is promising you to keep safe in her warmth. 

                        

Moments 

Moments 

They make us 

They tend us 

Some good 

Some bad

Some happy

Some sad

Still, we wait for them 

Once I tried to seize them

I seized them tightly 

But then came the rain 

The drops causing 

Ripples in the lake

I was mesmerized 

By the beauty in front of me 

And the moments were lost...

I gripped them firmly

In both my hands 

Feeling so proud about it 

Cool water under my feet 

Burbling waterfall in front 

That shining white froth

And sound like giggling 

Captivating me in them 

And the moments slipped...

I hold them again 

Under the blanket 

I was not going to let them go

Hugging them deeply

Beneath their warmth 

I slept soundly 

But gush of wind came

Took them with her...

I ordered them to stop 

They obeyed...

They obeyed me merrily

We were content in a small cocoon 

Gratified in our comradeship 

The two of us were enough 

But then 

Then I blinked 

And I lost my company...

I failed at every attempt 

Suddenly realized 

Laughing hysterically 

And Feeling self-deprecating 

Was I holding the moments?

Or 

Were they grasping me? 

                         - Kajal Shah 

Location:

  

Mandan : https://goo.gl/maps/52aVdawnu1XcVDkKA

Bar Vanjar waterfall : https://goo.gl/maps/L8rsE1CA898gb82i9

From the marked point, the trail starts. You can park your car adjacent to that house. 

Points to consider: 

- Please keep these places clean.

- The waterfall is comparatively less explored so it is cleaner than Mandan.