Sura Sultanpura : Sometimes you just need to follow the roads

Sura Sultanpura : Sometimes you just need to follow the roads

                   

Hello, 

    

            Time...Since I was a kid, my father has followed one mantra - " Samay thi pahela and bhagya thi vadhu kadi maltu nathi"- means "We don't get anything before time and anything more than our luck". He still follows this. And as I am getting greys in my hair and wrinkles on my forehead, I have started to believe in the same. Time is one of the things we cant change...so why not start utilizing it whenever we can... Those little moments spent with loved ones...Those little arguments turned into bear hugs...These moments make us. We are nothing but the cumulation of our learnings of the past. In our case, we thrive on these little trips. This is the trip where the idea of this blog was generated... 

     

                     

  

                           

                       

                       

      We were captivated by the simplicity of this place. There is not much to do...just walk along the path from the main road to the village...but then also those roads, those trees, those hillocks had us captivated all through the trek...Or rather it was just four of us away from the hustle-bustle of city life...We never knew and we didn't care. We had surrendered ourselves to the roads...where they took us, we went...So today also if someone asks us about Sura Sultanpura, we grin and tell "Oh! we don't know what you will get there." 

                             

                             

                             

     

                       

                      And yes Vadatalav is our favorite place so if we are taking that route, we have to drop there.  What can we say about it? serene lake with a view of Pawagadh, standing tall, guarding all surroundings, giving us a sense of safety and a sense of positivity. The beauty of this lake is different in all seasons.

At a time

I saw a book named 

One page at a time 

One page at a time 

One day at a time 

One inhale at a time 

One exhale at a time 

One feeling at a time 

One emotion at a time 

One joke at a time 

One laugh at a time 

One sadness at a time 

One tear at a time 

One kiss at a time

One passion at a time

One story at a time 

One snuggle at a time 

One recipe at a time 

One taste at a time 

One craziness at a time 

One stupidity at a time 

Isn’t life full of these moments? 

One moment at a time 

And if maybe 

May be 

We live it at its best 

We can get 

One blessing at a time 

The universe loves to show us 

Her creations, her power 

Her love, her compassion 

Her kindness, her care 

If only we behave 

Genuinely at a time......

                              - Kaajal

So give your precious time to your loved ones.

See you next week...

SaSha. 

Google location: Just go straight from Vadatalav, you will find a small road to Sura Sultanpura. park the car on the main road and walk down the small road...for better idea you can use this link: https://goo.gl/maps/VXB88LxXWbTZxgLCA

Nature education Park : Shout out to all parents...a must visit place with kids...

Nature education Park: Shoutout to all parents...A must-visit place with kids...

                       

Hello all...

     ‘Wilderness touches the heart, mind, and soul of each individual in a way that only known to himself’ - Michael Frome 

                                       

                                

                   I feel this truth every time we go to the jungle or to the mountains...They make sure we reconnect with ourselves. And when you need a break from life’s roller-coaster ride, you have to go to such places. It’s not possible for everyone... and it’s not possible every time.. . But this place is a solution if you want to get an experience of jungle trekking... it is our happy place. It is so near to our city and yet so far...because in your mind it will take you to the places miles and miles ahead. 

                                

                           

      Nature education park, on the way to Sindhrot, provides a wonderful short jungle trekking experience. They also provide night stay in tents, though due to COVID it is not available at present. They have three trails and all three are super fun. 

                       

                                 

      The trails are properly marked. But at places due to rain, the signboards are damaged. But you can take a snap of the map and take out your compass..it is more thrilling that way. And the main highway of Sindhrot is there all along to guide you.

                                

                        

        We had spotted nilgai and a few deer first time. But after that, we were not able to spot any animal. But don’t worry the mesmerizing tall trees and lush green plantations all around you and the captivating smell of these vegetations mixed with the smell of Mother Earth will encase you in a cocoon that you won’t want to break. This feeling is enchanting. Though we have done a few safaris, this is thrilling for kids as they can be in charge here. we are not worried about and wid animals (yes we have to be careful with snakes and monkeys)

                               

          Our kids love this park. There is a small play zone just before that trail. If we are confused about how to spend our Sunday, this is the option we all prefer. 

                               

       So that’s it from our side. Go and explore. 

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/BDzmxkd84BryQe6B9

Just 30 min drive from Vadodara 

Love,

SaSha    

Hidden temple in a cave formed by heap of boulders : Gupteshwar Mahadev

Hidden temple in a cave formed by a heap of boulders:  Gupteshwar Mahadev 

Hello,

             Are you interested in geology?

or          Are you a believer in Indian Mythology?

or          Do you want to brush up on your exploratory skills? 

    

                             

Today's place is the perfect mixture of all these and much more! 

We went to Richhiya Village, at Guptreshwar Mahadev also known as Richiiya Mahadev temple. It is a small temple in the cave formed by rocks. Multiple huge boulders are arranged so perfectly in so much harmony that amazed us. 

                                  

                                  

The temple has stairs but we wanted to try bouldering so we went just near the top climbing the rocks, peeping in the gaps in between. Kids ask us how these enormous rocks are stacked so precisely... how can we answer.. we ourselves were mesmerized. 

                          

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This is the beauty of nature and her creation. The creator is a perfect architect and an amazing sculptor.  This is the beauty of geology. And not only this hill, but this region also has multiple similar hills with heaps of boulders, few are just beside this Gupteshwar Mahadev and a few are in nearby village Chelavada. 

                               

                        

After coming down, we went up again through stairs, and here starts our mythological  journey. 

                               

                               

The cave was used by Pandavas during their exile years, most probably in Virat Prava. The way to the temple is a very narrow passage.  You might think that by no means you will be able to pass through that passage but no matter how fat or how tall you are will be able to go through it easily... 

                               

                              

According to some sources, only Bheem visited this place, but all Pandavas with Draupadi stayed here according to the temple priest. We were been taken to amazing rocks which had footprints of them...Difficult to imagine but captivating to hear what the priest had to elaborate to keep us engaged.

                     

There was a huge rock and when you stroke on it, you will listen to the sounds of drums and conch.  Such amazing miracles are happening all around us, we just need to keep our eyes and ears open and embrace mother nature with wide open arms...she will never disappoint us...

                              

So this is it.... a short yet mesmerizing trip to Gupteshwar Mahadev caves...So many hidden gems in our country and so little time to explore them...

And ending with my weekly dose of poetry- 

Hidden corners

Hidden corners

Of this world 

When we find them

They amaze us 

Mesmerizing mountain peaks 

To stunning ocean floors

Thrilling rainforest canopy 

Or blazing desert beauty 

So many corners 

Yet to explore

But still, we are at peace 

Because one corner is our home 

Hidden corners 

Of my home 

That little book nook

To tiny closet space 

Empty closed bathroom 

Or swing in the backyard 

The most comfortable 

Place where one can ever be

And calm the racing mind 

Hidden corners 

Of my mind

Sometimes soothing with a calm voice 

Sometimes shouting at silly mistakes 

Those little memories 

Those tiny possibilities 

If you would have done this 

If I can do that 

Always arguing with the heart 

And finally 

Hidden corners 

Of my heart

Those last benches of school class 

And Small innocent giggles

Those collage canteens’

Gossiping with friends 

Or lengthy heavy arguments 

All emotions and all sentiments 

All these corners get wet,

Soaked with emotions 

From time to time 

Keep me awake at night 

Staring at my ceiling 

I want to keep all corners with me

Stay alive in all of them 

Is it possible? 

Let me know 

If you find an answer to that...

                             - Kajal 

Distance from Vadodara- 58 km- 1 hour 10 min 

Location:   https://goo.gl/maps/76Vt3VP88vVF1EPo9location: 

Bakor : A day picnic on Holi..

                    Bakor :  A day picnic on Holi..

                          

Hello all,

           COVID's second peak was not there yet and there was a long weekend on Holi Dhuleti and we had last year’s pending tickets of Dharamshala which we had to use by March. So we decided to go for a trek because kids were pretty much accustomed to small treks thanks to our Sunday adventures...

         But COVID has taught us one thing for sure...you can plan as much as you want, things will not go your way always...so after a canceled vacation in March 2020, we had to cancel this one also. This time we had planned for the Bengaluru Nandi Hills trek. Again tickets booked, reservations made, and all phsssss...

       We thought Chalo ok... We can always go by car so we planned a perfect itinerary for Kutch and as it was super moon night we were thrilled for that trip...but again COVID had a different story for all of us...

       Then after all that planning and cancellation, we decided to have a one-day picnic with no stay in any hotel or no food in any restaurant... stay in a tent in the afternoon, have homemade lunch in a picnic basket and hop in the car...

       And we found this amazing destination- Bakor village. Though people will tell you that it is a monsoon destination or you will enjoy it more in winter, let me tell you this place is serene in all seasons...Be it Kaleshwari temple or trek in Sindoor Van...

          On the way to Bakor, we had a stop at Panam river bridge and kids loved to explore their way under the bridge, along the river...river water was very scarce but that gave kids a chance to hop along the rocks and find their own way in the river...

                              

                        

Kaleshwari temple: 

    Actually, there are multiple archeological structures in the same compound. Two-step wells, one large kund, a temple. But the main thing we noticed over here is peace. The place is immensely peaceful. You can definitely spend an hour or two just enjoying the company of yourself Or with your friends and family. The second most marked thing was cleanliness. Despite having regular visitors the place is quite clean. There is one campsite just outside the temple and we have to book it online only. 

                               

                               

  

                                 

                        

                       

                       

                       

                       

Sindoor Van trek: 

     There are many hotels and campsites in Bakor and they arrange a trek in the Sundari van lake with a guide. But as we wanted to avoid any place with a crowd or avoid exposure, we tried to explore it on our own. We just asked the local village kid and he had shown us the rough path and then we started our trek just like that. It was super fun!!! We lost our way in return and took a quite long route but that’s the fun part of DIY treks!!! And if you want to do it on your own follow this signboard. there are few of them..

                         

                      The trail was easy and small and it leads us to a beautiful lake with small hills all around... it was so beautiful in spring so we can't imagine its beauty in the monsoon... 

                        

                         

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    After that, we just built our tent on a farm and had our lunch. Kids had fun playing chess and ludo and at around 4 we left for Kadana dam. 

                               

                         

       If you are planning to go on monsoon or post-monsoon another beautiful waterfall is there, Adadari (Bhadar river) waterfall and Laliya Luhar ni Medi, near Vavkuva village. We had skipped that but Bakor is definitely among one of our post-monsoon destinations so we will definitely visit to enjoy those falls. 

         We enjoyed this day's picnic with the kids. We have found our solitude. Have you? 

What is solitude?

Climbing a mountain with family

Or swimming in a river merrily

Water kissing your feet at the shore

Walking barefoot on the deep forest floor

That one small grin in a crowd

A tight hug that we only imagine

That one nod that gives us ease

That smile after tear-soaked pillow 

Close dance in the wild disco

Karaoke night song in bad tune

A bowl of Maggi in the circle of friends

Silly jokes to which everyone is immune

Oh!! Wait a minute

Where is solitude

In this?

Solitude is not loneliness

It’s a bliss

Finding happiness

In one

In two

Or

In crowd

Findings peace

In chaos

Finding rhythm

In noise

Finding content

In woe

Finding harmony

In hatred

So let’s try

Be solitude for someone

Rather than a state

Let’s make it a person!

                      

                                            - Kajal 

            And this is how our first camping trip happened. We found solitude in the four of us!!! What about you? 

for Ghodiyar and Kadana Dam post - see you next week.

Location: 

Kaleshwari temple-  https://goo.gl/maps/dnongLdYdFkkvGTJ6

Sindoor van- Somebody has marked location with his name and from its vicinity, you can start your trek. The villagers are always eager to help so don't be shy to ask.  https://goo.gl/maps/Lo1bQkXtaaPp6CMQA

Bhadar river waterfall - Vavkuva - https://goo.gl/maps/KjvpUmUWFYTV1j6o6