Turkheda : Hill with view of Narmada

Turkheda : Hill with view of Narmada

                             

Hi,

          Slowly and gradually kids are understanding the importance of preserving nature and ways to protect her. We are trying our best to sow the seeds. Now the growth of the plant depends on many factors. For example, after understating the pros and cons of flying kites on Uttarayan last week, they were proud of themselves that they have saved at least a few birds. But their enthusiasm went downhill when their peers made fun of them for going out on festival days. And so Shaurya being Shaurya took a printout of news stating how many people and birds were injured during the festival to show it to his friends. We are proud of the way they have handled things.  Hope we are doing the right thing and not keeping them away...

         Anyways, as I have already stated,  on the day of Uttrayan, we went to two amazing places near Vadodara -  Turkheda hill and Hafeshwar. 

                    

        Turkheda is a hill near Kadipani, from which we can appreciate the beauty of Narmada. Our favorite river passing serpiginouly along the hills. The drive up to the hill is a little tricky with a few stretches of raw roads. But with little raw roads comes more beauty and the view is so scenic that you want to take pictures at every turn. 

                      

      To go up to Turkheda, you have to take a left turn from Mogra primary school. After that, the road is pretty much clear. We tried to trek down from the hill and to go up to the river bank but it is quite far.  This is the Mogra primary school. You can take a left turn from here. 

                    

      There is a small temple of Dev Mogra Mata or Moghi Mata at the top with unfinished construction of a big temple. the place seems very safe but better to go before it gets dark as you will not find many people on the way.

So that's it. Short visit to Turkheda.

Thank you.

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...

   

                         

                                    

                        .          

              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. 

 

                   MAKHANIYO PARVAT -  Mountains are calling us!

Hello...

         We hope that you are safe and sound at home and taking the necessary precautions. As per Charlie Mackesy, “We are tired, but dawn is coming. So hold on.” This too shall pass.  This trip was back in January, but it’s so close to our heart. It was our first mountain climbing together. 

                             

                   

       It was a foggy, chilly winter morning and kids wanted to climb a mountain. Sheel thought of Makhaniyo parvat and I heard it for the first time. It is beautiful Rocky Mountain near Sukhi dam reservoir. The road up to the mountain is amazing, full of greenery. 

                                         

      We parked our car near the temple just at the base of the mountain and started our hike. You just need to pass a small bridge on the canal and few fields and then u will be at the base of the breathtaking beauty in form of you.  It is entirely of rocks with scanty vegetation. Just like its name - Makhan means butter in Gujarati...

                                   

                                         

                                  

              The only downfall of this hike was that I stopped after reaching at 3/4th of the top as my shoes were not supporting me. The hike is pretty steep at places and the rocks are quite smooth so it was slippery. And we really felt that when our tea thermos tumbled down...it was scary...

                                              

                                              

                                     

                 Sheel and the kids went up to the top...and we were so proud of them to finish their first hike so easily. I enjoyed my view and peace from where I was sitting. I could feel every second of that calmness in every cell of my body. It was so soothing. 

                                          

      It took me back to the lockdown days when I penned down this poem. Sharing it will all of you. 

It’s like mountains are calling me

I am enjoying at home 
This is my happy place 
It gives me peace 
It gives me sanity 
Amidst all chaos
Amidst all noise
In the corner of my home 
I am at ease 
The comfort which  is unseen
The comfort which is routine 
I don’t want to go out 
I don’t want to meet friends 
I am not missing socializing 
I am not missing any blaze 
Among my pillows 
Among my books and chai 
There is nowhere
I would rather be
The comfort which  is unseen
The comfort which is routine 
But 
When I look at the pictures
Of scenic Himalayas
I miss that serenity 
I want that tranquility 
The joy of that  serendipity 
pleasure in that  odyssey 
In the world of reality 
They nurture us with lucidity
I get goosebumps here 
By the feel of that breeze 
Tears in my eyes
With joy, they appease 
Their mesmerizing beauty 
Their charismatic charm 
And here I am 
In the corner of my home 
I am at ease 
There is nowhere 
I would rather be 
But 
It still feels like 
Mountains are calling me.....
      

                So to fulfill that call, that sound, we went on this trip, and surely it was accomplished fully!!!

  

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/EX2n77X5UC9PyDQ1A

Height: 400 meters

Distance from Vadodara:  102 km from Vadodara, 2 hours 30 min. 

Care to take:

   - It is a lonely place. So better to go in a group. 

   - Good hiking shoes are better. I can definitely elk you from my experience 

   - You can take a local person as a guide with you. We did'nt. But in hindsight, it would have been better. 

   - I think it will be difficult in the monsoon because of the slippery surface. 

    - Take the proper amount of water and fluids with you. U will need plenty. 

    - Plan ahead as it will be a tiring day with a 60-90 min one-way journey. But every second of it will be worth it. 

          We are definitely going to repeat this hike again this winter as I definitely want to go to the tabletop mountain and do camping there. What about you?