Bitten by the travel bug... An escapade to Nelliyampathy hills

"I thank you God for this amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky, and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes." - E.E.Cummings

These days I find myself longing to travel more and more, to explore places unseen, and to lose myself in the lap of nature without a care in the world. I want to take a break from my normal, uneventful days and the mundane role that I play in life.

Wise people are of the opinion that we one should never disregard opportunities. And when opportunity came in the form of a simple thought while reading the Sunday newspaper and sipping a hot cup of morning coffee, I didn’t think twice. I grabbed the thought with my entire mind and decided to head straight to Nelliampathy, a quaint little hill station which is barely about 60 Km from Palakkad. Referred to as ‘The poor man’s Ooty’, it certainly sounded like a great escapade for the day. I wasn't wrong.

It is said that a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Hence i choose to record my journey through pictures.

It was a bright, sunny day as we started off  on our journey to  Nelliyampathy hills, which is about 60 km from Palakkad town. 

The road to Nemmara, a small town situated on the base of the Nelliyampathy hills. It was as though we entered another world altogether. The roads were bordered on either side by a thick clump of trees that exuded a magical feel. Perhaps the magic was in our minds.... Nature does have that power on man.

The sleepy town of Vallengi, which we passed enroute. Being a Sunday, the roads were less occupied and the only crowd we saw was in front of the beverages corporation. Guess that is only to be expected in God's own country :)

The Pothundy dam reservoir. A 19th century creation of the British era, this dam was built unconventionally with a mixture of jaggery and quick lime, and it still withstands the test of time. 

A view of the dam and the valley below. Love the clouds above which seem to be having a life of their own.

Why do i get this feeling that they are used to posing for the umpteen cameras which pass this way? It just seemed like a part of life for them. 

Another breathtaking view of the Pothundy reservoir below. Wish i could have stood there, being part of this awesome landscape, till eternity...

Need i say more?

A lovely cottage in the midst of all this greenery in the Poabs estate in Nelliyampathy. I kept thinking as to what life would be for the people who stay here.

The Poabs organic shop selling tea, coffee, cardamom, pepper, ghee, honey, squashes, etc.  I  did buy some tea and honey.  And that's my son, Varun, posing for the camera :)

Just fell head over heels in love with this picture perfect view. This is a place enroute to Seetharkundu, and seemed to be simply out of this world. 

Our destination was Seetharkundu a place which offers an amazing view of the valley down below. Tourists throng this spot where one can  get a breathtaking view of the valley down below. But personally, i enjoyed the drive to Seetharkundu better. After all, as some wise person has said, 'It is the journey which matters and not the destination.' 

Looking forward to more such amazing journeys in this lifetime where i get a chance to become one with nature...

A divine dusk...

Just picture a calm and peaceful dusk in your mind. The brilliant afternoon sun has lost it's might and has given way to subtle colours of the evening. Flocks of birds fly together to it's nesting places atop wide majestic trees... and there is a general peace and calm all over which has rubbed off on you too. You are feeling totally contented with yourself.

Now imagine yourself in a small devi temple amidst an ancient brahmin 'graamam' at this time, just before the 'deepaaradhana'. The doors of the sanctum sanctorium are closed for pooja, and the devotees, comprising mainly of the womenfolk of the gramam , are dutifully chanting stotrams in praise of the Goddess. The strong scent of vibhooti and chandanam are mixed with the smell of fresh jasmine flowers adorning the long, plaited hair of those 'maamis'who are dressed in their colourful kancheevaram sarees. The reflection of the light from the oil lamps adorning the temple make their diamond nose and ear studs shine even more bright! Music and devotion are totally in the air.

This was the scene when I, along with my mother and my son, entered the Simhanada Bhagavathy Temple, situated at Tharekkad graamam, in Palakkad. Actually this was one of the times when i really wished i had learnt a few shlokas or prayers in praise of the Goddess, so that i too could join the chorus. After the pooja, when the doors were thrown open, accompanied by the melodious ringing of the temple bells, the sight of the idol dressed in all finery, and lighted by the glow of countless oil lamps, was a sight to behold. The sheer 'power' that was to be felt all over the place was of such magnitude that i was left spell bound! I could only stand there meekly, with joint hands, and keep staring at the brilliant radiance emanciating from the idol. This was one of the times i forgot to pray... But i am sure that i came out of the temple with a bit of that powerful 'shakthi' in me.

Somehow, such incidents leave you so very humbled. I just hope i remember this for a long long time...