Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Trek to the Dense and Beautiful Andarbhan Forest


Well, this June July everything in India has to revolve around Cricket, and we all love it so much!!! 
Even our journey to the jungles of Pimpri, Pune were not alien to the India Afghanistan World Cup match 
as we prepared to leave for this amazing excursion of the forests of Andarbhan with Trek Mates India. 
India decided to give a nail biting finish to this easy looking match, wherein a low scoring match turned 
into a thrilling last over finish, and everyone was glued into their phones watching Hotstar, but thanks to 
the different speeds of the phones and the various mobile data and network [;ans.. there was like a 
mexican wave effect as some saw the Afghanistan wickets falling much before the other and the cheers 
following this effect created an amazing vibe across the waiting crowds. Finally we won this thrilling match 
as Shami Hat-tricked the Afghans.

Then began our journey from Dadar in a pretty cool mini van (A Tata Winger) wherein 10 of us quickly 
loaded ourselves so that we could try and get some sleep before the bad roads leading to the forest 
arrive and give us a bumpy ride. The night went slow as we slept, woke up and slept again excitedly 
waiting to reach the base village to start our journey. 

Finally at 5 a.m in the morning, Mayur (Our Guide from Trek Mates India) announced that we have 
reached the base camp and we could freshen ourselves in the newly made loos there and wait for the
yummylicious and piping hot Kanda Poha, a typical Maharashtrian breakfast to get ready along with 
some garma garam masala chai. As we rested chilled and relaxed around this house of the locals, 
some other groups also started gathering and it slowly started becoming a pretty big crowd of around 
60-70 people gathering around.

As soon as there was a spot of morning light, Mayur instructed us to get ready and start moving quickly 
so that we get the first movers advantage as a group while moving ahead in the trail.

In the treks that I have gone earlier with other groups and destinations, there is always a climb to 
start the trek, which kind of warms you up for the rest of the day, but this Andarbhan was more of a forest 
Trail then a Trek, as most of the day we were walking on plains. So as we started walking across the village
 fields into the forest, all of us started admiring this dense dense forests with Banyan trees all around 
the place making these forests so dark that we could literally feel as if someone above there was shadowing
us as we walk.


Through the Jungles
Breath Taking Fauna




We then understood why the forests are called AndarBhan (Andar means Darkness and Bhan means Forests.. 
The Dark Forests) ... There was a drop of temperature and we were all secretly hoping for it to rain so that we 
could really enjoy this trail even more. We kept moving in and out of the forests and after a while we all were 
mesmerised by the views we saw... So the Andarbhan Forests are at an altitude of around 2100 Feet 
above sea level and thus you get a beautiful view of the valleys of the Sahayadri mountains from some view 
points across this 15-16 kms long trail. And when these views open up so do the jaws of all of us who are 
walking on trail, as the views are simply breath taking (As u can see from the pictures). There are waterfalls 
that one can see from far, and the clouds are rising from below the ground and across the mountains and 
sometimes we are even literally walking into the clouds which cause these amazing rains across the country 
in the months of June to August in India.

Walking
Exploring


In one of the pictures you will see that there was this one bare Tree standing tall and all alone, and it 
was very strange since the all the trees were like sprawling their green branches all around , but this tree 
was very very bare and looked a little eeerie. Even Mayur told us that he has come on a trek several times 
but never has seen flowers or even leaves on top of this tree.

Tree non blooming

As we kept walking we started interacting with each other and that is somehow the best part about 
such trips, where total strangers also connect on something and start talking, laughing and enjoying 
the Mother Earth in its true delight... The plains were so dense and beautiful.. It made me feel  that 
 I was in the world of Mowgli.. Some people even sat and clicked photos on top of branches and it was 
all so much fun. 

After walking for about an hour or so we all sat down on a river bed.. which would have normally 
been overflowing with water had it rained a bit more, but that gave us the advantage of sitting on this river
base and experience the soul of this forest... Literally for around 5 minutes no-one in the group spoke and 
we were all just admiring the quite and the natural sounds of the birds and the wind and feel this forest 
breathing and making us experience its Soul..... How I would love to try and shut my eyes and feel these 
moments again.... Just beautifully satisfying moment this was.

Tackling Obstacles
We unwillingly got up to continue the trail and took another quick snack break under the tree 
shades and laughed about how gujjus like me always carry Theplas wherever we go and clicked 
some nice picturesque photos of the fauna across us. We then reached our lunch spot at around 
11 am and we were all very glad and happy that we were moving before time rather than being late 
in schedule ad the rain Gods were not blessing us with a rainy day and thus the sun was getting 
warmer and warmer by the hour, which makes the trail a little bit more challenging. 

Our Lunch was at a local village persons house, where they were preparing nice hot roti and dal and sabzi 
with pickle and we even got to taste and eat some raw jackfruits which was very sweet and yummy. 
We ate like hungry soldiers coming from war and quickly wrapped up and refilled our bottles of water. 
Water is one of the most important things to carry for treks as our bodies gt fatigued easily with many 
hours of walking so its advised everyone should have at least 2 litres of water for personal consumption 
and refill the bottles of water whenever possible.... some trekkers even use the fresh stream water or 
well water to refill their bottles but we were pretty fussy and paid for a couple of bottles of mineral water 
which we got at the villagers house.

Off we went in the group again after we said out thank yous and goodbye to the friendly and lovely locals there...
The heat was higher then what we were prepared fro and Mayur told us about the steep descend that we 
should be prepared for which we last another 2 to 3 hours till the end of our trail. We all struggled a little trying
to maneuver the steep slopes of the descent which you might be able to see in some of the photos where were 
were all negotiating the many stone ridges to make way for our huge feet to fall and start  rolling downwards. 
There were some really experts or confident trekkers who ran their way down through these tough terrains but 
we were all being very cautious and would instantly shut out to Mayur using the codes "aye-oh" to which he 
would reply "Oh-Aye" and we would know that he is around and nearby and we would feel more confident and 
sure of the route that we were taking. 

The Afternoon Descent

The Andarbhan routes are actually difficult to remember and thus one needs a trusted guide who is confident 
to note the various marking done across the trail like a cross or a an arrow on a cornerstone indicating the 
direction to be followed further. We kept on descending and descending and it felt like a never ending jungle 
and we were all beginning to tire a lot more now... so we took small little breaks and kept re-hydrating 
ourselves from time to time and munching on our protein energy bars and dry fruits to keep our energy and stamina high to complete the descend.   

Resting



Finally after descending for almost 3 hours we came across some roads which led us back to our bus and
boy were all really tired from the days hard work and exploration.. We all quickly sat in the min van 
thinking we are heading back home, but Mayur told us that we will be stopping by at another local villager 
to freshen up and grab some snacks,.. That was a real relief as we all changes into fresh clothes and has a 
nice evening snack of Misal Pao .... Another local maharashtrian delight and this was spicy like fire... 
but with our tiredness we ate it with equal gusto and happiness.

We all bid farewell to the locals and got back on to the mini van for our journeys back home.... As we 
passed by the forests and back on the roads, our phones started blinking and ringing with messages and 
phone calls from our loved ones, who were checking if we are all safe and enquired on our excursions. 
Somehow we very quickly forgot the peace and quiet of the forests as were distracted into our worlds of technology, 
family and friends... It was only when I was showing the photos later in the evening to my family did I realize that 
this was such a beautiful journey which got over too quickly and I once again began to thrive to get back 
into the Jungle and explore such more beautiful places in my life.... 

Andarbhan.. your name might have a dark meaning to it.. but it brought so much of sunshine in our lives, 

we thank you for that.... Chao.. Untill We meet Next... 


OUR GROUP
Perfect Group Pic


Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Why is discipline so hard to come by??


We all like to have discipline in our lives as we keep getting older and wiser as they say... But this etiquette called discipline always keeps running away... 

Its so hard to catch up with it... In the morning when u rise it rises with you, even at an unearthly early hour.


 As discipline for me, as a runner, is to wake up in the wee hours early morning and get out to run... To keep the body heated up so that the sinus is in check...



The moment I stop running the nose starts to run wild.

So early morning is when the discipline seems to be right there shining up and early with me, but the lazy mind decides to order the hand to shut the alarm and shut the eyes .... And the discipline again goes into my dreams... Where I keep running but so does the Sinuses.

This constant fight just never ends.

Come late morning and Discipline is ready again to give me a second chance to do some exercises since running around is then not possible... And it does all preparations to keep me in shape.

But the Mind, I tell you, is a dirty distraction... It tells me to read the papers and solve  the "Sudoku a day challenge"; and once again dearest Discipline goes hiding under the aggressive mind.

But Discipline, my humble honest friend does not give up.. It once again starts to haunt thy mind and asks it to climb the railway station stairs as I catch a local train to office,, and then again under the conscious eyes of thy Discipline, I happily climb 3 floors to reach my office.

Successfully achieving this, Discipline gives a bright smile and the Sinuses get back to hiding in its small corner.

Sinuses are also smart beings... They wait patiently for the Air Conditioning to seep in the body... Breathe in... Breathe out and slowly and steadily it builds on.. And then the nose starts to feel very sad and gives in to a big sob and starts to run like water.... 



Hahahahahha laughs the Sinuses as its patience paid off well and once again it won against the Disciplinary actions of the mind.



So then goes the day fighting with  frequent visits to the loo to clear the running noses or use the handkerchief to blow the glory out... And as evening approaches... The body tells thy mind to allow some sleep in the train.... If lucky to get a seat, and the Masjid Harbour line train obliges with a window seat... Arey waaah says the mind and reminds the hand to complete the morning Sudoku with a 5 star difficulty level.

As it knows very well that the eyes will give in to this difficulty level and allow the mind and the Sinuses to rest.... Beautiful it is the little games that my mind and body play!!!

Aaaahhhhh... That feels good says the body as the local train glides into Andheri station and obliges with another brisk walk and climb up the stairs back to the comfort of thy home... 

Lovely the day was says my mind to the Wifey.... Not knowing that discipline has still not won as the yummy food is waiting to be attacked on.... 

Now comes in the tummy growling like a baby... But hey Discipline says eat with measure and not like it's Gold and Treasure.... But as you know how it goes.. The tummy keeps asking for the Treasure till it hears the clinks and the burps of the treasure reaching the bottom of the pit... There goes the Discipline again in the dumps and under the carpet.... 

Now comes the time to cuddle up on the high... With a hug from the wife and the treasure giving hi fi... Goes the mind in deep slumber to await the forest Lumber... As the Mind goes running once again up in the mountains and then on the roads.



Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Blissful Childhood Memories..

Its been more than 10 years that I started this blog at a class in our MBA College in our campus at Symbiosis, Pune. Never knew that I would actually come back to write on it, but it feels good to be back and be able to pen down, or rather type down my thoughts on this decade old blog. Which actually brings me to the point of the discussion that I wanted to have on this forum...


Is it good to keep Re- Living the good memories of the past or one should just focus on the future?


We ll I guess life is just too short to live buddy.. I mean time flies very very quickly sometimes.. Look at this blog as an example.. I still remember choosing this photo just yesterday in the yellow kurta to upload as a profile pic for this blog, and its already been 10 years.. whooof just like that... Hahahaha


That's what I am saying, you must just enjoy all the moments that you are having in the present and yes relive the past glorious moments because you have created those moments so that you could cherish them for life right!! You took that picture with your friends sitting together at the steps of the canteen so that you could see that picture and remember them and relive those beautiful golden days... Memories are always always so beautiful.. Hardly would I have heard.. not that I have spoken to like many people across the world... but I am just generalizing here.. So I was saying that Hardly would I have heard someone not having a good time in their childhood or in their youth or in their past.... One would always have that peculiar dialogue that they would say that I wish I could get my younger days back.. The younger days... the days of the past are always days when you as a younger person are more free in your thoughts... in your actions... you are always searching for a moment to have fun ... to enjoy even if you do or do not have any friends .. you would make a game out of even a waste paper and not bother about anyone judging you... or even looking at you with an expectation.. you are just in your own innocent world of happiness ad bliss.

So why do we then slowly as we grow up leave this cheerful zone and get yourself all stiffened up in a more sophisticated... more complex phase of life.. and forget this innocent child like mind... God Knows why......
Golden Memories


Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Laziness is the king of all Mischief

If ever in life Laziness was a God then I am sure there would have been the highest number of Devotees for this God..

Being Lazy can be defined as an act of doing nothing and just putting your body flat on bed, or carpet or verandah or even the floor of the room and announcing to anyone who asks you by bothering you... Bhai kya kar rahaan hai? And pat comes the reply.. shavaasan bro... It helps one relax the entire body. Internally one would feel so satisfied that he is doing a yoga asan ... So what if he hasn't done a few more energetic, more beneficial Suryanamaskars of the yoga world before doing the Shavaasan... Arree bhai, ek asan toh kiya na Yoga ka...

Laziness as a virtue always throws ones mind into a much more relaxed tone and thus helps one relax in the mind. Its like chanting gives one a peace of mind when one devotee worships their God.

I am sure there will be some science behind the kind of chemical reactions the brain throws when one is so relaxed in the mind that other parts of the body don't work and even the slightest movement of anything except the mouth to chew the awesome snacks / lunch/dinner is like a huge effort and adds too much pressure on the mind.

The only thing that tends to break this process is the Nature's call which also is irritating for the mind due to the effort being made by the mind to break out from the concentration of doing nothing to doing something.

And God bless the technology that this beautiful human mind has developed with which one does not need to move from one place ,settling down as it is called, and allows the mind to keep being in this mode of meditation by using the weapons of thy God of Laziness like the phone, the remotes to everything in the world right from the AC to the TV to even the lights which control the mood of the room and the shades of the window and what not.

The only Devil that has been introduced by this mighty bad bad world across the globe is this Monster called as Monday... The moment this monster shows its sign the devotion towards the God of Laziness starts to break. The Devil destroys the devotees meditation with the same tenacity that the Rakshashas used in the olden times by creating havoc to break the Yagna and Tapasya that the sadhus used to be involved in.

Well as a staunch devotee of thy God I would pray to all the other devotees to keep fighting and keep growing stronger and stronger and one day we would be able to defeat this Monstrous Monday.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Phases of Life!!

Destiny & Freedom!!!
Its always feels so different while you go through the various phases of life.. right from the childhood where everyone is taking care of you and you just about can do anything that you like and noone will call you dumb or stupid, rather it would always be words like "cho cuteeee", "how sweet"..... Once you start getting older, you are introduced to the many children of your own age, donning the uniform clothes and going through a schedule of activities planned by your school.... guided by the teachers, the fellow students and the post school tutors.. And then comes the time to break open the uniformity of life and enter into the teenage with coming of the college years, where you are all by yourself and need to choose your own friends, your own schedules and your own Destiny... But in searching for this destiny you forget that there are rules to it... the rules of money.. the rules of the family and many branches that round you up and your destiny into its shadows.. But as there is always hope, there is that little light awaiting at the end of the path which you need to search for.. thrive for... struggle for... and find out for yourself what lies for you in the bright sunshine of Freedom!!!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Lakshya - The movie or Lakshya - the life

LAKSHYA

          Such a simple word and so much more then a word. Thank you Farhan Akhtar for giving this beautiful word its due. Who doesnt have ambitions in life, those dreams of being successful, of acheiving something that no one else has.

           All these ambitions, desires, dreams get buried in the mundane, stressful, routine life taht we put purselves into in this urge of becoming the next millionaire.


My LAKSHYA is to be fit and running to enjoy that adrenaline run through my body again, feel that pulse getting quicker and quicker. I want to run & run hard, Want to play and play hard.
          
Love my life!!!
         
         

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Journey through SIMC

The 2 years at Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communications (SIMC), Pune have been the most knowledegeable and beneficial. These 2 years, the students of SIMC have gone for 3 internships of 2 months each and had 7 industrial projects. The video herewith is a short story of our 'Journey through SIMC'
Journey through SIMC