The
long winding road clings on to the rugged and lush green slopes, at times
headed downwards, at times upwards, but slowly and surely taking you to your
lofty destination. Driving up the road, I never fail to feel the elation of my
coming back to a place that is so dear to us. The monsoons have just ended:
crystal clear waterfalls punctuate the hairpin bends and steep inclines. Some
enterprising fellow travellers create mini picnic spots around these waterfalls
and even replenish their drinking water stocks. The older generation of
vehicles, challenged by the task of hauling people and luggage up the steep
slopes, seem to welcome the break with their open hoods fuming. Though the lush
green scenery, especially the valley below, is breathtaking, it is not enough
to distract me from trying to get to my destination as quickly as I can. The
cars coming down the road, with children inside waving with gay abandon, remind
me of the sinking feeling when its my turn to drive back.
Year
after year, we come to Mahabaleshwar, only to be left pining for more. My
friends and colleagues wonder what is so special about it for us to make it our
annual holiday destination, almost a pilgrimage of sorts. For starters, the
five-hour drive from Mumbai itself is a fascinating one, the open landscape,
dotted with tiny villages. However, the joy of actually reaching our beloved
holiday destination is incomparable.
While
my family is not partial to any type of holiday destination, the Hill station
of Mahabaleshwar appeals to us the most. The crisp air is so invigorating! The
quiet, the sounds of birds chirping, the sights: the joys are endless. The hotel which we have been loyal to is simple and basic, cut off from hustle bustle of the tourist trappings.
Though
we have practically no new place of tourist interest left to visit or discover
in Mahabaleshwar, the comfort of familiar sights and sounds is enticing enough.
The view from most of the ‘Points’ is simply breathtaking. Lodwick Point
remains an all time favourite. Getting to the Point from the Car Park is a good
half-hour walk. The pathway is a narrow one and is at most places covered by
trees reaching out to each other above you. Many first time visitors,
especially the elderly ones, reluctantly turn back midway because though the
mind is willing, the body isn’t.
The
effort is rewarding. The Point offers you a breath-taking, unrestricted view of
the Western Ghats. Mountain ranges stretch in layer after layer till they merge
into the horizon. As you look down the sheer cliff, the valley below reveals
its secrets: the tiny villages, houses with thatched roofs, neat little fields,
a clay coloured bus finding its way on a road which is barely visible.
Being
Diwali (almost on all occasions our Vacation has overlapped the Diwali
festival) , you see the fireworks going off sporadically in the miniature
villages below, with the sound reaching you a bit later! The blue water in the
lake is as still as can be. The view on the other side is the road winding down
towards Mumbai. The Luxury Buses with their musical horns and cars plying up
and down this road appear to be miniature toys. Straight ahead a shepherd
expertly and fearlessly walks his way down a steep ridge.
Undaunted by the
sheer drop below him, a monkey merrily jumps from one protruding tree root to
another. A tiny bird stops its flight midway in front of us, to remain in animated
suspension for what seems like eternity.
Lost in the sights, one wishes this moment should last forever. The
setting sun casts its own magic: creating shadows and vivid hues in the
mountain ranges. It is also a reminder that we have to get back before darkness
engulfs us in the heavily wooded area. The chatter of the insects and the
sounds of the birds are now louder.
Driving back on roads without streetlights is also quite an experience. It’s a mystery how the locals manage to find their way in the pitch darkness without any lantern whatsoever!Though the sun has set, the evening activity certainly does not have to!Earlier, all of Mahabaleshwar used to land up at Venna Lake in the evenings.Though it still is a popular place for many, the on-going lake capacity enhancement project and road alignment works have cruelly robbed the scenic place much of its charm, hopefully not for long. Apart from the lake,
everyone flocks to the marketplace. During the peak Diwali tourist season, the
atmosphere there is quite remarkable. At times you have to jostle your way
through the teeming crowds. Though some ghastly new hotels in this area do
stand out for the wrong reasons, the same old dependable shops with familiar
faces behind the counters selling wares ranging from delicious chikki (a savoury of nuts based in jaggery/sugar syrup), masala channa (gram) chocolate
fudge to traditional crafts are very reassuring. Festive lighting, traditional lanterns makes it all the more alluring. Small children draw fascinating Rangoli patterns outside their homes and shops.
One
could just go on and on about this haven in the mountains….the freshly plucked strawberries,
the local taxies of vintage lineage, the long walks, the palmist trying to palm
off your own future to you, the holiday cheer all around you, the cool and
crisp air, the fluffy white clouds flirting with the mountains, the mystical
mist, the serenity.. we simply can’t get enough of it.
These
experiences cleanse and soothe the mind, though the body also obviously
benefits from all the physical activity. The stresses and strains of the urban life are
in stark contrast to the languid pace of life here. The sight of the red toy
bus winding it’s way miles below, makes me say to myself- this is Life!
Now for the sinking feeling. Its time to drive back to
Mumbai. From the highs to the lows- figuratively and literally. Mumbai might give
me my subsistence, it is Mahabaleshwar, though, which allows me to celebrate my
existence.
The long wait until our next visit begins.
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