KALSUBAI PEAK
Kalsubai Peak is the highest peak in Maharashtra that defies gravity at 1646 meters. Its supremacy materializes in the form of a dome - shaped temple where Mother- Goddess is worshiped. The fact that it takes a 3- hour trek to reach the temple from the closest village, is not a deterrent for the priest who sits inside and prays; also special prayers are held every Tuesday and Thursday which gets a considerable attendance to its credit. There are auspicious days in a year when the peak gets pecked by many many followers and little stalls crop up all along the way selling essential items. I wonder, why life does not become better for these genuine devotees? The mountains lose to roads and buildings, top soil gets eroded (inspite of terrace farming) and the poor becomes poorer crushed by debts and unemployment. Yet! they outdo themselves in efforts to please God.
The journey from home to the base
I caught a local train from Dadar station ( Central Line) at 12.30 AM and reached Kasara at 3.30 AM. There were jeeps waiting for us (19 trekkers in all) and we were driven through a bumpy road towards the Bombay - Nashik highway. We stopped at Babba Da Dhaba after half an hour drive for breakfast; and then straight from there through a smooth, trouble-less two- lane highway we reached Bari at 5.40 AM, Bari is a small agricultural village, about 8 km away from Bhandardara and the starting-point of our trek.
The Trek!
There are many routes to the summit, but the most common one is from behind the Hanuman temple, yes! this trek has two places of worship at its two finite ends widening the chances of success. Jokes apart, the peak is far, far away and when you think you are half way there you have only finished 10% of the climb.
As the Sun rose up in the sky, we started the hike at around 6 AM, it started raining which no one really minded and after a few steps, the Earth changed as though I fell in a tunnel like Alice in Wonderland story and came out of it, to a complete different world. Infinite shades of green, washed and shined by rain, paddy fields, river- streams, sky changing colours by the minutes, undulating mountains; the beauty was spectacular! " I have not felt so awake and energetic", I said to my husband who looked as brand- new as me. Hours of deep- sleep or many sessions at a spa cannot trans you in the way that being in nature in all simplicity with no qualms about getting dirty, wet, putting your foot in a muddy hole and marching side- by- side with like minded wonderful people.
As we proceeded, the climb became steeper and steeper, we carried very little in the bags, only dry snacks ( almonds, dates and parathas) and water (2 litres) which helped. Every small or big thing in the bag was put in zip-lock plastic bags and one pair of dry clothes were left in the jeep at the base. A few sips of water every 15-20 minutes and breaks not lasting more than five minutes for rest and photographs brought us half way by 7.30 AM. It became more breezy and continuous drizzle brought the mercury down and some of us started getting cramps in legs and feet.
Tunga Trekkers- The organizer of this trek Mr Vivek Patil and his team call themselves Tunga Trekkers and they stood out that day, not for the neon -green T- shirts that they wore but for keeping our spirits high and not letting us give-up. They extended help in many ways like holding our bag, carrying and providing first- aid, giving their hand during the downward trek which is more treacherous due to the high risk of slipping.
After climbing up three long and steep iron stairs we were at the well but still far from the peak. Next to the well, there was a small hut from which came the most fascinating smell of onion bhajiya (lentil- coated onion fries) Even though the stomach crunched, legs cramped, and hands craved to hold warmth we went on the path to the top. This time the mind wins over the body and I moved ahead completely ignoring all the pains and solely thinking about the destination and its prize - bhajiyas and tea.
After climbing up three long and steep iron stairs we were at the well but still far from the peak. Next to the well, there was a small hut from which came the most fascinating smell of onion bhajiya (lentil- coated onion fries) Even though the stomach crunched, legs cramped, and hands craved to hold warmth we went on the path to the top. This time the mind wins over the body and I moved ahead completely ignoring all the pains and solely thinking about the destination and its prize - bhajiyas and tea.
The top was cold and breezy,in twenty minutes we began the journey downward, I brushed aside fearful thoughts of going down the long iron stairs for later and craved for little warmth and hot food. After, the rest at its best and the yummiest onion bhajiyas we went down with a greater zeal and encountered some exotic views. Yes going down was more difficult and I did take some help in order to avoid slips and fall.
We reached the base at 1.45 PM, changed into fresh clothes in a small stay- home kind of guest house. We took the 4.57 fast train from Kasara and reached Dadar station at 7.00PM.
Really what an adventure it was!
Really what an adventure it was!