LAVISH LAVASA ( Hill city of Sahyadri )

One of the coolest weekend spot close to Pune ; Maharashtra's IT capital. Nestled in the forests of Sahyadris on the valley slope is a beautiful surprise. ( It is definitely inside the rich forest area which is a different issue.) But really well planned city seems completely a dream city.
We have experienced every season here. And every season is in full bloom due to it's unique location. Water remains throughout the year due to the damming of the river.

Food : Most of the restaurats are costly as usual . But those who wants to have a taste of local village cuisine there is an option. It is around 2 kms before entering the city gate. A small shade enough for 20 people at a time can serve you really delicious food. Rates are affordable.
Those who have good budgets ; for them Lavasa is really lavish , nice resorts, hotels and restaurants are ample. One thing surely everyone can do is to have a cup of coffee by the river side at CCD. It's a refreshing experience.
Petrol Pump: fortunately there is a pump in Lavasa . Otherwise you will have to fill your car / bike tank at Paud . In between there is no chance of petrol . So better to be prepared beforehand.

Watersports : Lavasa is really nice for water sports. boating and other related activities are run by pro enterprises.

Kid's Activities: For kids it is real fun. Every corner of Lavasa is beautifully decorated; nature walks , small road side gardens, kid's play area .... They are the one who will thoroughly enjoy this experience. 

Overall you cannot fully see the beauty of this hill city. It is a beautiful combination of nature and urbanization. Yet distinct from the other cities. Don't know how much impact it will have on the nature. Still it has offered an options those who wants to spend some time in nature with all the modern amenities.

MALNAD SURPRISES

One of the most beautiful region I have encountered ever. Everyone loves cool weather, lush greenary , tall trees , beautiful houses, rivers , lakes and waterfalls. It has all these elements. But some things are distinct "Malnad" . And I fall in love with these.  Hardly 300 kms from Banglore and even closer from Manglore. This is atop of the western ghats. Indeed a dream forest.

We ( Raginee & me ) left Banglore in the night aroun 11.00 a.m. * Even if you go by common bus of KSRTC it is any time better than other state's local transport. ( no offence! ) But I found there service pretty decent and clean. Approximately 4.30 we were climbing up. Weather was very nice.
Only thing was that the sleep was halted whenever a new stop came. We saw quiet alleys of Chikmanglur. It was very neat and arranged kind of city. Maybe a part of city we saw . But that was superb.
After leaving it we started climbing up (  means the bus) and trees on both sides increased. So do the accompanying fog.  The road was small and both sides were covered by high trees. A pleasant surprise indeed in the peak month of Indian summer. Nowhere we were feeling scorching heat. But greeted by the cool breeze.

 Misty Mountain ways through coffee  & Tea plantations. 

Water droplets  through bus window. 

                     Beautiful Coffee Plantations en route. 

                                                                      Tea Plantation

                         Sringeri Mutt from Tung River 


More than two hours we were traveling through forested region of the Sahyadri and still Sringeri was ahead. and when we came there it was not like any other crowded religious place. But a small village surrounding the beautiful ancient temple. 

The bridge over the river Tung was nice one to cross over the other side.

The stone used to this temple is like Hampi boulder. Just a guess! Altogether an interesting temple and needs to look carefully to appreciate it's beauty. This temple complex has other temples as well. They are new compare to this one.

While going for the Te Estate  we saw this foggy view  close to the bus depo. And for a moment I thought we will not be able to see the sun for the rest of the day. Fortunately it got cleared around 10 a.m.  We reached till Balhonnur. And changed our plan and came back 15 kms to see the Tea Estate.

 Malnad region

Under the Mango Tree

This tree & I met in last winter. A surprise in a Kokni village near Nivti beach. Trees always suprised with their shapes. Last time I saw tall & straight mango trees in the deep forests of Dajipur . And here I saw a web of brances so close to the ground. He is like preading in all directions and also supporting lives of orchids and moss.
He must be magnificent in the month of August ; when heavy moss full of water and sun rays shining through them. Sparkling water droplets. Indeed a worth experiencing phenomenon. Having such a tree in the courtyard or backyard is a luck for children . Playing around his branches and making swings is a beautiful way to get connected to him and the  natural way of life.

Introduction

I do not wish for gold, diamonds worldly riches , fame or power. I will earn it in the course of my life.
Rather I wish for beautiful views of natural wonders which will make me forget of all these. Which will give my soul a reason to live longer. A reason to be happy.
Here I remember a man who actually rose to fame and power out of common man with little of material riches but abundance of spiritual , goodwill, public support and caring and also jealousy. He was surrounded by that beautiful vistas all around him. And he deliberately protected which was given him by his forefathers. A thing of beauty and joy forever. We see him as a king. But he was an
environmentalist at heart. Who actually conserved the flora, fauna and culture. That's why whenever Sahyadri word comes to my mind Shivaji is a natural extension of it. There is no colour of caste or religion or history attached to it. It is just like romeo & Juliet or Ram Sita, Radha Krishna. This is also a love unbound to a single person. It is a universal love. Spreading beyond religion, caste, humankind. He thought for all. He strives a balance. A human rose out of humans , cared for the shrusti around self in the state of awareness.


So how can we confine him for one thing. There are greater civilization on the back of this earth, great and beautiful mountains, and even more dense forests abundant with wildlife. But where we connect emotionally is SAHYADRI. Why ? We will have to go back to our childhood. Our roots are deeply rooted in the mountains. All the elements contribute to our birth and nourishment. Our physical , mental growth and spiritual well being. And we are living under the blessings of this mountain. We drink the water which flows out of it, eat which grows in the soil enriched by the volcanic rocks , breathe the very air which comes down from the hills. We are made from the mountain whether we accept it or not. We are part of it.