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An attempt to explore some unusual spots.
' why suffocate amidst the ogling masses,
When you can plunge into the woods'
Text: Jess Jose; Photos: M K Paul
Travel during leisure is in vogue and Nilgiris has been casting her charisma on travellers. Humanes from nook and corner of the globe meander the popular spots. Go beyond, diverge from usual paths, trek uphill and abyss to bathe in the anointing waters of nature. Crystal clear water, caressing mist, immodest greenery, and refreshing air are a little of what the ghats offer a pleasure seeker to relish on. The undulating pathways of this emerald hills can lift you to cloud nine with her charm. Marking the unexplored beauty spots of Nilgiris was an alluring task.
Masinagudi
As the wheels headed for masinagudi, to get chilled was the aim. Stretching the limbs, washing out the fatigued mind the soul needed a nap in the lap of nature. The deep, dense greenery of the spot embraced the weary spirits with cool hands. Falling in love with Masinagudi at the very first sight was as natural as the flow of a river. Yep! nature is always at ease, no hustle… intoxicating with her sweet laziness.
On the core of Nilgiris at an elevation of 4154 ft Masinagudi lift your spirits many furlongs further. Being the cradle of Moyar river, a tributary of Bhavani the village sprawls in green patches for miles. At Theppakad the stream falls into a gorge to form a waterfall. The abundance of tropical forest and clumps of bamboos render a greenish tinge wherever one's glances fall. Nature aficionados would love the forest safari in mudumalai wildlife sanctuary. As the vehicle veered off into the forest, it was all heterogeneous flora richly variegated in colour, diverse fauna vamoosing every now and then, vociferous birds flying all along the way. The jeep ride was awesome. The fauna of the locale is in amazing amity with travellers. 150 year old Maravakandy dam is another attraction in Masinagudy suburbs.The chilling breeze of evenings and the misty mountains afar makes you cool.
Kodanadu view point
Journey to this gorgeous destination is like soul moving through oasis. Far from the maddening crowds, the roads appease eagerness. Unknown blossoms along the route remind of fairy tales. Silence and pretty nature is an awesome combo, always creating classic background for the heart’s horse to graze. The twirling passages through Dodabetta mount via kotagiri can fill the void inside with positive vibes. The expanse of kodanadu estate lay with lilac blooms on both sides. This route will give one raptures by its distinct scenic beauty. The velvety tea plantation will transform eyes to jades.
Travel lovers are vagrants at heart and this very spot appease their whims. From the tower at viewpoint, the dazzling medanadu falls is visible. Enjoy a dawn or dusk here to wipe out the monotony of daily chores. The colossal bungalow of late. CM jayalalitha in the centre of kodanadu estate evokes stream of memories. The uniqueness of the tea shop at the view point striking. Like the two sides of a coin, the crowded tea stall in the ground floor is in perfect contrast to the serene retail shop in the upstairs
Coonoor
Coonor is always as fresh as a daisy. Being a place full of beans, the real task is to flee above the hoi polloi. The suburbs of the hill town entice the nature lover deep within. Ambience is powerful enough to jostle the mood to a retrospective mode. Meditating down the memory lane and harvesting fresh ones a herbarium can be preserved to cherish for long. The traverse through the wild sides of the place was mind blowing.
The suburbs of Coonoor is as quiet as a lamb. The home stays at the foot of droogs hill amid tea estate and woods give an entirely different feel. By moon rise bisons and rabbits will give you company in the commute.
Dolphin Nose and Lamb’s rock are well known tourist spots here. The road leading to these sites are remarkably charming. Many unnamed cascades and breathtaking sights await you on the way. Make your senses vigil and heart ajar to get chilled. Any time, any where you may have an encounter with four legged pals from jungle. SIMS park and BOTANICAL GARDEN are the so called names linked with this place. The gigantic tree monsters, blazing gardens and a small pool makes the park as lovely as a lass.
Heritage Train
Urchins hiding inside any human sneaks out in this trip. Dullness and boredom are wiped out in the rhythmic motion of the train. The memories of so called romantic flicks flash through mind colouring the cheeks red.
The train vacillates between Ooty and Mettupalayam. The ride in it is an absolute trance. Though this venerable ancestor now moves on a diesel engine his antecedent steam engine also is in service Travelling in the anterior of the train is thrilling. You will surely need an anorak for this traverse since the windows and doors are with wide ventilation, the chill creeps in through each hair roots giving you goosebumps. Several viaducts and tunnels are there in the track both sides of which are either woods or ravines. Any traveller is enraptured by the spectacular view from the train. This ride make one slide down the chutes into the very soul of Nilgiris. Most of the stations, built a century ago remain as the vestige of colonial pomp and splendour. Usually the train is very crowded, so online booking in advance is always secure. The rhythm of the train is akin to famous A R Rahman beat ‘ chaiyya chaiyya. Azure skies, green woods and ivory mist paints the canvass of nilgiris to a masterpiece.
AVALANCHE
If you are passionate for smooth curves on lovely mountains, do not miss a drive from Coonoor to Avalanche via Chamraj estate and Kundah which is the most scenic route. The estate has got an exquisite retail outlet with a lovely cafe. A cool spot where one can happily ensconce and enjoy a steaming cup of tea. It is the 34 hairpin passage to Manjoor and you need to take a deviation just 3 kilometers before Manjoor town to reach Avalanche. The forest safari along the reservoir of Bhavani dam is awesome. A tiny pine forest in front of the ticket counter is just ideal to have an alfresco siesta. It is a two hour ride with three halts. Evergreen forests on the elevated mountains above 1500 meters onwards in valleys, glens and hallows surrounded by large grasslands. This sholai forest resonates the name Nilgiris with a wide variety of kurinji ( strobilanthus kunthianus) which bloom in the intervals of one, three and twelve year.
Cauliflower shola, the first halt, is a beautiful valley with heavy bunch of tropical forest. Here the canopy resembles arranged cauliflower. Green is the word to describe this spot. A waterfall adds to the beauty.
Bhavani koil, the next spot is an ever open temple near a waterfall gives you enthralling experience. The altruism of divinity can be felt here. Every month on new moon day the natives come to this temple for offerings and in connection with new year the festival is celebrated. The koil is a manifestation of the maternal facet of divinity. This ever open temple embodies motherhood, always willing to clasp anyone to the bosom. Solemn, sober solace flows down to fill the vacant spaces of spirit. Is it mother nature itself or an affectionate mom waiting in solitude for her children ? As Catherine Tynan writes 'I am their door against wind and snow', the feminine care and concern can be felt at the koil. The silvery stream at the side of the temple well reflects the feel and tempts one to cuddle to nature.
Pine Forest, where the drive ends near the reservoir alley has got perfect scenic background. This exotic destination takes one's breath away. Nature is an anodyne for the woes and the serenity of this spot will soothe the weariness of life.
Manjoor, Geddai and Mulli
Manjoor, literally a land of mist awaits you on the top of 34th hairpin. As you glide softly through these curves hectares of vegetable gardens amuse you. Manjoor town is a sleeping beauty. Wherever you gaze misty mountains are a feast for eyes. Find a new term for the amalgam of awe, delight angst to portray the mindset during the drive across this ghat road. Narrow passages amid the wilderness of hills and woods make ones heart palpitate faster with excitement and eagerness. The jaunt is akin to human souls quest in search of meaning.
Manjoor to Mulli en route Geddai will intoxicate you with another set of 43 hairpin bends. The wilderness of the path is astonishingly pretty . One side is deep crevasses and the other side lofty rocks. Its green everywhere with shrubs, bushes, emerald valleys and thickets. Heaps of elephant dung on the road is a usual sight here. Any time you may be lucky enough to have a face to face meet with the largest mammal on the land. CANADA POWER HOUSE and RAMAIH SAGAR DAM is near the check post. The exceptionally elongated set of penstock pipes from upper Bhavani dam is a rare sight. At Mulli the road meets God's own country. Here one bid adieu to the Ooty highway sector at the foot of Nilgiri hills
How truly Robert Frost wrote" how ways lead on to ways". The roads do not have an end so do travels. It makes you float amid the ebb and flow of life.
Follow the less travelled roads to feel the soul of any landmass to get recharged with energy for a lifetime.
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