TREKKING IN THE RAIN

Come and spend two days away from the bustle of Munnar, in the lap of pristine Nature with only a waterfall to break the solitude (if you think so).

The invitation from a group of middle-aged Yoga enthusiasts – Yogasaparya – was irresistible. As fringe-benefit, there would be organic food, lectures on finding peace, a four km trek to Attukad waterfalls and so on. I joined.

I had no rain-gear with me except an umbrella which I lost it in the Hotel premises. Time was past mid-night when we had checked in. The trek was slated for the first day.

We reached a place called Pallivasal, 12 km away from the retreat and suddenly it started raining. Rather heavily. All the young crowd were equipped with wind-cheaters and caps besides brollys and I had only a thick sweater. One must be crazy to face the rain wearing this outfit, I said to myself, only a lunatic could do such an act! I should not have ventured for the trek.

Mr. Ram, one of the organisers had a couple of comforting words to cheer me up.

You take rest in the vehicle itself. Have tea from the road-side joint and enjoy the rain falling on the tea-estates!

Thereupon, he led the “yogic trekkers” from the front and vanished down into the valley.

Rain clouds hovering over the hills diluted the light. The workers from Tata Tea factory were coming out in groups. The general shift had ended.

I waited at the waiting shelter. There was no one to talk to. Nobody seemed to be waiting for the bus. Perhaps the workers were staying in the vicinity.

After some time, the rain was getting weaker. It almost stopped. Ha, the ideal time to launch myself! I walked down through the country-road. I had no idea about the route.

Country Roads, take me…..

In fact, they were in a bad shape. No warmth left in them to take care of the lone passenger! Must be struggling to stay alive!

Why don’t these people, The Tata Tea repair these roads, I wondered. CSR primarily means building infrastructure and maintaining them for the rural folk.

The walk was certainly difficult. Pot holes were plenty and sticky mud was strewn all over. Worse, one couldn’t make out which is which as both were covered with sheets of water.

Further down, I could see the massive bungalow of a judge, built amidst the plantations.

Me Lord is lucky in many ways. He is directly connected to Nature and must be enjoying its rhythm.  No amount of warring advocates or their clients can dislodge him from his cool.

The rumble of the waterfall now became audible.

I slogged down. No house or shop on either side of the road. If it rained, I’ve had it! Of Course, I could take shelter beneath a tree. But they were already drizzling. 

Suddenly,

Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light

This could be the ideal backdrop for yet another Hotel California, I mused.

A desert traveller finds the going tough and desperately seeks shelter after a long and tiresome journey. He is offered a well-lighted mansion, dream girls with wine and every other instrument of pleasure. He falls for them, but in reality he is being trapped and held captive. By the time he realizes of his imprisonment, there is no escape at all.

Instead of the desert-highway and its rising hot air, the scenario was replaced with a drenched forest road and a roaring waterfall. There is the common element of an isolated Hotel too, by the wayside! Aranayakam, that’s the name! By the time I reached the hotel, to my relief, I could see Murali and his friends coming back after reaching the finishing point. In fact, they walked further to have a bash at the roadside thattukada-cum-home which pepped them up. Murali & Co. were my fellow-participants at the retreat.

The rest of the crowd is arrested at sight by the waterfall, they informed. Seeing the angst written all over my face, they tried to instil a bit of courage in me.

You can meet them all at a short distance. All of you can return together. Don’t worry!

Yes. They were right. Let me walk further.

There was bend at the far end, as soon as I turned, the majestic waterfall descended before my eyes in all its fury. I was awe-struck. The koda (wet fog) was diminishing my eyesight.

In a moments notice, it started raining. Ha, nobody knew the trouble I was in. Not a soul on the road.

I got scared. Better turn around and run!

I did exactly that.

The rain was pouring down with a vengeance. To hell with this meek creature braving me, it said!

The koda too got strengthened.

Everything was in a haze. Sight was getting extremely dim. Even the trees by the side of the road were not exactly visible.

Time might have stopped!

I must be treading towards Adi, the Beginning…..

My entire existence turned lighter. The act of climbing up the hill became a delightful experience.

The fear vanished without trace.

Oh! I could die at this moment. Happily.

I am experiencing the elements. The rain, the fog, the mud, the sounds……and of course, myself.

Everything is One!

The unbearable happiness of Being!

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