Nature Is My God

After my trek to Doodh I was very eager to share my experience with u all... with the failure of my first DS trip due to lack of water , were i cant enjoy the complete waterfall. So decided to visit again at the monsoon. So as planned, we started our journey with full of enthusiasm. This time our plan was to visit DS not by train but by walk. As decided we started our journey to Dharwad railway station around 8am. The train arrival time to Dharwad was 9.30am. We waited in station by discussing our old failure trip. The lady announced in the mike.. "VASCO KO JAANEWALA AMARAVATHI EXPRESS THODI HEE DHER MEIN PLATFORM NO EK PAR AAYEGI"  the train arrived in the station exactly at 10.00am. we boarded into the train. we were 4 members ( shankar,umesh,rajshekar & myself). both shankar and umesh got their window seat. Me and Raj sat near the window to take some photographs of landscapes.

Amaravathi express heading to Castle Rock

This was my second trip to DS along with my friends and this was very special for me because of monsoon and it gave a very thrilling and wonderful experience. In the train we were discussing of our trek and from were to start our trekking ?. Shankar said "let us start it from Castle Rock" but Umesh was not ready. He said " no it will be very far, lets start it from 3rd tunnel(u have to cross 11 long tunnels to reach DS). we agreed about his plan .  Our discussion continued for an hour. Both Shankar and Umesh were in their own world,making some fun with elderly uncles in the train, me and Raj were busy in taking photographs of the beautiful Ghats.

Beautifull greenary everywhere after departing from dharwad

Add caption

The rains were playing Hide & Seek upto the castle rock station. We were in the feeling that whether we can enjoy the falls or not due to the heavy fog covered mountains. So all four of us prayed for rain to stop.:p. Yes, rain took some mercy on us and it stopped , stopped completely. Now we are in the castle rock station. We remembered of Nitya Menon, the cute heroine acted very beautifully at this Railway Station in Myna Film. Here goes the starting point of our trek CASTLE ROCK.

From here begins the trekking to DS for many trekkers

One has to see man!!! What an awesome greenery over there. Being from hot city Raichur it was like different world for me personally. Taking photographs of train gave me beautiful experience. As i was standing near the window the Ist tunnel well -comed us. woowwww, train pierced into the Ist tunnel, the darkness surrounded us. It was an amazing feel. All passengers in the train started shouting with over joy and even me... 

Train Piercing into the tunnel

After Ist tunnel our train stopped near to the 2nd tunnel and we decided to start our trek from here itself. Umesh said "Chalo Uthro" we four of us stepped out from the train, and train started moving and we said bye-bye to the train. We started walking along with the tracks. As we entered into the second tunnel the dark started fearing us. we took our torch and crossed the 2nd tunnel successfully. after crossing  we were laughing by looking at each other because, it was the sign of our first victory . Because it was very long tunnel. it took around 10mins to cross, inside the tunnel we were with alert ears to hear any trains approaching the tunnel so that we can cross the tunnel safely.

Our trekking guys

After the 2nd tunnel we continued walking, while walking many tiny falls attracted us and made to forget our fears about the dark tunnels. We can see a tiny falls near the entrance of 3rd tunnel. We entered into the third tunnel, the eerie sound of wind seeping through the tunnel roof and falling on our already drenched body. we pushed our body because we know that our destination is still very far. We continued our walk by taking some beautiful photographs of some interesting sights. While walking in the track with over conquered forest , i was feeling like Im somewhere away from this earth. The Squirrels, The Monkeys were looking at me like alien. they might be thinking that "who is this idiot entered in our own kingdom" ?? there after, i thought of Railway workers. My God, How they have worked to put the tracks in this wild forest ?? How they have discovered the places for these long tunnels?? this was a big question mark for me. Really  we have to salute those workers. I saluted them all sincerely in my mind and continued my walk.

Track in the midst of forest

Now it was the 4th tunnel. It was very small we crossed it easily. As soon as we crossed 4th tunnel we heard a roaring sound of water, we ran on the tracks to reach that falls.We were very eager to see our first falls. My god, the feet were aching beyond the limits, running in those loose stones covering the railway track was very hectic job. finally we were at first falls which was flowing very rapidly by making a huge sound. Guys were taking photographs of that first water fall. I reminded them about the remaining tunnels and said bye bye to our first falls.

Our First Sighting of a tiny waterfall near 5th tunnel

The 5th tunnel was not too long. We crossed the tunnel. Here we met 8 people who came from Davangere were resting in the midst of this heavenly place. We communicated with them, shared our experience and all of us became very close. Now we were total 12 trekkers, continued our journey by sharing our further plans.Now its the time for crossing the 6th tunnel. It was very long, it took around 10mins to cross.The tunnel ended. Within a couple of moments we were at the bridge. we carefully crossed the bridge. one of the trekker said. "not to look down" as it was very deeeeep and scary. After crossing the bridge my friend shouted. "HEY EVERYBODY !!! LOOK AT THE MOUNTAIN AT YOUR BACK SIDE" We all turned back our faces and looked the huge, really huge mountain. OHHHH my god it was a breath taking scene. We all started looking at the mountain with our open mouth. Deadly silence, no one was speaking, everybody were awestruck, really man, we cant keep our eyes off this deadly mountain. the two-three thin falls added extra beauty to this huge mountain.After enjoying the beauty of this mountain we said  bye bye and started walking to our next destination.

DEADLY MOUNTAIN

Its was the time to cross 7Th tunnel, it was very small tunnel, we crossed it easily, headed towards the 8th tunnel, it was very long took around 15mins to cross. 9th and 10th tunnels were quite easy to cross. After crossing the 10th tunnel, we saw many travelers resting beside the track. It gave extra courage to all of us. Many of them smiled by looking at our condition, we too responded them with the same smile, and it was the Doodhsagar Railway station.We took rest beside the tracks, and we discovered that , all have been hear for the trek. One of the worker in DS station informed us.. "after crossing the 11th tunnel aapko Doodhsagar milege"

WTF!!!! Still one tunnel??? Said my friend Umesh. Come on yaar!!! life adventure honi chaayiye" I said.He looked at me from top to the bottom, I laughed, and he also laughed, said F***K and stood up. Now we were around 25 trekkers came from different cities to watch this fabulous water fall. One of the traveler shouted suddenly " yooooooo !! here is the 11th tunnel" It was the funniest moment among all the trekkers, all were laughing by listening his super natural voice.. Finally we were at 11th tunnel and crossed it successfully. all were eager to see the waterfall. some were shouting, some were dancing.

after this 11th tunnel there goes our doodh

Slowly we hear a mighty roar. Is that a Train? but we were not sure about that and continued our walk. But it was not the train, It was our final destination. Yes, Its Doodhsagar, Really Majestic Doodhsagar, Fantabolous Doodhsagar falls, flowing in its full of glory. All trekkers were rising their heads and watching doodh, and there was some sort of happiness in their face after a long adventurous trek.We all stood in the middle of railway bridge, which was built during the British era and got splattered by the water drops of doodh.

Kudos to the god of nature for creating such wonderful place in our Karnataka.....

here goes the doooodhhhhh

"WE  DID  IT  DUDE" i said to Umesh. Yooo man we did it, Life Adventure honi Chaayiee ooooooooo, he shouted near the falls......

Golconda Fort

Only u have the key for your happiness. Stop expecting others to gift it. Starting from this beautiful lines, one should found his happiness in his passion and other  activities. Interest in photography has taken me to many places and inspired me to create this blog to pen down all my travel experiences. "A traveler has lot to say and to show then the resident" this i came to know only when i started loving the nature and adopting the pace of it. After which I set my journey to capture best places of my country India as much as i can. I always dream of being outside alone with my camera and shoot what i want. I feel enough contentment in this. 

It was the cloudy morning, I was sitting near the window seat, the breezy air made me to get up from the sleep. Opened my eyes and looked outside and it was the outskirts of Hyderabad. As i reached the town the old buildings, the old monuments with ruins, the wreck bridges, the tallest apartments almost kissing to the sky.

Entered to Hyderabad

I had been to Hyderabad for the first time. I wandered the city around one hour. Many things catch my attention like, men who are busy in doing the road shows(circus). Folks were watching it. Women sitting on the road side and selling fruits with babies on their lap. Just to get the bread and butter for a day. Though it is very common in India, Travelling can teach more about the hard and real facts of the life. But one should look around with the open eye and with open heart as well. One should observe around us and be thankful for all that we have in this temporary life. One should always enjoy the life how it comes, things are better for us when we are compared to others.  Personally, I learned a lot from this passion,  It as made to communicate with other people through my imagery and related to the human condition emotionally and sympathetically.

It was around 9AM, I was in city bus stand, had a strong cup of tea, and continued my walk to look around for any rest rooms. The main reason to come Hyderabad is to see the ruins of Golconda Fort. I love forts, I may not know the too much history of these forts but I feel amazed by the engineering skills used by those people.

After freshening up, I boarded the bus from city bus stand to Medhipatnam. Golconda fort is located 10km away from Medhipatnam. Took an auto to Golconda from Medhipatnam. Driver said 20rs. Okay " i said, and sat beside the auto driver. I have to tell you, driver shown me half of the markets of Hyderabad. Auto passed the tunnels, crossed the bridges, entered into the market. It took around half an hour, but there were no signs of Golconda. With the look of suspicion I turned my face towards the meter, unfortunately it was not working. My mind was calculating like “whether he said 20 Rs or 120 Rs? “. So somehow after a long drive finally he stopped the auto in front of Magnificence Golconda fort. With the sigh of relief I opened my wallet and gave 20 Rs. For the god sake the charge was same 20 Rs. Sometimes Curiosity makes us to feel fear.

Before entering the fort I decided to fill my empty belly. While having my breakfast, I was glancing the fort from the far with full of awe. As far as the eyes go, I could see the fort acquired all around. After my breakfast I clicked as many photographs as I could. 

Chaai My addiction and cant live without it :)

Now it’s time to enter the fort. As I entered into the fort many visitors where clapping constantly. I felt as if they are greeting me. Much later I discovered the truth behind their clapping. I was astonished by knowing the fact. The fact is, it is said that, a hand clap at a certain point below the dome at the entrance reverberates and can be heard clearly at the top of the hill. This worked as warning signals for the royals in case of any attacks. I was speechless (though I’m alone) by seeing the greatest characteristics of the engineering marvels at Golconda.

Entrance Gate 

About Golconda in brief.

I don’t want to concentrate on the historical background later we can surf on the net. But here is the brief. Golconda fort which lies on the western outskirt of Hyderabad. It unravels 400 years of rich culture heritage, built in 1525 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah.

Ruins of the fort

Interiors

I started exploring the fort for one hour, but I was unable to get the way to climb the fort. One visitor asked me “Sir where is the way to get to the top “i answered him with a smile, “Sir chalo saath me dhoondthe hain,  mai bhi dhoondra hoon “ What else we can say to this amazing fort. It is an architectural and engineering delight.

I started climbing the fort by taking the photographs of ruins. I was really impressed with the way of construction and how they have systematically planned from the guest well-come area to the mortuary bath to Raani Mahal. And around 10km of long secret passage for Char Minar to escape. 

While climbing the fort

The sun was on the top of my head. I was completely exhausted. Somehow huffing and puffing I manage to climb to the tip of the fort. It took around 3 hours to reach. Went inside the fort, the calmness, The eerie sound of the wind, the jingle of the bell from the nearest temple, the chirping of the little sparrows inside the mosque whaaa. If any poetic person is here in this overwhelming  place, definitely he would have written a romantic song to his beloved.  Cannot be described in words but best felt and it is to be experienced not to be explained.   

Interior of the fort from the top

There are so many surprises the Golconda has got within it. While exploring i heard 2 to 3 times the term KOHINOOR used by guides. Much later I came to know it from one of the guide. I think you all know about Kohinoor diamond. It is said that this diamond has been kept here once on some occasion. Moreover, Golconda is known for its diamond trade.

Here goes the fort

The kid and company for a while 

Panorama shot of the fort

The Complete view of the fort

Foreign couples in the fort 

What a day it was !!! Is there any place in this world like India ?? No, Not at all. Glancing to the fort from below and i was thinking the above lines. My India is a unique place and a dream destination for every traveller. I cannot say good bye without mentioning about Hyderabad Biriyani. Entered into the Hotel Basheer which is near to city bus stand. Ordered Biriyani, as the mouth was pouring beyond the limits. Waiter brought the bowl and kept before me and opened the lid of the bowl. As he opened the lid, the rich aroma of pure ghee, the saffron rice and the chicken cooked to melt in the mouth, whaaaa i could'nt stop myself and what i did later is the Universal Truth :)

Hyderabad Biriyani (PC : NET)

 

Have any of you visited Golconda and had a unforgettable experiences at Hyderabad. Feel free to share your experiences with me :)

Thank you
With Love,
Prabhu Gudimani.