I had no plan for the fixed plan weekend. I didn’t want to
go to Sinhgad either. So was looking for someone with exciting plan to tag
along. As such, during the discussion with Sagar, plan for Raireshwar came up.
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| The Noisy Bullet |
After a brief yes no game, at about 630 in evening, Sagar confirmed
that we would be exploring the plateau of Raireshwar and will try to find the
Nakhind End. He also had GPS track of the exploration someone had done earlier.
He was occupied hence he suggested that I pack food etc.
So at 4, he came to pick me up and we left immediately after disturbing entire neighborhood with thumbing of Bullet which has no silencer!
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| Sagar on the trail to Raireshwar |
At about 630 we were at Korle. I had also packed some tea
with anticipation that we would not find it on the way. We had tea before
hitting the ghat of Kenjalgad.
The top is now very much accessible because of (somewhat) recently
constructed steps and the iron staircases. Korle end of plateau doesn’t offer
much except for a well trodden path to the settlement of the plateau. This side
of plateau has been secured with railings all over as well.
This being monsoon a lot of seasonal flowers had bloomed. The
temporary lake was filled to the edges. While enjoying the monsoon, in no time
we were at Shankar Jangam’s (Mama) House.
His wife is one warm lady who welcomed us directly near the
Chulha. It was real joy to sit there enjoying warmth of the chulha and eating
Pohe and having black tea afterwards.
After the Pohe and tea, I wanted to bundle up and stay there.
However, the curiosity to reach to the other end of the Plateau which is one of
the largest in India won’t let my spirit rest. Hence, at about 830 we set on
our route…
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| The unfaithful Doggie |
Sagar was like a mammoth walking with no distraction, I was
finding it difficult to match my speed with him. Fog, clouds and his camouflaged
clothing were additional hindrances.
Three of us, Sagar, the doggie and myself continued on and
on without any idea where we were heading. All I knew was we had been walking
for quite some time without any break. So, we decided to sit down for few
minutes before getting into dense karvy.
The path was not well trodden yet I wasn’t worried much as
Sagar was checking our position with respect to the GPS track he had.
Now we crossed the Karvy and we were very close to the
cliff! Only because the clouds had moved for a brief time we realized our
proximity to the valley which offered straight fall of few hundred meters.
We continued for long time along the valley and then finally
near the stream before we could get in to another Karvy establishment we
decided to have lunch. Lunch consisted of Boiled eggs, bread, ketchup and
cupcakes. We offered bread and boiled eggs to the doggie as well.
Post lunch, this smart doggie crossed the steam and started
walking back to the civilization. My first thought was, “What an unfaithful dog”.
Post lunch, all recharged, we entered the Karvy. Karvy
establishments are very dense and the leaves are very rough and denty thus
obviously rough for the human skin.
After struggling for around an hour we were at another end
of Karvy jungle. It was about 1300 now.
And per my calculations we had walked real far away from civilization. So we
checked the map and our position with respect to GPS Track again.
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Now, the fog was also dense and it was getting difficult to
determine. Sitting there, we took a stock of how much food we had. It was sufficient
enough for both of us to sustain that night and next day. My survival kit
contained a tadpoline sheet, which could have served as a temporary shelter and
also we had some fuel which may have helped to start a fire. It being monsoon,
plentiful water was available.
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| The food stock |
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| The Shivling |
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| The Stones decorated with Vermilion |
Now, we were very much on the right path. On a side of the path we saw few stones decorated with vermilion. Soon we met a man
who was tending his cattle on the plateau. A few steps ahead Sagar came across a beautiful Shivling carved on a stone, then another small establishment of houses… And then the main
establishment of plateau. It was about 1745 when we reached Mama's place.
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| The Dinner |
So finally we were back in the civilization with a
thrill of being lost!
The experienced Mama immediately guessed that we had been to Nakhind. He was a bit upset with us for doing such an adventure in the monsoon. We were tired and hungry, hence had early dinner of Pithale Bhakri and Kanda Bhaji.
On our way back we were laughing about the lesson learnt due
to our foolishness! Yet were determined to accomplish our goal next time we
visit.
Photo Courtesy: Sagar Mehta
Copyright: theGypsyPrincess.Com (2015)
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| Mama Mami at Raireshwar Settlement |
Photo Courtesy: Sagar Mehta
Copyright: theGypsyPrincess.Com (2015)
