Six days passed since I climbed down the mountains and I traveled through two different parts
of Western Ghats, although I have visited them already few times, I just went
to see if I could reveal some more and enjoy the cool weather and nature I am
always fond of. Staying from uncle’s
woodhouse in Kodai Hills (Thandikudi) we
relished and relaxed a while for few days before climbing down and up to
another part of Western Ghats in Theni district.
After a long time, I visited Bryant Park in Kodaikanal with an expectation to see
Kurinji, which started to bloom after 12 years. In 2006 we saw Kurinji flowers
bloomed at the popular Kurinji Andavar Temple there and at the edge of some
valleys; I really wish to see its bloom again as it is the year of blooming.
Although I know the peak season of Kurinji blooming begin from May to
September, the time the southwest monsoon lash, I tried my chance to see the
flower but couldn’t make way to one. Wish I could revisit the Kodai again later
this year to see my second chance for Kurinji.
The Bryant
Park doesn’t have any flowers this time and I know I’m too early to look out for
flowers as the Park was only getting ready with freshly cut and planting of
flowering plants to be bloomed during the summer vacation or flower show in May.
The park was free of the crowd and gave amply space to move unhurried and capture
landscape photos of gardens and some flowering plants. Apart from the park, I checked a couple of old churches in Kodaikanal with remarkable architectures and hidden
beauty, after going through some street searching.
Except for a day
going to Kodaikanal, we spent most of the time at the woodhouse and short drives
around. As usual, I enjoyed the birds chirping, and taking photos around the
woodhouse. The days are sunny and cool at night helped me to stay outside the
most and the travel to the hills in Theni was only somehow disappointed. I have
been to this mountain in Theni twice and once have stayed at the govt. guest
house at the mountain top at a height of 1500 MSL. I really don’t want to
reveal anything about the place which had a new road lately what made me
disappointed.
The mountain
is partially leased by a private tea plantation, and other parts come under
wildlife sanctuary with biodiversity. Only recently government decided and laid the road to this place which has been almost off-road for many years, where even
buses played up and down through huge bumps. What bothered me was the road’s
width. It was already a single road and the environment dept. permitted to lay the road
for only 5 meters width, but they have widened the road to 12 meters which meant
cutting down a lot of trees and many were rare species.
I couldn’t
take it easy not only because it is my favorite place, but nature out there
is also incredible and untouched by many. The streams, rivers, and dams all hold
freshwater, which is becoming a rare source of nature everywhere and the people
here use only natural spring water that flourishes throughout the mountains. I
feel so blissful every time being there, listening to birds with distinct notes
and watching the sunset from this mountain is spectacular indeed. Theni is been my favorite
place since visited in 2006 and I always enjoy being there whenever I get the chance. I think to make many posts out of the trip in future posts. Keep sharing