The Adventure way - 2

When we reached Papanasam, I was totally disappointed to see the place. Because I expected some thing quieter and scenic. I asked Shri is this what we were supposed to see after such long journey? The place looked as if in total chaos. In dismay we entered the temple but surprisingly it was quiet with not many people inside. We started admiring a monkey as he opened the bottle with such ease to drink some water? But his efforts went in vain as the bottle was empty. After few minutes we took eyes off him and gradually made a move. That is when a monkey came swiftly towards Shri. It became a very usual scene whenever we went out. For whatever reason monkeys liked chasing her. She was terrified and tried driving him away but he rushed to her aggressively. I watched for a little while and finally realized, "Gosh, I got to do something than just merely watching". I joined her in shooing him away but he came closer and snatched the water bottle from her. He ran off picking the bottle and settled in the same place. He hurriedly opened the bottle and spilled water while attempting to drink. I told her jokingly, do you know that animals can sense well the energy emanated from humans? Perhaps your aura was negative and that is why he reacted this way. But actually the whole struggle was for water. Poor thing felt thirsty but guess was too lazy to leave the temple and drink as plenty as he can from the river itself. Or perhaps was frustrated with humans polluting the river and chose bottled over river?

After this encounter, we were little taken aback to really go around the temple because the temple looked like their home with too many of them jumping/walking everywhere. Despite the fear, she decided to enter inside to offer her prayers. I just kept wandering around hesitantly until she was done with her prayers. After which we came out and asked the local rick people from the auto stand for the timing of the bus to Kariar. We found we still had plenty of time to get the next bus and wondered how to pass time. We walked little further towards the ice vendor and bought two mango ice sticks to chill our throats from the scorching sun.


By now I almost gave up going up towards Kariar thinking what if we do get similar experience there as well. While I pondered Shri asked me to call the officer (who we met at the petrol bunk a month ago) to know if we can go to Kunthakulam bird sanctuary. I listened to her and spoke to him briefly about our interests. After I spoke, he explained if we want to be in the forest then Mundanthurai is the right place because Kunthakulam is just a village. He also mentioned there are very less chances of getting accommodation now as we did not take prior permission. He said if we had informed 2 days in advance he could have helped with genuine interest. However, he referred fellow officer in charge of Mundanthurai and suggested to meet him anyway to check if they can accommodate in case of any availability of rooms. We also learned from him that mobile signals do not reach there and neither he nor us can reach Mundanthurai officer over phone. So no other choice but to go and meet him in person. We discussed if we should first go to Mundanthurai and meet him or go straight to Kariar and then on our way back to stop by and meet him. We stood confused unable to make a decision and by then the bus to Kariar (via Mundanthurai) arrived. We boarded the crowded bus with same confusion and when conductor came I told her the last stop is Kariar we will take the ticket till Kariar and if we like some place in between we will get down there. She agreed and took tickets to Kariar. But with in few minutes we decided on option two to go to Kariar and on the way back to stop by Mundanthurai and enquire as the place seemed to be promising.



Although the bus was crowded it passed through wonderful lush green forest which wowed us and we were pretty hooked to the scenery. When the bus reached sorimuthian temple few people got down and there was more room for air. We could get only one seat and I made her sit. While I decided to stand, one of the ladies from the first seat offered to share her space. I was pleased by her offer because there was only space for two which had already been occupied by her and another one. However, I refused gently thinking it would be uncomfortable if we shared. But then I decided to take it looking at her disappointed face and she gladly made space for me. We noticed people here were very friendly and helping. We got down at Kariar the last stop where bus halts and the dam was one kilometer up from the place we got down. We could either go by walk or take a mini van that takes people till the dam. We decided to walk and on our way we noticed a big rock on the side and it looked smoothened and wet (by rain?) which we started climbing for fun. After we climbed a little we heard lot of birds chirping from a particular tree. She suggested that we climb up till there and watch those birds. We climbed and she went ahead but I realized the rock was very slippery and decided to stop. I stopped and watched her climb up from where I stood, at the same time the driver of the van passing by shouted at us not to climb up and come down as it was dangerous.We climbed down and we started towards the dam again.

Upon reaching dam we took a boat ride to Banatheertham a beautiful falls. We had about one hour to spend there and the boat was supposed to take us back. When we took the boat we found ill-conditioned life jackets. We got off the boat and had to do a little walk to reach the falls. The path to the falls looked as if it was made splitting the forest. We walked through the trees all the way up hearing chilled voice of fall. Lot of people showered in the fall but it was terrible to watch them throwing used shampoo sachets into the river. We stood and watched the fall in silence and walked little further and entered the natural pool. The feel was just beyond words. I took water in both hands and threw on my face. The day was very hot and it was just the right thing at that moment. We came back from the fall and  met one of the forest officials at the entry gate and inquired about the procedure for accommodation in Mundanthurai. We also asked if he knew the officer whom we were planning to meet. He mentioned he knew him and he was not in-charge of Mundanthurai but Papanasam. He added there is no possibility of getting an accommodation and any way we could go and meet him. We knew by now all our plans collapsed. So we walked back to the bus stop thinking what next?

The Adventure way

Well, this is how this trip was planned. One fine day I got a call from Shri saying I've booked my tickets to Nellai, so and so date arrival... so and so date departure etc., etc., so let us meet there then. I was like what,pp..lleease give me a break as we'd just gotten back from one long ride in the hills. Although I thought like that I just said oookkay...I dragged that okay so much in which she noticed my hesitation and asked further why, is there a problem? I said no, no problem. Then she said if there is no problem you better book the tickets now itself. Though the journey was planned this hastily we still had one month in hand to plan what we wanted to do there.


We have developed interest in Nellai not just because of famous Halwa but also to go and see the forest. I have heard there is a forest through one of my friends as her friend Abhi was assisting researchers there. Shri and I like to be lost in woods. We keep saying how nice it would be to live amidst trees and see birds. Having seen hills already, this time we chose forest because there we get to accomplish both our wishes - to live amidst trees and also to see birds. We had been planning to go to Nellai from the time we both got introduced and when I mentioned there is a forest there. But the base for this sudden trip was laid when we went to attend one of our friend's wedding.

After attending the wedding we rode to the pertol bunk in the night to fill the tank for our early morning trip. There she suddenly noticed a Van with a banner ' Koondakulam Bird Sanctuary - Tirunelveli'. She asked me if that is okay to go and make an enquiry to that person and check if it is possible to visit this santuary. We can go and see this place also when we plan to go to Nellai in future. I said that should be fine. We slowly went near and stopped the vehicle and asked the driver about the sanctuary and asked if we are allowed to visit and stay there. They were a little taken aback and gave a look like what on earth these girls are asking, coming from no where. We further explained we like birds very much and we want to come and see. The person who sat next to the driver started telling it is a small place and we will not have a comfortable stay and food is again a problem. But we assured we are fine with that kind of accommodation and food and if suppose we are going who should we contact. The driver pointing towards the next person said he is the officer and he is the one who would be approving. We were very glad and asked if he would give his number. He said we can give a call and gave his number and name. Within 2-3 days from meeting this person she booked the tickets and made me book as well. This all might look crazy indeed it is.

In the mean time I had one of my friends from Nellai so I called and asked if it is fine to go and stay at her house. She said it is fine and not a problem. I sounded too desperate that I did not give a chance for her to say no. If I remember correctly I'd never been this desperate before. But now I've become one for wanting to see places which I love. I did this because I was very sure we would not disturb them. Because all we needed was a little space to just stretch and rest safely in the night. I told her the same and she said not to worry as she has a bigger house. My friend added her place is Ambasamudram (Ambai) and I should take another bus to reach her place and it would take about one hour from Nellai.

Then I called Abhi who is familiar with the places to ask where we can see birds. She clearly told if we want to see birds we can go to Vagaikulam and also Thirupudai Maruthur a 400 year old temple. And most importantly we will have to go either in the morning or in the evening to spot birds. And also she said we can go to Papanasam, Mundanthurai and Kariar dam. These three places are on the same way so we can go one day and see all three places she suggested. She added there is a famous temple in Papanasam and then next place is Mundanthurai which is a forest which also has' Sori Muthian temple' an old temple. After seeing these two, the next place we can go is Kariar dam and if boating is allowed in the dam at this point of time we can go to Banatheertham to see a beautiful fall she said. She added Ambai is a center place and we get a lot of buses from Ambai to Papanasam but buses till Kariar is not that frequent so she suggested better we can go to Kariar first finish the boat ride and then on our way back we can see Mundanthurai and Papanasam. I have noted down everything clearly. Although Shri kept telling me to call the officer who we met in the petrol bunk that idea of calling him drifted away because I already had plans for 2 days and my friend anyway was going to accommodate us.

The day arrived and we left for Nellai. We anticipated her train would reach first and then within half an hour or so my bus would reach. So we planned that she can wait in the station and then when I also reach we can take a bus to Ambai together. When I started I was so thrilled about this trip because I had never been to that part of Tamilnadu before. Our friends warned not to go near water bodies since there was heavy rain in that place and public was restricted from entering water bodies two weeks back. I was hoping to see Thamirabarani flowing through paddy fields and full greenery because of the rain.

She reached first as we expected and she said she would wait in the new bus stand from where we were to take a bus to Ambai and anyway I was going to get down at new bus stand directly as my bus would go via new bus stand further to Nagerkoil. She reached new bus stand and then I reached and we met finally at the bus stand. We took a bus to Ambai and my friend came to the bus stand to receive us. She took us home and we inquired her father about the places we wanted to see. Somehow Papanasam, Mundanthurai and Kariar dam was fixed in my mind while Shri still was trying her chance with Kunthakulam. After we showered and had breakfast her father suggested us to reach the bus stand fast and take the Kariar bus because if we leave that then we would get only after 2 hours. He also advised us to come before 5 PM in the evening because of lunar eclipse. We nodded yes and Shri whispered to me take your brush and leave your bag here if we get a chance we will stay in the forest. I took the brush and paste in my handbag and little cash. Her father came with us till the bus stand and upon reaching we learned that Kariar bus left by then. So he suggested we could take Papanasam bus and by the time we finish seeing the temple Kariar bus would come there and we could take it from there. This suggestion made sense and we climbed Papanasam bus. (More to come)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I am going to write this in parts as this is a big adventure story---------------------------------------------

Nature lover cum Amateur traveller's experience at Navadarshanam

I have heard of Navadarshanam (Nd) through my friend Suma few years back. She mentioned to me that she had been to that place once for a gathering and she found the place very good. She also mentioned if we like we can go and stay over a weekend to understand the activities they carry out there including organic farming. Although she might have given few more details my brain got stuck with the word organic farming and it immediately visualized Navadharsanam (Nd) inside. Since I have participated in their health food sale in Bangalore, my brain visualized a vast farming land with all the plants which gave grains/fruits/vegetables that I bought/saw in the sale. So it had paddy fields, turmeric plants, groundnuts etc., etc., Though I showed interest then to visit Nd, we could not go due to lot of other reasons. Over time I forgot about visiting the place completely but continued to participate in their monthly sale in Bangalore once in a while .
Once I got the link of Nd and I went through the entire website. Having seen the website, I realized this place is not just what or how I visualized but has much more and more. Some how a thought came 2 weeks back to visit Nd and last Tuesday I asked my friends Suma and Sangee if they are available to pay a visit to Nd over this weekend. In addition to which I sent Sangee the link http://www.navadarshanam.org/ of Nd as this is totally new for her. After going through the same she called me and said she liked it very much and she wanted to visit this place. We decided we four including my husband will go on 24th evening and will return to Bangalore on 25th December. I followed the procedure mentioned in the website and as per the same I called Nagarajan on 92430-49163 and checked with him if it is possible for four of us to visit Nd over the weekend. He asked if we are visiting for the first time and asked why we want to visit this place. We briefly spoke and he informed that it is possible to accommodate four of us. He also told it has very basic facilities and I told him we are completely fine with the same. On 24th Morning I received an sms from him saying 'please bring warm clothes for the night'. We packed extra blankets and left bangalore at 3 PM and reached Nd by 4:45 PM.
After we parked the vehicle at the Nd gate and started walking towards the building we met Om on the way. He welcomed us and asked Suma if she had been there before. She mentioned that she had been there for a gathering in 2009. She felt happy to know that he remembered her. We went in and asked the first person we met in health food counter for Nagarajan. He came along and showed us the home Chandan that we were going to stay and gave the keys to us. We all were totally taken over and transformed to be the members of Nd family the moment we stepped in. It had a very soothing ambience and naturally air-conditioned.

After we all shared how each other felt about the home, I came out  and was trying to see what few women were doing at a drying platform near the building. I turned back when I heard a voice 'always keep the doors closed otherwise unwanted guests will enter'. That's how Nagarajan uncle introduced himself . After we all got introduced I asked him if we can go and see around or any special permission is required. He said nothing of that sort is required and we can go and explore ourselves. He took us to the kitchen and got us hot tea. I noticed the kitchen and it more felt like the one we had at my grandma's. Although the look might differ I could feel similar warmth and love.

When we finished our tea and washed our glasses, we met Ananthu outside the kitchen and Nagarajan uncle introduced us to him. He asked how we knew Nd and we explained. Nagarajan offered he will show us around. While we started walking I mentioned to him that I learned from the website Honge oil is used for engines wanting to know more information. But he replied we tried using but after few years engines gave up so we could not continue.

When we kept walking it was very difficult to believe that this place was once a waste land. It has grown into a rich forest now. 

We met Gopi who was watering the farm, Nagarajan uncle introduced us to him. We asked him about the names of the different plants that we saw in the farm. 

We saw tiny plants of Palak, Beetroot and other greens. After we spoke we started walking and we also saw a house getting constructed and checked with him how those bricks are made. It was surprising to know that only very limited percentage of cement is being used for the making of such strong bricks.

Since this place is very close to forest we asked if they saw any animals. He mentioned elephants would come at times. That explained why such big coconut tree fell. By now we had reached his house amidst trees and bushes and he offered if we would like to come in. We were very glad to go in and see around the eco-friendly house personally designed by him and very pleased to meet Padmini aunty. She received us as if she was expecting us and showed us all the rooms and her lovely garden. She also had put lovely arisi mavu kolam in the front and at the back doors.

She had lot of herbal plants in her garden. For the first time I smelled lemon grass in her garden and was pretty amazed. She offered we could take the saplings if we liked. We got talking for a while and then we reached Chandan.
While we were inside we heard voices in the verandah. When we came out there was a small group of people who came to Nd from calcutta. They asked if it is okay to use the verandah and we were very pleased to meet them. Other people were arranging for a bonfire in the rock near Chandan and also were arranging to have dinner along. They had lighted candles and all of us joined to have Christmas dinner filled with delicious healthy food and cake without sugar yet very tasty. It was a special Christmas eve with all the carols and little gifts that was hand made by the children from Nd. We parted after dinner and slept peacefully in the lap of Nd.

We got up by 6:00 in the morning and went for a walk to see birds. 

We explored the place ourselves but all the buildings looked similar. We kept coming to same way over and over and it had nice fun. We saw cow shed and was glad to see natti cows.

We found art on the walls and leaf imprints on the floor of one of the houses at Nd

Nagarajan uncle joined us in between and he took us to a different path and told us you find the way and come to the kitchen for the breakfast. It was interesting and also easy to find our way out. We met Nd residents during breakfast and also Ananthu. After breakfast again we started walking and collected few leaves from the fallen coconut tree. We tried our art work using them that once we learned as a child. 

The children who came from near by hamlet to Nd fancied them and my husband enjoyed making them leaf snakes.
Although we thought we would start by 12:00 in the noon to Bangalore we left around 4:30 PM on Sunday as it was difficult to part with Nd. We thoroughly enjoyed the stay and it was wonderful to be in a vision once a group of people had that came true in every way. Nagarajan uncle and the whole Nd members ensured we had a great stay. Thanks to everyone at Nd for having given a chance to be part of such a beautiful family.