Memorable trek to Fort Vasota

It was early morning. Sunrise time. I was walking around the Koyana backwater with Akash at Bamnoli.

At the time we were discussing my efforts to make a bigger impact with my work, when I bent down and picked up a small pebble. And threw it into the water and watched the ripples spread.

"See?" I said "I want to do something that spreads, that influences a lot of people". 

Akash smiled, "You’ll need something bigger than that pebble if you really want to make a splash."

I laughed and threw a rock into the pond. "Big enough for you?"

I looked around at Akash in bemusement as he took off his shoes and shirt, stripping down to just his pants.

"What’s the crazy old guy doing now?" I wondered to myself.

Akash took a small run up and launched himself into the water, making an enormous splash.

"Wow, that’s cold!" he said smiling, as he looked up.

"What the heck are you doing?" said I.

"You want to make a splash?  You’ve got to throw yourself into your work, nothing less."

Bamnoli, the starting point for the trek to Vasota fort, was going to be one place to remember forever. 

And not just for this conversation! With beautiful landscapes around, I captured some interesting snaps as well!

Another day, another trek. Fort Vasota was the destination. Fort Vasota is located about 150 km from Pune, it is a protected natural reserve and a national treasure nest. The blue-green expanse of Koyna backwaters, the evergreen forests of Koyna wildlife sanctuary, hike to Vasota fort hidden in thick jungle, the spectacular view from top of the fort along with the beauty and serenity of the place leaves one spell bound.

"The world is always reinventing itself, so should you", the inner voice was sending that signal for some time. There is nothing more addictive or incredible in life than reinventing yourself and allowing yourself to be different, better everyday. But then any 'change' is perceived as a threat by our thinking system. That was kind of a stalemate for some time. Over a period of time, I have realized that a trek does all the magic for me, in these stalemate situations. Every time. And it was working out this time as well.

We started our journey late at night from Pune. By 4 AM we were at Bamnoli. Time to take some sleep in a temple along the backwater. Woke up at 7 AM, had a quick breakfast, had a great morning walk & a great conversation with Akash. And continued our adventure. We took a boat ride to cross the water body and by 10 AM we were at the base of the fort, at the entrance of the Koyna Wildlife sanctuary, a natural World Heritage Site. 

The sanctuary has a diverse variety of mammals including the keystone species, Bengal tigers (>6).  Also, Indian leopards (14), Indian bison (220-250), sloth bears (70-80), monkeys and Indian giant squirrels are common. The Vasota Fort lies deep in the forests and is located at an elevation of 1,301 m above sea level. 

Being in the wildlife sanctuary one has to register at the entrance gate, pay a nominal fee, and agree to accept all the conditions including no plastic to be carried. After completing the formalities at the entrance of the sanctuary, we started our trek. 

Vasota Fort (also called Vyaghragad) is located in Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Shivaji Maharaj captured it in 1655 during the conquest of Javli. Shivaji Maharaj named the fort "Vyaghragad" (Vyaghra – means tiger), owing to its difficult natural defense. 

The climb was steep, through a dense forest and took us couple of hours to reach the entrance of the fort. Except for the last 50 meters, the whole climb was through a canopy of trees. We reached the top of the fort by noon. The views from the top were refreshing. 

Today the fort stands in a dilapidated condition in a thick jungle with remnants of Shree Mahadev mandir, the plinth of a huge "sadar" (discussion place), the fallen ramparts & spectacular view of Nageshwar peak & Shivsagar lake (Koyna backwaters). 

Babu Kada, a cliff between the Old Vasota & the New Vasota Fort is the main attraction of the fort. It is said that it is the highest cliff after the famous Konkan Kada at Harishchandragad, in Maharashtra.

We had a quick lunch, took some rest and started our return journey back. Staying overnight on the fort is not allowed as the area is under the core zone of the wildlife sanctuary. The return journey was uneventful. It took us couple of hours to descend down. 


And then we started our ferry through the Koyna backwaters. Sunset time, mild winds, the body needing some rest and the mind bubbling with enthusiasm, that was the state of affairs.  The day had turned out be beyond imagination. The discussion with Akash in the morning, the exciting trek and the grandeur of nature... ideal time for closing the eyes, reflection and self discovery, and in a splash I did connect with the inner core. The moment of truth arrived ... 


We have been given only one life. Don't settle for less. Do whatever you think is right and worth living for. Don't just give your best shot, DO WHAT IT TAKES.

Quick summary:

Elevation	1,301 m
Difficulty Level	Medium
Endurance Level	Medium
Adventure Level	Medium
Fun Level	Great
Ideal for	Trekkers, nature lovers
Notes	This is one of the best jungle treks in Maharashtra. Best time to visit is October to May. The wildlife sanctuary is closed during monsoon and hence this trek can't be done during the four months of monsoon.

A trip to Kerala - God's own country

Early morning view of the backwaters - Kumarakom 

“Welcome to the gods own country” – the manager of the resort at Munnar said, courteously, but more like it was part of the package. 

God's own country, for the uninitiated, is the way the locals describe Kerala, a state on India's tropical Malabar Coast, one of the most attracted tourist destination in India, with its beaches, hill stations, backwaters, birds and wild life sanctuaries etc.

Wall painting by a local artist - Thekkady 

“Thanks for the warm welcome, but incidentally I am coming from gods own country” – I said, rather mischievously.

"From where exactly?" the Manager was rather confused, and asked. The answer emerged from the split millisecond silence; "You are right, it doesn’t matter" was his response.

I mean the God (if you believe in one) should be omnipresent :-) 

We both exchanged smile, with an understanding.

That was a real quick introduction with the property manager. But a real introduction, I mean we had both touched our inner voice. He was kind of person I like, with a basic understanding of things, sense of humor and ability to connect.

Chinese net at the sunset - Kochi

I was thinking "God is everywhere, especially where you don’t think He will be. And if we know that God is out there, what’s stopping us from finding Him? God appears to us in a different place, a different form, a different voice every day. Where will you see Him?"

Don't really know what was the interpretation of this guy, but seems I had touched the chords...

That was a great start for the year-end vacation in Kerala.

Backwaters of Kerala at sunset - Kumarakom

What a year it has been ! From taking keen interest in farming, a memorable trek into the grand Himalayas, re-connecting with old friends, having a heart to heart talk with people who matter, being part of the software development team that delivered advertisements worth USD 20 billion this year over the internet, and last but not the least, losing weight, gaining physical fitness & coming back in shape.

This year needed a grand farewell. And a trip to Kerala was my way of doing the farewell.

Fall colors in India, Near Mattupatti Dam - Munnar

We started our journey on 26th December, and came back on 31st, a 6 day vacation in the God's own country. Depending on who you are, and how you express yourself, this can be one liner statement, just stating the facts.

But then everyone is different.

Flower at the Rose Garden - Munnar

For me it was an opportunity to see creation of the God in various shapes, forms and colors. The hills, the valleys, the rivers, the lakes, the backwaters, the sea, the birds, the flowers, the tea gardens, the temples and churches, and of-course, the people.

Tea Garden - Munnar

It was also an opportunity to connect with the inner core, to have a self-dialogue, during the drive through the hilly terrain.

Off road drive - Thekkady

It was the time to improve the photography skills. It was the time to taste the Kerala cuisine. It was the time to understand and enjoy Kathakali, "story play" genre of the dance art. Stay in a house boat, a visit to the Tea factory, a visit to one of the oldest functioning Synagogue in India, an audio/visual show demonstrating Kerala history, long walk in a bird sanctuary, tour across a spice garden, evening walk through tea gardens were some of the highlights of the journey.  

Wild flower - Munnar

Someone once said, "Life is a book, and those who don't travel read only one page". For sure, this time I read few pages :-)

  

Church - Thekkady

While I can't express everything that I did experience during those days, luckily the photos tell the story, I mean if you can see them through the eyes of a traveler.

A flower in the bird sanctuary - Kumarakom

And some lessons learnt this time:

1) Just GO, visit some new place 

2) Don’t plan too much at once

3) Explore hidden gems

4) Enjoy cultural differences

5) Fine dining can be inexpensive

6) Travel opens your mind

7) Back home ... Plan your next trip

Houseboat with the reflection - Kumarakom

Rose garden - Munnar