The daily grind of professional and personal life had been taking its toll on my mental and physical health for quite some time. Daily routine of waking up in the morning, rushing to workplace, facing the ever fighting union leaders, long-hours of meeting et al, was alarming me that I needed a break. Even my leave application to my expat boss contained that sentence, “I need a break”. I had sigh of relief when the flight took off Hyderabad airstrip and suddenly the clear morning sky seemed so inviting and refreshing. My journey to my mental hideout begins.
The generosity of the Creator in presenting a combination of rich grassland, flora and fauna, abundant waterholes has always made the Bandipur National Park an attraction for nature and wild-life lovers. While travelling from Bangalore Airport to this rich creation of green hideout of wilds, my imagination continuously prompted me to think about this temporary transition from a comfortable city lifestyle to the undisturbed, rich lap of nature.
We were welcomed at the Jungle Lodges and Resorts by the smiling staffs and a heavy flash of torrential rain. It is then when I got introduced to Mahadev, who in broken English communicated to me that he is going to be a call away during the stay there for service. After a quick lunch, it was decided that we fast be ready for our first safari in to the wilderness.
3:30 PM, but the sky was darker than usual and it seemed to be the onset of evening. A thin cover of foggy cloud made the way towards thickest a mystical one. When we stopped at the Forest Check Post for necessary regulations, inside I was really impatient to enter fast into the wilderness by the glimpse of a herd of spotted deers and monkeys on either side of the muddy road. Chilly winds, occasional sprinkles of rain drops, made the journey a real “hu-hu” kind and the only sound which started hitting the ears were that of mild murmurs of some unknown animals, chirpings of unseen birds and the continuous roar of the safari Jeep.
I will never forget how our vehicle got stuck in deep mud inside the jungle and we had to wait there for about an hour silently inside the Jeep to be rescued by another forest department vehicle, accompanied by the constant threat that the giant elephant which was inside the bamboo bush behind our way, could have changed its mood any time. During the entire safari of around three hours, we could spot some Langurs, Indian Gaurs, Giant Elephants, Black Rumped Flameback, Brahminy Sterling, Hoopoe, Indian Peacocks in majestic colours, lots of spotted deers, with or without antlers and a fighting pair, too. On the way back, I realized my mistake of not carrying a woolen with me.
The Next morning 5.30 I suddenly realized that may be I will be late for the morning safari and had to rush to catch the last safari vehicle. The early morning inside the forest was misty and the drive through the forest was very refreshing. The sights of eventual herds of deers and elephants remind, that its inside their habitat and absolute silence is a must. Red-Wattled Lapwings, Spot Billed Ducks, a salt licking Sambar Deer, White Throated Kingfisher, Stripe Necked Mangoose, an emerging family of wild elephants, and a majestic Serpent Eagle were among all occasional wildlife which were worth capturing in memory and in the SLR.
Bandipur is one rare place, I would say, where, on a mountain top there is a 750 years old Krishna Temple, Gopalaswamy Betta. Usually you find a Shiva temple in such a place!! The way to the temple is restricted and open under strict supervision of forest staffers during the day. After evening it is closed, even for the temple priests. The mountain top is windy and it is really difficult to stand outside for longer duration. The pug-marks in the adjoining mud land, remind one of the danger and beauty of the place. A glimpse of the blue mountain, Nilgiris, is such a refreshing sight from the top.
I spotted a mother-child duo in the curvy walk way to the thickest. The way the mother was nurturing the kid, and the complete dependence of the kid on its mother reminds one that all mothers are same in their care for child, the way and content of care may differ, but the intent of care is a common thread.
The evening safari on the second day brought some luck. The great spotting skill of the driver, helped to spot a leopard atop a tree. It is perhaps a rare treat to spot a fully grown male leopard on a tree. It appeared that the beast has just finished eating its kill and was enjoying the chilly breeze while resting on the tree top. I realized at that time that I should switch to some more efficient tele-photo lenses at the earliest!!
Whether I could spot a giant cat or not, the great part of this hide out is that one can find tranquility, not disturbed by many phone calls (the network keeps on disappearing) and the grandeur of wildlife will add sufficient value to it. It is a place to be experienced and nurtured in mind, but not to be disturbed by the colonial human presence. The hangover of the original beauty is must to continue and it’s a place not to be considered as just another vacation place. It’s a mental hide out, an emotional den where one can slip into when the hustle bustle of life becomes unbearable to tolerate any more.
I came back, after learning some more small steps to face this great world.
The generosity of the Creator in presenting a combination of rich grassland, flora and fauna, abundant waterholes has always made the Bandipur National Park an attraction for nature and wild-life lovers. While travelling from Bangalore Airport to this rich creation of green hideout of wilds, my imagination continuously prompted me to think about this temporary transition from a comfortable city lifestyle to the undisturbed, rich lap of nature.
We were welcomed at the Jungle Lodges and Resorts by the smiling staffs and a heavy flash of torrential rain. It is then when I got introduced to Mahadev, who in broken English communicated to me that he is going to be a call away during the stay there for service. After a quick lunch, it was decided that we fast be ready for our first safari in to the wilderness.
3:30 PM, but the sky was darker than usual and it seemed to be the onset of evening. A thin cover of foggy cloud made the way towards thickest a mystical one. When we stopped at the Forest Check Post for necessary regulations, inside I was really impatient to enter fast into the wilderness by the glimpse of a herd of spotted deers and monkeys on either side of the muddy road. Chilly winds, occasional sprinkles of rain drops, made the journey a real “hu-hu” kind and the only sound which started hitting the ears were that of mild murmurs of some unknown animals, chirpings of unseen birds and the continuous roar of the safari Jeep.
I will never forget how our vehicle got stuck in deep mud inside the jungle and we had to wait there for about an hour silently inside the Jeep to be rescued by another forest department vehicle, accompanied by the constant threat that the giant elephant which was inside the bamboo bush behind our way, could have changed its mood any time. During the entire safari of around three hours, we could spot some Langurs, Indian Gaurs, Giant Elephants, Black Rumped Flameback, Brahminy Sterling, Hoopoe, Indian Peacocks in majestic colours, lots of spotted deers, with or without antlers and a fighting pair, too. On the way back, I realized my mistake of not carrying a woolen with me.
The Next morning 5.30 I suddenly realized that may be I will be late for the morning safari and had to rush to catch the last safari vehicle. The early morning inside the forest was misty and the drive through the forest was very refreshing. The sights of eventual herds of deers and elephants remind, that its inside their habitat and absolute silence is a must. Red-Wattled Lapwings, Spot Billed Ducks, a salt licking Sambar Deer, White Throated Kingfisher, Stripe Necked Mangoose, an emerging family of wild elephants, and a majestic Serpent Eagle were among all occasional wildlife which were worth capturing in memory and in the SLR.
Bandipur is one rare place, I would say, where, on a mountain top there is a 750 years old Krishna Temple, Gopalaswamy Betta. Usually you find a Shiva temple in such a place!! The way to the temple is restricted and open under strict supervision of forest staffers during the day. After evening it is closed, even for the temple priests. The mountain top is windy and it is really difficult to stand outside for longer duration. The pug-marks in the adjoining mud land, remind one of the danger and beauty of the place. A glimpse of the blue mountain, Nilgiris, is such a refreshing sight from the top.
I spotted a mother-child duo in the curvy walk way to the thickest. The way the mother was nurturing the kid, and the complete dependence of the kid on its mother reminds one that all mothers are same in their care for child, the way and content of care may differ, but the intent of care is a common thread.
The evening safari on the second day brought some luck. The great spotting skill of the driver, helped to spot a leopard atop a tree. It is perhaps a rare treat to spot a fully grown male leopard on a tree. It appeared that the beast has just finished eating its kill and was enjoying the chilly breeze while resting on the tree top. I realized at that time that I should switch to some more efficient tele-photo lenses at the earliest!!
Whether I could spot a giant cat or not, the great part of this hide out is that one can find tranquility, not disturbed by many phone calls (the network keeps on disappearing) and the grandeur of wildlife will add sufficient value to it. It is a place to be experienced and nurtured in mind, but not to be disturbed by the colonial human presence. The hangover of the original beauty is must to continue and it’s a place not to be considered as just another vacation place. It’s a mental hide out, an emotional den where one can slip into when the hustle bustle of life becomes unbearable to tolerate any more.
I came back, after learning some more small steps to face this great world.
Great blog ... I had been to Bandipur/Mudumalai many years back. Looks like you were extremely lucky to spot a leopard. Once again, excellent blog and I lked it very much.
ReplyDeleteGreat photography sir, and very nice writing too... A lot to learn from you...!!!
ReplyDelete