Vagabond

Escape:
There were seven of us. Karthik, Sree, Thanga, SreeKanth, Durai, Shen, Sarvesh (Names ordered by age). We were on time to take the train to Salem (Mangalore express). It was around 17:00 @ Chennai central. The official reason for the trip: attend Ska's marriage. The true motive: to vitalize our sinking spirits. By the time[22:00] we were @ salem, Sree was already starving after two chicken briyanis and Karthik had been ass four times(in six games).
Took the van waiting for us and went straight to the cinema. Indiana Jones, Forbidden Kingdom, Kuruvi were the options. Kuruvi won by an over-whelming majority of 6-1. Democracy ruled and we lost reason. Do you know that kuruvi, the bird has become extinct in TamilNadu? All of them committed sucide, when they came to know that this particular film was named after them. We are no kuruvis, therefore we are alive. Reached the lodge in Rasipuram @ 1:30.

Day 1 – Up we go
Five guys from blore and another from chennai joined us. G.k., Zulfi, Rohit, Nagoo, Muzafer were the blorians and Ragupathy the chennaiate. We were 13. We were on-time for lunch @ the wedding reception. The couple were a good match, The bride-groom had the biggest smile, hopefully not for the last time in his life. After a hearty meal, started our trip to kolli hills.



Kolli hills is 15-20 km from Rasipuram. Reached the foothills by 16:00. The climate changed drastically but pleasantly halfway thru the climb. It was cool. The hills were verdant. We stopped the van halft way and took a refreshing walk. Spotted a few monkeys and a snake on our way up.



90 mins and 72 hair-pin bends later, we were almost @ the top. Reached our cottage by 18:00. The kid in us came out and played (spoil-sport). We were busy playing shuttle, cricket, throw-ball. Kolli was welcoming us with a heavy down-pour. karthik and Durai started rain-dancing with nothing but their towel. It was hot. As the rain got heavier, the power failed. It was bliss.
The real party started by 21:30. "To kolli, Cheers!" The party went on till there was blood on the (dance-)floor. Whatever is discussed over a drink, runs down with the drink and never discussed again.

Day 2 - What a fall?
Akash Ganga - that's the name of the fall located on kolli. It was located near Arappalleswar temple. One has to get down 1121 steps to reach the falls. Took 20 - 25 mins to get down the steps. Our legs were literally shaking. We were hugely disappointed to find a massage man instead of a maid. However, the guy was good @ his craft and almost all of us had oil massage.
What a fall it was? It was around 500 feet high and water was flowing down heavy. From that height, there isn’t much difference between needles and water. It was like needles piercing all over your body at once. But it was thrilling. By the time I was approaching the falls, was already thinking about the snakes that could be swimming with us. But all that fear vanished when I got near the main falls. Was worrying how I could survive if I were to be washed away. Had one of the most enlightening moments when I got under the waterfall. Raised my head and looked straight @ the water that was falling from above. We are nothing but dust before nature.



We took 2 hours to climb up the steps which we had earlier climbed down in 20 mins. Was almost 17:00 when we were back @ the cottage. Guys from blore and Ragu started to their respective places. We were (sexy) seven again. That night, Karthik had his revenge. He won the game of cards.
A bon-fire was arranged. The party started there and went on to the cottage till 02:30. Durai and Thanga were dancing their heart out @ the bon-fire.

Day 3 – All good things have to end ;)



'Ettukkai Amman' temple was the first place we visited. The roads were narrow and there was thick vegetation on either side. Were enjoying every inch of the ride. Legend has it that, if you write down your prayer in a sheet of paper and tie it to the vel @ the temple, your prayer will be answered with in certain number of days. While we were @ the temple, there were a few writing down their prayers. We then went to the Eashwar temple located near the Amman temple. Spotted a saffron-clad old man, counting a Rudraksha mala. Was wondering whether he was 'siththar'. But I was not hold enuf to query him.
'Mudhumakkal Thali' was ancient and interesting. It was supposed to be 2000 years old. “Mudhumakkal” means grand old people and “Thali” means container. Poeple who had completed all their worldly duties would wish for a 'samadhi' are placed in the “Thali” and left to rest(in peace). However, we could not find much inside the thali.
We spent sometime boating and then started our journey down. Drove down the hills with-in 40 mins. Reached salem by 20:30. Had heavy dinner and were back on our way to chennai.
The trip will stay in our memory lane for-ever. We loved every bit of Kolli. it was rough, rustic and adventurous. It is the place to be if you are single and like nature and adventure.