Wednesday, 28 December 2011


BLESSED PRISTNE NATURE- THE WAYANAD

Students were thrilled when they heard about the exhibition at Wayanad. It was told that some selected students were only able to attend the exhibition. They became desperate. I was in charge of that team. I informed their interest to the associate dean of our college and got permission. Because our strength is the unity. They can conquer anything when they are united. A selection from that class was difficult. Because all are multi talented. Thus after all preparations, for a two day international exhibition, we started our journey to the famous hill station in Kerala, nestled among the mountains of Western Ghats called Wayanad.
The green paradise is located at a distance of 76 kms from the nearest sea shore of Kozhikode. The hills rocks and valleys which give shape to the very unique terrain of Wayanad provide for exceptional adventure experiences. Mountains and forests intersperse to create numerous out back trails, trekking routes and opportunities for other adventure sports. With vast areas still unexplored, Wayanad is truly an adventure scape waiting to be discovered. I gave a short description about our destiny to the students. Recorded history of this district is available from the 18thcentury. In ancient times, this land was ruled by the rajas of the Veda tribe. 
In later days, Wayanad came under the rule of Pazhassi Rajahs of Kottayam royal dynasty. When Hyder Ali became the ruler of Mysore, he invaded Wayanad and brought it under his sway. In the days of Tipu, Wayanad was restored to the Kottayam royal dynasty. But Tipu hand over the entire Malabar region to the British after the Sreerangapattanam truce, he made with them. This was followed by fierce and internecine encounters between the British and Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja of Kottayam. When the Raja was driven to the wilderness of Wayanad, he organized the war-like Kurichya tribal into encounters. In the end, The British could get only the dead body of the Raja, who killed himself somewhere in the interior of the forest.
But the students only want to know about the tourist attractions of Wayanad. Wayanad is one of the districts in Kerala that have been able to retain its pristine nature. 
Wayanad is known for its picturesque mist-clad hill stations, sprawling spice plantations, luxurious forests and rich cultural traditions. The leading tourist centers of South India like Ooty, Mysore, Coorg and Kannur are around this region. Wayanad is home to two major wildlife sanctuaries: Muthanga and Tholpetty.
 Taken together, these two sanctuaries are home to an incredible range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species. A past of the Western Ghats, they constitute an important swathe of the last surviving tracts of a unique ecosystem. For wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, Wayanad's wildlife sanctuaries are must visit destinations.
 Blessed and gifted by Nature - Tholpetty, Muthanga, Bandipur, Muthumala (Wildlife Sanctuaries), Kanthanpara, and Sentinel Rock (Waterfalls), Edakkal caves, Pookot Lake, Chembra peak, Kuruvadweep, Pakshipathalam etc...About 40 tourist attractions are there in Wayanad. 
 I was not sure whether we’ll be able to visit those places. Students were enjoying their trip.
I was in a different mood. These routes were reminding me some lost memories. Those halcyon days… I’ve gone through the same route, when I was in my college life. And that journey was not an official one. 
It was she who presented that journey to the bottom of my heart. We together enjoyed the beauty of Wayanad. An everlasting memory… and in my mind, it was like refreshment to my lost memories, when I took charge to my group.
By 4 pm, we reached Malappuram. Students were waiting for a cup of tea. Walking down the dusky street line, we went to the same hotel where, we together had our coffee, years before. 
 I told myself when I climbed the steps o the entrance of the hotel. “You’re fine”.  Though the hotel had changed a lot, I could grab the same table. I forced myself to breathe deeply.
 As my pulse steadies, and my heart find where its rhythm, I took the mirror and checked my face. Though the hotel had changed a lot, I could grab the same table in a corner where we sat. After coffee, I bought some chewing gum before getting in to the bus.
It was a deep sleep. Suddenly I woke up!! Cars and trucks roar by, blasting their horns. Our bus was slowly climbing the hairpin curves……….. Students were enjoying the sights.  Some are sitting with their earphones plugged into their ears.
 They forgot all about the trip that they are going for exhibition and not for an excursion.
Our trip was in a car. She was much scared by the sights around the hair pin. Those steep curves and scary wilderness created a rainbow in her eyes. 
Those expressions seemed to be very beautifully changing. When we reached Wayanad I thought she is also changed a lot.  Because Wayanad has such a beauty and virginity that it looks like a witch.
As the landscape changes from wet land to hilly forests of oak and pine I sense the great river out to my left.
 I was little jealous to her as I was driving, I couldn’t enjoy that much as she could. But I was fully satisfied by her happiness.
 Her happiness and excitements made me to enjoy. She shared all those with me. I gripped the steering wheel and breathe deeply. 
Those curves are very dangerous. A driver must be very careful about the hidden dangers. But her presence made me so relaxed. And at this moment, which is one of the precious moments with her I was even ready to die. Hurtling round the curves in the dark forest, I felt a sort of emotional gravity sinking at my bones.
A high rough iron gate blocks the college. Our driver drove slowly through the gate. The bars close behind me with a cling. 

Yes….!!! After a long journey we reached the college, where our exhibition was proposed to be held. That campus with misty couple of mountains is really wonderful and for me it’s a treasure of memories. I was more energetic than before. 
By that night itself, we almost completed our stall. And after preparing a plan for tomorrow’s program, we returned to our hotel where our accommodation was arranged.
Once we together stayed in that hotel. I booked the same room. After getting the keys rooms were allotted to the students. Then I went to my room, that old room…..
 I made my way in the dark to the light switch. It was easy because this room looks exactly as it did, when I came here before with her. That dusty old wooden furniture was replaced. Soft white walls…teak shelves…and a couple of Chinese paintings…
 I pull back my bead spread and lie down drawing the covers up to my chest. Standing in this room is creeping me out. I kept a picture of hers in my wallet. 
As I stare at the photograph of hers holding my hand, a blessed calm comes over me. On that day we spend the whole night together. I closed my eyes and tried to recall something fresh from that night.
 She felt sleepy as soon as she saw the bed. I brought the entire luggage and went to have a bath. She was still sleeping when I came back. Then I took some water and playfully poured to her face. Like a child, she again slept after murmuring something. I compelled her to wake up and sent her to the bathroom. We went a hotel, to have a small dinner. 
In the darkness Wayanad has a deceptively romantic look. We went to bed. By that she regained her full energy. She explained her, on the way experience and about all the important and beautiful places, their history and importance to me. I thought she know everything about Wayanad. 
She leaned towards me and spoke softly. I squeezed her upper arms.
 She clasped my left wrist and spoke with genuine urgency, “I Love you”….
 Once she told that she would like to lie closer to me, talking the whole night spending the whole day with me. While she was talking I look deep in her eyes. I could see my reflection. I kissed her forehead…..’Thank you’ i whispered.
 As sleep enfolds us, we swim down in to the blue cathedral our sanctuary from the world and from ourselves. Too late…I told myself to breathe. My throat was already closing.  Blood rushed in to her lips. I held her tightly closer to my chest. I turned off the light. We slept….
By morning after a fresh bath, I went to hotel. After our breakfast, I and my students went to the exhibition stall.  There we had to register our stall number.

 I also managed my time to visit other stalls also. Though there were many, ours was the most lively and attractive. Our stall, there lies the soul of KAUMBA. It was our hard work, dedication and unity.
Then I went to see campus. Not to the campus but to the old memories.  Through those midways where we walked together. 
There was a big ground surrounded by mountains as to keep our love secret in that lush greenish nature.
 She pointed a green hill and compelled me to go there. But when we reached the top the dense mist covered us. I really wondered. Ike a white sari, it covered us. 
 She was more excited. In three seconds, she go from mild anxiety to hyperventilation, liked an old lady about to faint in the church. 
It was unbelievable. She can’t even drink from the ocean of oxygen that surrounds us.  I can’t express it in my words. She stood closer to me and hugged me.
 I felt my arms and body absorbing her temperature. It was a heaven created for us- One of the rare moments in my life. I blink in disbelief. We thought we were alone in this world. 
It remained for a few moments. Later the background retained the greenish beauty by slowly white curtain of mist.
 Only when I exhale do I realize, I’ve been holding my breath. I could see the excitement slowly changing.
I hold her hand and went to next hill. It was steep. ‘Why we are going there?’ her eyes began to ask. It was a little adventurous.
 I never left her hands free. I held her more tightly. I took some photos of her. She was afraid of the cows rearing there. She hugged me out of fear when they blocked our way. 
When she was about to return, I compelled her to come with me. There was a tree, at the top of the hill. I took her photos in that background. We could see the hidden beauty of Wayanad.
 It was really awesome. She was wondering. Her lips pressed mine... A train ploughs over me without pain or sound. And everything goes black. Her eyes glowed and never blinked. I closed my eyes….
It was already late. But she was not willing to leave those moments. It was such a beautiful experience that we ever had in our life. Then we went to Pookode Lake.
 Now when I walk alone through those midways, those memories with her, haunts me. This trip was like following our lost memories. I felt jealous to those days. 
That deep virgin lake and water lilies is still fresh in my memories. They created such a powerful memorable chapter in my life time.
Students told about a rock where a distant view of Pookode Lake is visible.
 A private estate has to be crossed to reach there. A small hut of farmers working in the estate was there.  Now also there are leeches waiting to suck blood. 
She was very much feared about those steep rocks and leeches. Everything will finish if we miss one step.
Like a painting, unstained and virgin pookode lake encircled with violet water lilies was visible. 
It is guarded by chembra peak were the heart shaped pond,’ hridayasarassu’ was located. 
While I was with her, these leeches set us free. But now, I slipped and also, I could see a leech carefully sucking my blood. 
It was she or her prayers saved me from all. Like a warning, this situation reminded me the situation that I’m alone. Then we went to the lake. 
After paying 15 rupees, I got the pass.  I went straight to the boat riding. Once we together ride the boat.
 I plucked one of the water Lilly and gave it to her. Because she like those flowers. She carefully kept it inside the bag. 
I could see the motherly affection in her eyes, when she saw a mother monkey feeding milk to her baby. 
She will be a lovable mother to my children. I could read a long history of love and care from her eyes. Pond has a perimeter of about 3 km.
 A narrow clean and cool midway was there surrounding the lake. It was well maintained to avoid leeches.  While walking, she explained about the medicinal plants there.
 I thought she had a thorough knowledge.  We sat there in the stone benches there.  There we can breathe fresh air. After that we went to the small outlet, where special Wayanad items were available. Handicrafts, bamboo items, perfumes, pure honey, spices etc were available there. We bought some of them and returned.
Beauty of Wayanad doesn’t ends here. She was waiting for me to start our car to the next spot.
 But as we had no time, I gave a promise that; once again we will come here. But now when I stand here, like a deep wound that promise hurts me. I couldn’t keep my word. My eyes filled…. 
I’m feeling alone. From lake, I went back to college. It was the time for price announcement. I held my breath. While they are announcing the second and third price, I felt some of my confidence evaporates. I couldn’t control my feelings when they announced first prize. 
And, it was for us. Students were very much excited.  I used to share all my happiness to her. She is not with me now. I couldn't hold on. she can find out even a minute change in my mood. 
but i couldn't call her. That's because i don't want to see her sadness. But i couldn't share this happy news to her. i made a phone call to my home. 
“What are you going to bring for me?”, this was the first thing she asked. later before disconnecting, she included all her feelings in a single sentence," i'm with you". That's her. My dearest wife.......
I dedicate this travelogue to her. All about Wayanad, its own specialties, history, pictures and memories to her only……..
                                       PHOTOS..............