In seventh heaven

Not I, not any one else can travel that road for you, You must travel it yourself. It is not far, it is within reach, Perhaps you have been on it since you were born and did not know, Perhaps it is everywhere on water and on land.

Walt Whitman’s lines in Song of Myself linger in my ears as my mate and I set sail for Munnar from Nedumkandam. We sped on those characteristic curvy hill roads swaying our hearts along with it till we set foot on Chaturangapara – a village in Idukki district of Kerala.

Situated on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, this place is one of a kind. A one-km steep hike up to the place and the reward is total satisfaction. The spectacular view that you behold cannot simply be put to words. A large area of Tamil Nadu can be seen from atop the peak. But what will blow you away even more is the wind. Phew! Not to mention the many windmills that stand upright constantly slicing the air with its huge blades making its presence felt. Although cloudy, the sudden outbursts of the sun’s rays satisfied our souls.

A view from atop Chaturangapara. (Photo: Munshi Wasim Abid)

We moved on. We were on our way to Chinnakanal – a village in Idukki district – when the way forward slowly vanished from sight. As if an angel had spread its wings upon the area! Treading slowly we reached Powerhouse Waterfalls. And lo and behold! The angel had followed us!

It was a sight to devour. Mist appeared out of nowhere. Wrapping the waterfall in a blanket in one swift move, it proceeded to cover the only souls present there. It felt like Mother Nature had embraced us no matter who didn’t want to! What a killer view! Time had come to a standstill. For me, of course. I was in seventh heaven. My soul had been encompassed by Mother Nature’s enchantment. I would give up anything to relive this experience again and again! Walt Whitman rang once again in my heart.

Smile O voluptuous cool-breath’d earth! Earth of the slumbering and liquid trees!
Earth of departed sunset- earth of the mountains misty-topt!
Earth of the vitreous pour of the full moon just tinged with blue!
Earth of shine and dark mottling the tide of the river!
Earth of the limpid gray of clouds brighter and clearer for my sake!
Far-swooping elbow’d earth- rich apple blossom’d earth!
Smile, for your lover comes.

We passed by Poopara, also in Idukki district, home to many tea and coffee plantations, and reached Munnar at noon. We headed straight to a hotel to fill our stomachs. Munnar could wait now, I realised. It was time to introspect!

While food was being served, I felt as if Mother Nature had already served mine! I had come across such an important moment at Chinnakanal that even words cannot suffice. Such experiences are best left to the fantasies of our memories to ponder.  And so, just let it be! As Chinese poet Du Fu pens in Traveling Again -

...It seems the hills and rivers have been waiting,
The flowers and willows all are selfless now.
The field is sleek, and vivid, thin mist shines,
On soft sand, the sunlight’s colour shows it’s late.

All the traveler’s sorrow fades away, What better place to rest than this?