P.S : The members of the trek were Rohit Garg, Sumit Singh, Shardul Rane, Sunil Singh(Teku), Chintan Shah(Chin2), Abhineet Rastogi and me(Mayank)
To all the readers, this is a true incident that occurred when I and my friends went trekking on Dhak Bahiri , which is one of the toughest treks atleast in the Western Ghats.
When Rohit, who is the master mind behind the trek, first proposed the idea of trekking on Dhak Bahiri, I coolly said, “I am in!!”
After surfing a bit about it on the net, I sent a mail to Rohit saying ,” Dhak Bahiri…Are u sure???”
Undoubtedly, this was an experience that still sends shivers down my spine. Looking back we really think, “Thank you God…Thank you for all the three reasons”.
Reason no. 1 :-- The weather. It had rained heavily in the week before we went for the trek. The trek date was 10th October, 2009 and it had rained heavily in the previous week even causing floods in Karnataka and some parts of Maharashtra. Thank God it didn’t rain since then. Thank you for a clear sky on the D-day as this is a non monsoon trek.
Reason no. 2 :-- The girls. Thank you girls for giving personal reasons for not coming to trek. This trek wouldn’t have been possible with you all. It was because you all rejected the offer, that we selected our venue as Dhak Bahiri. (I tell you what, you MISSED SOMETHING)
Reason no. 3 :-- Just Read On. It wouldn’t be much fun to read if I unleashed all my trumps at once!!!.
So, we woke up early on a Saturday morning, caught a local train to Kamshet(from Pune towards Lonavala), ate kachoris and samosas in a hotel and proceeded in a jeep towards Jambivali( a small village which was the base for the trek). With enthusiasm filled to the brim, I was yet a bit skeptical about the trek after reading about it on the net.
To all the readers, this is a true incident that occurred when I and my friends went trekking on Dhak Bahiri , which is one of the toughest treks atleast in the Western Ghats.
When Rohit, who is the master mind behind the trek, first proposed the idea of trekking on Dhak Bahiri, I coolly said, “I am in!!”
After surfing a bit about it on the net, I sent a mail to Rohit saying ,” Dhak Bahiri…Are u sure???”
Undoubtedly, this was an experience that still sends shivers down my spine. Looking back we really think, “Thank you God…Thank you for all the three reasons”.
Reason no. 1 :-- The weather. It had rained heavily in the week before we went for the trek. The trek date was 10th October, 2009 and it had rained heavily in the previous week even causing floods in Karnataka and some parts of Maharashtra. Thank God it didn’t rain since then. Thank you for a clear sky on the D-day as this is a non monsoon trek.
Reason no. 2 :-- The girls. Thank you girls for giving personal reasons for not coming to trek. This trek wouldn’t have been possible with you all. It was because you all rejected the offer, that we selected our venue as Dhak Bahiri. (I tell you what, you MISSED SOMETHING)
Reason no. 3 :-- Just Read On. It wouldn’t be much fun to read if I unleashed all my trumps at once!!!.
So, we woke up early on a Saturday morning, caught a local train to Kamshet(from Pune towards Lonavala), ate kachoris and samosas in a hotel and proceeded in a jeep towards Jambivali( a small village which was the base for the trek). With enthusiasm filled to the brim, I was yet a bit skeptical about the trek after reading about it on the net.
Trying not to think about what might be in store for us, we proceeded towards our ‘Lakshya’. There were mountains on three sides, so we took pointers from the villagers about the path. Fortunately, we met a ‘Baba’ out there in the village. He introduced himself as Bharat Kadam and told us that he was the poojari of Dhak Bahiri temple and he would take us to the cave. He wore a half sleeve shirt to go with a half pant and interestingly he had a sickle hung from behind his pant. So the journey began.
He did get a bit annoyed when in between we all would stop for photo sessions. To appease him, we also took a few photographs with ‘Baba’. Baba narrated interesting stories about the caves while we walked. He told us that there was a village named Dhak and that is from where the name Dhak Bahiri came from. Of course Bahiri standing for Bhairavnath(Lord Shankar). This piece of information was surmised by Shardul before we were told so by the Baba. He also told us that every Sunday they perform a ritual and offer a chicken or a lamb to the deity. This created some serious fear in us because Baba still had the sickle with him. HOLY CRAP!!!..My Mind never thinks good.
From various points while trekking, I was able to see the Rajmachi fort. The sheer presence of Rajmachi fort in the horizon made me feel at home as if had already been there before. After about 2 hours of trekking, we reached the cliff of the mountain. We had to reach the hill which was next to the one we were on. What was the way? We looked at Baba and he showed us a narrow, tiny passage way which went downhill at approximately 70 degrees………
From various points while trekking, I was able to see the Rajmachi fort. The sheer presence of Rajmachi fort in the horizon made me feel at home as if had already been there before. After about 2 hours of trekking, we reached the cliff of the mountain. We had to reach the hill which was next to the one we were on. What was the way? We looked at Baba and he showed us a narrow, tiny passage way which went downhill at approximately 70 degrees………
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(The narrow passage)
Rohit and I exchanged a glare and we knew that the tough times had begun. The others, especially Sumit was unaware of all the danger that about to follow. The passage was so narrow that only one could enter at a time. And since it was going down, we needed to use our thigh muscles to the fullest to prevent gravity from taking us down. Chintan went in first, but he slipped and came back. Rohit took the charge then. I followed him. The passage was so narrow, that we could hardly enter with our bags on. So we removed the bags and passed it over. After all the bags reached down, all the others started coming down slowly with caution.
After going down the narrow passage, we had to take a right curve. DAMN, that was scary. Every inch of ground had its own importance. Finally we all reached the curve.
Next, we were told to keep our bags and footwears inside the mini cave. I understood that it was time, to turn into reptiles. (not literally, but very close). We had to crawl on the steep straight mountain to get to the other end. Taking bags with us was just out of question. “After all, one’s life is more important than his Bag”. After seeing Abhineet’s confidence, Baba himself held his hands and took him in the lead. Rohit followed next, followed by myself, Shardul, Chin2, Sumit and Teku.
(Chin2, Sumit and Teku on the steep mountain slope)
(Chin2, Sumit and Teku on the steep mountain slope)
Chin2 and Teku crawling like a Reptile
While crawling, I just realized that I wasn’t afraid of the trek any more probably because of the confidence Baba infused in me . I just looked down at the valley and then looked at where I was standing. What if I see a cockroach or a mouse or a beetle near where I was standing? I was sure I wont jump in the valley, even if a weird looking lizard came by. I got over my phobia……I actually got over my phobia.
“You cannot defy fear, nor can you deceive it…you only get over it” .
I leaned my back towards the mountain and Shardul clicked the picture. That picture is really worth a million words and the one which I am gonna cherish for the rest of my life.
Next we had to climb a stone ladder at 90 degrees. At the last step, there was a cliff which was inclined at more than 90 degrees. To make matters worse, because of rains in the last week, it was wet on the rocks at many places. This could have easily helped us in slipping. This trek was now taking a toll on our bodies, if not physically, then for sure physchologically. After a few minutes, we all reached a place where we got enough space to sit. Abhineet was shaken. He asked Baba, ” Baba, vaapas jaane ka yehi raasta hain?” . We could clearly see Abhineet’s lack of confidence due to his inexperience of trekking. Nonetheless, we advised him not to come up till the cave if he wasn’t confident enough. He obliged. However, for someone doing his first trek, we really appreciated his efforts and determination to do the trek
Next up, was indeed a task in hand. A rope was tied on the surface of the mountain clinged to metallic supports. We had to grab the rope and walk through a very narrow path towards right. There wasn’t space even for your two legs to be kept side by side. So, we had to walk criss cross not leaving the rope. After the rope portion got over, we had the toughest part ready for us. It seemed like getting into the cave wasn’t meant for those who lacked courage. Yes, the toughest part was the tree trunk. Imagine, you are climbing a mountain, and you need to use a tree trunk as a ladder. The trunk was tied at the top with a heavy rope and different supporting ropes were suspended from the top which were tied firmly to the stones. The Thumb rule was, DONOT LEAVE THE ROPE, COME WHAT MAY . Rohit lead the way, and reached the cave first. I followed him, but a shiver ran down my spine as I clung on to the rope.
The Tree Trunk
After I climbed up the tree trunk, I had to get around it, to put my step on the stones again from where I could then easily climb up. However, I got entangled in the ropes. My brain seemed to stop functioning. I took a deep breath, and then pulled the weight of my body up using the ropes with both my hands. That was one BIG MISTAKE I made. I pulled myself up, I was hanging in the air, and with ropes in both my hands, my feet managed to find some ground somewhere. I don’t know how though. Next, I climbed up the final two steps and reached the cave at the top. The first thing that I did after entering the cave was run and pray to the Shiv Idol there. Shardul came up next and he also guided all others one by one up to the cave. Shardul, probably had the coolest head. Rohit’s hands were still shivering!!! which was evident from some snaps that he took.
(The Cave)
(The Cave)
Amazingly, there was cold water up at the cave. This water percolates from various crevices of the rocks and is present there even during summers. We all washed our face & hands and were enjoying the view from the top. The position of the cave was such that, if the mountain were to resemble a face, the cave would have been its eye. The Baba performed some Pooja at the cave and then did a teeka on our forehead. Rohit shouted,” Dhak Bahiri conquered!!!”…We all shouted with him. Then, sumit said, ”I won’t say anything, till I reach down”. Ohhhhhhhh Yes……….we had to trek down the same path...and suddenly, we all chilled. The fear factor now struck us again!!!.
After about half an hour at the top, we began our journey back. We decided to follow the same order as we entered. This time our synchronization was far better than before. Rohit, myself, Shardul and Sumit reached where Abhineet was sitting for the past hour. Baba, had some wood cutting to do in the forest and left. Rohit now took the task of taking Abhineet back home alive :P. Sumit and I followed soon. Shardul followed later with Chin2 and Teku. However, suddenly Abhineet shouted that he wouldn’t be able to do it. Hearing his cries, Baba returned back to our rescue. By his efforts, we all made it to the cave where we had kept our bags and shoes. We had our lunch there and paid Baba for his efforts. While returning back, we also bathed in the water stream .That recharged us completely. All our mental blocks disappeared and it seemed like we had been having a gala time. We reached the base village Jambivali and that was the end of a fearful, dangerous, adventurous and mysterious trek. One trek that is a must in your ‘To-Do’ list.
AN AFTER THOUGHT : In case if you are wondering, why was this trek mysterious…read on. When we asked a few villagers about Bharat kadam, the poojari, the reaction was strange. “Huh…he just calls himself a poojari”. Well whatever, he may not be the poojari, but he was the person who made us reach the cave. Yes, he did charge us for that, but that’s alright. And to also mention that the third reason I thanked God was but obvious from the entire narration. In Shardul’s opinion we shouldn’t have gone for that trek without proper preparation and that it was sheer foolishness from our side because one wrong step was all it would have taken for a mishap to occur. In my opinion, it was not foolishness, but bravery and if I do get a chance to trek it again, I would be the happiest person. Chintan's confidence has increased. Teku is still savoring the trek. Sumit, however thinks that life is not so meaningless that he had bet it for a little adrenaline rush. When i asked the Rohit himself, he just smirked :). All in all, “DARR KE AAGE JEET HAIN…………..”
After about half an hour at the top, we began our journey back. We decided to follow the same order as we entered. This time our synchronization was far better than before. Rohit, myself, Shardul and Sumit reached where Abhineet was sitting for the past hour. Baba, had some wood cutting to do in the forest and left. Rohit now took the task of taking Abhineet back home alive :P. Sumit and I followed soon. Shardul followed later with Chin2 and Teku. However, suddenly Abhineet shouted that he wouldn’t be able to do it. Hearing his cries, Baba returned back to our rescue. By his efforts, we all made it to the cave where we had kept our bags and shoes. We had our lunch there and paid Baba for his efforts. While returning back, we also bathed in the water stream .That recharged us completely. All our mental blocks disappeared and it seemed like we had been having a gala time. We reached the base village Jambivali and that was the end of a fearful, dangerous, adventurous and mysterious trek. One trek that is a must in your ‘To-Do’ list.
AN AFTER THOUGHT : In case if you are wondering, why was this trek mysterious…read on. When we asked a few villagers about Bharat kadam, the poojari, the reaction was strange. “Huh…he just calls himself a poojari”. Well whatever, he may not be the poojari, but he was the person who made us reach the cave. Yes, he did charge us for that, but that’s alright. And to also mention that the third reason I thanked God was but obvious from the entire narration. In Shardul’s opinion we shouldn’t have gone for that trek without proper preparation and that it was sheer foolishness from our side because one wrong step was all it would have taken for a mishap to occur. In my opinion, it was not foolishness, but bravery and if I do get a chance to trek it again, I would be the happiest person. Chintan's confidence has increased. Teku is still savoring the trek. Sumit, however thinks that life is not so meaningless that he had bet it for a little adrenaline rush. When i asked the Rohit himself, he just smirked :). All in all, “DARR KE AAGE JEET HAIN…………..”
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Tags: adventrous, conquered, danger, dhak bahiri, fearful, flirting, mysterious, trek, trekking
