Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

The journey is the end

The waterfall isn't spectacular, but the way to it is, says SOMA BASU

PHOTOS: SOMA BABU

SCENE PATH En route

The road to the waterfall is picture perfect. Having clambered up and down slippery rocks and rocky steps in the past to reach Nature's milky white spray in forests, this time round I just glide with ease to reach the Amirthi waterfalls, 25 km south of Vellore.Broad steps are neatly cut into the rocks. And the path is lined with cement benches under the shade of peepul and other big green trees. What better can one ask for?

Even if the sun is beating down and the walk seems more than the stated one km, with the surrounding scenery, I don't mind the exhaustion.

There is a sense of quiet as I walk down this lonely road, which cuts through natural forests.

Photogenic ravines, crop of hills falling and rising on Nature's canvas and the garrulous twitter of birds egg me on.

Occasionally, the humidity and the heat make me wonder "how much more". But the ample number of resting spots en route provides a break.

For a few metres, the stone steps give way to a narrow mud track up a small plateau and through jungle shrubs, but soon the stone pathway re-emerges.

I spot a cement watchtower with an umbrella-shaped roof.

The waterfall

Believe me, the view from here is awesome - provided you don't mind getting pricked by thorns or hurting your feet slipping over sharp pebbles.

The pointed peaks of rich green mountains seem to touch the sky. Where they fall in a deep valley, you can see nothing but a green carpet.

For a moment, the sky turns greyish and there is a whiff of cool breeze. The grey and white puffs of clouds float on the azure canvas above.

Refreshing sight

The picturesque sight refreshes me and I resume my walk towards what is described as an "amazing waterfall". Steps swirl down, and I find myself lowered by a couple of feet from the ground level.

And then disappointment strikes. First, there is not much of frothy white water gushing out of the rocks as I had imagined.

But a sheet of water that falls gently over two-steps of curved boulders.

Second, there are many people splashing and soaking in the water. Enough to disturb the calm and dirty the surroundings with their picnic hampers.

Where the water falls from a height of not more than 500 metres, a square, natural pool is formed. The water looks muddy brown, but people do not seem to mind. Some are floating, some swimming and othersdipping or diving.

The seasonal waterfall per se is nothing spectacular. But Amirthi is.

Wander about in its expanse, but with the permission of the Forest Department.

The Amirthi forests in Javadu Hill range is known to be rich in a variety of flora and fauna.

But one half of the jungle, around the waterfalls, has been cleared to serve as a tourist spot and the other as a zoological park.

Chances are that you will not spot any wildlife in the natural reserve area during daytime and it is better to take a guide along if you wish to trek through the meandering paths that traverse the hills.

If you are in Vellore, do not miss the discreet charm of Amirthi.

Kids can enjoy the play park and zoo. You can sit by or take a dip in the waterfalls or take a walk, enjoying the mountain air and the enigmatic mix of calm and fear of jungles.

And if you are looking for some rock-climbing fun, above the waterfall is a triple-peaked, huge rock.

But remember to wear a pair of good shoes because for reaching the base of the rock you have to traverse through a part of the forest rich in sandalwood and several fruit-bearing trees.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail