It is not we have money we can travel. Health,leisure & more than anything else His blessings are quite essential to see places, otherwise, we cannot see even a sunset or sunrise or keep a step out of our house at all too.
It isn't now, it's since the evolution of earth to man mountains & forests mean silence & solitude.In modern world silence is scarce. Everywhere it is hustle bustle. Silence it is not merely politicians & poets need but also young & old need it also. We won't know what the world is if are where we are. It is sightseeing takes us into another world. It presents us a glimpse of the world.It's a study.It's an experience.It's a different world. It's often to forget our routine.It's recreation or rejuvenation too. During a trip there is always the possibility of some inconveniences too. We can enjoy a trip only if we are of adjustable nature.While on tour we should go like a free bird & not carry either office or home along with us.It is better we remember "Be a Roman when you are in Rome."Entertainment is not a time pass only. It's a necessity too.
There are resorts by name Silent Valley in many places in India as well as abroad.This is the one near Kudremukh. It's off the main road to Kudremukh. Every five minutes we have busses to Kudremukh from it. It is a beautiful place in the midst of nature in mountainous region far, far away from the busy hum of city life. We camped here for 2 or 3 days 20 years back. My son had come home from the U.S. with his family on vacation. My grandsons Nikhil & Pranav were 3 & 5 years of age respectively at that time. Our troupe consisted of 5 adults & 2 kids in all.It was my first stay in a resort.We travelled by KSRTC luxury coach from Bengaluru to Kudremukh.The bus drops us at Silent Valley Resort Itself.
Silent Valley Resort is really a delightful strip of land lying at the foothills of Kudremukh Reserve Forests, 2400 feet above the sea level with vast stretches of green pastures, paddy fields, areca trees, waterfalls, lush green forests, huge mist clad mountains, hillocks with rivers and rivulets, makes it fascinating and enchanting. One feels to be like in the midst of a jungle in it.
The resort has 15 cottages, 1 Tree House & a Single Hall accommodation. Theme of these cottages is Herbal Plants of Western Ghat & each cottage is named after a herbal plant. These herbal plants are grown around the cottage. Vast stretches of green landscapes, paddy fields, areca trees, waterfalls, lush green forests, huge mist clad mountains, hillocks with rivers and rivulets make the resort look beautiful.
All the accommodations are of ethnic style & are outfitted with spectacular comfort. An inviting swimming pool, walkways, healthcare center, a terraced eatery, and a jungle right next to the resort makes this place a refreshing getaway with family and friends or a perfect location for corporate offsites. The resort is located between Kalasa & Kudremukh.
Pilgrim center Kalasa is at a distance of 4 km from resort & Hornad at a distance of 11 km & Sringeri shrine a little farther. We engaged a jeep to cover these places.
Kalaseshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is at Kalasa on the top of a hill.A few kilometres from it is the religious town of Horanadu along the banks of river Bhadra and is presided by the major deity, Annapurna. The drive to the peaceful village runs along tea gardens with an occasional tea lounge to pause at – an experience pleasurable in itself. The gold-carved shrine at the Annapurna Temple is visited by hundreds who pray for the blessing of never facing scarcity of food in their lives.All visitors here can relish the meal served at the temple. The route to the temple is full of lush paddy fields & the hills come together to create a rather scenic landscape.With a few small waterfalls & the Bhadra river nearby, Horanadu provides a serene trail for walking & photography. Famous for tea and coffee, Horanadu has an enviable stock of dry fruits such as almonds and cashew nuts.
Sringeri is the birthplace of my wife, my son, Ravi, & daughter Usha. We had to acquaint my grandchildren with this great shrine. We witnessed pooja in Sharadamba temple, Vidya Shankar & other temples there. One of the star attractions of Sringeri is feeding huge fishes in the tank behind temple which come running for picking up their food.We visited Goshala for grandson wanted to see calves which were rare to him in the U.S.A. We took them to house where my wife,son & daughter were born & my wedding had also taken place.Time doesn't stop.It is a cloth shop in Bharathi Street.Today,my grandchildren are budding engineers.
There were heavy rains on our way back to resort. We were caught in it.It was a heavy downpour with fierce winds. We had to make our way in it. The first casualty of heavy rain in our country is usually electricity. Roads weren't properly visible at all.Lightening & thunders were threatening. We started praying God .We were frightened by mighty Malanad & Ghat section rain. It is His blessings only made us reach the resort safe & sound.
By & large, we had a nice time & stay at resort. There was a swimming pool. Kids are supposed to be monkeys without tails.Fantastic thoughts make rounds in their mind. They are curious too. Little Nikhil was asking his grandmother whether she could jump from one mountain to another that were at a distance there.One grandson Pranav was knowing swimming & grandson Nikhil wasn't knowing it. Looking at his cousin swimming Nikhil couldn't withhold enthusiasm, he jumped into swimming pool. My son who knows swimming jumped in the pool immediately & brought him up unhurt. There were paths around the resort for walking & trekking. We were walking in the mornings & evenings & enjoyed the grandeur of nature & freshness. We visited several times horse shaped mountainous Kudremukh . It was a memorable trip.