It’s been raining for the past week; life seems to have come to a standstill.
Watching mother earth getting drenched in the consistent rains, with a fuming Cup of tea I watch from my window, rains make me nostalgic and I hope each one agrees to it.
Nostalgic! yes, it takes me into my childhood. When I learnt to make paper boats and let them drift into the stream outside our Courtyard.
Puddle Popping, in my time, was a much-loved activity. Being oblivious to the world around with mud all around we hardly bothered, today it is foreign and schools in the metros have to organize these days.
Praying that the puddle grows in size and the rain keeps on pouring so that the school declares a holiday, a Secret Wish that every child has in the school going days.
The rainy day holiday was and is the most liked holiday. To laze around is fun and must be done to break the monotony.
The onset of the most awaited sight
Getting wet with buddies made us scream with joy, donning cute little raincoats going on rides, sandwiched in between my parents, they shielding me from getting wet, the two-wheeler drives in college days all make me nostalgic. Rains have a different charm and are enjoyed and is a loved season.
Monsoon in India is diverse and dynamic. The wait throughout the summer while relishing the famous Alphonso the telltale signs of the monsoons approaching is eagerly awaited.
All outdoor gatherings in the summers, progress to a discussion of the monsoons and its wait.
Beauty in the nuances of monsoon
It’s like the scorching heat has parched the land and the humans, first showers bring romance out of both. The aroma of the first raindrops on the soil gives hope and respite from the summer.
As the monsoon progresses, the earthy tones disappear bringing in the soothing greens. It’s time for the Sun’s vacation, it’s the hide and seek of the Cloudy and clear skies. The air smells fresh and wet.
Romance takes center stage; the farmer with his fields.
Considered the most romantic season, long drives in a four or a two-wheeler are the most enjoyable activity.
Rides are enjoyed with hot chai, pakoras, freshly roasted corn and monsoon snacks like Fritters, not to forget the soulful romantic music
Lifesaving beverage … “THE CHAI”
It’s indeed nostalgic
Every age group has a different story for every monsoon each one has faced. Nashik my hometown in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra is blessed with natural formations and every element required for nature’s sustainability. Temperature is mild throughout, but as the monsoon sets in, it gets chilly. Making it a sought-after destination for the adjacent metros.
The Scenario has changed with the diminishing green cover but thanks to hills that stand as guards. We get sufficient rain making the surrounding in and around Nashik lush green.
The Western Ghats and the mountains make sure that we have umpteen number of
Monsoon Waterfalls
We are blessed with innumerable monsoon waterfalls. Being fed by the rains, these gush down from the mountains. The height they fall from is intriguing often taking us to search to the ponds they make below them.
The rhythm of the falls, as they gush down takes us on a trail in search of the source of their origin or fresh water pools. Through the muddy sticky jungle paths with a woody smell and toads croaking the trails are divine, meditative and connecting to the monsoons.
Waterfalls flow creating streams of Crystal Clear fresh water, bearing the image of the cloudy grey skies, this is a picture perfect relaxing space.
Rocks besides these make the most ideal place to sit watching the water flow with the gurgling sound of the streams, walking in the shallow streams is healing and is sought after by all age groups. The natural surroundings are not only soothing they have calming effect on many and thrill for younger ones.
View to die for- the greens makes it for all
Monsoon Trails
Trails in the monsoons amongst the towering Ranges and waterfalls making it irresistible for us. The joy of reaching the waterfalls origin or the ponds below, is indescribable and is just a magnificent experience.
Forest trails are a great way to rejuvenate and experience the evergreen Flora and Fauna.
As we trail we meet the rural settlement in these jungles, they going about their day’s work. Many rice paddy fields are being sown and their songs while toiling and sowing brings another surge of enthusiasm to achieve what you have started for.
Monsoon Treks
Treks in and around Nashik are very popular and Nashik has many Forts of Sivaji Maharaja era and temples located on and around Sahyadri Mountains. Sandhan valley is a great Trek to be taken and has its beauty in every season but during the monsoons it’s breathtaking.
Experience these if you are for it health and energy wise with the rains pouring it’s adventurous and thrilling. For many it’s checking on toughness of mental and physical strength. Along with the pleasant climate it’s a great way to develop life and survival skills when outdoors.
Monsoon Camping
A tent next to the water bodies in the wild with a fishing rod, has its own charm and many campsites offer safe and budgeted experience for people who love the rains and the rainy experiences.
If lucky and the skies in the monsoon are clear and the sun decides to peek in the sunrises are to die for. The experiences are surreal and surely must be experienced.
Monsoon Agro tourism
This is growing and much popular in the region. Famous for its rice paddy fields plantation are in abundance and happen in knee deep waters.
The need to get to know your food better is in demand and a great run away, from your mundane routine activities. Agro tourism is a great experience to have along with the regional communities. They love to host, feed and interact and share their life with people coming around for tourism.
That’s also a way of community tourism and a great way of revenue sharing with all stake holders. It’s a way to pass out on some new age views to the otherwise rural areas.
Monsoon Farm stays
Set amidst the nature it’s a high attraction for people from the adjacent metros near Nashik. Farm stays by locals in the picturesque locale is a great way to spend time outside and amidst nature with each offering a different experience.
For me all these are within few km reach and I am blessed and right now experiencing and enjoy every bit of monsoon.
As I drive back home after the day spent alongside river Godavari, as she overflows at many points showcasing her unpleasant and beautiful side.
The Lifeline of Nashikars, waterfall at Someshwar is a sight to be captured.
Life thrives around her, with my favorite monsoon snack and a freshly roasted corn kernels with spicy chat masala and hot cup of tea.
The gushing water brings back memories and memories. The pit pat of the rains brings back memories of Eternal love story and unknowingly I am humming “Dil dhundhta Hai Phir Vahi, Fursat ke Raat Din” A beautiful song Written by GULZAR
“Dil Chata hai … Bass jaye in vadiyo mei hum…. Basa le apana aashiyana …Bharosa hai sambhal he laengi hume yeh vadiyan.
It’s a great gate way for the overcrowded and commercialized Metros around us, within a radius of 250km, with a sure a shot destination for relaxation with uber cool wineries, Golf course and ample of temples and adventure destination. But in monsoons it’s divine and breathtaking.
