Trip to Bhramagiri Hills

 

“A cup of chai, with my tribe, is all I need to heal my soul!” This thought kept fluttering in my mind, growing louder as the day went on, and my focus on work began to wane. All I could think about was my upcoming trip to Bhramagiri Hills, the origin of the Godavari River (also known as the Dakshina Ganga). Located near Trimbak in Nashik, Bhramagiri Hills is a popular trekking destination. The base point for the trek is just 10–15 minutes from the Trimbakeshwar Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva.

When people around me questioned why I would trek for two hours just to make a cup of tea, I was grateful to have a partner who understood exactly how much something like that meant to me. Our group of six had recently visited Kosmal Waterfall during heavy rainfall, and after watching several YouTube videos about the Bhramagiri Trek, I—someone who spends most of my time sitting and working on a computer—felt confident and excited for the adventure ahead. We left Silvassa at 3:00 AM, and by 7:00 AM, we had started the climb. Though I wasn’t ready to admit it, I quickly realized the truth about my physical fitness as we made our way from Trimbak to the start of the trek. I started thinking of ways for my friends to buy me a walking stick without them realizing. And then, just like that, the infamous monkey population of Bhramagiri Hills came to the rescue! Apart from the breathtaking views that all the YouTubers had mentioned, the one thing everyone seemed to talk about was the large, curious monkey population that inhabits the area. We bought a ₹20 walking stick to protect us from the monkeys who wanted to rummage through our bags.

We were lucky to have pleasant weather, greeted with a light drizzle right from the foot of Bhramagiri Hills. Everyone quickly pulled out their raincoats (or should I say, plastic sheets cut in the shape of hoodies) that we had purchased outside Trimbakeshwar Temple for ₹100. However, it didn’t take long to realize just how quickly things could get hot beneath those makeshift rain covers. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was what Mother Earth felt like. On one hand, I was filled with awe at the beauty of nature, but on the other, my energy was being drained. We walked through an umbrella of trees, passing beautiful monuments along the way. There are 2-3 temples on the route and what seems to be a Dharamshala (though it had the eerie vibe of an abandoned building).

As the group continued, I kept thinking, “It’s all going to be worth it.” As the rain started to pour down on us, we were greeted with the scenic view of multiple waterfalls. We made our way through the slippery, high steps, which eventually led to a dirt trail, while my group reassured me, “The view from the top is worth it!” Imagining the lingering feeling of warmth seeping through the cup, I felt a fresh batch of ATP cells being generated. When we reached the top, we were engulfed by a thick blanket of clouds. It was just me and a serene, white background. Slowly, I reached the centre, still in awe of the view. I had long forgotten the tiredness. Thanks to my inability to shed my postpartum weight and my sugar cravings lately, I wasn’t blown away by the wind, even though many in my group had difficulty standing. Even though my physical fitness was in question, my emotional and spiritual hunger was fully satisfied.

The interesting part of Bhramagiri Hills is that the trek doesn’t end at the top. We descended toward the spot where Gautama Rishi had meditated years ago to bring Ma Godavari to Earth. The story goes like this: “Long ago, Rishi Gautama meditated in Bhramagiri Hills, and as a result of his immense dedication, the sacred river Godavari was born. However, to control the flow, Lord Shiva allowed the river to flow through his locks. The place where Shiva’s locks were said to have touched the Earth is now a famous pilgrimage site, Jata Mandir.”

The way toward Jata Mandir feels like walking through the roads of heaven, passing through meadows that seem out of this world, witnessing natural miracles like the reverse waterfall. It felt as if the gods themselves were showering us with their blessings.

On our way back, we spotted a perfect spot! A small, round circular hut (maybe meant for selling something during the summer days), open from the side facing the reverse waterfall. One side of the semicircle had 6 stone seats, perfect for the six of us, and a small stone circle in the center, ideal for a campfire—though we used it to make chai and maggie. After all the walking and the rats running around in our stomachs, we quickly sprang into action. The moment had finally come. The view of the white clouds blending with the brown earth, and my chai being brewed—its white milk slowly turning into the brown of the earth. As I sat there in peace, I thought to myself, “Feeling the warmth of chai, surrounded by my tribe, is all I need to heal my soul!”

 This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.