The Happy Getaway: cave

Saturday, 2 May 2015

A Beautiful Cave With A Peaceful Heart - Kanheri Caves 2015

It’s good at times to just pack your bags call a few people you love and head out exploring and visiting new or long lost places. Kicking back your feet, doing things spontaneously not having a schedule, and just having places in mind that you want to catch glimpses off. So this was one of my first of such kind of trips, backpacking to the Kanheri Caves in Borivali, a place I had visited at an early age as a child (And, I really did not remember much off.) with a few good friends that made the trip even more memorable. A short yet memorable trip was about to get underway.

It started off with me calling Sheldon, and saying “You’re free, I’m free, lets do this.” We soon spoke to Dua and Jean, and gradually the next morning we were catching a train from Bandra station and heading out to Borivali. Me and Dua enjoyed some cold lassi, idli’s and morning vada's at a few stalls close to the station as we waited for Jean. As soon as she arrived we, caught a rickshaw and head towards the park. (You can usually take a bus too, it’s pretty close to the Borivali East station, and right on the highway if you're travelling by road.). We reached the park and soon began our long walk towards the caves. The weather was pleasant, you can see others walking, jogging and reminiscing the beautiful morning and nature too. Cycling around (Renting them) is a good option too, unless you have people who do not cycle, or wish to learn to cycle in your group then you will need to walk.

So after a long walk of conversations, jokes and enjoying cold cucumbers we had finally reached the base point of the caves. I have been to a few Buddhist caves in the recent times, and they all have this beautiful feeling of peace, harmony and beauty in them. You’d feel like you’ve finally gotten home after all these years. There are numerous amount of small caves you can explore there once you enter. You’ll see a lot of trees, monkeys and remains from the olden days. We saw two snake too! (If you’re lucky/ during the monsoons) The caves are quite well maintained and taken care off. These caves are as old as from the first century BCE to the 10th century CE. Around a 109 caves are carved here out of basalt. All caves have a stone plinth for a surface. A huge congregation hall with huge stone pillars contains the well crafted and beautiful statue, the Buddhist shrine. Some of the caves were use for living, studying and meditating (Vihara’s). The larger caves are the ones we're halls used for congregational worship (Chaitya’s). Avalokiteshwara are the most different figure. The large number of viharas demonstrates the well organized establishment of Buddhist monks.

This Cave was also connected with many trade centers, such as the ports of Sopara, Kalyan, Nasik, Paithan and Ujjain. Kanheri was a University center by the time the area was under the rule of the Maurayan and Kushan empires. There are about 34 unfinished paintings of Buddha within the Caves. Nearly 51 legible inscriptions and 26 epigraphs (Cave 90) are found at Kanheri, which is very beautiful to see. I was really put to ease by the architecture and work put into it by the monks, surely historical. Dua was mentioning how it is a bliss to visit these caves during the monsoons, as there a lot of waterfalls and small streams that flow across the park, and the weather also is bliss. (Must go again!). There are also various bird and butterfly watching spots (Clubs too) across the park that one can visit or spend time at to enjoy a little bit of nature.

We head back after exploring. We took a bus that dropped us at a central point. We then, by feet climbed up stairs that a lady told us can help us see all of Mumbai, yes just 100 steps and you can see all of Mumbai (Note to self: never believe random stranger aunties, or ask them where steps lead too.). We climbed up to see nothing, then head back and saw Deers (Many kinds), Vulchers and Peacocks. They were beautiful to see, and touch and be with up close. We even fed this really beautiful looking deer a banana that Sheldon was carrying with him. Was really nice to see them all chill at the shade of the tree, trying to enjoy the warm summer. We soon then later grabbed a bite and head back. Cause it was time to goo home.

It was a nice experience this, not going with a group running around having a schedule. It was nice to just spend really long hours talking at a place, fooling around, being at peace and just being together. Its sad to see that even though the cave is so close to the city, and to our lifeline (Unlike the other far off places I usually visit) there is not as much importance given to this place. Yes people do visit now and then, and you’d see it buzzing with locals and nature/history lovers. However, I really feel this place should be adored for how peaceful, beautiful and home like it is. I really hope to do more spontanious trips, and local trips in the future. And learn more about important and significant places right around the corner and backyard. Hope to do more trips and getaways with these guys too. (Hi5! Love you guys.)

Pictures of the Caves (Kanheri Caves 2015) :

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.880508555346257.1073741833.855590067838106&type=1

This is Mr. Happy (Or you can call me Alvin) signing off, until next time.

Have a great day, and an adventurous weekend! :)

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Thank You

Alvin Anthony

Wednesday, 1 April 2015

A Long Forgotten Cave - Kondana Caves 2015

They say, some trips are enchanted and have a feeling resounding with them the minute they begin. However, this was not one of those trips (Hahaha, horrible start this one had.). Here is my second blog post covering my trip to the oh so, forgotten, yet beautiful and historical Kondana Caves, located in Karjat near Lonavala.

It began with me receiving a forward from Yash (One of the most chill, and fun trekkers and organisers I have met, in my time.) the founder of No Mad Hikers along with Yogesh (Missed you mate.) Inviting me for an overnight trek to Kondana Caves on the 28th & 29th of March. First I was hesitant, as my weekend work schedule was still not in place, but he still assured me (Like my true trekking mate that he is.) that even if the seats get full, he will make room for me, and accommodate me. (Enter bromance caption here.) The week went on, and finally I was sure, I could go! (Yaayo! :D). The week passed by as quickly as ever then, In no time, I was boarding a train from Kurla for Karjat, and was on my way to visit one of the oldest Buddhist caves in India.

The exciting and adventurous feeling, was beginning to kick in, through the dead dry summer heat. But then all of a sudden the train took an unexpectedly long halt at Ambernath. Everyone in the train, began to get irritated and nervous about the delay and started stepping out to see what happened, to my astonishment the train was cancelled due to a fight that had taken place in one of the compartments (Here, is the horrible start I was talking about.). After meeting Yash, and the others who were in the other compartment, we were figuring and discussing how do we move ahead. We soon, stepped out had a nice glass of nimbu pani (Lemonade.) and then took a rickshaw to Badlapur station. However the rickshaw wala suggested that we take a bus, and left us at the bus stop. For us to realise that there are no busses that go to Karjat (Note to self: Never take advice from a rickshaw wala, who seems to wink at you whenever he tends to suggest something.)

We then, walked it out to the station, which wasn't too far from the stop. Ran around looking for trains and buses and finally boarded a bus, that left us half way through to Karjat. We then took a rickshaw again, and the warm summer breeze seemed to blow away, as we entered Karjat. The cloudy skies and breezy winds began to greet us, the closer we got to our destination. We had a couple of halts to pick up things, Nani (Aniruddha, a business guy. Got us some nice boiled eggs, that he managed to convince a Chinese restaurant to make for us. That we were later going to use for sandwiches.) And then, the slight drizzle, turned to breezy rain as we reached the base point of the trek. We soon began walking against, the monstrous wind, that kept pushing us away. Soon, it began to get dark, and to find the path, was not easy at all. Vishal (Aka Silver. I still have no idea, why we call him that) removed his mobile torch for us to use, so did the others.We soon began our trek, trying to locate the right path, and not get lost in the forest. We soon found steps, and a dry river bed that we began to walk across. Sushil (A frequent trekker, and someone who had been to this cave a couple of times before, seemed to have a judgement of the path.) Slowly yet steadily we managed to reach the cave, just before it got too late.

The thundering skies, and unexpected drizzle and wind was surely a thrill and joy. Once we all reached the cave. We all were in awe of its majestic structure and beauty. Even though it was dark and we couldn’t really see it as well, it still gleamed its essence of glory and history. Soon, Yash and a few others began to look for wood, to set up a bonfire. We then sat around the fire, shared our tiff-ins and dabbas, had some delicious sandwiches Silver made, and Sarvesh assisted him with. The darkness began to kick in, and Yash told us a little bit about the history of the caves.The Kondana caves are a group of 16 Buddhist caves, located 33 km north of Lonavala . These caves were excavated sometime during the 1st century BC. The Chaitya or the prayer hall has one inscription which gives information about the donors. The cave can be reached by climbing down from the Rajmachi village. Kondana is a rock-cut Buddhist cave with a stupa, chaitya, vihara, and sculptures. It is believed that during an earthquake in the early 1900s, much of the front, floor and stupa were damaged. This left the pillars in the chaitya suspended like huge stalactites from the ceiling. Large beehives are said to be present at the entrance of the cave. Hence people are told to be careful. Yash also told us that there are beautiful carvings, and there was a statue too, that due to the earthquake and during some riots was damaged and broken into.) We were only able to see the remains.

We were a small group finally, just of 6. But through the night, we ate, sang along some songs, shared and spoke about our experiences some scary some not so much. Soon, we all got some sleep, and woke up to the misty beautiful morning skies. (You need to see, the pictures. It felt lovely.) There was something about the air, something peaceful and homely. Something that wouldn't want you to leave. However, we did have to head out soon. So after exploring the cave quite a lot myself and together, entering the Monks meditation rooms, seeing their water tank, climbing up a hidden path, and getting a aerial view of the prayer hall. We soon began our journey downwards. It was a fun descend as we did not take any halts, and the early morning weather was quite, a pleasure to walk through. We soon reached the base and our trip had reached its end. We then had some morning snacks, got our tickets. And were on a train back home.

This was a different sort of trek, than the usual one. A more peaceful, small, and concise one. A one that threw a lot of challenges at us that we faced head on. And a cave, that silently comforts you and makes you feel at ease. It was a memorable trip, and trip I’d love to do again. Looking to keep in touch with the new friends I made. And to do more trek's with No Mad Hikers.

Picture of the Trek(Kondana Caves 2015) :

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.863368453726934.1073741830.855590067838106&type=1

This is Alpal (A new nickname, given to me.) signing off, until next time.