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When we had taken a feedback from the participants of our earlier trip to Wayanad and Coorg, it had been suggested by some participants that we should arrange a trip to Gavi - an eco-tourism project of the Kerala Forest Development Corporation, situated deep inside the “Poonkavanam” of Lord Ayyappan (Sabarimala hills) in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. This is a tourist location recently developed by the Kerala Government, hotly chased by tourists, both domestic and international, mainly nature lovers and adventure tourists. Gavi offers activities like trekking, wildlife watching, outdoor camping in specially built tents (swiss cottages), boating in the Gavi lake, night safaris through the thick forests etc. Mundakayyam, Kuttikanam, Peermedu and Vandiperiyar are places en route when we proceed to Gavi from Ernakulam. We have to turn right from Vandiperiyar and go through narrow forest roads to reach Gavi. Parunthinpara, Vagamon, Ramakkalmedu, Munnar and Thekkady are other places of interest nearby.
The media had reported about a tragic incident in Gavi in which a wild elephant had brutally killed two young tourists (a couple from Gujarat) the previous week, giving a signal of caution to the tourists. Nevertheless, we decided to stick to our programme which had been booked two months in advance. We started the two days’ trip to Gavi in the morning of February 6th (the day after our Special General Meeting and Family Get-Together) with 45 members in two small buses, as bigger vehicles cannot negotiate the narrow, zigzag, forest roads from Vandiperiyar to Gavi. On the way from Ernakulam, we stopped at Chottanikkara temple, Kadappattur Mahadeva Temple on the banks of Meenachil river and the famous shrine of St. Alphonsamma at Bharananganam, a pilgrim centre for Catholics.
The sumptuous vegetarian lunch, with ‘kozhuva chutney’ and payasam, arranged with the KTDC hotel (Vazhiyoram) at Mundakkayam was appreciated by all. After passing through the tea gardens, coffee estates and cardamom plantations on the Sahyadri ranges, we reached Vallikkadav after Vandiperiyar and collected our passes authorizing entry into the virgin forest area. The travel from Vandiperiyar on the narrow forest roads through the dense Gavi forests was really exciting. We reached Gavi camp site of the KFDC by evening and occupied the entire accommodation available – in the ‘Swiss Cottage Tents’ and 'Green Mansion Eco-lodges’. After enjoying the three-course delicious dinner, we moved to the tents/rooms to relax. It was an exhilarating experience to sit outside the cottages in the thick silence of the cold night, in the middle of the serene and calm Sabarimala poonkavanam, under moonlight, listening to the sounds of nocturnal birds, animals and other creatures from the forest, chitchatting, reminiscing our good old days and rekindling and refreshing the friendship and sense of belonging, an experience that cannot be explained in words. Yes, we really enjoyed the rich and tranquil ambience of Gavi and relaxed with a sound sleep.
We got up early in the morning and went for a jeep safari for 2 hours through the forest roads (in the direction of Pathanamthitta) hoping to have an onsite ‘darshan’ of wild elephants and other animals. Unfortunately or fortunately for us, there were no wild elephants on the way, although we could see a few lion-tailed monkeys, innocent rabbits, great pied hornbills, woodpeckers and handsome kingfishers en route.
After a sumptuous breakfast, we got into the waiting boats, pedaled by the KFDC staff, for boating in the cold but crystal clear waters of the Gavi Lake for the next one hour. After the rejuvenating experience, we set out for the guided trekking tour through the forest for the next two hours and reached the Sabarimala view-point at the peak of the hill. In fact, the famous pilgrim destination, Sabarimala is at a trekkable distance from Gavi. The spectacular view from the hill-top was breathtaking and we could get a clear view of the huge Sabarimala temple complex, as also the famous ‘Ponnambalamedu’ where the ‘makara jyothi’ is seen by lakhs of pilgrims every year. The view of the valley down below was also fascinating. Although most of us were tired by now, the silent trekking back through the dense virgin forest, spotting rare species of birds and fresh footprints of wild elephants was very refreshing and energizing. After the trekking, we came back by 1.00 p.m. and our hot lunch was ready, tempting our taste buds and empty stomach.
Now it was time to check out and say goodbye to the pristine Gavi, which surely is a place that should not be missed in one's lifetime. After shopping for mementos, fresh tea/coffee, honey, cardamom, etc. and posing for a group photograph, we started our return journey and reached Ernakulam by night. The Gavi trip was excellent and hitch-free, except for a mechanical problem with one of the buses necessitating a switch to another vehicle, on the way from Ernakulam to Gavi. The group of participants parted with fond memories, looking forward to more such enjoyable experiences.
We have a new landmark in the history of our Association: we have now successfully completed a tour to the Wynad hills and Coorg plantations. In the early hours of November 10, 2014, a full busload of 49 members started from Ernakulam and proceeded through Thrissur and Kozhikode. The cascading of water at the Thusharagiri falls was the first scenic beauty spot that we halted to have an eyeful. Moving up the Thamarassery ghat, we saw the breath-taking beauty of the wild forests and lush greenery that lined up the two sides. Apart from random sightings of deer and wild buffaloes, there were moments of thrill when we came across a herd of elephants and minutes of anxiety when a lone tusker stood on the side of the road through which we had to pass.
Sharing rooms, we spent the night at a resort at Thirunelli. On the second day morning proceeded to Papanashini where we witnessed pujaris guiding the believers in offering the sacrificial rituals in memory of the departed souls of ancestors. The next destination was the Brahmagiri hills on top of which we visited Thalaicauvery, the origin of Cauvery river and the temple built around it. We reached Madikkeri, the capital of Coorg in the night and stayed at the luxurious Hotel Mayura Valley View after some spice-shopping in the town.
On the third and final day, after clicking the beauty around to our hearts’ content from the hotel which was on a hilltop and from a park nearby, we spent the morning at the elephant training facility at Kushalnagar. The afternoon was spent at the calm and serene atmosphere in the Tibetan colony at Nisargadham – visiting the Golden temple, listening to Buddhist prayer chants and shopping for some handmade Tibetan products.
It was evening and the time to return. So friends, this is the story of our outing to our neighbouring state. It was greenery all the way – plants, trees, plantations and forests. The tediousness of the travel was forgotten in the camaraderie of the participants. With stories, experiences, jokes, anecdotes, songs and discussions and suggestions on Association matters, there was not a dull moment. We said our goodbyes wishing for more such occasions.
