Bandaaje - A Monsoon Trek

When was the last you got drenched in rain without giving a second thought? Without having to worry of anything else? When was the last time you let yourself wild and free?

There are times when we list the places as a "bucket list" which includes everything but the places in and around you! One such beautiful trek is Bandaje falls trek OR Ballalarayana Durga trek.

It all started at 5.30am when we, one sweet bunch of 6 people left Venoor(My home) to Sunkasale. It is a 2hr long journey we had on road. If you find some places to stay nearby that also would be good choice as you can leave without hurry. The journey was in fact a beautiful one as we had to however pass one of the finest and beautiful ghats during monsoon - Charmadi.

We reached Horikhan estate, and we had a contact of one local guide and it was his home where we had our breakfast and packed our lunch box. (This will not be given unless you inform them in prior. We had this information of trek given to them about a week back). The registration fee is Rs.250 and we also had asked for local guide to accompany as it would be always an added advantage.

And the walk started at around 9.00am..The first few steps were amidst deep forest and all you can see are trees filled in Jungle green color. 

Now before you reach your destination if you take a small diversion you can see a Beautiful view of Rani Jhari (Jhari here locally refers to a cliff edge and not the flow of water). The best part was Fog hasn't filled the view yet and hence we could capture the complete view). Nothing less than a treat to eyes and heart.!

We were also accompanied with another group of travelers. This is how travel also makes you meet new people!

After this, there is a walk for about 3km amidst the forest. This is where you will see friends of monsoon trekkers- Leeches. The fact is you do not even get to know they are over you until you see blood rushing out of no where from your body. So, it is always a good idea to ignore them and just walk. (Well, it was not easy for me to walk as it had some steeps also...but anyways, No other Go ;)) 

Here comes a junction where if you take one path it leads you to fort and the other leads to falls. We took the second. The walk to falls is for about 5km which is a downhill. Although normally downhills are easy to walk, you might face some challenge here as you need to walk through Rocks. And as you approach the falls, you can hear a roar of water flowing and falling. No other sound would feel this good as the sound of water falls (may be birds chirping would)! 

"Water falls would not sound so melodious if there were no rocks in their way" as this goes...from between huge slopy rocks we saw Massive amount of water falling to what it looked like a never ending drop.

We were at the destination "The Bandaje Falls". Sitting on rocks, seeing water flowing and falling from where exactly it starts is all the way a different feel. Since it had rained heavily in this region the flow of water was massive and risky. ⚠️Always stay cautious when you attempt to view the base from the edge. 

We then had our lunch on a falt rocky surface and started the way back. Now, this was difficult for me initially as it's the uphill climb and it started raining heavily. Again, you don't have a go and you have to finally Walk!!! 

Walking along the path of grass, getting completely drenched in rain and having the talks on History, mythology, mind and life. ℹThe emotions here cannot be explained in words. It has to be felt!

Now, this is the time when guide helps, we somehow by walking on same path back had reached Ballalarayana Durga without reaching the point of diversion.! It is again 5km of walk back from falls to fort.(It was like how did we reach here!? Where is the diversion?!) Having some good time spent in there we walked back to the base. It's an amazing thought just knowing that the water you see flowing between grassland is actually then becomes a huge falls.!

It was around 5pm when we reached the base and what's better than having a hot coffee/tea.

With every travel experience we become a better person. Every place has something to teach us. It answers many questions which we might not have otherwise answered or thought about. 

Bandaje Trek is not an easy trek to do, it needs your energy and passion to see the things you have never seen or the things you have never experienced. But in the end, it's all worth it. 

Right people, right mind and right season is what we had and this made the journey as one of the best experience.

Hints : 

1) Carry water bottles, food and energy boosters which surely will help you during the walk.

2) Having a guide is always a good idea.

3) If you have a car as transport media till base ensure that the headlights are off before you start the trek 😉 The battery might drain completely when you are back and you might have to then perform another adventure to get this set! (Based on true experience!)

3) Live in the moment. Make memories. Go with an open mind.

Because to walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.❤