Roadtrip to western Ghats ( Chickmagalur region)

“In the blue of the sky, in the green of the forest, whose is the hand that has painted the glow? He is lost in the heart. In the cavern of nature – Sri Aurobindo”
The ability of nature to always walk towards balancing the elements makes our place in the universe unique. In this process, ‘Change is crucial’. The comprehension of change has always been unclear as we don’t realize it is a part of us. So when we have our lives oscillating between the compliments (Ex: good-bad) to create a sound balance, we need a perfect complement of change to hold our composure. And this is where, a solo trip to Chikmagalur played a pivotal role.
A 150-mile journey from Bangalore in a dingy bus with huge windows and soft cushion chairs added comfort to view the outside picturesque scenes passing by. The landscape realigned, vegetation grew denser, more huts were lost amidst the tall standing coconut trees and the stark simplicity grew mile by mile. I was welcomed by the mighty ranges of Western Ghats and shimmering small ponds at the gateway of Chikmagalur.
Breaking the trodden way of enjoying the paradise-green land, I choose to stay at a home-stay called ‘Mugila Manne’ flanked by the coffee plantations. The place was uncommon to the modern world; the atmosphere was abbey quiet apart from the chirping of birds, insects and the burbling sounds of water. It was a haven for various kinds of wildlife and plants. The idyllic scene gave presence in every moment.
Wanting to explore more, I trekked up the peak - the Mullayynagiri. It stood in its splendour at a height of 6,330 feet with smoky and steamy mist encircled. It was carpeted with a thick lush of grass and a whiff of coffee wafted through the air making it soul-stirring. The Tuscany-blue lit sky was like an amphitheatre, showcasing varying hues of green with the help of sunlight. There was this sublime euphony that filled the place. The peak of Mullayynagiri held a small Shiva temple that was vibrant with the ringing of bells and chanting of Vedic hymns adding to the allure and beauty of the countryside.
As I moved along the horizon yearning for more, I learnt a very important lesson.The end of the horizon will always seem like the end of the world unless you move towards it. Nature as a subject doesn’t alter itself; it is forever giving new pleasures to passers-by. It is in being ‘distinctive’ in the perception; we are able to discover ourselves.
After all, isn’t travel, the act of getting lost to discover ourselves?