Did you ever have a near death experience? Did you ever have a feeling that this is going to be your last breath? I recently went on a trek where I had this experience multiple times. But one thing I want to tell you, it was all worth it in the end, coz the place which I reached when the the trek ended, it literally left me speechless. I went on a trek to Rankunya waterfall's gorge and believe me, it was amazing, even when it was dried up !
I went to Rankunya a few days back too. I came to know about this through some locals in Pedmi village, where this waterfall is situated. It is 35 kms from Indore and the actual fall is 5 kms more from the Pedmi village and the route goes through a patch of a forest. On my last visit, I went to the place from where the water falls into the gorge. It was gorgeous ! But then when I was flying my drone, I saw the terrain , the vegetation , the interesting path which was leading to this amazing fall's bottom. That is when I thought let me try and go to this place which looks so interesting ! SO I asked my guide Sunil ji that if we can go down there and if yes how? He said yes and also assured me the route was also pretty easy.
PRO TIP : Never trust Locals on Distance coz their easy is not actually easy !
So the plan was set and the next day I returned all prepared for the "EASY" trek. I had my cameras charged , water bottle filled and spirits high ! We began our descend form a place 1 km right of the place from where the water falls into the gorge. It was a route through the jungle and was accessible via a two wheeler. We parked our bikes and started climbing down the mountain. And man oh man the views which I saw from that spot was worth dying for. Little did I know way better things waited for me down there. But also, little did I know that the path to these little things was not an easy one. As we walked down the mountain, we faced a number of challenges. First of the many was loose gravel which we were walking on. One mis-step and it was at least a 100 feet drop, probably more ! We walked very carefully on these treacherous paths , which BTW only one person can walk at a given time, they are so narrow ! So we walked ahead ants marching in a line to a bowl of sugar, meeting our second obstacle, the mighty mountain rocks ! We had to climb down a few steep rocks to reach a better and a flatter surface. And believe me, it was not easy with a camera bag and a tripod on your back ! So my suggestion would be whenever you go on treks like these, use proper gear in terms of clothing and footwear, especially footwear. Then we reached a comparatively easy path. We finally finished the dreadful descend and reached a flatter ground. And I say comparatively easy coz the flatter path was nothing but a dried up river with big round slippery rocks waiting break ! The rest of the way to the fall was though this river , which would eventually lead us to a grand magnificent structure !
I know this has been a bit of a rant fest but now let me get to the good stuff ! And anyways, you don't get to witness something so beautiful unless you earn it ! On treks like these , in places like these, on these untraveled paths, this is where you will find Mother Nature in all its glory. The tall mountains on one side, the lush green trees dancing in a duet with the wind, the sound of water calming your nerves and the cool breeze hitting your face. In places like these, you feel one with nature. In places like these, you feel like you belong in somewhere in the vast spread out universe !
These places leave you so humbled. You look at these naturally occurring miracles around you and you can't help but wonder that how any of this is even possible. Who is the architect of these magical places, whose hands are involved shaping them and who are the minds behind this endless beauty !
All you can do is sit there and gaze at this beauty which unfolds in front of your eyes. All you can do is try to absorb it !