Sparks: July 2015

After a long hiatus, couldn’t let go writing about this awesome place we went to this weekend. Before I start penning, I should thank my friend Vaibhav for suggesting this place. Without much surprise, I’d scream the name; it’s Vihigaon waterfall, Kasara, Maharashtra.

I like suggesting places that are economical, yet breath-taking and can be enjoyed by everyone; and Vihi fits the bill perfectly.

Vihigaon is situated at Kasara, in Nashik district, about 15 mins drive from Kasara railway station—a scenic village with fields, farms, cattle, mudhouses, dams, waterfall, rivers, and adventure sports. It has also acquired the name Ashoka falls as few scenes of the movie Asoka was shot here, especially the song "San sa na na na nan." Though it was named after the movie, there could not be a more suitable name as the falls lives up to its name, meaning "without sorrow," as one is sure to forget the world when you come here, and also due to its greatness.

Vaibhav had initially suggested this place because we wanted to try waterfall rappelling, just one of the adventure sports activity taking place at Vihi.

Discussions and planning were underway since more than 2 months. Friends were contacted and groups formed. We even registered with Trekmates. Why register you may ask? One can do waterfall rappelling individually too, but the activity is so much fun that you are unlikely to get a slot if you go on your own. So it is advisable to register with some event planners so that you don’t miss out on the fun. But in spite of registering, miss we did because the water current was too much to allow rappelling. Due to heavy rainfall, rappelling had to be suspended and there was one more activity called valley crossing. In case you plan on trying the sports, do carry necessary documents with you like your photo identity proof, with name, age, address, and emergency contact person (all adventure sports involve risks).

If you are not one who wants to indulge in a sport, let it not deter you from going to Vihi, as this is just one more feather in her cap. The lush greenery, perfect landscape, and roaring waterfalls are simply magnificently breathtaking.

So, as planned, we decided on a date when Trekmates had scheduled rappelling and we took an early morning train to Kasara. Since we all stay in the central line, each one got in at the station convenient for them. The usual hulla gulla, antakshari, chirpy chit chats, and snacking ensued. After getting down at Kasara railway station, we had our breakfast of sandwiches and tasty idlis. I forgot to mention that as part of planning, we had allotted one item to each member in the group for breakfast and lunch that we would cook and carry as you will not find hotels nearby the village. So early in the morning even small hotels near station would be closed. But we had a chai/coffee wala at the station. If you still want homemade food but do not want to make your own, you can order food with one of the villagers. Else, you have dhabas at the main road.

So, after breakfast and tea, we headed for Vihi. There are jeep services from Kasara station to Vihigaon that would charge you Rs. 40 per head. Since it is a local service, you can expect to be crammed up in the jeep with 15 people sharing the space. But what is adventure without such unexpected twists and turns! Since we were a group of 16, we had the jeep to ourself. On an advisory note, it would be helpful to take down the phone number of the driver, so that he can pick you up for return journey too; else, you could get stranded for hours waiting for a pick up. If you are travelling by your own vehicle, then no problem.

Did I forget to mention all the selfies taken in train and jeep by the enthusiasts?? No fun nowadays goes without selfies, do they?

After a 15-minute drive, the jeep would drop you off near a Primary school, Prathamik Shala in Marathi. You can stretch your legs and move your body, take a deep breath of fresh air, and start wowing and everywhere you look, its breathtaking. Start clicking, click, click, click…. photos I mean. The landscape, the village, the cattle, the hen and her chicks, fields… Have a leisurely walk of 7-8 minutes and there is the waterfall. So convenient, isn’t it?

The roaring sound of waterfall just cannot be missed. Be careful as you tread, there are fields around and you might accidentally step on one, ruining the crop. So just be careful and protect the plants.

There is a small dam where you can swim and sit under the drop, but be careful, if the water force is too much. It can drag you along. You have 4 places here where you can take your pick. First, is the dam for the swim, followed by its wall where you can sit or under the wall for a nice champi (body massage), then the water flows into a small waterfall, and finally the main 120-feet waterfall where all the activities take place. We did the first two options and skipped the third as we were dying to go to the main falls. As it is our rappelling got cancelled, so we didn’t want to miss out on the falls. We all had an early lunch of poori bhaji, paratha and the finger-licking thecha (that would take another post), boiled eggs, and shrikhand. It rained in the midst of our lunch and that was another entertaining lunch in the rains.

We did not want to litter the place, so all leftovers were neatly packed back into our bags, with no trace of food. We retraced our steps back to the main waterfall. The sound of falls was so inviting. After a careful descent of rocky stones you are simply awed by the falls. The falls is so magnificent. We were inside the waters for around 2 hours, braving the water current, and trying to reach the base of the fall (behind the waterfall). No words to describe the fun here, you have to experience it. If you do not want to enter the falls, you can just stand at the sides and enjoy the soft spray of water from the falls.

Without having the heart to step out, but out of compulsion, we finally stepped out and climbed back the stone steps. Another photo session ensued.

After all the enjoyment one is plagued with the BIG question, where to change?? Well, do not worry. Remember the primary school and the village? Just walk back the 7-8 mins and there, the friendly villagers let you use their homes for changing (expected to be charged though as we paid 20 rupees per person) and you can also ask them for tea or food. Food I think you have to place your order before you head for the falls.

After changing, you can explore the river and click more photos. Our jeep wala was ready at the promised time and we headed off to Kasara station. Had some nice tea and caught the local. Glad, we got seats to sit comfortably. After some chit-chats, dozing off, and promises to meet again soon, each alighted at their respective stations with a happy heart.

Just in case you have your own vehicle, do spend time exploring nearby places like the dam, river, Dharni mata temple, and an old British bridge. Sadly, time didn't permit us to do so.

Lessons learnt: God is such a magnificent creator. He paints the earth in such hues we can’t even begin to fathom.

Friends are an irreplaceable part of your life, and an outing with friends truly rejuvenates your soul.

So take time and meet people in person rather than on social networks and spend quality time.

All Photographs are courtesy my friends.