Torna Trek

Pune is a amazing city in the sense that you just have to travel less than 50 km to escape away from concrete jungle and immersed yourself into life so away from roads, traffic, noise, office, internet and mobile network. It becomes much more bewitching during Monsoon. I used to think that to do treks one needs days as you have to travel far from city. But this perception changed after coming to Pune. I have been to few places in Maharashtra and its landscapes always mesmerize me. This time I went for a one day trek to Torna and it was quite a exceptional experience.

It is so scenic in Monsoon that one take time to comprehend the surroundings and still the mysticism remains unsolved. Monsoon is like a aesthetician, who pays annual visit to adorn the whole landscape. It deluges everything and gives birth to hundreds of waterfalls and tributaries.

As soon as we started from the village, this small river came to welcome us. We wanted to remain dry for as long as possible but for this little water stream which was all set to throw water on our plans. As if it wants to make sure that your feet are washed so that it can keep the hills pristine.

Over the hills the wind was quite strong. Those who think they are over-weight will feel happy in this force of wind energy. One understands why we have two ears, so that air can enter one and escape from other else you might get blew away. The combined force of incessant rains and wind is like a natural water canon used for protestors and in intruders. Yes we humans were intruders here. Drops were falling on faces like hundreds of thin arrows pinching you hard.

And as if the winds and rains were not enough, the fog also crosses your path frequently leaving behind a mist on your spectacles. Sometimes you really hate wearing spectacles. Why they have not invented spectacles with wiper yet ?

A unique plant on the hills. Looks like a group of tortoise coming out of water down the hills ascending so slowly that they always apper immovable. I believe its shape give it the strength to survive the winds. The greenery on mountains is like a huge sheet of velvet fabric showing its different shades as air moves over it. The bushes creates pattern as if anacondas are passing through them.

Sometimes attack is the best defense. Since rains were drenching us hard, we drenched ourselves in waterfalls to neutralize the rains. I almost developed hydrophobia.

After rain soaking ourselves in water and we soaking ourselves in waterfall, this tapri provided the much needed relief by providing the favorite beverage of India, chai. The warmth of holding the hot glass in hands was sufficient to order it twice.

Finally a bath in a more civilized waterfall.

All in all a unique experience. It is not a long trek, however one day is less to comprehend the looks of nature . There are couple of rough and steep rock patches which becomes more difficult to descend in rain. When you go to places like torna and put effort to ascend and descend it , the comfort of life in city comes to your mind. You will want to go back and feel better in your lifestyle but only for few days.