The heat is on. And it is an ocean of sweat that swims scorchingly. Time to take a break. Isn’t it! Tell me about it. Well, it was surely a time to take a short break, and what better place to cool the blistering sun than Matheran. If heaven is nature, then let it embrace me....
It was a party of four. My wife, my mother and a little cousin who squeals now-n-then each time she finds something even remotely out of the usual. We boarded a train bound for Karjat from Dadar. Neral was our first stop, a mere 1 and a half hours. A shared taxi costing Rs 45 per head (Rs 25 for the kid) brought us to the precincts of the quaint hill station.
It is quite a steep journey, and is dotted with quite-a-few pleasant surprises. Like, the fairy-tale railway tracks, breathtaking landscapes and cool breeze. Trust me, the breeze was literally a whiff of fresh air after so many days of Intense Heat Wave.
Now, no vehicle can go beyond the gates of Matheran. And one has to either walk one’s way into the town or take a hand driven rickshaw. Or a Pony. We hired a rickshaw (It can carry only one passenger) as my mother coudn’t have possibly walked the three Km hilly terrain.
This rickshaw is pushed by three people, and was a constant point of humanitarian discussion raised by the humane ladies with me. It is a sign of imperialism, according to them. I justified by saying that it is the way they earn their bread. I was outnumbered. And outsmarted. I sided with the majority. Later.
Matheran is a small town inhabited by around 5000 - 6000 local people. Tourism is the only source of income for them. The season is on between October - May. Monsoons are not a ripe season, but still many adventurous sorts find it more exciting then.
As we entered, we were thronged by agents who wished to show us their hotels. There’s no dearth of it and it can fit into any budget whatsoever. The average is Rs 200 - Rs Rs 2000.
We boarded in Khan Hotel, in the heart of the main market. The cost per room (We took two rooms for two days) was a sprightly Rs 350/- And this included, decent double bed rooms, with clean toilet, hot water in the morning, an excellent service, so so food and salubrious ambience.
The next day we roamed around the place. Apparently there are around 38 points that one can visit. We didn’t have the patience or inclination to visit all of them. The idea of a holiday according to me is a nice relaxing time just lazing around. And that’s what we ended up doing. Other than quite a lot of trekking around as well.
A few points we visited were the Khandala Point, Alexander Point, Charlotte Lake, Lords Point, Echo Point and Landscape Point. But the moments that I shall remember the most are the long walks I had with my wife in the woods.
The dense forest, the quietness, the laidback spirit and serenity is simply unforgetable. And worth being treasured forever. I shall also remember the Adrak tea we had at an innocuous roadside dhaba alongwith Kaanda Pua.
Matheran has been a wonderful way of unwinding myself. I am looking forward to the week ahead with a whole lot of positive energy and vigour. Do visit the place. You are in for a PLeasant surprise.
Matheran, Relish the Nature