Devkund Falls – Memorable and Thrilling Trek
The name Devkund stands for 'the bath-tub of Gods/Goddesses' (translated literally). Dev=Gods, Kund=Tub
This waterfall is located inside the forest near a small village called 'Bhira', in Maharashtra. It is ahead of Tamini Ghat, and en-route to Andharban forest, which is another favorite spot for trekkers
Main
Route from Pune
Pick up Point Swargate, Chandni Chowk, Mulshi, Tamhini Ghat and Reach the Bhira Village (Base Village of Devkund WAterfalls)
It was at 6.30am that we commenced our Journey picked up people from Swargate and Chandini Chowk and the journey moved towards Bhira Village.
The journey to the base was quite uneventful. We had one stop for a quick tea at Kamat hotel and Refreshment; as location was beautiful people had the photography sessions.
Soon we reached the base. FYOWs/my Group keeps a short group; it is a good practice in the sense that it makes it easier to manage people. This time we were 18 in all.
Instructions were brief. We requested to spend less time on photography as there were two rivers to be crossed, and the plan was to be back at the base before dark as the jungle route was confusing; but requests are optional !
The route was a simple one, we went through a jungle which led way to a lush green patch followed by a small stream. As I had said, requests are optional, and we posed a lot for lot of pics on the way.
At the green patch, we took some rest, and FYOWs 'officially' allowed photography. So we obliged them and clicked a 'few more'
First river patch
This patch appeared normal. The water was calm, and the depth seemed okay.
However, as I continued and reached other side of the river and asked people to proceed.
From here, the route led to another lush green patch where we took a halt, and FYOWs again 'officially' allowed photography.
Since the very beginning, I have felt attracted towards green patches ; I feel a very positive surge of energy when I pass by such areas. All worries, gloominess, etc vanish, and mind is plain happy; just saying ...
The scenery kept on turning beautiful as we progressed. While I was at peace and feeling happy, deep inside my mind had started craving for some adventure on the other hand trek was seeming to be too simple. People posed some more photographs on the way.
Second River Patch
The river seemed calm on the surface, like any normal hilly river. I was carrying a rope so that the participants can safely cross the river, as some of them were first timers.
I remember i had approached Abhishek and said 'tu sabse hatta katta hai; tu rope pakad, main udhar jaata hoon' (you seem to be the strongest of them all; you hold the rope while I cross the river).
While crossing the river, I could sense the undercurrent; there was huge force in the water. on the way i lost footing a couple of times and I shouted to pull the rope so that i can balance himself. It was going to be a tough task making the other participants cross this river, such thoughts had already started crossing my mind after sensing the swift undercurrents...
Once i reached the other end, the rope was stretched taut as it had me and Abhishek pulling it from the either ends. We allowed a couple of trekkers to cross the river and then other participants also joined in the holding the rope.
But there was a problem, the rope was being pulled from both the ends and while the trekkers crossed the river, between us (people on the either ends of the rope) a game of tug-of-war, had kind of started.
I thought that this way people holding the rope will get tired soon. I then shouted to Trushna (and he was surprisingly she able to hear her across the noisy river) to tie one end of the rope to a rock, which she promptly did.
Since then it got easy, as Abhishek was stretching the rope taut by throwing all his 75 kg weight against it, while the other helpers were assisting the trekkers to cross the river.
I am not an expert on rivers but I found that most the people were crossing the river in the wrong fashion. Trekkers had their backs facing the water flow. The point to be understood is that, the more the surface area of a body, the more thrust liquid applies. So with the back facing water-flow, one is more likely to topple over face-down; or one can face the current and then walk so at least one can brace oneself against the current. Under natural selection, latter position offers better balance.
However, if one walks with the side facing the current, the chances to lose balance are even less as water gets least area to thrust against. And, that's how I asked people to cross the river.
Finally all the 18 members had crossed the river.
Third River patch
The river bank led way into a small hill which we treaded.
The hill gave way to another river but it was much furious than its sister we had encountered last. We waited at the banks thinking on how to cross it.
It was then decided that we should go further up the hill, nearer to the Devkund waterfall, and cross the river from there.
When we reached there, the ropes were already secured, I, Sundar, and a couple of members from the other group were already positioned in the river to help us cross it.
The water current was very fast here and I had to put my feet down with great pressure as loose footing would had me flowing down the river in no time.
I asked people to Stay Calm and cross river one by one, people believed in and crossed the river as per my instructions.
Post then, i asked people to walk further into the river to reached the Devkund waterfall and have Photography before others reach there.
Soon enough, all people jumped into the kund, and photography session commenced
Devkund Falls
Magnificent; that's the adjective which instantly came to my mind when I saw the Devkund waterfall. Falling from a great height with sheer force, in a closed area, it can instill wonder and fear alike in one's mind.
For a moment I was mesmerized at the sheer enormity of the waterfall; it was indeed a devkund, for only Gods can own this place.
Return Journey
We took a quick bite, and beat a hasty retreat as it had been raining since the morning, and the water level was constantly rising. It was risky to delay the return any further.
The Third River patch
The river has swollen and was more furious than when we had found it first. Since the ropes were already secured, i asked people to quickly cross the river. But this time it was a tougher task, and many trekkers lost their footing and had a tough time crossing it but help is give to those who need it (Dumbledore in Harry Potter series)
We traced our path back to the hill and onto the second river patch but unfortunately we were a bit too late !!
The Second River Patch
The river had clearly swollen in proportions; it looked like we had hurt its pride, and now it was all vengeful, slithering and hissing like a hurt cobra.
The routine commenced again, while I asked Abhishek i hold the rope and I braved the river and tried to cross it.
At many points, I lost his footing, and had tough time too. This time it was not so easy to pull the rope taut; the water current was way more than it was in the morning. Somehow I managed to cross the river; I then asked People to cross it
But as Abhishek left their position, he got swept away by the sheer under-currents. Luckily, there was a rocky patch nearby which he hit and braced himself to hold his position. Despite trying many times, he could not step any further into the water.
Others also tried but nobody Succeeded to Cross the river and were Stuck on the other Side of river
The tension had started rising by now, for it was already around 4pm and soon darkness would fall. We were stuck!
I sat there at the river bank on a large rock; I was alone on the other side of river. I started thinking on what possible ways there for others to cross the river. The more we throught, the gloomier it felt; the rain had started to fall heavily now.
But as Dumbledore had said, help will be given to those who need it. Luckily the other group also reached the same place and found themselves stuck too. After seeing them I asked my Trek member to discuss with others and soon she was able to workout a deal with them, and soon all members started moving along the river bank to the point where river was a bit calmer (please note: a bit).
The group then secured the ropes across the river, and we started with the 'ladies first' routine.
The water current was still fast, and many people had a tough time crossing the river, but this time the human chain by the rope side was quite strong, and the passengers were able to brace themselves against it which gave them additional support for crossing the river.
Eventually the river was conquered. We left it slithering and hissing in fury, and scurried towards the jungle.
After getting people on other side of river, we formed a group and started moving towards the base village.
it was getting dark and as i had carried torch we moved with the help of torch, within half and hour we reached the base village where people changed their dress and had a hot tea to refress their mind.
seeing all safe I really got happy.
Epilogue
Some adventures, they say, remain etched in the memory for long. Rose Dawson from Titanic, never forgot, for her entire life, the unfortunate event of Titanic sinking into the ocean (and he love story too, of course). I think, this unexpected adventure will remain fresh in my memories for many falls to come..
But there is always hope, for Titanic cannot sink again, but I can definitely re-live the same adventure... Amen
Keep Travelling, Keep Trekking and Keep Enjoying.
I would like to end with below Words...
“Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets”
“Don't listen to what they say, go see”
