KOLLIMALAIYIL KONDATTAM

During the lunch break in office on 9th April, most of us agreed to the need for a break, to go out of scorching Chennai – after discussion on various options, Kollimalai it was – this place was truly a respite from the Chennai heat.

Getting a confirmed train ticket at was impossible & hence opted for bus.  Everything quickly fell into place – organizing the bus, hotel booking, food, etc., etc.

Mode of transport : Parveen Travels 40 seater Hitech bus Chennai/Senthamangala/Chennai (Rs.25,000/-) & 2 vans for Senthamangala/Kollimalai/Senthamangala (Rs.9,000/- for both the vans) – charges including day 1 & day 2. Toll fee extra. (one can go by train upto Salem. Salem to Kollimalai (via Rasipuram) takes approximately 3 hrs by van/bus.

Stay : PA Lodge, Semmedu, Tel: 04286 247488 / 247466 (double occupancy rental per night: Rs.300/- per room & Rs.100/- extra for the third guest). The rooms and beds are small and is just right for double occupancy.
(PA Resorts have better rooms and their approximate charges are Rs.400/- per person, per night)

We started from T Nagar on April 16th evening by around 7.45 PM .  17th early morning by around 4.30 AM, we were awakened by the hustle & bustle of the Shandy at Solakkadu (can you believe it, people were busy buying pulses, grains, etc., & business was in full swing in the wee hours). Took some time for our bus to cross this place because of the traffic jam. Alighted from the bus at Senthamangala, brushed teeth (fortunately for us, there was a tap near by) & had tea/coffee/milk in the tea stall. After clicking some photos, we got into the 2 vans to go uphill with a break in between at the Petrol Bunk.
Uphill drive was pleasant, especially the first few miles were very scenic ….neatly white washed houses ….cattles grazing …..lush green fields ……hills in the background – picturesque scenery.

About PA Lodge: Very average rooms except for one or two rooms. Good food though spicy. PA Resorts seem to have good rooms (they look new) but they don’t have rooms for individual families – most of the resort rooms are 5, 7 & 10 bedded. Contact number for both the Lodge & the Resort is the same as mentioned above.

But the surrounding is very very nice - lots of greenery - plants and trees all around, flowres in all hues and colours, cool weather, only few tourists, no flashy restaurants/shops (like the ones you find in any tourist place) - Kollimalai hasn’t lost its old world charm.

After a nice warm shower & good breakfast we all headed to the falls by around 10.30 AM – since we all were eager to go the the water falls, going down the 1000 odd steps (yes, you read it right – 1000 odd steps !) was not a big task – we took few breaks in between for rest and photo shoot. On seeing the falls, I thought not much water but I was wrong – the water was just right for us to have lots of fun. If the water force was more, we wouldn’t be able to go near the falls. By the way, the approach from the base of the steps to the waterfalls itself is thrilling – ropes have been tied and we will have to hold the rope and wade through waist deep cold water to reach the falls. As we get on to the rock & stand under the falls, the heavy, very heavy downpour of water leaves us gasping for breath. What an exhilarating and wonderful time we had ...had unlimited fun in the waterfalls at the cost of aching legs - Pleasure & pain – 2 sides of a coin !

After the arduous climb, all of us badly wanted a refreshing drink & what better way to quench our thirst than to have our local lime n soda (I didn’t bother to look at how the glasses were being cleaned or the water that was being used). Back to the resort, had our lunch & rested for some time.

We had to cancel our evening outing plan & bonfire because of the heavy drizzle. There was a fresh nip in the air .

Late in the evening, with the power cut, heavy drizzle & very cool weather, there was nothing much to do and so most of us were stuck in our rooms. We could only hear the buzzing sound of insects. Silence, sometimes, is peaceful but silence in the dark, to me, is eerie.  Having decided to have good fun, we quickly formed 2 teams... what a wonderful time we had participating in the games that KV conducted in that narrow strip of a place. With minimum lighting, we had a sort of candle light dinner.

Sunday, 18th April, some of them got up early & went to the view point nearby – I am sure they had a great time, what with the fresh cool air and greenery all around. Had good breakfast & checked out from the lodge by around 11 AM. Travelled upto Senthamangala by the 2 vans & Senthamangala/Chennai by Parveen Travels bus. Once in the bus, almost all of us were dancing to the foot tapping music till we felt hungry and decided to have lunch break. We had our tasty lunch (packed veg biryani & curd rice from PA Lodge) in a picturesque grove and played for some time in the fresh and clean water from the pump. Reached Chennai by around 9 PM.


No doubt all of us had a rollicking time.

Photo courtesy: KV Anand, Sanjeevi & Anand