Total Pageviews

Saturday 12 December 2015

Nilgiris Part 2 - Bikkapathi Toda Mund / Cairn Hills / Denad Reserve Forest / Upper Bhavani Reservoir / North-East Nilgiri Drive




These are a series of Nilgiri short treks which I thought to bind it together as one blog.
Write-up : Anish

Bikapathi Forest - A day with the Todas (12 Km)
A peek into the past

History of Nilgiris have been a fascinating study for me, the moment you start digging into it you relearn new stories from different perspectives and distinct generations of people once lived here. There is always something more to it. Nilgiris can be traced from the Christian era. Lower parts of Gudalur area which is my hometown have been traced back to 2000 years and Upper Nilgiris from 1117 AD. King Vishnuvardhana from Hoysala dynasty captured Gudalur and is said to have frightened the Todas and driven away the other tribals to the lowlands of south Nilgiris. Hoysalas were beaten by the Muslim rulers “The Dananayakas” and lately to the Tipusultan who had forts in Droog and other parts. The hills were under the british rule after the 18th century.
But much before all these invasions there lived a group of native tribals called Todas, Kotas, Kurumba, Irular, Badagas, Aadivasis and Kaatunayakans. Todas are termed as the “lords of the hills”. Their peculiar way of life, their traditional clothing known as putkuli, their hairstyle of women, customs and culture set them aside from others. There are vague conclusions like they may be descendants of original Aryans or may be they belonged to the legions of Alexander of Macedon. It is said when Alexander stopped river Indus some men came down south and finally settled on the Blue mountains.
Todas lived in the highest elevation of Nilgiri hiils. Recent population is around 2000 but some 30 years ago they hit their lowest around 500 to 600. Their life and cultivation centered around buffalos and diaries. Kotas were the artisians and Badagas were the farmers. Some form of barter system existed in those days between the tribals but there was defining unity between them. Todas was never armed and they were complete vegetarians so harming wild animals was also out of question. All they had was a stick to graze their buffalos. There was no leader or politics. If two people had a major difference the elders would sort it out. The origin of the name is also uncertain. Toda settlements are small hamlets with 4 to 6 huts called “Mund” deep inside the woods and on a higher platue. The name Ooty which is also known as Ootacamund was actually Woteke- mund. The center of Ooty town was once a Toda Mund. Their huts are barrel shaped built with grass hatches and bamboos, walls are of wood and pasted with clay. A 10*12 feet spacious single room with an elevated bedding on the left side and a small kitchen on the right. Fire inside the hut makes it warmer. Front door is hardly 3*2 feet probably to keep away from the wild animals in those days. Thick stone fencing surrounded the Mund. Their chief god is ‘Tokisy’ creator of Todas and buffalo herds, is what they believe.
Their livelihood is entirely dependent upon buffalo's, milk and butter and they lived for generations. They cultivate their own vegetables, so even today they are mostly small farmers, share croppers or engaged in horticulture crops or wage laborers. The present generation is not strict vegetarians but they never bring it inside their Mund. Cats are the only preferable pets they like because of rats destroying their cultivation. Apart from that they don’t encourage anything other than buffalos and cows. I found their language and dialect to be very different with more ‘zhas’ it sounded too alien to me but definitely of Indian origin. Embroidery is their favorite pastime and it is encouraged from a very young age. Mostly combinations of designs from red & black colors with a white background. Their traditional clothing’s, shawls for men and women, pouches and coats are the usual stitches they are good with.

Bikkapathi Forest 

Aaradu Kuttan is a native Toda friend. After working as a watcher in the forest department for a long time he switched onto Keystone Foundation for the past 10 years. He invited me to his Mund the last time we met at Longwood shola, Kotagiri. I decided to make it this time and called up Kuttan to say I am coming tomorrow. He said he would wait at Koranur at 8am. I started a bit late from Gudalur and had a long way to drive through the hills crossing Ooty-Anikorai-Ebbanad-Koranur it was already 9am. There was no mobile range or Kuttan to be found anywhere. Parked my car nearby the last village and decided to walk. Enquired the way upto Bikkapathu Mund and It was nearly 2 kms from the last motor able road. Don’t take any right turns else you would reach the same place was the advice from the villagers. Through the tea estates I started walking up. There were some idols placed on the way.
Spotted a Giant squirrel and some birds.  As I reached on top of that hill there was a green info board about the Toda hamlet and their honey gatherings. To the right I could see a deserted forest rest house far away. Mund was nearby and Kuttan was waiting there. He thought I wasn’t coming but I always keep my word. Before going to his house we directly went to a nearby peak to have a good look at the surroundings.
  I’ve seen a Mund before but have never been inside. He took me there, it was his mothers place. They welcomed me inside with smiling faces. To my surprise it was so warm in there. They were curious to know about the situation in Chennai after the heavy rains. His mother Suvandarpoo was already filling up food in the plates with tomato chutney, some fried potato slices and butter I was humbled to receive it especially their butter which was just fantastic. No comparison with any of the best brands out there. Kuttan’s brother Muthesh kuttan was a cool chap looking after the calf which was tied up in front of their house. He too joined me for breakfast. He explanied about the techniques they used in producing the butter and other diary.


By 10 am said goodbye to his Mother and both of us left to the days trek inside the Bikkapathi forest.
Kuttan has lots to say about each and everything surrounding their place and hills, their community, customs and beliefs. Working in Keystone has also shaped up his skills in English and scientific names of plants and animals alike.  Of course my first question to him was their Origin, he said some say it has been for 5000 long years but only the great god knows it all. After climbing the first nearby hill through the shola forest there was a decent view. Sat there as we watched tiny Gaur’s grazing on top of the next hill. 
Kuttan was sharp at spotting a group of deer’s running down from another hill. Before it disappeared I managed to click the last two deer’s. We moved on to reach the sacred hill known as “Thaeuthit Malai”. Kuttan told me the whole valley was named after his father “Thekkalmoodu” who was a prominent figure in the Toda community. At the top there were several small to big stone idols placed. I was careful not to step over one. This place was also the meeting point from the age old days as they believe they are closer to the gods. As I walked passed it the aura had a sense of resonance which was once again enhanced by the chilly winds and the views down. 


Your thoughts are always double folded when you are not sweating and that is why Nilgiris is always so special. Views were similar to kodanad as the down stretches are the same but without any distractions from the tourists and plastics. To the left and front was the sigur and Mudumalai, to the right end was the Sathyamangalam forest. Moyar river lines were visible too.  I wanted to spent some time and after clicking pictures both of us sat on the rocks almost nearby the edges and just stared into the landscape for a while. Kuttan admitted that he loves being with the hills rather going for an 8hr job, I laughed because both of us shared the same ideologies. People ask me what is there in climbing a mountain, all I could say is both Music and Nature takes me to a different zone. It is not possible to buy such emotional highs with silver coins at least for me.


Meanwhile kuttan was humming some toda song, even though Kotas were the musicians here, Todas had their own music and dance culture. About their land he says the 46acre surrounding the Mund belongs to the Toda community. It is of Condition Patta land which means the land is not saleable but belongs to them. It is good in a way that they are secured and protected from the prying eyes of this commercialized world. Otherwise chances of driving them away would have been an easier task. Now even money can’t buy them because they are worth more than that.
By 1pm we decided to move further into the sholas to their 200 year old temple known as “Konosh Kou”. This temple visit was exclusively for me because they don’t entertain any tourists in the first place. Secondly they themselves go through several customs and guidelines to enter into the temple area. Kuttan told he will stay 100 meters behind the temple area because Todas need to to keep their mind and body pure and clean by taking up certain austerities a day before they enter this temple.
 After hearing most of their customs in temple for the next 2 kms dried up forest i was in awe because with such a low population and the nearby world so corrupted they still continue to do each and everything their forefathers followed without any materialistic gains and only for pure devotion. Kuttan had instructed not to cross the stone barriers placed before the temple to which I agreed and we walked. Dried forest gave way to more thick green forest with monkeys and barking deers which was audible nearby. Towards the corner of the forest I got to see the temple 100 meters away. Kuttan stopped there and asked me to carry on, I had to remove the shoes there and kept walking along. The place and the structure was just attractive and tempting as I went closer.
It altogether had a Chinese flavor and only two such temples are remaining. Muthunad temple is the other one. A cone structured 15 feet in height built with stones and covered with long grass hatches. Women are restricted to visit the temple. Before the yearly temple festival a priest has to stay for one month performing rituals daily with a dozen of sacred buffalos treating them as god. At night he stays in the nearby hut. Rice and vegetable are dropped of above the forest which has to picked up by the priest. Exactly after a month on the auspicious day the festival begins where all the male Toda people from different parts of Nilgiris would assemble here for the next 3 to 4 days.
The priest is not supposed to talk or touch another person for the entire month. Interested male member of the Mund can become the priest and Kuttan has done this twice. Even though “Tokisy” is their great God they have stone idolized “Panchapandavar” inside the temple and once the festival begins each men are allowed only by wearing their traditional shawl and nothing else. After clicking picture from all angles returned back with some leech bites and thanked Kuttan for allowing me to have a glimpse into their history. I asked him then what about marriages do you have another temple for that? The answer was another piece of history which is still followed.
Marriages happen under a Naaval Tree. If the alliance goes through by liking each other the bride is brought to the groom’s house with a simple ceremony. And when she is on her 7th month of pregnancy that is when they get married. In short a marriage ceremony kick starts like this. A hole is made inside the Naaval tree and a lamp is lighted inside the hole. Both of them then receives blessing from the elders by kneeling down. The person who gives the blessing would touch both feet’s onto their forehead. This is applicable not only to the bride and groom but also to all the females. If there is an occasion or gathering they are supposed to get blessing from male elders there. After that the groom with his friends goes inside the forest to find a tree called “Bruce”. He cuts a small branch and collects some special shrubs and grasses to make a bow and arrow and bring it back to the lady. Bow and arrow symbolizes creation and fertility. The bride then places it beneath the lamp. She then visualizes her father by staring at the flame and cries till it goes off. Once the flame dies the marriage is done. The gatherings share their gifts or money, then the traditional song and group dance begins. After hearing all this all I graciously asked when was their next marriage happening, I want to be a part of it, for which he said I will definitely be invited for the next one. By 6pm we were back to the Mund. Met his mother again and went to his house just nearby and had tea. Met his sister who finished college now. Copied all the pictures I clicked today to her laptop. After seeing the temple pictures Kuttan was happy that he could frame it inside their house. Kuttans wife and daughter arrived after work so i could meet them too. Just after leaving their house i saw a diary temple which i missed, it resembled the same barrel shaped huts but smaller in size. As i was not supposed to go nearby i just watched it within the borders.  


The stones placed before felt very ancient. Humble and earthy people all around I left the place with one more day of tremendous joy. After reaching back to the car a group of children’s was guarding it, gave them chocolates, clicked a group photo and showed them all the pictures I took today and while I write this I have already sent the pictures to one of their mail address which I usually do. My stay for the night was at Ooty and by 9pm I drove back.

Cairn Hills (3km)


A 5 km drive from Ooty to Avalanche roads takes you to one of the old surviving originals walks of the Britishers called Cairn Hills. From the main road take left into the forest roads to reach their office. Start walking through the small walk able mud roads covered with dense cypress trees which takes you to the view point on top of the small hill. The calm and stillness without any horns or noises makes you really wonder wheather ooty was nearby. The long woods and algae’s make this place greenier than usual. Whenever I get to do a short walk in such beautiful places I try not to use the beaten road instead just find my own way and that happened here too.
Arul the person incharge of the place said wildlife seen and heard here are Gaur, Sambar Deer, Leopard, Nilgiri Langur, Barking Deer, Porcupine. As I was walking to the top found a small way to the right I thought I will just walk down instead. I was all over the place finding interesting new shrubs and trees with droplets of water over them. Returned back to where I diverted and there was a new viewpoint in construction. Passed it to reach the top. View point was a two stair metal built with steep steps . Not much of a view but kind of okay.

As I was returning back through the woods again making a new way for myself sensed some movement and it was a mangoose staring straight at me. He was confused whether to cross or run back. As I was slowing taking the camera out he just disappeared, tried tracing it but these things are so quick to be a part of the lost world. Back to the gates I really thought that this was one special pleasant walk. If you have a girl by your side please go there. This place is so damn romantic.  


Denad Forest Reserve (16km)

After Rangaswamy Pillar and peak treks in Kil Kothagiri, Forest watcher Ramesh and myself had planned to trek through the Denad reserve forest. Since I was already in Ooty, fixed up the plans for next day. All I have to do was drive 40 km next morning to Kil Kothagiri. Met him by 9am and packed some food for the day and off we started through the never ending sprawling estates and hills of Nilgiris. Our plan for the day was to cover the sholas of nearby hills and trace one of the streams which flows into the Bhavanisagar reservoir. Idea sounded cool, a chance to observe the droplets of water changing its size and shape to form a river finally ending itself into the reservoir. Though it would take a complete two days trek to trace it till the banks we decided to stretch the maximum of what was possible within a days time. Ramesh said if you are lucky there are chances of spotting wild animals especially bears. But I have been hearing this luck thing for a while now but bear was definitely was on my checklist. Parked my car at Karamand and walked along the tea estates to reach Pramas tea factory, crossed one more hill of tea leaves entering in the forest area. A small cut away path through the steep hills there was  a lonely temple.

One thing I am always sure of trekking in Nilgiris is we always have to start and end with a temple.  Crossed a small stream and reached a deserted house. In a way it was a beautiful spot, felt like I wanted to stay there for a couple of days. Even though it was raining last week the forest was dried up mostly of vaagai trees, its flowers are big and blue. The whole place would have turned blue If it was a  flowering season. Along the way Ramesh was sharing his stories of wildlife encounters with tigers and bears. Now it was climbing time from the dried up forest to the rocky steps reaching Siluvai Malai. Good views of Kil kothagiri and nearby villages.
Once there was a cross placed here but it was removed to calm down the arising communal issues.  It has been 3 long years since Ramesh had crossed the siluvai malai into this part of the forest. Several different rivulets were breaking from the bushes and rocks we crossed it one by one and started to follow down through the stream for the next 7km.  Big flat rocks, parts of dry shrub which makes you completely dusty  and slippery grasses were all part of this walk. Heard Barking deer, this time it was close to under a 50 meter diameter so we waited for it to approach us but moved away from us. A special flowering tree called “Billi poo” is a rarity in the hills was spotted. At least one flower is required for the yearly shiva temple festival days for pooja. Out of the 46 species of Kurunji flower plant which blossoms once in 12 years, this variety is the largest plant, the size of each flower is more than 5cm in diameter.
As the elevation lowered the forest became denser and the whole ambient looked pale green. Even the rocks had a green algae cover. Next 4 km was of the same ambient. Had to cross the stream several times and it was getting wider. Took a break from the stream to the left to enter into a completely isolated field. There were 3 deserted houses and a circular goat shed made of stones upto shoulder height to protect them from wild animals. Ramesh told that this was an Irula tribal hamlet with some 15 members with cows and buffalos, the field were cultivated for their own use.


It was all before 15 years but to see this place in such a state with lifeless broken huts was sad. Forest department has taken control of the place now because nobody from the family is alive now. This place also had a peculiarity as all the sides were covered by mountains. Through the bushes we found the stream again and followed it for the next 1 km where we found 3 adjoining rivulets joining into that river.
Tracing from a small flow to the formation of a river was an experience to me, usually it’s the other way around. Decided to have lunch at that spot and return back as it was already 3pm.
While returning we decided to find a new route to climb up. Took left from the Irula settlement to join a nearby mount and walk along sholas was the idea. But it turned out to be a scratchy affair because it was full of thorny Lantana Shrubs, we did climb for quite some time thinking this lantana would disappear, returning back was also not a good idea as both of us were left with torn clothes including my new woolen Jacket. For the next one km most of the visible parts of bodies was like a scratch card.


After that it was dense forest where we bumped into some huge rock structures. Ramesh said a bear must be living here for sure and showed me the nail marks. He even went under the rocks if there was any signs but found none. I was joking that you have shown me everything like where the bear sleeps, eats and prays but where is the bear man! We were trying to reach the top of that hill but found the next patch of thorny shrubs, as it was already  4pm we had to drop the idea to scale the peak and moved back to the sholas to reach back before dark sets in. I had no issues if it was getting late but Ramesh was concerned about the dangers to roam in these parts because of wild attacks.
After 2 Kms of steep inclines we struck a small pathway through the sholas. Villagers used to come till this end for firewood. For the next 2 kms we followed the path. In between I saw three idols placed each had a gap of around half a kilometer. 3rd, 2nd and 1st kovil mattom were their names. The idol gods are named Karuppuswamy and Muniappan. These were placed by the villagers to protect them from any wild encounters during search of firewood’s. They would offer a prayer before they venture into the forest.


By 6pm we were almost near the forest lines and jumped  into the tea estates, one more km to the place where I parked the car. All of a sudden Ramesh alarmed that there was some movement and doubted it was a bear. We waited silently standstill to the direction where he saw it as I slowly took out my camera and positioned myself. Whatever may come I have to click at least one shot was the only thought running inside me. Ramesh equipped himself with a sharp stone which made the scene more vulnerable. And there it was! The burst mode just came alive with a dozens of shots.
As the bear kept moving back and forth I wasn’t getting a frame of what I wished for. Between that Ramesh once again spotted 3 Sambar deers running into the forests.
It was already dark but I waited, a red faced Ramesh was whispering me to stop clicking and he was losing his patience by each extending seconds, its not that I was bold enough rather I was boiling inside out with the total situation but I wanted one good frame. Fear of getting attacked increased when the bear noticed us as it turned his head towards us. Clicked one more and packed the camera as we started walking without turning back.

We were talking softly letting the bear to know our presence if it was nearby, I’ve read all about these methods before but never knew I would use this one day. The last one km through the tea estates was a horrifying experience expecting the bear to jump from anywhere but nothing happened till we reached the village. After all these years I’ve encountered a Bear just around 50 meters while trekking with my tired legs and this day to me will be one of the best moments of my trekking life. Ramesh said it must have been walking just before us from the forest, if we were ahead 20 minutes we would have surely seen it inside the forest and you know what would happen next because tea estates makes them a bit in secured but not the dense forest as it is their territory. All I could say was “Great Timing” indeed. Back to the village I showed the snaps to the people and most of them were curious to know the experience from Ramesh and myself. After a tea thanked Ramesh for the day, After our third trek he is a dear friend of mine now and we do exchange calls very often. We will be doing more treks in the coming months in Nilgiris and im totally looking forward to it. Left the place after a straight 3hr drive I was at my home by midnight.

Upper Bhavani Reservoir

Ive been to the western catchment lakes before including Mukurthi Lake (peak is still a dream though), Parsons valley lake, Porthimund lake, Pykara lake, Emerald and Avalanche Lakes) but Upper Bhavani reservoir was pending.  Bhavani river is the second largest river in Tamilnadu and it originates from the peaks of the south-west corner in Nilgiris. After being dammed at UpperBhavani it enters kerala through a deep gorge till Mukkalli and Attappady platue and finally joins the Kundah river from the north of Nilgiris at Athikkadavu near coimbatore after running for an odd 50kms. The river runs to over 200 km in the district of coimbatore and erode before merging with Cauvery river serving 90% of its water for agriculture.
It was an early misty December morning when I woke up from my fav cottage at ooty. By 8am I was driving to emerald passing the famed Good shepard school in Paloda. This stretch till Avalanche is one of the best scenic drives in Nilgiris I would say. Just after Ithalar you get to see the tail ends of emerald lake running through the opposite hills and villages and the morning sunshine right into the far away mountains was bliss as I got some fabulous pictures. Next was the sleeping emerald town where I had breakfast because I know avalanche had only a tea shop.  From here the roads were patchy. After 5km there was a forest check post, no securities there I bypassed for the next 5km through the forest roads till I reached Avalanche at 9am. It was the same old place where I have been before but not for a ride to Upperbhavani. 

Nobody was there except some birds, time for some photography I thought and went inside the Trout Fish hatchery nearby and got some clicks. By 9:30 am some officials came. Two couples of my age came having no idea where they are and we became friends. Decided to share the department Jeep fare upto Upperbhavani including the permission. Jerry was our driver and we started off at 10 am. It was a 40 minute drive to the reservoir. Jerry was a friendly chap and I asked him not to rush and asked him to stop wherever I wished to take some pics on the way to which he cheerfully agreed.  On the way there was a diversion to Kolaribetta peak which can be done only by foot. It is also one of the several highest peaks in nilgiris above 8000ft. Shrub like trees was visually stunning.  Again came a diversion after 10 km to the dam sites and eb quarters.  Special permission is required to enter those areas. As we drove ahead, stopped near the Cauliflower forest.

Never experienced such dense jungle from such an angle. I spotted Jackals on the way. Jerry soon switched off the engines and I got down to click it. The couple who was sitting on the back seat couldn’t understand why I was so curious about a dog only to realize later that it was a Jackal and not a stray dog.  Next stop was the Bhavani temple where jerry claimed this place as the origin of Bhavani river. But I had a jokingly contradictive argument with him because the water was already heavily flowing from top of the hills and there is no way that this place could be termed as the starting point for Bhavani river. January 1st is the temple festival and on that day its free for visitors to enter without any permission.
On the way we saw more  rivulets and small waterfalls  joining into the lake. Jerry told at this elevation there was not much of a wildlife scene apart from some occassional Elephants,leopards  and wild cats and Jackals. Glad I got atleast one of them. Finally reached Lakkidi where the backwater area of Upperbhavani reservoir from where the dam water is taken through tunnels to Canada Hydro power house. 

It was beautifull as usual like any other lakes in Nilgiris. From this point the roads ahead was completely damaged. There was a forest guest house on the corners which was hardly visible. Got down to the edges of the banks and enjoyed the views. There wasn’t any tourist here nor any garbage. Spent some time there and drove back to avalanche.


Northern Nilgiri Drive (Thuneri, Iduhatty) 




Started off from Gudalur, I always enjoy the early morning drives through Mudumalai forest. Took my own time after spotting birds, a giant squirrel and some close shots of a spotted deer, a friendly peacock where she came so close to me and was communicating for a long time, I didn’t want to scare her so I just sat inside the car responding back from the window, never have I observed a peacock so closely. After Masignagudi i was so slow as didn’t want to miss out on anything. Heard some kind of plastic noises as I passed and it was a group of elephants. Got down to click some but since there was a baby elephant I didn’t want to peep into their privacy and hang on there too long. Took left on the vazhathottam road, after crossing  Grg tribal school to the check post. Had a small chat with the officer there as I have been into the Kadanad roads for wildlife safari years before. 
There were hardly any birds I returned back to the Kalhatty ghat roads. Next stop was the bison view point.. Birding, trees and shrubs was my main agenda today and so I did spot some here, I stopped at most of the hair pin bends which totals 36 and I had some luck with parrots and Oriental white eye.


Next was the Kalhatty falls, have been here a couple of times. Just after the check post turn right for some 100 mtrs and park the vehicle and get going through the small pathway. Alone was certainly not a good idea because of gaurs and elephants which roam around the river in mornings and the only option was to turn around and run rather than running around the place. There was an old bungalow on top of the opposite hill and the caretaker waved his hand and I waved back. He then came down and joined the session, I think he was bored with his job.

Birds were mostly of the same types like sparrows and red whiskered bulbul I started clicking the waterfalls. Back to the parking he joined me till Kalhatty town. This time I wanted to climb the Ramar Temple on top of the highest hill there. Just before reaching the town there is a straight stretch from where you can have a view of that temple. Parked my car and enquired the way to the top. The temple is not active and since I was alone the villagers advised me to be cautious as there are chances of elephants. A boy showed me the directions to the hilltop and the rest I managed. There was hardly any route but within 25 minutes I was on top.

I was like how did I miss this place all these years. There was one more hill nearby. The view down was covered with mist and clouds but the far end of mudumalai was visible. Watching clouds moving beneath my feat was always a special feeling which I don’t get often in a metropolitan city like Chennai so happily spent some time there and got back to the car.



From Kalhatty I was heading to the Northern regions of Nilgiris. Wanted to try the Kavaratty roads to Thuneri to get a glimpse of Mudumalai from those parallel elevations but found the roads in a terrible condition after the rains and dropped that idea but anyways I have to reach Thuneri and decided to climb down from Dodabetta. I have heard that the first left from Dodabetta junction to Wood house is a place where photographers visits (Permission required), with a nod from the forest officer  I too tried but as soon as I entered the rains lashed out leaving the whole area dead silent. Waited for some more time and realized bird photography requires time, timing and patience to the core. Back to the junction took the straight road to Iduhatty. Lovely and mesmerizing rolling hills one after the other  throughout the northern parts of Nilgiris from kenthorai-thuneri- kothamudi – iduhatty – Kagguchi - ajjoor – billicombai and finally reaching kattabettu between ooty and kothagiri. Exploring Nilgiris nowerdays is a never ending process where each place leads me to another set of new places, history and beauty.
          
                                                                  Author    : Anish vk
Clicked by : Anish
   Team: Anish, Ramesh, Aaradu Kuttan
Place  :  The Beautiful Nilgiris
trekzonne@gmail.com
anish@ambikadigitals.com