On our recent trip to Vasundhe—a remote village in Maharashtra that is just two and a half hours from Mumbai, yet deprived of any phone network—we stayed at a sustainable homestay called Banyan Bliss. Despite being a green space to stay, we were lured by the beautiful blues nearby instead: a hidden waterfall, only known to locals. Thanks to one of the villagers employed at the homestay, who offered to take us to their off-the-grid unwinding spot, we took off on a trek.
It's better to head there with a local, we learned early on during our expedition. The turn towards the waterfalls are easy to miss and you could end up at the top of a hill instead of the bottom, where the waterfall takes the plunge.
A good 30 minute walk followed by a 25 minute trek would have taken us to our destination, but we chose to drive for the first leg of the trip as my 68-year-old mom had accompanied us (she was ecstatic to hike!). Beyond a certain point, the car had to be parked and the journey continued on foot. My mom used a makeshift stick for our way onward journey through the uncertain terrain.
From the vast open green spaces, the scene quickly changed once we entered the green façade created by the canopies of old trees, and tertiary roots and creepers hugging them with all their might. Covered in moss, the forest floor reminded of a page from the epic fantasy adventure trilogy "Lord of the Rings." With only the sound of wilderness accompanying us—cicadas, frogs and exotic birds cleverly camouflaged behind the shades of browns and greens—we made our way into the depths of the green abundance.
Carefully dodging slippery slopes and mossy rocks, we finally reached the waterfall. It appeared like one of those picture-perfect ‘off the beaten trail’ waterfalls everyone raves about on Instagram! But unlike those treasures doing their social rounds and becoming popular, this place is blessed to still remain relevant only among locals.
An early departure from our stay allowed us plenty of time to splash in the gushing waters until sundown. So, after reaching we crawled into the cool waters—first our guide, then my husband, and lastly me. Unhappy with my mom sitting on a rock while we shrieked with joy, my husband coaxed her into getting inside the plunge pool. Wailing at the top of her lungs as my husband slowly guided her into the chest-high water, my mom displayed a series of emotions: anxiety, apprehension, confusion, bravado, euphoria and, finally, a sense of accomplishment— in the exact sequence! After a rejuvenating plunge pool session, my mom led the group on our way out of the wilderness.
I have had my share of adventures with my mother but this short off-track trek will remain dear to me for two reasons. Firstly, the fact that she stepped out of her comfort zone and agreed to do something that she had never embarked on before, is truly inspiring. While I wasn't sure if my mom could pull off this debilitating trek, her resilience came as a pleasant surprise as she dared on—never stopping to raise a concern, never asking us to head back or giving up. Instead, she trekked at her own pace, stopping only to take a breath before carrying on.
Secondly, this was her first dip in a waterfall. Even when we had visited Dudhsagar waterfalls in Goa, she was happy on a rock, refusing to set foot into the cool gushing waters. But this time, thanks to my husband’s coaxing and cajoling, she gave in and marked her first feat and overcame her fear of water.
More often than not, we tend to keep our parents away from our adventures, but it's time we start hyping them, allowing them to overcome their fears and witnessing miracles unfold. I sure will.