Mangalore visit and Karinji hills

 A few months ago our son announced that he was proposing to Ruhi. We eagerly awaited to hear the outcome! A subsequent happy call from the couple made us joyous and we were filled with excitement at the prospect of a marriage shortly.

Indian Marriages are a mixture of celebration, confusion, and plenty of voices,(strong opinions, never withheld but always expressed.) It is filled with traditions, rituals , colors and family involvement . With the changing landscape, weddings have also evolved to chic, intimate, quiet luxury, sustainable and zero waste. Anticipating such debates, we made a preliminary trip to Cochin where her family resides, but were consumed by their wonderful warmth, simplicity and hospitality.

The stake holders

Post the initial visits of meeting the families etc., it was decided the wedding to be conducted in Mangalore. We were invited to visit the venue thereafter. The first week of April, with monsoons still quite some distance away, the seaside city was hot and humid. Watching the Arabian Ocean waves from the restaurant over a chilled beer, with the damp ocean breeze playing about, we strolled around the place, discussing possible locations. It was gently brought upon us that the wedding might tend to be Gujarati and scouting the locations within the venue was quite interesting. The venue itself was  an old resort, full of quaint charm and old world appeal with tall trees and spacious cottages, attended to by folks who might have been as old as the premises themselves. Exchanging ideas, thoughts, walking through the grounds,  exhausted us by the end of the day. We retired to our respective rooms to rejuvenate and recalibrate. The calm atmosphere of the place ensured that we got more than 8 hours to restore our schoolgirl complexion. 

The next morning, Ruhi's maternal aunt who resides in Mangalore suggested a getaway to Karinji hills for the evening . Karinji is located about 38 kms from Mangalore. A 40 minute drive , we were transported to a serene location on the hills overlooking the valley below, away from the hustle, bustle of the city.  There were large, gently sloped, black igneous rock steep boulders beyond which stretched protected forest land with not even a village in sight. It seems that one could spot the Kudremukh ranges from here  but on that day, it was a bit cloudy and misty that prevented the possibility.  The silence on the hill top with the faint rustling of the winds, occasional movement in the shrubs coupled with lack of human noise barring the distant temple bells from the temple floating over the air was so welcoming. The complete lack of humans was exhilarating and we spared a thought for the animals who we have encroached relentlessly in our quest for "development"! Ironical! 

Sitting on the top and gazing down the valley, all we could do was admire the vast 

benevolence of nature. All of us, with our own thoughts, yet together in spirit. Planet Earth has a wonderful way of getting people together. There was an openness in the air, the warm rock below our feet giving a deep sense of peace within. 

View of the valley 

Ruhi scampered up sure-footed and quick, for a climb to the nearby boulder. The three men followed her at a slower pace, avoiding the thorny bushes adroitly, bringing the years of Yoga Asanas into practice, but they did make it to the top. The darkness crept in slowly and before we knew the sky was a blanket of shining stars. As our eyes adjusted to the darkness we took turns to identify the stars, planets and satellites. We had a wonderful time narrating stories, singing songs lying down on the rock facing the sky and before we knew it was time to head home.

Climbers challenge 

Up here, the noises in the head go silent. Tangled thoughts at the beginning of the day give way to clarity. The recalibration and rejuvenation that we sought was restored in full measure. Bountiful nature does not give us answers but it makes more room for them. Mangalore calls us once again in May or June perhaps and we hope to see more of nature. By then the famous Indian Monsoon should set in. 

Happy to be together