Shitkada Waterfall- A Hidden Meaning

Imagine yourself, strolling for four hours in search of a waterfall, for satisfying your soul with absolute serendipity. Well, that was us, a group of school friends, making memories in the nature and enjoying the process. The process includes a lot of struggle, felling and moving on; this not only increases one’s courage but brings out a feeling of self-satisfaction and gratitude for the nature. Between the bushes, there we were with no specific route but definitely trying to find a way, because we were desperate, desperate in terms of reaching towards the end. Now, you can interpret a lot of things from this, but what really flashed me is, that’s how an ideal life works right? You fall, you get up with the help of people around you; you learn and move on with the mistakes for the better. At that point of time, we were wholesome, filled with the craving of achieving the goal, but , together we rose and held hands for one another.

Now, there are two aspects out of this, one is - you may think of your humane bond with your mates, and the other obviously being, trusting the process for the goal. But what I really want is, for you to take that chance of wandering aimlessly and getting more flexible, because you never know what the world has to offer you, if it’s a person, place or a thing. I can proudly say I’m a wanderlust and I don’t mind if you call me a gypsy because I’m here to live my life to the fullest.

Shitkada waterfall is situated in Jawhar forest, and this forest is one of its kind, with small water bodies to big lakes, bamboos to big trees and from steep slopes to narrower ones. While the ongoing process, what really intrigued me was, we were more concerned for others, if anyone was hurt, we ran without thinking once about ourselves, and this is special, especially in the world of urbanization. Now, I don’t really know if nature brings that out in us or we are like that, but if we are then, why do we hesitate showing concern during our daily chores? Why do we have to be so conservative?- That’s a thought for you to pounder on.

Finally there was what gave a golden effect to our eyes, when we lightened up with energy and glimpse- THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION. The sound of water falling from a height of 350Ft had therapeutic properties, the water was gushing out within the rocks, finding its way for freedom. There was calmness and tranquility out there, which we often don’t get nowadays. We hopped into the cold water, shivering and supporting one another, capturing memories and splashing water for fun. There was a sense of joy in dancing within the rocks inside the water with a temperature of 2 degree Celsius. We didn’t care how cold it was because all we were looking for was togetherness. The feeling of sitting beside the waterfall with your Amis, having food and talking about intense topics was immense.

While I was observing, it came into my mind that, what if the unnecessary rocks weren’t there? What if the water had all the freedom to itself? Then I drew a conclusion that maybe if that were the case, the place wouldn’t have been so beautiful, there would have been no voice of power in the sound of water. We need to understand that, having rocks and peddles in our lives as problems and difficulties are the process to the end which is HAPPINESS and BEAUTY.

It was time to pack our bags from our so called, heaven on earth. We had to go back to where we belonged. It was a valley, so while going, we descended downwards. Now comes the challenging task of climbing up the steep slope with absolute no motivation of incentive. Sometimes we used a rope to pass a way and the other times we were just holding the grip of our shoes for hours. Sun was being harsh on us but we finally made it, holding each other and carrying each other’s load. With this, you understand how easy it is to fall in your life blaming your level of your comfort , but it takes only and only courage to rise up and stand again, even after you achieve your goal, you need to go in search of something else, to the place where you can begin the process again, the starting point. Talking about motivation, you have it, when you see things going beautifully down the line but it’s really important to have the motivation even when you don’t have an exciting end point.

It’s crazy out there, so get your feet working and have the little joys of life. Involve others too in this process, because even you have a lot to offer to the world. Travelling is the only dream of mine, and it gives me the pleasure of happiness, so no matter what it takes, I’m going to see the world with a different perspective from my eyes and deliver what I gain to you and the rest.

The trek was organised by Durgaraj Adventures dated 7th Feb 2020, I’ve been going out with them since the past three years and there has never been a disappointment. There is a sense of belongingness among them; the care they offer is innumerable.

- Mahek Shahani