“Dhak-The 100”, “Ek Sohala”, “Naad Khula”
Purushottam Thakar, Giridarshan Trekking Club (GTC), Pune
“Let me apologize for the delay in posting, but There was so much so to write, I was not able to decide how to put it together. Bear with me if I’m not able to catch all the excitement, I’m sure this trek has been carved in everybody’s mind”
9th January 2011
Dedicated to fond memories of the great , Courageous “GONIDA” (G.N.Dandekar) who discovered Dhak Bahir(Bhairi), Sashtang and Sahastra Namaksar! Applya charani ha blog arpan….Bless us!
Rappelling Video :- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnmxr2VJSZ4
Giridarshan Trekking Club Presents
Dhak-The 100
Produced by :- Giridarshan Trekking Club, Pune
Directed by :- Satish Marathe, Vikas Kaduskar, Nirant Sardar
Edited by :- Vikas Kaduskar, Nirant Sardar & Other leaders of Giridarshan
Background Score :- Rustic beauty of nature at Dhak Surroundings
Music:- Campfire @ Jambhivali School
Playback Singers:- Leaders of Giridarshan
Cast:-
Lead Roles :- Amit Khaladkar, Sangram Dhongade, Avinav Rau, Harshal Kulkarni, Mandar Borse. Pratik Purandare
Character Roles :- Mayuresh Gokhale, Amar Phadake, Chetan Wagh, Manasi Wagh, Purushottam Thakar
Supporting Roles:- Saniya Mane, Viraj Deshpande, Chetan Naik, Chandrakant Mashalkar, Dr. Nikhil Pendse, Ajinkya Sathe, Manas Kulkarni, Vijay Rajebhonsale
Special Appearances:- 100 Ignited minds and inspired participants
8th January 2011 1.00 in Afternoon, Pune
My Nokia rang….its Chetan Naik ….picked up and he was desperate, “Uttam! I cannot make it at 3.30 local, What are the options to reach Jambhivali (Base Village) Late hours?”.
I told him to come on bike via Kamshet or be accompanied by the Amit Modak who was supposed to travel late hours due his office work.
Meanwhile he told me that the Local to Kamshet is not at 3.30 but at 3.00 PM…and oh my my….a panic streak in mind….is the Murphy law started? (Simultaneous errors are started I guess)
I called dada(Satish Marathe) & Vikas simultaneously….Yes, its confirmed its at 3.00…Baapre! how the hell we are going to communicate this to People?...But Dada and Vikas, Sardar as usual have reached to almost all of them for updated timing…Mobile phones is such a wonderful phenomenon that has happened to India, brings world so close and so fast.
8th January 2011 2.30 PM in Afternoon, Shivajinagar Railway Station
Hurry, Chaos, Commotion, Bad-Bad, Ghondal, Excitement, Tension, Aawaaaz, Hi-FI’s, Oldies meeting Oldies, Newbie’s introducing Newbie’s…..Nazarechya Bananchi Dewan Ghewan…..Hotkaruncha sarait nazara……etc. etc…
Sardar leading the gathering effort… people pouring in numbers….my 5, my 10 , my 20, names being confirmed, fees being collected…tickets being collected….number is increasing…..2.57PM 3 minutes to local …still coming…..
Finally, Amit Khaladkar, Myself and Dada remained back and sent a batch of 70 people with Sardar, Vikas, Mandar, Harshal, Gokhale, Avinav, Sangram, pratik ahead of us..and we waited for those who could not make it at 3.00PM.
First batch successfully boarded, 70 people at one go..damn that itself is an achievement….
Next local is at 4.30 ….Amya and Me….Hot cup of Tea….. “Saware…Aai-jaaiyoo… Saware…Aai-jaaiyoo…”, Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande and ustaad Zakir Hussain on tabla……somewhere in 1983 I guess….
Next batch started coming in….Manas Kulkarni and his gang from ABS….this man wont come alone…he will always bring a gang…and this time no difference…..17 people on board…..and way to Kamshet…..
Dada bid the farewell to last batch and he was going to come late hours in his Maruti carrying most of the load of material…….see you there…..
8th January 2011 5.30PM Kamshet
Hehehehehe! Oh ####, the first batch is still here…..all loaded in the Pick-Up Trucks, we thought they have already left….But their local had to wait in between to give way to express train and the scheduled bus to Jambhivali hasn’t arrived.
The crowd bulging out of Pick-Up trucks we pushed few more folks in to the existing loads…Typical Scene…Few guys are on the top of Driver’s cabin… That’s my favorite place to sit en-route Jambhivali…its fun…it’s a tradition….Sit on the top…Free air….Old and New Marathi songs ….Rustic evening sun…..cool breeze…uneven roads….Nice Ride…dim lights….Passing Villages & Villagers….Fragrance of Village soil around you… Surrounded by Dam and its backwaters…..Trees and Jungle….you are relishing all this….it’s going deep in your body…..touches your soul….and you are on a different lane of your life…..Atmik Anand…..And… Dhak’s Annual “Sohala” starts……
“Saware aaijiayo….Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande, ustaad Zakirbhai ..at their best”…..
….but this time no chance… still need to arrange Pick-Up for the participants with me….5 managed in earlier load..12 still to go…..Bargain… done..one gentleman agreed all aboard….got the order of Jalebi’s from Local sweet home. This is bonus and a surprise for every participant…imagine after entire day’s hard work if you get Jalebi’s in lunch? Yummy! That’s Giridarshan Style…..on the way 22 KM…..
Parat Vasantrao dokyat….. “Bagalyachi Maal-Phule….”…Amya and me in drivers cabin…rest of the gang @back of truck….
8th January 8.00 PM Jambhivali
Look at that…..every inch of Jambhivali is occupied…..Village temple…school…..veranda’s, the place around the trees, Cheers, hugs, Exchanges….Relaxed….strolling here and there…..camera’s..clicks- clicks…Gappa-Tappa….groups of people enjoying..welcoming everyone …welcoming every Pick-Truck with shouts……Enthusiasm is pouring out everywhere…Excited…Ignited minds……
Vikas, Mandar, HArshal , Avinav, Sangram..Leaders have occupied place just bellow “Lalita Gederal Stores”
Sukoon…..Met Amar phadke..Gokhale…..Regular exchanges….and I just asked Sardar…How Many?
“100 or 120”…Jaw wide open….AWWWWWWW…...We didn’t know that our number will ever come so perfect….
“Are you sure”? “Yes…Damm sure”….
Raaada……Kallaaaa……..Dangaaa……Faaatali…heheheehe! ….100 people to go to Dhak caves…and Rappel Down? Are we mad?
Yes, We are mad…Mad enough to test our strengths and capacities..We are Giridarshan, We are RAW…We like to take on challenges and convert them to success...(Amya [Amit Govande] and Modak’s miss you buddies)…..
100….100…100….the only number in my mind….and Dhak…… Vikas winked….smiled…confidence….tomorrow dancing in front of my eyes….I need a break……
“Shoor aamhi sardar amhala kaay kunachi bhiti……”
8th January 2011 8.30 PM Jambhivali – Place around the Big Tree.
“Dhakchi waari….Trkkerschi Mandiyaali”….
Dabba’s are out…..no place to accommodate 100 people….munching….exchange of Dabba’s …those who didn’t bring dabba’s are roaming around everybody…..taking morsels…..relishing them……appreciating the taste…teasing others…..
Can you imagine? 100 people…each one is unique variety….sitting together….and enjoying food…with no fears…no qualms about each other…..fantastic view……I’m sure the only thing that is delving in to their minds’…Dhak bahiri caves….Content with worlds best food they ever had this evening….disperse…..
Time to prepare for Camp Fire….
Vikas, Mandar, Avinav, Harshal, Chandrakant, Phadke…and few more enthusiastic candidates..went in search of fuel sticks……
Small groups have started being formed…..taking stroll around the village…..
The vetarans…Phadke…Gokhale…khaladkar and me…..we sat on the road coming to village…and Maifal started….Asha Bhosale….Rut Hirawa…Arun Date…Parat Vasantrao….Lata Mangeshkar….Mukesh…Kishor…..Hridhaynath….Shivakalyaan Raja…Shiva Chatrapati Aarti…Jayostute….Sardar Baji Prabhu….
“Saranar kadhi Raan..Prabo…..kuthavar sahooo…ghav shiri….”
Chandrakant’s gang joined us and its one big Maifal on the road…..
8th January 2011 9.00 PM School ground
“Ya re ya..Jambhivalicha Gavamage...dhak-dhak kheluya :D, amba pikato rasa galto trekking cha raja ....dhak bolavato”....heheehe! Jamalay bahutek….
Flames are out…..Campfire started…..Smoke….first batch of people ….just enjoying the warmth….slowly the crowd getting bigger as flames get bigger…..Antakshari is started I guess…..I’m still at my own Maifal… its getting cold out here….so finally wrapped the maifal…and started towards campfire…..
It’s as usual , Antakshari at its peak I believed ….now it has turned volunteer performances…. Missing the Zatka and Tadka….and here you Go…….
Giridarshan leaders….out with their patent trekking songs….”Dhoor amhi fukanar…”, “Sandhyakali…”,”O jane darling…”,”Hya collge cha pori…”, “Mubaihoon aali mazi taar, mama mala mulgi denar”, “Hanji….Hanji….” ...Sangram, Sardarm Amit Khaladkar at their best….claps, shoutes….
As usual, my veteran stuff was out…”ABCD satara….”, “Hari On HAri…”, “Malycha malyamadhi…”…Baal geete, Badbad geete.. “Asava sundar chocolate cha bangle..” Time pass…..
“Char waajale, Kombada aaravla…Sakhu geli panyala..tithe sakhula kon bhetale? -----“ Feel in the blanks… the blanks were getting feeled with everybody we knew out here and followed by a song just to create a funny sequence… This one stole the show….
“Char waajale, Kombada aaravla…Sakhu geli panyala..tithe sakhula kon bhetale? – Uttam…Uttam Sakhula Kaay Mhanala? – “Hum kale hai to kya hua dilwale hai….” Hehehehe….shook my leg..done some steps….followed by everyboyd’s name…..Sanrgam… “Hum to tere ashique hai…”…Vikas….Mandar….Manas “Chaddi pehanke phool khila hai”…..harshal “blblblbblblblblblbbl”….almost every boy and girl…..little Archis also contributed to the fun……
A big Hug…Baal Hanuman is here….Chetan has finally arrived…all alone from Pune to Jambhivali..its his first time to Dhak…but still managed well to come down…..This man is amazing…. We made him eat food along with the Chandu’s gang…..
Char wajale…..Kombada…..
Here comes the absolute one…..
Its Vikas Vs. Entire crowd competition……. “Satarcha mhatara shekotila aala….”, Vikas goes miles and miles without mistake against entire crowd on this song game…..it is Vikas or Crowd who won the game?
Instructions for tomorrow….. 5.30 wake up call….6.30 start…..7.45 khind…..8.30 star to caves…be carefull…. The place is narrow…. No place for 0.0000000n mistake……
Avinav trying to sleep alone below the tree..Simply courageous boy ….managed a place for him inside home….and….
Good night! See you tomorrow….. “Sohala” Chalu zala aahe…..100…100…100…..”
9th January 2011 4:15 AM
“Uttam…Avinav…” Vikas calling out…..it’s time to get ready for big Exam ahead, I was never afraid of my exams…but this one is tough….challenging…100 participants are completely relied on us for successful traverse and climb towards Dhak bahiri caves….Setup has to be absolutely perfect and time….it was race against time……
Avinav & Me …finished with morning chores….had hot cup of tea..grabbed some biscuits and joined the gang of 7 soldiers who were all set to go in to the quest of time……to fit the solid Rope setup across the “Naal” (Steep Ridge separating Dhak bahiri and kalakrai pinnacle), Full traverse of Dhak Bahiri Rock wall, Full climb towards Caves of Dhak.
I was sounded some music by Vikas for little bit laziness, but he was right , time was deciding factor in this entire challenge. 100 participants….we must be ready by 8.00 AM with all set up ready..so as and when batch arrives…the mill starts……climbing and rappelling…simultaneous…need of 2 rappeling setups..…
Vikas, mandar, avinav, harshal, Sangram,Viraj(Young lad , a first timer to Dhak, dared to join us because of my initial laziness) and myself, 7 man army vanished in the dark forest…..
We took the traditional route behind Kondheshwar temple to avoid unnecessary risk of being lost in short cut…..so the distance increased but early morning breeze gave us the speed and we are on the way…..100…100…100….this number all along us…….
Reached first plateau, wow……the outline of Dhak looking gorgeous equally scary…..lights in the valley of Sandashi and Karjat…..Stars in the early sky…..amazing view……rest for a while….back to the squad…on the exam route…..
Little more walk and you reach 2nd plateau, now keep descending left….There is one way on your right goes up..DO NOT take this one…this one leads you to the opposite way to Bhimashankar….Keep Left…you reach a ground between Dhak Naal and the earlier hill… Direction boards are present….
Facing towards Naal….Right goes to dhak Village…. From left arrives route from Valavnd….behind Jambhivali route….Straight up Dhak……
This climb of 100 Mtr. Is going to kick you…..it’s almost vertical, pumps your chest like anything….I just imagined the first timers coming this way….. be carefull on this route….lots of scree and fallen trees in between….keep your foot carefully lock against ground and climb……
Around 7.00 in the Naal…..Viraj carried the heavy equipment sack on his shoulders till the Naal… Bravo….he is going to be a fantastic mountaineer….I bet…keep it up dude….
Naal….Deep and steep…..straight fall of 600 ft? …looks like…..
One by one….Down in steep Naal…..it has become sleeper due to extra soil ….so carefully locking cross legs on soil….and reached the rock…..this rock has fallen in the naal due to landslide and has created an artificial overhang….this needs to be secured…..Mandar and harshal did the terrific job of fixing the rope by clove hitch and putting overhand loops at equal distance to help participants to come down safely through this overhang……
Amazing view of Dhak wall on right and Sandashi vally on left, Manjarsubha, Rajmachi, Dukes nose at horizion…….
Ropes unwinded….without delay..vIkas ..avinav..sangram….on the rock patch…..fixing the rope all along the traverse….and then up……joined by Mandar later….Harshal , Viraj and myself at the base…..unwinding remaining ropes…slings…..
I went down….checked the rope…..released the slack….went back to Naal…checked the rope….tightened the rope loops…came back….by the time……Initial setup was done……Ropes were fixed in the caves…..2 rappelling setups….Mandar and Sangram did..Rappeling and checked the setup…..its perfect…..
“Arise ye mighty one…..” Swami Vivekanand…..
“Come oh come…..100….100…100….We are ready ……Trust us….We are going to give you the ride of your lifetime……Come on you guys…Leave all your fears and inhibitions behind..Join us in the trekking- Masti -Magic…We are there to help you enjoy every inch of it….So what are you waiting for ...show is about to begin….”
Chatrapati ShivaJi Mahararj ki jay!
Back at the base village , Giridarshan’s anniversary cake being cut by Dada… and We are remote participants in the commotion…..nevertheless…..we are there by our minds……Happy B’Day to Giridarshan…..Sohalyachi surwat gode…..
9th January 8.00 AM
Curtains raised….
First batch with Sardar has arrived…and my hands started Automatically…..training in RAW is giving speed to my hands…..Saniya (Another young girl, don’t go by her looks, she is not a school girl, she is in first year BSC statistics and Symbi passout) ….Slings, Slings, Slings…Bowlines, Bowlines, Bowlines…..
Saftey, Safety,Safety…..knots are being wrapped, tied on every participant’s waist for self anchoring…..
Self anchor is MUST….Sar Salamat to Trek Pachas……Without Self anchor nobody is allowed to wander here and there on the rock patch…..
Sardar, Harshal, Amit Khaladkar, Gokhale, Phadke, Pratik….all on their positions on the Rock Patch….
Dhak la bahar aala hota….Trekkers everywhere..trekkers up on the patch…down on the patch…in the Naal..everywhere you see….Trekkers and Trekkers….100..100…100….
Leaders are set, Ropes are ready….1s person on the go….Anchored to the rope….Thar-thar, Anxiety, Shaky legs, Dhad-Dhad, Kallol, Carefully….weight on the rock face…leaning on rock face….one step at a time…..down to the patch…changing over the Quick Draws (another anchor on SCI bolts), to the rock cut steps like structure….Pratik and Harshal helping them to complete the traverse …..Real thrill starts….90 degree straight climb of 30 ft. Gokhale ,Dada taking them up….more climb…..and deadly traverse….this one is more trickier….believe me you can absolutely fix only 1 feet at a time and face towards rock and reach the Moli patch, and deep exposure at your back…one mistake you are out…don’t worry you are anchored to the rope but still …..
Now comes the monster……Sardar fixed himself in the narrow gap between Moli Patch and the Rock wall of Dhak…he is standing only on 1 foot….and helping participants climb the deadliest Moli patch.
Moli patch :- A patch of 90 degree and around 20 feet which one needs to climb using suspened Treek Trunk with very thin and small branches left on it. As you put your foot on either of the branch and rise up this trunk moves horizontally as its fixed using Rope and suspended in the air. For a moment you feel your life is suspended between the Life and Death and only Lord Bhairi can save you. Don’t worry, we have managed your safety very well but be careful….Self Anchor saves you…..
9th January 10.00 AM
I’m still busy tying Self anchors to participants… Chetan and Manasi Wagh joined in…mean time Chetan also joined in the effort….We realized the number of slings was less as compared to number of participants…lessons learnt…next time….We will carry slings equal to half the number of participants….so rotation works smooth…wait..delay..slow down the process….wait for slings to come down from top…..Calling triangular…from rock patch to Dada in the middle and then to the top in the caves….since there is so much noise in the cave….obvious….people going to this wonderful place for the first time…cheers, joys, satisfaction, hi-fi’s, cameras,clicks, gadbad, gondhal, aawaaz, badbad, danga, kalla, rada…..
Slings are still coming….people are still being roped….its not ending…every time I ask ….its 20 people….i doubted that is it 200? But its not….. Sun started its office hours….glaring….glaring increasing every second….Leaders on the patch…. Thirst, hunger started kicking in…..
God bless Amya(amit khaladkar), He has brought breakfast for all the leaders in his sack, most of it was pulled up in the caves, for myself, viraj and sania some portion left at base…..
More and more tharthar of people…but a sense of achievement on their face….they have managed something for their lifetime…I could see ignited faces….with sunlight..with bravery…..
I expect the rappelling should start by now…..its 11.15 AM….Sun is at full workload to glare……
9th January 11.15 AM
“Reeeeeeaaaaaaached”, First shouts of Sanrgam and Mandar , giving Demo to participants for how to take first position, how safe everybody is, how to rapple….Good Job…..now come join me in the taskforce……
News from top, Everybody is thrilled by the great Dhak and now excited to rappel down, 80 Ft…
People are jumping on Harnesses and equipment, everybody’s childhood is out….1st me , 1st me…..
Ladies first was the call from Dada, So first two ladies anchored to the rope….I don’t even remember who was first….the only concentration was the rope ….participant….only thought release every participant in time and make the setup available as quick as possible…..
“Baaadli”…..Successful rappel till the little overhang and then “Baadli”, expected…..but hats off….these fearless ladies have managed to rappel down successfully….I can see the joy on their face….A sigh of relief….sense of accomplishment…..they have done it…bravo!
It’s started, 11.30 first participants are down…..we are on time….till this moment….
Few more guys left to go to top…..Slings are awaited…….
By the time I had some refreshments between the gap of alternate rappels, 5, 6 , 7, 8…coming and coming…..it was getting more n more difficult to pull the participant down , anchor them to rope again….release harness, descender, Jumbo, prepare the set and Belay Up…..Descender was boiled hot….
Hard to touch…but somehow managing…..For few of the ladies….their hair got stuck in Descender for not putting their weight on the rope and then almost standing on the rope…..so getting difficult to release…taking time…delaying the process……
Now comes, 2 little girls and oh my goodness…..Screams….Screams…out of fear..excitement….locked on the belay…..1 girls’ hair already stuck in the descender and she is not able to feed the rope……Locked on the bealy…..out of fear she removed mittens, and woohoooo…..she threw one down….im flat on the rock patch….almost parallel ….and could catch it…….and ohh no….here goes the second one….above my head….can’t catch it…myself anchor won’t allow me to reach…..Good its stuck on the surface bellow in the bushes I can see…so we can take it later….only worry was what if monkeys take it……
Her twin sister who was rappelling along with her…somehow reached her tried to remove her hair from descender but no luck…..time was running out……
Finally….she was asked to hold the rope at knot….Vikas and me by controlling the rope took her down without rappelling….she is safe….this took 30 minutes almost and time of 8 participants rappel…..never mind….our objective is to make everybody rappel down safely ….
Triangular calling for slings….guys waiting down here to go up……
12.30 Sun working at its peak….Energy drain has started…..Rock has started getting hotter……Sangram and me are still on the rock patch…..Mandar went up for belay……
Meanwhile other local groups have started coming in….Rappelling stopped……one way traffic…..No sign of route..as every inch was filled with humans…..
Rappeling begins…still its ladies…..I could see few people coming down without rappelling from same route which they climbed….may be frustrated by delay….Sorry guys can’t help it…..the time to free the participant is more than anticipated…..
Energy levels dropping faster…..I’m almost on one foot….2 hours….
By 1.30 PM slings came down….last batch enroute….2.15 last man on top….I guess phadake by now replaced Sardar on Moli Patch…..Me, Dada, Manasi wagh, Chetan wagh didn’t get time to go up…..thats ok….participants first….
Dehydrating ……Sweat everywhere……Temperature soaring …..Sun on top of the head…..100..100…100….
“Sarnar kadhi ran…prabho…..kuthavar sahoo….”
Sardar, Avinav, Mandar, Saniya, Viraj, Vikas , Amit Khaladkar, Harshal, Chetan Chandrakant in the caves…..Tape slings, Harnesses…Final Checks…..rappelling down…Belay man changing from Avinav, to Mandar, to harshal, to vikas, to Viraj, Chetan,Chandrakant, Amit……
Baadli, rappel, people were coming down….with thumbs up for lifetime experiences…..
Every time I would ask the participant how many people are left to rappe? 20 is the answer…..i doubted that people are rappelling twice….heehehehehee!
Gokhale , Dr. Nikhil Pendse helping people to release setups….
He is ready to take first batch back to Jambhivali……on his way….
Manas , Amar Phadke, Ajinkya Sathe, Pratik, followed the batches to Jambhivali……
I could see… Dada and Chandrakant, Mrunal bhay, coming down from traditional route..along with little Archis , brave boy…..Chandrakant left him with his parents and back to the top again…..Duracell battery….
Water bottles up and down…the only water source is available in the caves….
Belay loose…belay tight…..belay up…..for a few hours more…..
Rock temperature has increased a lot…..still on the patch…..Tired….I looked at Sangram….we were exhausted…..i could see restlessness on his Face….so am I……Limbs were locked…could not move much…..everything was automatic…….Need replacement…..Cant withstand with this task anymore….We could have stretched more….but not good for Safety……for us and for participants……Water Bottles dried….
9th January 3.30 PM
Awwwara re! Meloy re! Konitari yaaa re!
Dada and Amit Khaladkar down from traditional route….Dada patted on my and Sangram’s shoulder and immediately replaced us…..Thanks a lot!
Meantime Vikas again down from traditional route….was trying to understand why the releasing people is so slow….(Man in Cap in bellow photo, 6-7 times he has gone up and down the route)
We realized the place where I was standing and taking out candidates was so narrow and uncomfortable….finally we changed the spot…just next to rock patch ….we started pulling both the rappelling participants at the same place….a chain was formed…..Vikas….Dada….me….Sangram…..Amit Khaladkar….Vikas will pull participants at one place….Vikas and Dada will release the belay….I will pass the candidates over me to Sangram and Amit…they will release the setups and I will pass them to Vikas and Belay up……this was successful….this helped to speed up the process….Modak was needed for this Supply Chain Management Case....
Finally surrendered ….Sangram and Me….released ourselves…..got some parathas and sauce and rested in the caves bellow…..half an hour power nap……
By the time….you know what….Chetan and Chandrakant…back with bang…….they have taken the charge of our places down there and controlling the rappelled participants, releasing them….Sigh of releief….these 2 guys are amazing…no words to describe their support…..
9th January 5.30 PM
Its 5.30 still 37 candidates are to rappel down…..and Dead…no energy to even blink the eyes…..
But its faster now…..this batch was superior in rappelling…..less baadlis and more successful rappels …..
It’s getting dark…..Saniya Rappled down…Viraj Sardar, Avinav, harshal, All rappelled down. Mandar came down from traditional route…removing the rope…..We saw the sunset on the horizon….its 1st time we are seeing Sunset from Dhak ….What a scene…me and Sangram still lying in caves…..and Dada took the last batch except last 16 and started towards Jambhivali….Vikas coming down from traditional route….checking for any equipment left on the route….
Rucksacks packed…equipment packed….on the shoulders….its dark…torches out…..Vikas took out Gul Poli’s
Me first in the naal…sardar followed….all others followed…avinav, vikas removed the rope from Naal…Chetan holdind one rope on his shoulders….
16 Started towards Jambhvali via Kondheswar temple to avoid being lost through shortcut in the dark….
Kondheshwar temple is renovated , at least 5000 people can sleep in the out yard of temple…..water bottles filled …..and with automatic motion…..started towards Jambhivali…..
9th January 9.00 PM
No Pain! The Exhausted bodies demanded rest nothing else not eve food….No energy left to chew the food, move the bladder and intestine for digestion…
Pick up truck was waiting….Dada had arranged this one….for ourselves till Kamshet…..
Chetan was about to leave….since he has put job on shofloor….
First morsel of Bhakari and Bhaji, Chetan , Disgusted and frustrated…his bike has punctured…..Loaded in pick up truck…..
Jalebi was tasting heavenly as if we never ate Jalebi before….Daal was tasting awesome….god knows what it is..everything was just Automatic…..
9.45 PM….sacks were kept bellow…people on top of it…with Chetan’s bike in it…..started towards….kamshet……11.37 local……chetan got puncture repaired….on his way…and we have surrendered ourselves in the local….not on the seats….all the Giridarshan leaders down on the local train floor……
Phewwwwwww! 100…100…100……Yesssssssss!!! We have done it…….Awwwwsome strength and Team Show my Giridarshan……Three Cheers! We just looked at each other and our smiles speak everything about it….eyes shutting down…..Dhak’s outline in the eyes…..Kalakrai Bolavatoy…..New Gems found….Viraj and Saniya….Chetan, Chandrakant back with bang….dead asleep….…
100…100…100….Naabaad 100... “Naad Khula Dhaaak.”
“Sohala “ kharya arthane suru zala…
PS:- Chetan reached home safely, we reached at 1.00 PM in the night….Chandrakant reached at 3.00 PM midnight because of his home dropping facility for others….
