YERCAUD TRIP

In Tamilnadu people talk only about Ooty and Kodaikanal as hill stations. No mention is ever made, even in passing, of Yercaud. Majority of the people even refuse to accept that Yercaud is also a hill station. Yercaud is, in a way, the poor man's Ooty.If Ooty is the queen of hills, Yercaud is the princess!

Unlike other hill stations, Yercaud is much quieter. Because it's small - the total area being just 383 sq. kms. Yecaud has very little to offer as compared to hill stations in other places.Yercaud is like the middle class. Sober. It's a "neither here nor there" kind of place. The main problem which for us was a big plus point is that there is nothing to ’see’ here.

No museums, palaces or gardens. It’s the perfect place to spend a couple of quiet, undisturbed days with your inner self.And yet, it's a good weekend retreat, especially if you want to get out of the city's hustle and bustle. Just to lie back, relax, read or write a book. Or just "cool it".

If you are honeymooning, then it's the best place to be in. You won't bump into your neighbour, that's for sure. Don't plan on more than 2 nights' stay at Yercaud. It's a friendly and quiet place, no doubt. Beyond that, one can get bored.

We started our journey to dream destination Yercaud in a rented KSRTC volvo bus on 14th aug night @ 12 along with our team.Yercaud is 237kms from bangalore.We took the Krishnagiri-Dharmapuri-Omalpur route to Yercaud. Yercaud which is 1515 metres above sea level is 333 sq. km in extent. The maximum temperature is 29 celsius only.The only mode of travel from Salem to Yercaud is by bus. It takes an hour of negotiating 20 dangerous hair-pin bends to reach the peak.

One is gripped by fear as the bus negotiates the hair-pin bends: one breathes easy only after seeing the greenery on either side of the road signalling the end of travel! It is very scary if one looks down through the window! All along the route, monkeys playing pranks and violet flowers on trees makes one wonder where one is. There is greenery all round - this is a new experience, for the city bred. The forests make one energetic and enthusiastic, like a child.Yercaud is famous for coffee and pepper .

We reached Yercaud town @ 6.30 and easily located our Hotel 'Grand Palace' on the hill top. The weather was pleasant, i have heard temperature is between 13 and 30 degrees and hence one doesn't require warm clothes.The hotel had a lovely view on either side. We were surrounded by hills on all sides and we caught a glimpse of Yercaud lake too. As we saw all this our antenna clicked- this is the place where we shall be holidaying surely the next time with our parents ;)

We all started with photography sessions from then on till 8 since we dint want to miss to capture the mist in our camera's and it all lasted till 10am.

That afternoon we went boating @ yercaud lake & from 6pm -8pm we spent @ hotel SKY ROCA exploring its beauty.... we all must definately stay here when we plan up our trip....the whole hotel was booked for our seniors & we just couldnt take our eyes off from that place. Just sending the link of the hotel plz see the pics which we werent able to capture.

http://hoteltheskyroca.com/Accomodation.html

I cant express how it was being there it can be only felt. It was the last night to be spent in yercaud and we planned a camfire dance but nature had its own plans. As we were busy feeling the clouds it started pouring like cat & dogs and the whole lake was covered with 2-3 meters fog and it was brrr… cold. So we had indoor dance party & group photo's that lasted till 3am!!

The day we wished hadnt come...packing...saying good bye to that place we started our journey back @ 12 noon on the way had lunch & coffee reached back around 7pm Back home, we had the lovely green memories.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS :

• Yercaud Lake : Located right at the center of the hill-station, it has both pedal and row boats, maintained by TNTDC.
• Shervaroys Temple : Located at the top most point of the hills. The main dieties are Cauvery amman and Shervaroyappan. The priest maintains that there is a tunnel behind the dieties, that goes all the way to Thalacauvery temple in Coorg.
• Botanical garden : This one is open during the weekends, mainly used by botanical students. This garden has a wide variety of herbs. A delight for those who have an in interest in botany.
• Ladies Seat : This one gives a panaromic view of Salem Town. The name came after this view was frequented by a English lady during pre-independence days.
• Gents Seat : Yercaud;s menfolk, wanted a seat of their own, so they made one for their own.
• Rose Garden : This one has a wide variety of roses.
• Estates: The whole hill station is filled with private estates. The estates generally grow Coffee, Silver-oak, Eucalyptus, Black pepper, "Kamla" Orange. For those who like "Narasus" coffee, the coffee comes from Yercaud, they have their own estate here.
• Garden right across the Lake : This one has a Japanese style garden, don't miss this one.
• Montfort School : A convent school, which has students from all over Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.
• Killiyur Falls The Killiyur waterfall is located at a distance of about 3 km from the Yercaud Lake. The ideal time to visit the waterfall is immediately after the monsoons. You can see the surplus water from the Yercaud Lake and other points of the Shevaroy Hills fall deep into the Killiyur Valley below, making a 300 feet waterfall.
  

Yercaud is a all season tourist place where summer is season rates & rest of the year its off season rates for the hotels. The place is at its best in Nov- Dec.

"HONESTY" whats that???

It was a usual Monday evening; I was walking down our lane with my little brother who was 6yrs and me 8yr old then!! I usually used to walk down with him to drop him to his tuition where he wouldn’t go without me, a sense of equality that if I go she too has to go kind of…..that still exists though we have grown and stay apart!!!

We have to cross a hospital and at the end of the lane is our destination the tuition class. The distance is of only 5mins of walk from home but which my brother and me used to take our own good time to cover it looking around , collecting flowers or fruits from the plants and the tress on the other end of the road playing around like all other kids enjoying their freedom on road!!

That day as we were passing the hospital my brother’s eye fell on the 5 rupee note that was fallen at the entrance gate of the hospital. He asked me whether he could pick it up I wasn’t sure what I was I supposed to do or tell so I told him not to touch it and asked him to move. But he still remained there looking at the note and telling me that it seems someone has put it down and asking me to change my decision as it wasn’t as bad as stealing.

Mom always used to tell us stories about good and bad things not to be done and how GOD would punish us in the later years from the crime we commit. So we were well aware of things what would happen to us if we lied or stole and so on…. Now this was the first time in our life we found money laying on the road no one to say we own it and 2 of us not knowing what to do. Just then a man was coming running down the lane I just wanted my brother to move from there so I said “see that man is coming for this money don’t pick it up lets leave” and started running down he dint want me to leave him there so he too came down.

As we entered his tuition class his madam was eagerly waiting for us as we had taken more time than usual. She asked my brother the reason for being late and he narrated the whole story…..Madam was happy seeing our honesty!!

As the years passed we forgot all this and we faced the world we found that there’s no one who believes in such policies I myself had a bad experience when I dropped my wallet in my class room and got back to search it within 2mins or so I dint find it nor none of my classmates returned it to me. At that time I was in a very bad situation away from home in hostel losing my money, debit cards and college id just created mess in my life…that time I thought why had I to be honest??

Some days back when my husband returned from work he had an incident to narrate while he was stepping out of his office he found a 50 rupees note lying at the entrance he picked it up and he asked two there people around whether it belonged to them when it wasn’t anyone’s there he handed it to the security and said “please see that you hand it over to the person who comes looking out for this note and if no one comes keep it to yourself!!”

Listening to this I had a smile on my face and felt what if he doesn’t give it to the owner and keeps it to himself?? But after seeing my hubby’s face the proud feeling he bore ,the piece of mind and happiness he was feeling for the honest deed he had done made me happy………………

was that love???

The trickle of warm water felt so good on her skin. She always loved to take long baths. A much needed outlet. She could spend hours… humming, talking, playing… But today she had to hurry. Vivek had already called her twice. They had to attend a function, an engagement ceremony of his friend.

Diksha stepped out of the shower and looked at the pale blue sari she had laid out on the bed. It was her favorite color. She was sure that Vivek would love it. He liked whatever she liked. He never commented on her style or choice. He would always say, “Dikshu, everything looks so good on you, yaar… Why do you force me to pick colors?” In short, he absolutely adored her.

Their wedding was a typical arranged one. Their parents did all the preliminary screening before she met him. She wasn't very picky. All she wanted was an understanding man. All he wanted was a caring woman. Looks didn't matter to either of them. But Vivek couldn't help but feel happy about how fortunate he was to find someone like her. Educated, modern, beautiful and from a very loving family… What more can anyone ask for!

In their first meeting, neither of them could deny the compatibility. He was exactly what she wanted and she was his dream. It had been two years since they had tied the knot and they were still enjoying every moment of it. Sometimes she was a little scared of how happy they were together.

The ringing of the phone reminded her that he had reached the house and was waiting outside. She checked her reflection in the mirror for the last time, grabbed the gift and headed downstairs. Vivek couldn't take his eyes off her. She still gave him the tingle, even after two years. She gave a purpose to his life.

“So, who are these people?” She was playing with the folds in her sari as she spoke to him.

“A friend. Actually, she is a friend of mine… Ashini. We worked together for a few years.”

They stopped at the traffic light. Diksha was gazing at the trees from her window. It was so pretty. The fall colors, the leaves… it was enticing.

“What's the name of her fiancé'?” She needed to fill out the names on the gift card. She was getting ready with a pen and hoped she could make it before the signal turned green.
“Rahul.”

Her heart skipped a beat. Rahul… that name was always special to her.
“Where is he from?” She casually tried to extend the conversation as she wrote the names.

“Pune.”

She couldn't believe it. It could be the same Rahul. Her Rahul?

They pulled into the parking lot and walked towards the building. It was almost packed, and she found herself staring at a zillion strange faces. A few people greeted them and Vivek instantly started a conversation with someone. He always did that. He was at ease with strangers. She couldn't be the same way. She needed introductions and someone to break the ice before uttering a syllable. She turned her attention to where the couple was sitting. Rahul.

Yes, it was him! She suddenly felt breathless. It had been ages since she had seen him last.

She still remembered how sad he looked the last time they met. She was so afraid for him, but had to say goodbye. He was really head-over-heels for her. For four years, he would always try and strike a conversation to confess his love for her, but she always evaded it. Because… she knew the answer.

She never believed in love. She couldn't rate it the same way as he did. She thought it was all a crush. Phrases like 'love at first sight' didn't make sense to her. She trusted in love that sprung from commitment, responsibility, acceptance and compromise. But Rahul couldn't agree with her. He asked her not to deny the attraction they shared. He always urged her to take the time and think about them. But she was afraid to do so. Deep down, she knew she was captivated by him, but wasn't confident if she could label that emotion as love. Finally, after taking the long road down the turmoil, she bid him goodbye. He was very upset that day… And she never heard from him again.

“Diksha… This is Ashini,” Vivek was nudging her to shake her out of the pensive thoughts.

She was standing next to him… A very pleasant face, pretty eyes, long hair, pale complexion… face lighting up with a strange glow every time she smiled. She was beautiful.
A perfect choice for her Rahul. Her Rahul. She liked to remember him that way. He was special. He always invoked warm feelings in her. The kind that didn't seem to have subsided even after two years of marriage to Vivek. But was he still 'her Rahul'? No. He was willing to take a deep plunge into life with her by his side… But she couldn't do the same. She had no right to call him hers. All she did was disappoint him.

“Come on… Let's meet Rahul,” Ashini was guiding them through the crowd. Suddenly Diksha felt like her knees were giving away. Her throat was turning dry. God, please don't make me or him say anything stupid… She was praying silently. There he was. Standing handsome in a black suit, clean-shaven and charming. As he turned around, she could catch a glimpse of surprise in his eyes and then a twinkle. He acted as if he was meeting her for the first time. Diksha just played along.

All through the ceremony, she was trying to catch another glance of him and he was obviously doing the same; for their eyes met one too many times. Each time she turned red in the face. God, he still made her blush! But somehow she desperately wished all this would end, so that she could run back home and forget about him. Just like the last time… She was never able to evaluate her feelings towards him. She always felt confused, from day one.

That night she was still thinking about him. It felt so wrong. It has been three years. She should have gotten over him by now. But all she could think of was the times they spent together. Back then, she always looked forward to meeting him. He made her happy, showering her with his attention. He made her feel special. Just the way Vivek does. She turned around to take a look at Vivek. He seemed so peaceful. He looked cute when he was asleep. Like a child…
Nothing in the world mattered to him as long as he could have his hand around her. She should shed these thoughts of Rahul. She isn't doing justice to Vivek… She slowly coaxed herself to sleep.

The whole of next morning was spent trying to drive Rahul out of her head. She was leaving for the library when she got the call. It was Rahul. “It's me,” was all he said for her to identify him in a split second. “How are you?” was the next question. The same way as she expected. He still cared for her. But she never asked how he was. As always, she acted as if she didn't care. “When is the marriage?” was all she could ask. He remained silent for a long time before he said, “Diksha, that day… you left me to myself, shaking my roots of belief in love. It took me two long years to get over you. Finally, I asked my parents to set me up with some girl. I didn't care who it was. I just needed to put this behind me and move on with my life. And of all people, you had to walk into the ceremony and that too with your husband. God! You still look so beautiful and… very happy! I was up all night thinking about you. Maybe what we did was right. Because you seem happy and not regretful. Maybe what I did will also be right. Maybe what we shared was just an infatuation… an illusion… Just like you said. I know it is not true, but I desperately want to believe it. Other than that, I don't see how I can do justice to Ashini. She is a nice girl. I don't want to ruin it again… I need to tell this to someone. Sorry for bothering you… I desperately want to say that I still love you… but that won't be right. You are not mine anymore. You are taken. So am I… I shouldn't be calling you in the first place. Sorry.” Diksha didn't know what to say. She kept staring at the phone long after he hung up.

Was she wrong about her decision three years ago? Was she really in love with Rahul? If not, why was it so hard for her to stop thinking about him? If after all these years, he could still say that he loved her, for once why couldn't she admit her love? That night she slipped back into thoughts. She didn't mention any of this to Vivek. She didn't see the need for it because she felt there was really nothing in it. All she needed to do was forget that she had met Rahul again. She kept convincing herself with the same logic, but felt so restless. Should she tell Vivek? Was she being unfair by not letting him know about this?

“Honey, what's bothering you?”

She was startled by Vivek's question. She wanted to say there was nothing, but he always read her like a book. She stayed quiet and looked into his eyes. Vivek pulled her close, kissed her forehead and whispered, “I love you.”

And then out of nowhere she uttered the words “I Love you too.” Never in these two years, she had replied him back. She would always smile in reciprocation. But today, she did it involuntarily. She could see the sudden gleam of joy in his eyes. It felt so right to say them. Maybe this is what love actually is. She is in love. Suddenly everything seemed quite clear. She was never in love with Rahul… because with him, she always hesitated to say these words. But today, she wasn't uncertain… there was nothing awkward about it.

Yes. She is in love.

With her Vivek… She was his. 'Her Vivek' sounded so right! She hugged him tight as she whispered in his ear “I Love you, Vivek. I Love you…” He couldn't understand the reason for this sudden wave of affection, but whatever it was, it made him very happy. He just held her close. Finally she was his.