April, 2023

Central India Trip Report

As we were walking through the umber-brown yet green dense forests of Central India, it’s aroma instantly acted as a reminiscence of its age old existence and wisdom. Every tree branching out and standing tall like skyscrapers were in fact, the castles to this royal woods. With each step that we took, the twigs seem to make a pleasant crackling sound, as though acknowledging our presence in the silence of this vast beauty. The forest bed had unevenly trimmed patches of green grass. The rivers were enchanting as always were reflecting the true shades of nature and it only seemed to get more colourful and bright by the minute. The skies seemed to have an orchestra of the singing birds of their own, which sounded like a perfect welcome song. The wildlife too had their own slow movements in the lazy month of April, with the scorching heat of the sun.

This is just a glimpse of Central India. THIS is Bandhavgarh.

Having known the wilderness of the woods, as the group took off on a Safari to Bandhavgarh, we knew what exactly to expect. It is only later that we learned, that the magical heaven is beyond any naïve expectation, as each element in the woods carries a fragrance of its own unique sentiment, which just needs to be felt.

Our tour started on the first day of April with an unforgettable, day-long journey from Chennai Central to Katni. We reached Katni on the 2nd of April, from where the mystical land of Bandhavgarh was a 3 hour road journey. The journey to Bandhavgarh National Park was filled with rich belts of greenery on both sides, which was only a little preview of what we saw in Bandhavgargh.

As though the universe had gathered to help us rest, we learned during the course of time that The Bandhavgargh National Park remains close on Wednesdays and April 3rd, being one, we had to call off the Safari and rest from the fatigue of the journey.

As the sun rose embarking the new day, we were eagerly waiting on our toes to explore the true calling of nature, and hence set out to the woods at as early as 5am in the morning. In the precious three days of our time at the Bandhavgarh, we had sketched out a total of 7 safaris. Our routine for the three days included,

• An early safari at 5am with packed breakfast
• Returning to the camp side by 11am for a power nap
• Second safari at 3pm
• Arriving to the camp side by 6.30pm to wrap the events for the day.

During these eventful three days (April 4th, 5th and 6th), we as a group were indeed extremely fortunate to have spotted seventeen different tigers, patrolling their territory. While a few of them intricately looked into our lenses and posed, the others did not quite enjoy the limelight and disappeared amidst the bushes. These wildcats knew exactly how the jungle works. Take a look into their eyes and one could tell, that they aren’t on the top of the food chain for no reason. They knew how to survive. And they did just that. While they seemed off guard and slumberous, they could be fierce too. They knew when to lift the survival guns and have a deadly chase where the prey has absolutely nil chances of seeing another daylight. After these rugged beasts, it was time for some elegance and YES, peacocks it was.

Approximately, a hundred peacocks walked in the highest possible grace and it all seemed too surreal. It was too good to be true. The vibrant blue and green colours of the birds seemed to camouflage and submerge with the trees and the skies. The patterns and designs on their gentle bodies sung tales of their beauty. The eyes, The eyes is where all the compassion in the world begins and ends. When these birds stretched open their wings, our streams of consciousness, drifted to a state of dreams. The feeling of satisfaction after watching this dance of joy, was beyond infinity and it still lingers in my heart and I still smile at how perfect and happy the moment was.

Our safaris in Bandhavgarh national park also included spottings of varied varieties of rare birds and thousands of deers, several packs of jackals and a few fifty Indian Guars. The experiences we had in the Bandhavgargh forests truly did bring me closer to nature and made us realise how truly essential it was for us, to live in the moment. This is where the true spirits of wildlife prevailed and it would be safe to say after this Safari, we were sure to kiss the confined zoos, a happy goodbye.

As if our wildlife thirst wasn’t quenched, we set out on yet another wildlife endeavour to Kanha National Park on the 7th of April. Needless to say, the whole day was spent in travelling and we checked in Kanha at around 6pm in the evening. The next two days (April 8th and 9th ) were days allotted for safaris in Kanha, and we knew this too was worth the wait.

As the first ray of sunshine hit the new lands of Kanha, we anticipated for more time in the wild. Owing to the pleasant weather conditions, we reckoned to have great sightings and mother nature truly didn’t disappoint. We were the witnesses of some exceptional species like tigers, sloths and many more deers and peacocks. What was fascinating was to see them lost in their own, tiny world, following their routine without being conscious about human moments. They were freely roaming about in their little etched spaces, doing what needed to be done, sharing warmth with their fellow beings and carefree about human activities which was simply a heart filling moment.

These four legged pals put aside, the most striking moment of this Safari was when the group witnessed the Barasingha, a swamp deer unique to just Kanha and nowhere else in the world. This 170kg muscular beast was the epitome of polished char and refinement. The horns of Barasingha diverged in such an elegant fashion, it felt like a classic painting of the ancient centuries. The legs too were beautiful yet steady enough to run away from potential predators. The eyes of the Barasingha reflected the early morning rays of the sun, in the golden hours and it looked like lucid snowflakes of silver, sprinkled by the heavens above.

After this enjoyable yet enlightening Safaris, we headed to the Nagpur airport, marking the end of this enchanting journey of 12 days. Indeed our days in the wild was an eye opener to the bigger world out there and a perfect glimpse of life.

Having had the utmost content in out times in the forests of Kanha and its inhabitant wildlife, we couldn’t have asked for more. The forests make me realise hoe much more there is to know and how much little we all truly take pride in knowing. Falling into the depths of nature’s vastness, it dawned upon us as to how mother nature is truly a giver and she is who all beauty, life and humanities in the world revolves around. It is she who begins and completes our circles of lives and reminds us with her overwhelming silence of how we need to be rooted to her.

Finally, to sum up our entire journey, In the world of adventurous people, we were ADVENTURES ourselves.