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As another monsoon withdraws from the Indian subcontinent, with lesser rains in the south while lashing out heavily at the northern plains in an unprecedented fury, Travel Bird had a little chase of it. A few takes from the rain soaked wanderings.  

On a hot sunny day, I was heading towards Wayanad, the verdant district located in North Kerala. The rain clouds were hiding behind the blue skies until I reached Lakkidi, the place once renowned for registering the highest rainfall in the state for years. Two hour drive from Calicut takes you close to the nature and its splendors. The mountain trail has its own wonders through out the journey. Rocky streams, meandering roads, mist clad tea gardens, rustling leaves in the cool breeze.Driving through the lanes of Lakkidi en route to Kalpetta, the headquarters of Wayanad, I could spot dark skies pregnant with rain clouds heralding the arrival of monsoon.

'The magic of monsoon unwinds here. The most romantic and vibrant season of India starts from early June and mellows down by September. 'On the way, I stopped to get a view of the majestic Chembra hill, one of the highest peaks in Western Ghats, and for some refreshment. A gust of cold wind and a roar! All of a sudden, the overcast sky unfurled its clouds. The first drops of monsoon. The rain was thick and fresh and the intoxicating fragrance of damp new earth made me feel like god.

No better place and no better start could I get for my trip of chasing the monsoon than this. Exploring the wild beauty of Wayanad, I began my rain pursuit. For me, climbing a hill always proved to be a tough task, if its raining it makes the business even tougher.  I was at the foot of Ambukuthi hills, where the famous Edakkal caves are situated.

“Take care, it’s very slippery, watch out for the leeches”, a local tea vendor warned. I doubted if I could climb through the rocky path to get the top. Please don’t ask how I managed that.  My tenacious effort was worth it for the glimpse I got through the cleft in the huge rocks. Rain was on song over of the green valleys and the distant blue hills of this pagan land. Ancient rocks displaying mysterious scripts.... It was primitive, it was nostalgic… it was raining. The magic of monsoon unwinds here. The most romantic and vibrant season of India starts from early June and mellows down by September. ‘Monsoon’ is the name of the seasonal wind that carries the rain clouds from Indian Ocean. Since this trade wind carries the clouds from south west region of the country to north wards, it’s called south west monsoon.

Monsoon Life Style

The south Indian State of Kerala draws its energy mainly from the monsoon rains; it is the lifesaver of this small state lying parallel to the Arabian Sea. God’s own country, as Kerala is called, is a must-see location during the monsoon. The forty four rivers of this state which is also known as the Tropical paradise, would be at their best in the season. Ayurveda- the traditional system of medicine - hails the therapeutic power of rain. The monsoon is said to be the-right-time to get a complete ethnic Ayurvedic massage. The Ayurvedic wellness spas across Kerala will have a busy time with natives and tourists thronging the centres to get a complete rejuvenation treatment. Ayurveda also prescribes a special herbal diet for the season that includes pure vegetarian dishes made of medicinal plants and edible leaves, together with health soups of various kinds of native preparations.

Like Wayanad, Idukki is also an idyllic place to hike in Kerala, when it is raining. Both these hilly districts with lush green forests and plantations are famous for torrential rains. A ride through the serpentine roads to Munnar, the land of sprawling tea gardens and misty mountains, and a jungle walk through Periyar Wild life Sanctuary are matchless. Going places in this high- range district lying in the Western Ghats is an adventurous affair too.

>I remember a worn-out tree house where the local guide and myself had a frightening time during a rainy night.  Screeches and shrieks from the wild often broke the eerie silence of the dark. Threatening trumpets of wild elephants pierced through the thick forest. Panic and fright loomed over us. Chilly wind howled through the trees. It was raining the whole night. When sun peeped through the leaves, we could spot footprints of elephants in the muddy patches below the tree. I still don’t know how we made it to dawn.

Many among the older generation reminisce the ‘noolumazha’ ( string of rain), which rained continuously throughout a season sans a break. “It used to rain incessantly for weeks during my childhood”, said an old man squatting on the verandah of a local tea shop in Idukki. “Those were times of misery as well. No one will dare stepping out of the huts, and the supplies would be cut,” he added while sipping hot ginger coffee brewed in the locality and watching the rain. Weeks of torrential rain! It seemed a myth than reality. But there was no hint of exaggeration in the people around. I could read their minds from their faces. They appeared frozen when reliving the rain of a bygone era through the narrow lines falling in front of them. If hills and woods could share this much tales, what the planes and lakes would be keeping for me? I was eager to find that out.

Honeymooners’ Season

“Use your power, grab the oar like this, don’t push too deep”, yes…like that.., you’ve got the knack, keep going and forget not the song”, my master was trying to teach me the first lessons of rowing with the traditional wooden canoes. You might have surprised. Yes, I too was. I was managing to maneuver a boat through the famous Punnamadakkayal, where the famous Nehru trophy Boat race is held every year.

Nobody was there to cheer me up, but the rain and the sky witnessed my first and foremost expedition on water. Despite the hovering rain clouds, boatmen were having a hard practice session for the big event that was to come a few days after. Rain sets a big stage for some sporting events too.  Rain football, popular in Malappuram district and ‘Maramadi’ (Bull race) which is held at different places in Kerala are a few picks of the season.

Rivers and fields spring into life, farmers recoup with song on their lips. We can see full of life and enthusiasm everywhere during monsoon days. If you want to romance with the rain, then just push off to Kuttanadu in Alappuzha. Slicing through the bewitching backwaters on a canoe is great but risky at the same time. Under the sky, only you and the blue waters are there to embrace the rain. Continued.............

© travelbird