“The size of the flower is smaller than the nail. The full bloom of the flower depends on the natural factors like rain, heat, humidity and it is constantly changing. Don’t argue with the staff“
This is what greets the visitor to the official online booking site for Kaas Pathar. The same is given first in Marathi, this is the translated version that runs below it. And honestly, the original Marathi version is very direct and pithy and therefore; much more effective. Try and wrap your tongue around this: Baharababaat karamcharivrindashi vaad ghaalu naye… After such a stern warning a sensible visitor would meekly acquiesce and behave himself or herself while on the plateau.
There is a list of THIRTEEN Dos and Don’ts which are also quite detailed and very direct! Get this one:
Avoid staying on the plateau between 6 pm to 6 am. Let the wild life have their space and privacy during night time at least.
Or this one:
If you find some one damaging, plucking the plants/ flowers, sitting on the plants, be bold and do resist him/ her in good convincing words. If he is not in mood to listen to you, draw the attention of forest guard around.
So, clearly the authorities are doing their best to preserve the fragile ecosystem of Kaas while at the same time allowing visitors to appreciate and value it. Neither is an easy task and they do have their work cut out. While we were on the plateau we saw several forest guards posted there and every now and then a whistle would be heard if some uncaring idiot left the track to step on the grass for a selfie. We also heard some ‘good, convincing words’!!
Another thing that I found ‘khaas’ about Kaas was the abundance of monkeys around the resort where we were staying; which is about 16 kms away from the plateau. There were so many of them that the staff at the resort warned us to keep all our belongings out of sight every time we left the room. Apparently the monkeys had figured out a way to open the french windows leading onto the balcony. They would then sneak in and make off with whatever looked interesting, especially medicines. While we were there, some monkeys did get into the room next to ours and we watched the hotel staff try to coax them out- they probably used a few not-so-good convincing words! An air gun was also brought in to scare the monkeys away. The next morning the monkeys were back, prancing on the balcony railings as they posed for pictures in the rays of the morning sun!
What I found really special about Kaas was the breathtaking landscape around it- a sight to gladden the soul. I still carry those images in my mind’s eye. We went quite overboard in trying to capture as many of them as we could in our cameras. But not even the best lens would do justice to the sheer, unspoiled beauty of those mountains and valleys, so we finally gave up. As I was reassuringly told’ The best camera is the mind’s eye and the second-best camera is the one you have at that moment’ Posting some here (photo credits shared by my daughter and self)
To anyone who has made it this far, have courage. I’m going to stop! Adding more would be self-indulgence and nothing else.
As for what else is ‘khaas’ about Kaas, this will have to do for now. The mind is like a kaleidoscope and as one keeps moving it; moments and memories keep forming. These are the ones that stood out for me, the rest I shall keep like Wordsworth did:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude…
butterfliesonmymindblog 