Some Breath-Taking Valleys

Some Breath-Taking Valleys Life is full of vicissitudes, like peaks and valleys. Bag packers are enthralled by valleys which teleports them to a tranquil spot where one can hitch hike, see the beauty of a rising or setting sun or meditate. . Deep down south in Andhra Pradesh is the virtually unknown Arraku which is around 114 km away from the port town of Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Arraku valley is blessed with an alluring landscape covered with verdant forests and coffee plantations. This valley is surrounded by Araku and Borra caves. Numerous waterfalls dot the landscape and a globe trotter gets a flavour of indigenous tribal life. The Valley is perched on the famous Kottavilasa – Kirandul line where railways ferries iron ore. An intrepid traveller can hitch hike a freight train guard permitting and reach Kirandul which appears to be at the end of the world, to have a majestic view as the crimson red sun sinks to nowhere. One can travel further and encounter the western Ghats to the amazing spots in Coonoor to Ooty located in the winsome Ketti Valley. To breathe the freshness of the valley it is recommended to travel by the toy train and become an integral part of the valley. The Ketti Valley is also famous for bird watching and especially trekking. Few trippers are aware that this is the second largest gorge in the world. The natural beauty is encompassed by the charming blue mountains (Nilgiri hills). Added attractions are the stupendous tea gardens and for the devout to pay obeisance at a Shiva Temple. A curious traveller can then venture to witness the spectacle of the Silent valley which is located in the Nilgiri hills of Kerala and is well known for its Silent Valley National Park. This nonparallel valley is a home to exotic plants, animals, endangered animals, birds etc. Thus, it is essentially a breathtaking valley which is covered with luscious green forests and supports many kinds of wonderful flora and fauna. A visit to the valley suffuses a mind with silence and tranquillity which is no necessary. Human mind slips into a state of meditation by merely visiting Silent valley. Be it a war zone between two sparring nations, or Shammi Kapoor yesterday’s superstar gyrating to the melodies of “Kashmir ki Kali”, Kashmir Valley would always remain the paradise on earth as Jehangir was to tell his beloved queen Noor Jehan. Sandwiched between Karakoram and the Pir Panjal Range are the exotic Kashmir Valley which is well known for its scenic landscape, innumerable scenic spots, the Dal and Nagina lake, Adi Shnakara’s temple on the hill known as “Takht-e- Suleman”. Kashmir valley is blessed by azure blue sky which reflects the calm sapphire of the lakes and flowers which are irresistible. And not to forget Kalhan’s epochal Rajatarangini (River of Kings) written way back in 1148 to 1149 AD describing the valley. Not to forget the Parvati valley situated in Kullu Manali stretching from Bhuntar all the way to Spiti which is peppered by the serpent-shaped waterfall called Rudra-Nag, the evergreen pine forests of Khirganga which is known to be the meditation centre of Lord Shiva. “One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak,” wrote the British author Gilbert K. Chesterton