Let me begin by saying, “Ganpati Bappa Morya!” Did you get a hint about the region this story is going to take you to?
If you guessed Maharashtra, you’re absolutely right! Ganeshotsav has a very special place in Maharashtrian culture, and the enthusiasm with which the festival is celebrated here is something I have rarely seen elsewhere. And from the vibrant celebrations of Ganeshotsav, let me take you to a very different side of the state. The misty mountains and rain-soaked forests of the Sahyadris.
Every time I think about the monsoon, the first place that comes to my mind is the magnificent Western Ghats.
Ever since my first trip to the Western Ghats way back in 2014, this landscape has held a very special place in my heart. It almost feels as though the mountains, forests, mist and rain have permanently found their way into my mind. Every year, I desperately wait for the monsoon to arrive. It is a feeling that is difficult to put into words.
Over the past decade, I have been fortunate to explore several parts of the Western Ghats, stretching across the western side of peninsular India. Every journey has left behind something special, and every monsoon somehow creates a stronger urge to return.
This year, I wanted my better half to experience this side of the monsoon as well.
I have seen it and experienced it innumerable times. For her, this was the first.
And I was looking forward to seeing the monsoon through her eyes.
A New Kind of Travel
Recently, I launched a new initiative called Travel Circle, inviting a few interested people to join me on my personal journeys.
The idea was simple, but the selection wasn’t. Not everyone who expresses interest automatically gets picked. There are several things I look for, such as an interest in nature, flexibility, the ability to adapt to changing plans, and most importantly, whether the person would be compatible with the kind of travel my wife and I enjoy.
For this trip, we had one wonderful person join us. It is not very often that you come across people who are straightforward, easygoing and genuinely jovial. She was one of them, and having the right company made the journey even more enjoyable.
And that brings me to the trip itself.
When the Monsoon Takes Over
The region I chose is known for its lush green landscapes, dense forests, streams, waterfalls and spectacular mountains. During the South-West monsoon, this entire landscape transforms dramatically.
For someone like me, coming from Chennai, the monsoon here feels almost like an entirely different world.
Chennai and much of Tamil Nadu don’t receive the same kind of sustained rainfall from the South-West monsoon between June and September as the western side of India does. So, when I get an opportunity to spend a few days in a landscape where rain is almost a constant companion, the pluviophile in me couldn’t be happier.
The plan was to experience one of the magnificent waterfalls hidden deep within the Sahyadris. But nature had other plans.
When Plans Change
As our travel date approached, the monsoon activity over the region intensified considerably. With the increasing rainfall came rapidly rising water levels, and the route through the dense forest to the waterfall was no longer considered safe.
Our original plan had to be cancelled.
At the last moment, we switched to an equally beautiful trek that would take us deep through the forests, across streams and muddy trails, with spectacular views of the surrounding waterfalls and mountains. We could have tried to reach the original destination through alternate and lesser-known routes. But there is a difference between adventure and unnecessary risk.
Being a seasoned trekker, I felt it was my responsibility to make sure that everyone travelling with me had a safe experience.
Nature always comes first. Life is always more important. And so, we changed the plan.
Looking back, it was the right decision.
Into the Monsoon
Our journey began on a fantastic Friday afternoon from Chennai.
The mood inside the train was ecstatic. What started with self introductions soon turned into snacking sessions, conversations, selfies and endless excitement about everything that was waiting for us.
The next morning, we arrived in Pune. After a quick refresh, we spent some time exploring the city before heading towards Shivaji Nagar later that night, where our pickup was arranged.
From there, the journey towards the base village took around three hours. And even before we reached the village, the monsoon had already announced its presence.
It was around 4 AM when we reached Khireshwar, the base village for the Aadrai Jungle Trek. The night was still dark. But as the first light began illuminating the landscape around us, the scene slowly revealed itself.
And what a sight it was.
Lush green mountains. Paddy fields. Waterfalls appearing everywhere. Mist hanging over the hills. And rain! Relentless rain. It was the kind of landscape I had travelled all this way to experience. The Aadrai trail is known for its dense forest, streams, waterfalls and monsoon greenery, and the rain had transformed the entire route into something spectacular. (Trek Maharashtra)
When the Wind Joins the Monsoon
From the moment we left Khireshwar until we completed the trek and moved away from the region, the rain barely gave us a break.
But surprisingly, although the rain was the best part throughout, it wasn’t the highlight.
It was the wind.
The winds were at their belligerent best, delivering some of the finest moments of the entire journey. At one point, we were walking directly against the wind, with the rain hitting us right in the face. We were completely drenched, struggling against the force of the wind, and yet there was something incredibly beautiful about that moment. It was one of those experiences that is difficult to recreate in a photograph.
Further along the trail, we encountered numerous streams and stretches of slush that had to be crossed carefully. The rain had transformed what would otherwise have been simple sections of trail into something that demanded our complete attention. Every step had to be taken carefully. Every stream had to be assessed. And every now and then, we would stop simply to take in the landscape around us.
A View Hidden Behind the Mist
One of the highlights of the trek was supposed to be the viewpoint, which offers a panoramic view of the surrounding waterfalls and mountains. But the monsoon had something else in store for us.
The continuous rain had brought with it an enormous amount of mist. Visibility was extremely limited, and the mountains and waterfalls that we had hoped to see were largely hidden behind a thick curtain of clouds.
I’ll admit, it was a little disheartening. After all, when you travel so far and trek for hours, you naturally hope to be rewarded with that spectacular panoramic view.
But the longer I stood there, the less disappointed I felt. Because the mist itself had become the view. The rain, the clouds, the dense greenery, the wind and the sound of water flowing everywhere around us had created an experience of its own.
Sometimes, nature doesn’t give you the photograph you came looking for. It gives you something else entirely.
Sixteen Hours of Monsoon
By the time we completed the trek, we had spent more than 16 hours experiencing the rain—walking through it, crossing streams, navigating slushy trails and simply standing in it.
We were completely drenched. This was the monsoon the way I had always imagined experiencing it.
Unpredictable! Relentless! And beautiful!
It was also one of those rare journeys where I barely managed to take my camera and accessories out. The conditions were simply too wet and challenging for most of the journey.
For a photographer, that’s quite unusual.
But perhaps that itself says something about this trip. There were moments when experiencing the monsoon was far more important than photographing it. And for once, I was perfectly okay with that.
And Then Came the Food!
Food plays an important part in every trip, and I have always enjoyed exploring local flavours wherever I travel. This trip was no different.
Both before and after the trek, we explored local eateries and enjoyed some delicious food. After spending hours in the rain, muddy trails and cold mountain weather, sitting down for a warm meal was an experience in itself.
Those meals, conversations and little moments between the adventures added another layer to the journey.
Perhaps that is what makes a trip memorable.
Until the Next Monsoon
At the final leg of the trip, it was difficult to say goodbye to the Sahyadris.
I have been returning to the Western Ghats every monsoon for more than a decade now, and somehow, every journey manages to give me another reason to come back. This trip was different.
It was shorter than most of my monsoon journeys. The original plan didn’t work out. The mountains remained hidden behind mist. My camera spent more time inside its protective cover than outside.
And yet, it turned out to be one of the most memorable monsoon journeys I’ve had in years.
Perhaps that’s the beauty of travelling during the monsoon. You don’t always get what you planned for. Sometimes, you get something better. Until the next monsoon.
Travel Circle
Some of my journeys are now open to a small group of like-minded travellers through Xplore With Vijay Travel Circle initiative.
These are my personal trips. Not commercial tours, with a strong preference for small groups, flexible itineraries and a genuine love for nature and exploration.
Interested in joining a future journey?
Learn more: https://www.xplorewithvijay.com/travel-circle/
If you enjoy social media, feel free to connect and explore more of my work through the links below.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xplore_with_vijay
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@xplore_with_vijay/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vijay8686
Before You Leave…
If you’ve made it this far, here’s a chance to see the journey come alive.
Watch the beautiful cinematic video of our Aadrai Jungle Trek and experience the rain, mist, forests and mountains through our eyes.
If this journey resonated with you, I invite you to join my broadcast list for more stories and photographs from my travels. And, do share your thoughts in the comments.