Photo Travelogue :
"don't go there" "its too dangerous" "lots of wild animals" "theres lots of paranormal activities" "spirits roam the place" "many have commited suicide in that hill" "never go alone" "people got attacked by the unseen".....the cautions were a plenty...
But with every warning, grew my curiority and eagerness manifold to experience the place myself. At almost 1312+ feet ( 400 metre ), it is supposedly one of the highest points in Guwahati,Assam surrounded by dense jungles all around that are in turn infested with all types of wild animals and critters On top stands an 80 metre tall old BSNL tower which is visible from almost all corners of the city. The hill looked tempting; and with so many fears induced in my brain from all quarters...my desire to go personally only multiplied. So, soon I found myself heading towards the hill. I started early so that I had plenty of time in my hands incase something unfortunate happened and I had to make a quick exit. It'd be difficult after dark. I checked my pockets...for the self-defence I always carried my pocket-knife and pepper-spray. Not just animals I could handle any lunatics prowling if I had these protections with me.
At first with lots of human settlements in the area it was bit confusing to reach my destination...but I rode till I reached the 'arched' entrance at the edge of a narrow road that suggested that I had reached the right spot. The steep incline ( almost 60=80° ) that followed immediately was challenging for my scooty and it refused to go up after quite a bit of struggle. Reluctantly, I decided to leave it and go ahead on foot. ( But, I'd soon need it...the jungle overwhelmed me so ). With my hand inside my pocket, with my fingers firmly wrapped around the knife that I carried, I walked up. It was so steep that within a few steps my heart started beating fast and I was already huffing and puffing. The trek to the top is nearly 3-4 kms, but, it was a struggle..so I walked slowly. I left the habitation behind and soon I was all alone in the narrow path with jungles surrounding me. This place is famous for leopard and elephant attacks so with every step my nervousness grew. But much to my delight, I saw few local cowherders ahead carrying those huge branch cutting tools and venturing far ahead to fetch grass so that sort of lifted my spirits up. If they could go, and this was their daily job, so could I. I even came across an old lady who walked alone all by herself, in search of woods carrying a sharp sickle. That must be their self-defence. I tried talking to her asking how far was the peak. Not too eager to talk, she simply replied 3-4 kms and then vanished into the woods. And I was all alone.
It was quite unnerving being alone surrounded by the dense foliage everywhere. I mustered some courage and reached the first temple. If a mere half kms walk had me so worked up already, I wondered how would I do the rest so many miles on my own. Alone was not as scary if I had my scooty...so, I walked back to where my scooty stood at the foothill. I had to get it going somehow if I were to reach the top in one piece.. It grumbled a few times again, but, I literally pushed it up the hill pressing the accelerator until it finally agreed to start with a jerk. And thus, it did go the initial steep phase; but, there were many more to come. Thankfully, my scooty didn't fail me again and struggled its way up...roaring away to please it owner ( moi ). Slowly, the jungle revealed itself in its raw beauty with every metres covered. I came across another scooty... which was kind of abandoned by two riders who had to walk all the way up as their scooty simply wouldn't comply. It reminded me of my own plight and I silently prayed so that my scooty held its ground and didn't give up. The climb was really challenging... add to it the road being so narrow; one misstep, and, I'd go over the edge ~ deep into the jungles far below. Rescue would be almost impossible in such a terrain; and before any help arrived I'd be someone's meal. Brushing away such scary thoughts I navigated my way up carefully; falling in love with such enchanting surroundings. I simply love the forests ~ the huge trees, chirping of birds, criketing insects, the wild blooms, the colourful butterflies fluttering all over...its all so mesmerising. Can't believe all these beauty is so close to the city. At places, the trees were so tall the sun barely made an appearance. And yea...the jungles were so much cooler than the city below. With trees everywhere and fresh oxygen...the temperatures automatically gets so pleasant. I reached some huge boulders where there was a tiny stream of water. I paused my scooty a bit ( no, didn't turn off the engine, lest it didn't start, lol ) and then, again moved on.
After the boulders the road became almost verticle. Oh no, not now i pleaded my scooty...don't fail me now. I'm so thankful...it listened and patiently dragged on; the engine roaring as it struggled. It had never climbed such a verticle path in its entire lifespan. In this stretch, the road was also moist and slippery with the green algae or moss type growth. It made my scooty wobble like an old lady. A large gate greeted me in the end, And thankfully, it was open. I parked my scooty and went in. I had finally reached after quite a struggle. But the end was so worth it. The tall tower stood in the compound. A temple stood at one side...one has to go around the tower to reach there. I sat on edge of the hill and enjoyed the views. You see the city below and also the hills of Meghalaya far away at a distance. Enjoy the unbelievable journey through pictures below :-)
view from chandmari flyover
probably the highest hill in Guwahati, it stands out from the rest, and, is quite prominent...
the entry gate...its a very steep climb here on...
mission of the day visible from the entrance...its a long long way ahead...
the climb begins, first by scooty, it doesn't go, so I start on foot...
its a steep steep climb...
engulfed by greenery on all sides...
reach a temple...( first one - there are two...its for those who can't go to the top one )
I'm exhausted already so that this point I decide to go down and try to bring my scooty...
after successfully bringing my scooty this time...the uphil journey continues...
its difficult and risky to halt the scooty in these slippery slopes to take pics, but I can't resist...
can't believe this serenity exists so near the city itself...
met huge boulders on the way...some having tiny fresh water streams in them for the thirsty traveller, so rejuvenating...
pausing every now and then to admire the sheer beauty of this place, I ride ahead...
not very far now... just a turn ahead
my scooty strikes a pose having achieved the impossible feat not many can...
finally reach the tower and there are a few steps...
there's the temple of bura gohain with a hole where water/milk vanishes into if you pour in it...
in july, lots of pilgrims come here for some special pujas...
the nearly 80 metre famous wireless tower
the view is simply awesome from here...
here, there is also a suicide point...
one has to go down to the huge boulder that juts out of the edge to a steep drop...
time to return...the ride back is equally exciting as well as dangerous...
not an everyday destination, but, a once in a life time must...would you dare to go after dark?
the map...
Narengi, Birkuchi aka the abode of Burha Goh(s)ain Pahar is the highest peak of South Kamrup ( wiki ).
Address : Burha Gosain Than, Radio Tower Rd, Bonda BSNL Tower/Narengi Wireless Pahar, Birkuchi, Thakurkuchi NC, Guwahati-781026
Read next part - Here! Stay tuned for all my road, rail, flight, cruise & walk trips.
( Images - ©Mine. All rights reserved. )
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