Travel Is Not About The Place, But Rather Of What Is Perceived!!

Planning an exciting trip to Goa with friends, dreaming Goa is on!!! and eventually to see it vanish just before takeoff – a common story, right? It’s funny how our exciting plans sometimes end up turning into unexpected adventures. My buddies and I aren’t immune to this either!

Our grand plan? A getaway to valleys in Mahabaleshwar. Reality? A delightful twist that landed us in a very popular spot right in the heart of the city—Taljai Tekdi.

While making our travel plans, the attraction of far-off destinations outshined the beauty closer to home, our story begins. With a bit of unwillingness yet curious to explore, we decided to give Taljai Tekdi a chance. 

As we started exploring Taljai, the day was unveiled in ways which made me question my initial doubts and we realized the excitement of adventure wasn’t about going far but it was about finding the beauty and magic hidden within the simplicity of a place which seemed quite ordinary at first glance. 

 Join me through the story as we navigate the twists and turns of our wonderful day which started with skepticism but ended by discovering wonders at Taljai Tekdi.

In the morning filled with winter breezes and the city was still half-asleep, I commenced on this planned yet unplanned exploration. It was my first time visiting Taljai Tekdi, hence I drove the unknown roads in the dark. Despite traveling solo before, I was a bit worried about what if my friends don’t show up, leaving me to explore the place by myself? 

I reached there before my friends, the calm morning surrounded me. A silhouette of the Taljai Mata Temple at the top appeared in front of my sleepy eyes. The nervousness vanished and a sense of serenity took over, and in that moment I found myself standing at the destination alone but not lonely. 

Eager to watch the sunrise, I decided to explore Taljai Tekdi till my friends arrive. The place was new to me, and the sun yet to light up the world. I was clueless, where to go? 

So, I followed the trail where other people were heading. But, realizing I didn’t know where I could watch the sunrise, I approached Uncle for directions. Surprisingly, he not only helped me but also walked with me through the dark trail surrounded by trees. 

While having an interesting conversation, I was amazed to know that Uncle was a 84-year-old retired army officer. He has been a regular visitor to Taljai since 2001. Uncle’s activeness contradicted his age. I soon realized I am in the company of a Taljai Tekdi enthusiast. Uncle shared his remarkable journey about the place. The interesting conversation and the walk along the trail made me think of a helping nature of this beautiful humankind. Sometimes, asking questions leads to more than just answers; it unveils unexpected treasures.

Finally, we reached the sunrise spot! With gratitude and respect, I bid farewell to my newfound friend.I further ascended the watch tower to witness the sunrise unfold.

At the top, alone and mesmerized by the view of the vast city. I observed the waking city with wide open eyes, I heard the whisper of thousands of people at once. I felt the happiness, worry and the endless hurry to go somewhere. I pondered about a mother making a tiffin for her child, a father getting ready for the office and a kid thinking about a reason to bunk the school. So many stories…

I felt surrounded by people with stories unexplored. The travel expedition started with hesitation and fear had taken an amazing turn, making me realize travel is not about the place but what experience you get and how ready you are  to keep up with the surprises coming along the way. Most importantly, I discovered people we meet can affect the course of your travel journey in a very beautiful way. 

Being lost in these thoughts, time passed away, and before I knew it, the surroundings had already transformed into a bright and cheerful morning. My face lit up with this new feeling of amaze and satisfaction, I was enjoying the solitude. A call from my friends, Saurabh and Akash, singled out the end of the journey alone and the beginning of shared adventures ahead.  

With Saurabh and Akash, we started exploring the vibrant canvas of the place. Friends never walk silently, one or other always has something to say, so Saurabh started sharing his experience while reaching here. The way he was telling us, we could imagine the scene in our mind- The rising sun painted the sky in warm orange hues, as if it was saying “Good Morning” in a most soothing way. The tekdi consisted of a temple, gathered people and green trees as a backdrop, looking like someone was coloring the huge painting live.

He further shared his story, “When we proceeded deeper into the jungle area, let me tell you, I felt like we are definitely not in the city, but we are somewhere far in a remote area. Tall trees looking like they want to touch the sky, branches intertwined like arms welcoming us,and the rustling of leaves whispering secret to the cold air.”
Jumping out of excitement he said, “ And the colors, it was like a great artist had come here to paint this place into a beautiful landscape. His palette must have shades of greens, from the lime color to the dense green. Each shade shares a story of its own, like lime colored leaves are ready to bloom whereas brownish black trunks of the trees outline the age of the tree. Wait there are not just shades of green and brown but also colorful flowers covering many areas into a beautiful carpet. Also, have you seen a red-colored temple, standing there as a symbol of peace and serenity. It was like colors of nature and spirituality coming together to create this magical place.”

After listening to what he said, for him traveling is not just about reaching a destination; it is about indulging in all the colors around. His journey was nothing less than a colorful kaleidoscope, from warm orange shaded sky in the morning to shades of green in the jungle.

As we were wandering around, Snehal called, She was lost!

Luckily she decided to wait for us near the temple, otherwise it would have been a scary adventure to look for her in the jungle and many trails. After reaching outside the trail area, we came across a group of people from the Lions Club wearing white T-shirts, energetically raising awareness about diabetes. We then made our way to the temple, and there we found our lost girl seated in a corner, observing her surroundings.
Meanwhile, Akash’s attention was drawn to the spirited chants of “Huppa Huyya, Jai Bajranga” from the other side of the temple. There, an uncle guided the chants, leading a few people in sit-ups, and setting the vibe of the Patangan beside the temple. Being a sports enthusiast he couldn’t control the temptation of working out there. 

After his workout, he joined us, eager to share his experience.

He urged,” Guys, there’s this 70-year-old uncle leading exercises for the youngsters, and he’s definitely doing better than them. You have to come and check it out.” 

Still not interested in going, he further added, “Hear me out; you can see kids and older people doing exercises too, all while having fun. Also, there are few CrossFit equipment, which I have never seen before placed in an open area. Snehal, you can try climbing the rope there.” 

We laughed at his words, teasing Snehal, and eventually, he convinced us to go. We observed, along with the trails, this small area equipped with gym and crossfit elements could become one of the favorite places for the health conscious Punekar’s. 

While Akash continued his exercise, we saw a few people working out with help of Tyre, some doing Yoga , and others attempting pull-ups. Kids were also working out excitedly. The most amazing part was seeing elderly people actively performing all the exercises and inviting others to join. The whole scenario was creating a community vibe.

Afterward, when we came out for breakfast, choosing from so many healthy options was another task. However, we were more focused on what Akash was saying. He conveyed,” My friend comes here regularly to work out, at first I was ignorant but then started wondering what must be the reason behind the consistency. Today, when I am personally experiencing it, I understand the reason. The open area gym, supportive environment and motivating community encourages anyone to join them. Even if you are a newbie, you are welcomed here and there are people ready to help you out. This experience is something different from the exercises I used to do in the gym.This makes exercising more fun and makes me see it in a whole new way.” 

Still wondering about what he said, we tried Mosambi Juice before heading to the trail area again.

With all of us finally together, we decided to explore the other side of the trail. While walking, Snehal started sharing her experience of being lost yet finding solace in nature. 

She explained, “Guess what happened? When I was looking for you guys and lost my way in the jungle, I started feeling worried and uneasy. While waiting for you guys to come find me, I found myself surrounded by the prettiest nature. Big trees with lots of leaves covered the sky like a giant umbrella. There were flowers everywhere, in so many colors, like a beautiful painting.

With a warm smile, she shared, “The sweet chirping of birds filled the surrounding with joy. Have you guys seen that tiny pond, where ducks are gliding across the water? I also saw many butterflies fluttering around me, giving the feeling of a scene out of a romantic movie. When I went ahead, gorgeous peacocks flaunting around. Seeing them up close was an unforgettable experience. Everything around me was looking so perfect and beautiful that it cheered me up. You know I really love places with natural elements because nature never fails to make me happy.

I forgot about being late and just enjoyed the beauty around me. I discovered that sometimes, being a little lost can lead to the most beautiful discoveries.”

While enjoying interesting conversations and laughter, we covered the half an hour trail. Coming back to entrance all the memories flashed in front of our eyes and soon realized it was time to say goodbye.

During the journey, I did not just see Taljai with my eyes; I also experienced it through the different perspectives of my friends. Saurabh’s way of looking at things made me see colors as stories, and the excitement of Akash showed how exercising can be done in a fun way. Whereas our lost girl Snehal, made all three of us pay closer attention to nature around us.

At the heart of Taljai Tekdi lies its community experience, turning ordinary moments into vibrant celebrations.The environment transitions from cold morning breeze to a peaceful and spiritual vibe. During the peak hours, the place is decorated with friendships, encouraging voices, and the shared laughter. An uncle I met earlier invited me to their Diwali Pahat celebration. It showed how warm friendships are made at Taljai. I think it is a place where strangers become friends, and the air is filled with a shared joy that connects everyone who visits.

To conclude the experience, I understood that by seeking out different perspectives, we gain a better understanding of the place as a whole. We may find ourselves surprised by the unexpected beauty we uncover or the new connections we reveal throughout the journey.

In the end, as we bid farewell to Taljai Tekdi, I reflected upon the unexpected twists and turns that transformed our supposed Mahabaleshwar adventure into a delightful day at this popular yet unexplored gem. What started with a hint of hesitation turned into a tale of shared laughter, surprising discoveries, and the warmth of newfound friendships.