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Published: June 12th 2014
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I came to know about this observatory at kavalur which is operated by Indian institute of astrophysics. Kavalur observatory is located in Kavalur in the Javadi Hills in Alangayam, Vellore District. The Kavalur Observatory is located in a 100 acre forest land in Tamil Nadu which is strewn with a variety of greenery of tropical region and is known for the highest concentration of various species of snakes in India. The doors of this observatory are open for general public on Saturday evening. So decide to avail this opportunity. The observatory is located at Javadu hills right in the middle of thick forest called Amrithi. The nearest railway station is vaniyambadi.where only few trains stop by. The major nearest rail junction is katpadi which is 3 kilometers from bustling major town Vellore. From Vellore you can take a bus to vaniyambadi which should take like an hour. Avoid taking bus to alangayam from vellor (which I did in my last trip) as the bus will go through villages at max speed of 10 km/hr and it can take like four hours. whereas you can go to vaniyambadi via national highway which will take an hour and half and then take bus
to alangayam from vaniyambadi which should take like another half an hour.
So all set planned to board the train Brindavan express which start from Chennai central at 7:50 am
Reached station at 7:30 took the general ticket and straight to reserved compartment. The compartment was heavily crowded there was no place to stand and then every now and then vendor s was passing by and the only way out was to move clockwise on your axis so that they can pass. It was irritating me so using previous experience in such situation I asked one of the guys to close the door and after closing the door there was ample space for two guys to sit on the floor.
It was very comforting. I never knew that the train will stop at vaniyambadi I had ticket till katpadi only but my fellow passengers insisted that I should get down at vaniyambadi.
So got down at vaniyambadi the bus station and only major market is just 500 meters from vaniyambadi railway station. There was a Sarvanan bhavan near bus stand and I decided to
saapadu(Lunch). The food was simply amazing topped it up with a
lassi and I was all set for the excursion.
Took bus to alangayam it was heavily crowded it took us half an hour to reach alangayam.
From here I had to take another bus to kavalur the frequency is very less got some time to take snap of day today activity going around the bus stand. Iron was being smelted and casted via hammering fresh flowers being sold, firewood dosa and paratha ready to be served. One thing which I can spot around were smiles. happiness was in the air. While I was taking the pics and interacting an elderly lady selling flowers shouted that the bus about to leave will go Kavalur.I had to chase the bus and managed some space next to the driver.This place was good for taking snap as the bus moved on the kavalur the road was covered with gulmohar trees who were on full blooms the field were green and orchard were laden with ripened mango. There was nice fragrance in air. javadu hills are covered by agrarian villages hard working community which has cleared the forest and established farm at hills slope.
Reached at 2:30 the guard asked
me to come at 6:30 then only the visibility will be good since it was still 4 hours I decide to visit falls in amrithi forest area. For Amrithi forest I had to go to 12 Km ahead to a small village known as
Jamuna mattur luckily got lift on bike. The bike was in bad shape with shockers almost gone but still the guy was generous enough to take me along. After reaching Jamuna mattur had to trek through the village.
Jamuna mattur is a beautiful village and suddenly everybody was kind enough to pose for my camera right from elderly ladies who threw their sickles on ground and tucked their sarees , to Kids playing cricket and cattle’s who were busy grazing. This seemed to be a big farming community growing everything right from fruits to vegetables and seasonal crops. After trekking for around 3 Km reached the forest gate which is not guarded and then went on towards the fall. The fall was dry but seeing the rocks it can be judged that it will be massive in rains. The rocks are very slippery here and locals told me that accidents happen if proper precautions are not
taken. There were so many butterflies that the forest can very well be made a butterfly park. There were lots of earth mound where snakes can live locals worship these mounds. They often tie red color cloth around the mound and offer milk to snake at some places trishul was also put in the mound. I was back at kavalur observatory at 6:00 PM and was asked to wait for another half an hour. After it was dark we were allowed in the gates the battery of my camera was used up so can’t take the snaps. It was amazing feeling. inside the gate it was total dark there was lot of buzzing sounds of the insect which was mysterious and thrilling at the same time and just imagining that you are in a very small place with electric fencing right in the heart of 100 acre forest was very liberating. Fireflies were all around and of course the thought of snake next to my feet was there in my mind I enquired the guards how they handle these big snakes they told that most of the time they take round of the observatory in the car and the snakes
even if they appear they simply pass by and disappear in the valley. The telescope was all set first it was the turn to see moon. The craters of moon were clearly visible. Then Jupiter with four moons was an Amazing spectacle in the sky has to admit that Jupiter with four moons will remain with me all my life.
Saturn’s ring was clearly visible and then came the turn of mars. Overall it was an amazing experience took the last bus from the observatory to Vaniyambadi at 8:45.
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Srini
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You Rock
Nice Picture and excellent trip details...