Whispers of Serenity: Journey to Coorg

Raman was a young boy hailing from the busy city of Bangalore. He liked the din and bustle of the city but often had daydreams of places with natural beauty and peaceful surroundings. 

It was when his uncle suggested going to Coorg that Raman jumped at the opportunity. He had heard about the beauty of Coorg, and now he wanted to see it for himself.

The journey to Coorg was a tour in itself. Winding roads of the bus went through green coffee plantations which were like blankets spread all over the hills. It was much cooler than in the city and full of coffee bean freshness in the air. 

There was a mist all around which created the landscape look like a painting. Raman just couldn’t help looking out the window.

The first destination was Abbey Falls. Raman had seen waterfalls in photographs, but it was not like this. Water flowed with much vigor through the rocks and made a thunderous sound. Mist from the falls touched his face, and he laughed as it felt cool.

He stood on the bridge and watched how the water was tumbling below; he felt small but happy in the presence of such beauty.

They went to visit a small neighbouring village. The residents welcomed them warmly. Raman could not resist himself from inquiring about their ways of living so he listened carefully when they shared information about their cultural and historical importance.

They offered him traditional cuisine, which were different in taste but tasted mouthwatering too. An old man said there were once courageous warriors called Kodava who used to reside over there. The imagination of himself as a protector of the hill was created in his mind.

That evening, they went to a place known as Raja’s Seat. Once, the kings used to sit here and watch the view; Raman could understand why. The hills went quite a distance into the distance, while the setting sun orchestrated a kaleidoscope of orange and gold in the sky.

A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers. Raman sat quietly; for the first time in his life, he felt what it was to be in peace.

The next day, Raman’s uncle took him on a trek through the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. The forest was dense, and the trees formed a green roof over their heads. 

Sounds of birds and insects filled the air. Raman walked cautiously, looking at every flower and listening to every sound. It felt like the forest was alive, guiding him deeper into its secrets.

In the middle of their trek, they came across Iruppu Falls. The water cascaded down smooth rocks into a clear pool. Raman couldn’t resist stepping into the cool water.

It was cold but refreshing, and he splashed around, laughing like a little kid. For a moment, he felt like he belonged there, as if the forest had welcomed him into its world.

Later on, they went to Omkareshwara Temple. The temple looked odd with a blend of various architectural styles. 

Incense filled the air within the temple walls, while people prayed in silence. Raman sat and watched; he didn’t understand entirely why he liked this sense of calm.

His uncle told him about the history of the temple, and Raman imagined the many people who must have gone there to find peace over the years.

On their last day in Coorg, they visited Nagarhole National Park. Raman was all excited about the safari and hoping to see wild animals. They saw deer grazing and colorful birds perched on trees as the jeep moved through the forest.

Then, they saw a herd of elephants walking together. Raman’s heart was racing when the guide pointed out a tiger resting in the distance. Seeing those animals in their natural home was something Raman would never forget.

As the bus left Coorg, Raman gazed out of the window for one last time. The green hills and misty air seemed to wave goodbye. He felt peaceful and happy, as if the place had shared its secrets with him.

He went back to Bangalore, but Raman couldn’t stop talking about his trip. More than that, though, he took a sense of peace with him. Raman promised himself that he would go back to Coorg one day and protect places like it, so generations could come to experience the same magic he found.

Coorg had changed Raman in a way he didn’t expect. It taught him to appreciate the beauty of nature and to find joy in the simple things. And even in the busy city, when life felt overwhelming, Raman closed his eyes and imagined the green hills of Coorg, where peace and happiness always waited for him.