My Thoughts and Travels: 2012

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

KAAS –THE PLATEAU OF FLOWERS, SATARA, MAHARASHTRA31^st Aug to 2^nd Sept 2012

Kaas plateau is situated on the Sahyadri range at about 275 kms South East of Mumbai, on the Mumbai-Kolhapur Road. From Satara it is 24 Kms. It takes about 7 hours by chartered bus from Mumbai.While many would have heard of the Valley of Flowers in Himalayas, not many would have heard about this place till about five years back.

Thanks to some local activists Kaas Plateau has now been declared as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Kaas Plateau is a Lateritic formation. During the months of August to October this becomes a carpet of millions of tiny colourful flowers. The colours change practically every week from yellow to pink to blue to white and red depending on the dominant flowers during a particular period. Just imagine yourself at a place where there are rows and rows of blooming flowers on a flat land, as far as your eyes can see - different colours, different varieties- that is Kaas. There are nearly 400 species of plants/plants and a hundred types of birds.

The place is well known at least in Maharashtra and thousands of people started visiting. Due to uncontrolled tourism there was lot of damage to the plants and flowers. The government has in the recent past tried to regulate the flow of traffic. On line booking for passes is necessary. The number of passes has been restricted. Vehicles are stopped about two kms. from the spot. Patrolling by forest guards has also started. This has really improved the situation.

Nature India organised a trip from 31^st Aug to 2^nd Sept to Kass in which I participated.It was slightly drizzling throughout the three days.. We were given a list of the plants/flowers with their common name and botanical names. Two organisers took us around and indicated the plants/ flowers I was more interested in looking at them than knowing their names, which any way were so complicated that it was impossible even to pronounce. I was surprised to see enthusiasts from Chennai and Delhi joining us on the trip. Kass seems to be getting famous.

Some photos taken by me during the trip and some others taken by a friend during his earlier trip are given here.

MALAYSIA

We went on an 8 day trip to Malaysia recently.

We visited Kuala Lumpur, Putra Jaya, Genting Highlands, Penang and Langkawi.

The country is divided into 9 Malay states and 4 others. The Malay states have hereditary rulers. These rulers become the King on a rotation basis for a period of 5 years each.

All ethnic Malays are considered to be Mulims. There are 63% Muslims, 20% Budhists, 9% Christians and 6% Hindus and others in the country. Quite a lot of Hindu festivals like Pongal, Divali are celebrated by everyone.

In order to achieve national integration between the Chinese, Malays, Tamilians and others it was decided to adopt Roman script for the Malay language. Punishments for crossing roads at other than zebra crossings, spitting, loitering, littering, even honking is very severe. So the roads are neat and clean, no honking anywhere. Driving is difficult some time due to heavy traffic but is very orderly. Everyone waits patiently. Roads are excellent. I learnt that Tamilnadu government has invited some technologists and contractors from Malaysia to lay roads in their state.

Interestingly, the second richest person in Malaysia is an Indian, Mr. Ananda Krishnan, who owns Air Asia, a major part of Petronas( the oil company),Maxis communication ( which is in the news for fraudulently acquiring 3G spectrum in India with Murasoli Maran's help by troubling Aircel)and many other industries.

KUALA LUMPUR

The most famous tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur are the KL tower, Petronas Tower, the Batu caves and the Mariamman Temple.

One can go to the top of KL Tower. From here the view of the city is panoramic.

It is difficult to go up the Petronas Tower as they allow only 250 persons per day and there is a long queue from early morning.

In addition to the Mariamman temple the most famous religious place is the Murugan Temple in Batu caves.

Batu caves are naturally formed. There are 272 steps to climb to reach the Murugan Sannidhi. There are formations of stalagmite and stalactites at the top.

Thai poosam is the greatest festival here. This falls on the full moon day in the Tamilian month of Thai ( between 15th Jan and 15th February). Poosam, the star is at its highest altitude on the day. Worshippers carry a palanquin (Kavadi) with Murugan idol to the temple. The kavadi is decorated with peacock feathers, peacock being the carrier of Lord Murugan. Some pierce their tongues/backs. There are many rituals like fire walking that day. It is not only the Hindus who take part in this. I have seen quite a large number of Chinese taking part. Interestingly a friend of mine who is Irish also takes part every year in Thai Poosam with his wife and two children.